A mid taper fade blowout pairs clean, shortened sides with a top that is dried up and out for volume. The sides stay sharp. The top looks full, textured and a little undone. It is one of the most flexible cuts a barber offers, because it works on straight, wavy, curly and coily hair.
This guide explains what the cut is and why people ask for it, then walks through 25 styles grouped by type. You will also get a barber script, a styling routine, product picks and upkeep timing.
What Is A Blowout Taper Fade?
A blowout taper fade is a taper at any height, low, mid or high, with a top that is blow dried up and out. The taper shortens the sides and back in smooth steps. The blowout is how you style the longer hair on top.
Two parts make the cut:
- The taper: a clean blend on the sides, which can start low, in the middle or high.
- The blowout: a top left long enough to dry upward, so it looks full and slightly tousled.
The barber cuts the sides and the length. The volume comes from your dryer and your products, so the style depends partly on what you do at home.
Why This Cut Is So Popular in 2026
I could not find hard numbers that prove one year is a record, so here are the reasons that are easy to verify:
- It works on every texture. Barber guides list it for straight, wavy, curly and coily hair.
- It adapts. You can wear it short or long, subtle or bold.
- It suits modern taste. Textured, voluminous tops are common in current men’s styles, while the taper keeps the shape tidy.
- It balances neat and relaxed. The sides look sharp, and the top looks easy.
A mid taper is the popular middle choice. It has more definition than a low taper and less contrast than a high one.
25 Best Mid Taper Fade Blowout Styles
Style names are descriptive labels, not official salon terms. Show your barber a photo and describe the shape in plain words.
Classic Blowout Taper Fade Styles
1. Mid Taper Fade Blowout
The base style. The taper starts around the middle of the sides, and the top is dried up and back. It is the best place to start.
2. Edgar Blowout Mid Taper Fade
A straight across fringe over very short, tapered sides. Barbershops often use the name Edgar for this shape. Ask for the fringe length in inches, since shops vary.
Texture-Specific Blowout Styles
3. Curly Mid Taper Fade Blowout
Curls kept on top, with a taper framing them. Leave enough length for the curl to form, and use a diffuser with curl cream.
4. Straight Mid Taper Fade Blowout
The top is lifted at the roots with a round brush. Straight hair sits flat, so mousse or sea salt spray helps hold the lift.
5. Wavy Mid Taper Fade Blowout
Natural waves add movement and hide small blend flaws. A light dry and a touch of paste are usually enough.
Blowout Combo Styles
6. Pompadour Mid Taper Fade Blowout
The front is swept up and back for height. It needs more hold than a plain blowout.
7. Quiff Mid Taper Fade Blowout
The front is lifted and brushed slightly forward. It is easy to loosen up for daytime.
8. Faux Hawk Mid Taper Fade Blowout
The sides are brought toward the centre for a raised ridge. It suits men who want attitude without a full mohawk.
9. Fringe Mid Taper Fade Blowout
The top falls forward over the forehead, with volume at the back of the fringe. It softens a high forehead.
Bold Blowout Styles
10. Mid Taper Burst Fade Blowout
A burst fade curves around the ear, so the sides look rounded behind it. It is a more dramatic frame for the top.
11. Textured Mid Taper Fade Blowout
The top is cut with scissors so it breaks into pieces. Finish with matte clay for definition.
12. Fluffy Mid Taper Fade Blowout
An airy, soft top dried with plenty of lift. Skip heavy products, since they weigh it down.
13. Blonde Mid Taper Fade Blowout
Bleached or blonde tones through the top. The color makes the volume stand out, but bleach dries hair, so condition well.
Low-Maintenance Blowout Pairings
14. Buzz Cut Sides With Blowout Top
Very short sides with a longer, lifted top. It has strong contrast, and the sides need frequent refreshing.
15. Mid Taper Fade Blowout for Thin Hair
Keep the top slightly longer and the taper softer. Mousse adds body, and a lighter product avoids a flat look.
16. Afro Blowout Mid Taper Fade
A rounded afro with a clean taper around it. Comb it out and keep the outline even.
17. Mid Taper Fade Blowout With Design
A thin line or small shape shaved into the side. Keep the design simple so the taper stays the focus.
18. High Blowout Mid Taper Fade
Maximum height on top. It needs strong hold and a good blow dry.
19. Low Blowout Mid Taper Fade
A shorter, softer lift that stays close to the head. It is easier to wear to work.
20. Disconnected Blowout Mid Taper Fade
The top and sides are cut as separate lengths with little blending between. It looks sharp and works well on curly hair.
21. Heavy Crown Blowout Mid Taper Fade
Extra volume built at the crown. It suits round or oval faces.
22. Drop Fade Blowout Mid Taper Fade
The line curves down behind the ear, instead of running straight around. It adds shape from the back.
23. Flipped Fringe Blowout Mid Taper Fade
The fringe is dried upward and flipped at the front. It gives a playful lift.
24. Undercut Blowout Mid Taper Fade
The sides are cut shorter and in one length, with a lighter blend. The top stays long and voluminous.
