Blowout Low Taper Fade Curly Hair: My Favorite Lazy Clean Look

So I’ve been sitting on this haircut idea for a minute. Not because I was unsure about it, but I just wasn’t feeling the whole “try a new barber, maybe mess up your curls” situation. Curly hair can be finicky, you know? But eventually, I gave in and went for the blowout low taper fade curly hair look.

Turns out, this might be my favorite haircut I’ve had in a long time. It’s clean without looking like you tried too hard, and still lets the curls be the main event.

What’s Actually Going On with This Cut?

You get the blowout—meaning the curls up top are stretched and defined, usually with some heat or a diffuser. Then there’s the low taper fade, where the sides and back gradually shorten, but the fade doesn’t go too high up. It’s subtle. The curls stay up top doing their thing.

If you want something even cleaner around the ears and neckline, the low fade haircut might be your next go-to.

So the contrast between full texture and neat fade? Super balanced. It’s one of those cuts that just works on curly heads. Even if your curls are tight or loose, it blends nicely.

Why It Makes So Much Sense for Curly Hair

Curls naturally have volume, so if you let them grow out all over, you get that uneven, round look—especially on the sides. But tapering those sides down kind of sculpts the shape without doing anything drastic.

I’ve noticed when I get this cut, it stays looking clean for way longer than some others I’ve tried. You don’t even need to edge it up that often. After two weeks, it still looks put together from a normal distance.

What’s the Maintenance Like?

This part depends on your curl routine, honestly. I don’t do anything special outside my usual wash day stuff. A little leave-in conditioner, twist cream if I feel fancy, and I’m out the door. The only real upkeep is the fade part—usually a touch-up every couple of weeks to keep the sides fresh.

Curls with some length? These medium length haircuts for chubby faces offer flattering options that work well with texture.

The top? I pretty much leave it alone. Maybe refresh the curls with water or a bit of product if they get crushed after sleeping on them.

Picking the Right Barber (Frustrating But Worth It)

If your barber doesn’t get how curly hair behaves, they’re gonna make the fade way too aggressive or leave weird patches. I’ve had fades where the transition looked chopped up or the top was thinned way too much. It matters more than you’d think.

Now I stick with someone who actually cuts curly hair regularly. You don’t want to be their experiment.

You Don’t Need a Whole Product Shelf

I’ve tried a bunch of products but ended up only keeping like two. One is a curl cream that doesn’t weigh the hair down. The other’s a light leave-in. I don’t use gel unless I want that “wet look,” which isn’t often. Honestly, the fade part makes everything look more intentional anyway, so I don’t have to over-style.

Don’t overthink it. Keep the curls happy, keep the fade clean. That’s it.

Little Tweaks = Big Difference

Every time I go in, I adjust the look a little. Sometimes I ask for a cleaner temple taper, sometimes I let the back grow in a bit more. Once, I had a hard part shaved in—not something I’d do again, but hey, had to try.

Somewhere between subtle and sharp, the mid taper fade balances curly volume with just enough structure on the sides.

What’s cool is you can experiment with this cut without going full dramatic. Just enough edge to feel fresh.

Is This Just a Trend Thing?

Maybe. But also… not really? Tapers have always been around. Blowouts too. It’s just that people with curls are starting to figure out what actually works for them instead of trying to flatten or fight it.

So sure, maybe it’s trending, but it’s also solid. You won’t look back at old photos and cringe.

Heads-Up If You’re Getting It for the First Time

One thing that surprised me—after you wash your hair the first time post-cut, it’s gonna look slightly different than it did when you walked out of the shop. Your curls settle back in, so the shape changes a little.

Also, fades look best the first few days. You’ll get that crisp feel for a bit, then it softens. Still looks good, but not as sharp. I don’t mind, though. Looks more natural that way.

If You’re on the Fence, Go Try It

If you’ve got curly hair and you’ve been stuck between growing it out and buzzing it down—this is that in-between sweet spot. It’s clean enough to wear anywhere but still keeps your texture the main focus.

Worst case? It grows back in a couple weeks and you try something else. No big deal.

FAQs

• Do I have to blow it out?
  Not really. If your curls are defined on their own, you’re good. The blowout just adds volume.
• Can this work with short curly hair?
  Yep. As long as there’s enough on top to shape, it still looks great.
• What do I tell the barber exactly?
  Say you want a low taper fade with the top left full and textured. Or better—show a photo.
• How long does this haircut last before it looks weird?
  About 2 weeks for the fade, longer for the top. The grow-out is super forgiving.
• Will this help with shrinkage?
  A blowout can stretch it a bit, but it’s still curls at the end of the day. Don’t expect miracles.