25. Side Part Blowout Mid Taper Fade
A clean part with volume lifted on one side. It is the most polished version.
How to Ask Your Barber for a Mid Taper Fade Blowout
Bring photos from the front, side and back. Tell your barber how you plan to style it, because a blowout depends on your routine.
Key Phrases to Use With Your Barber
- “Mid taper fade, starting around the middle of the sides.”
- “Leave enough length on top for a blowout, about 3 to 4 inches.”
- “Point cut or texturize the top for movement.”
- “Tapered neckline, natural hairline.”
A full script:
“I would like a mid taper fade blowout. Blend the sides down to a number 1 at the neckline, and leave about 3 to 4 inches on top, point cut for texture. Natural hairline please.”
Choosing the Right Length or Guard Number
For the bottom, a number 1 leaves about 1/8 inch and a number 2 leaves about 1/4 inch. For the top, you need enough length to lift, usually 3 to 4 inches. Shorter tops give less volume.
Common Mistakes to Mention
Tell your barber what to avoid:
- Do not take the taper higher than the middle.
- Do not cut the top too short.
- Do not thin so much that the top loses body.
- Do not skip the neckline.
Mid Taper Fade Blowout Video Guide
I cannot embed a video here, but you can ask your barber to show a short clip of the finished cut from the side and back. Here is the sequence they usually follow, so you know what to expect:
- They cut the sides and blend upward from a short guard to a longer one.
- They cut and texturize the top for movement.
- They detail the neckline and hairline.
- They blow dry the top upward with a round brush to show you the finish.
- They explain the product they used.
Watch the blow dry closely. It is the part you will repeat at home.
Common Mid Taper Fade Blowout Mistakes to Avoid
- Not drying the top upward. Letting it dry flat kills volume.
- Using too much product. It weighs the top down.
- Skipping heat protectant. Repeated heat dries hair.
- Cutting the top too short. There is not enough length to lift.
- Starting the taper too high. The cut turns into a high fade.
- Ignoring upkeep. The blend softens quickly if you wait too long.
How to Maintain a Mid Taper Fade Blowout
Touch-Up Schedule
Book a trim every 2 to 3 weeks to keep the fade sharp. Hair grows about half an inch a month. The top can go a little longer between visits than the sides.
Daily Styling Routine
- Start with damp hair.
- Apply heat protectant.
- Work in mousse or sea salt spray.
- Blow dry upward with a round brush, or use a diffuser for curls.
- Finish with a small amount of matte clay or paste.
Products That Work Best
- Mousse or sea salt spray: for lift and texture.
- Matte clay or paste: for hold and definition.
- Heat protectant: before any heat.
- Curl cream and a diffuser: for curly or wavy hair.
- Sulfate free shampoo and conditioner: to keep hair healthy.
A satin pillowcase reduces overnight frizz.
Best Mid Taper Fade Blowout by Face Shape
Oval Face
Almost any version works, so choose by hair type and routine.
Round Face
Add height with a high blowout or heavy crown. The short sides help slim the face.
Square Face
A softer top, like a fluffy or fringe version, balances a strong jaw.
Best Mid Taper Fade Blowout Styles by Age Group
Teenagers
Choose simple versions, such as a textured, fluffy or fringe blowout. They need little product.
Young Men
This is a good age to try bolder looks, such as a burst fade, blonde top or design.
Professional Men
Choose a low blowout or side part, with a natural hairline and matte product.
Mid Taper Fade Blowout vs Other Styles
Blowout vs Slick Back
A blowout is dried up and out, with a matte, natural finish. A slick back is combed flat and back, often with shine. The blowout looks fuller and more casual.
Blowout vs Pompadour
A pompadour is swept up and back into a shaped, structured wave, usually with strong hold. A blowout is looser and airier, and needs less product.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mid taper fade blowout?
It is a mid taper on the sides with a longer top that is blow dried up and out for volume.
How long should my hair be on top?
About 3 to 4 inches gives enough length to lift and style.
Does a mid taper fade blowout work on straight hair?
Yes, but straight hair needs mousse or sea salt spray to hold the lift.
Does it work on curly hair?
Yes. Leave enough length for the curl to form, and use a diffuser with curl cream.
How often should I get a trim?
Every 2 to 3 weeks keeps the fade sharp.
What products should I use?
Mousse or sea salt spray for lift, plus matte clay or paste for hold.
Is it suitable for thin hair?
Yes, with a slightly longer top, a softer taper and light products.
Is it professional enough for work?
Yes. A low blowout or side part with a natural hairline looks polished.
Conclusion
A mid taper fade blowout gives you clean sides and a full, textured top in one cut. Choose the style that suits your hair type and routine, ask your barber for the right top length, and bring photos of every angle. Learn the blow dry, use light products and book regular trims, and the cut will look sharp every day.
Liam Joseph Miller is a fashion and lifestyle writer passionate about modern trends, personal style, outfit inspiration, and everyday fashion. He enjoys creating simple, practical content that helps readers discover new looks, explore current trends, and express their unique sense of style with confidence.