Mid Taper Blowout: Guard Numbers, Script & Styling

A mid taper blowout is a haircut with sides that fade at mid-height and a top that stays full and lifted. I cut this style almost every day in my chair. Guys now ask for it by name.

The mid taper blowout looks clean without being loud. It works at the office, the gym, and a night out. It also grows out better than most fades.

Below you’ll get guard numbers, price ranges, hair-type tips, and the exact words to say to your barber.

Table of Contents

What Is a Mid Blowout Taper?

A mid taper blowout is a haircut with faded sides and a full, blow-dried top. The fade starts at mid-height, near the temple. The top stays about 3 to 5 inches long so it can lift.

Think of it as two parts. The taper cleans up the sides. The blowout gives the top its height and movement.

What is a blowout mid taper?

A blowout mid taper is another name for a mid taper blowout. Clients and barbers use both terms for the same cut. Say either one and a good barber knows what you want.

Is mid taper fade haram?

Most scholars say a plain mid taper fade is not haram. The hair blends smoothly, and you don’t leave bald patches. Some scholars dislike cuts that shave one part and leave another long. Opinions differ, so ask a scholar you trust. I’m a barber, not a scholar.

Also Read This Style: Textured Fringe Low Taper: 12 Stylish Haircuts for Men in 2026

Which is better, mid or low taper?

A mid taper is better if you want clear contrast and a bolder shape. A low taper is better if you want something soft and safe for strict workplaces. Neither is wrong. It comes down to how much attitude you want.

Is a blowout taper attractive?

Yes, most people find it attractive. A mid taper blowout frames the face, adds height, and looks styled without looking fussy. It adds length to round faces. It also balances long faces when you keep the top from getting too tall.

Where Does the Taper Actually Start?

On a mid taper blowout, the taper starts at the temple line, about two finger-widths above your ear. That’s the spot where the head starts to curve.

Here are the guard numbers I use most:

Top of the taper: #2 or #1.5 guard
Middle of the fade: #1 guard
Bottom near the ear and neck: #0.5, #0, or skin
Top length: 3 to 5 inches, scissor-cut

Your barber blends between these with a lever or a clipper-over-comb. The neckline fades too, so the back looks as clean as the front.

What Does a Mid Blowout Taper Look Like?

A mid taper blowout looks like a smooth gradient on the sides under a thick, lifted top. From the front, you see height and a clean outline. From the side, you see a fade that lines up with the middle of your head.

Zone	Length	Look
Top	3–5 inches	Lifted, textured
Upper sides	#2 to #1	Short, blended
Lower sides and neck	#0.5 to skin	Tight, clean

From behind, the fade should curve evenly. No steps, no patches.

What Are the Mid Blowout Taper Variations?

You can change the top, the part, and the fade shape without losing the core look. Each version below fits a different hair type or lifestyle.

Adding a Textured Fringe

A textured fringe keeps the front long and choppy instead of lifted straight up. It suits oval and square faces, and anyone with a high forehead. Ask for about 3 inches on the fringe and a #1 at the top of the taper. Rub in a little clay to keep the ends separated.

Adding a Middle Part

The middle part splits the top down the center and lets it fall to each side. It works best on straight and wavy hair, and on narrow or oval faces. Your barber should keep the sides at a #1 and leave 4 to 5 inches on top so the part sits right. Dry the hair away from the part, then set it with light cream.

The Slicked-Back Version

Here you comb the top back instead of up. It suits guys who want a sharper, dressier look, especially with thick or coarse hair. Ask for 4 inches on top and keep the taper tight at #0.5. Use pomade and a wide-tooth comb, and expect to restyle it after the gym.

The Burst Taper Variation

A burst taper curves the fade around the ear instead of running straight across. This gives you a rounder edge and works great on curly and coily hair. Ask your barber to blend the burst from a #2 down to a #0 behind the ear. It needs a trim every two to three weeks to keep the curve sharp.

How Do You Ask Your Barber for This Cut?

Tell your barber three things: where the taper starts, how short it goes, and how long you want the top. Here’s a script that works:

“I’d like a mid taper blowout. Start the taper at my temple, #2 on top of the fade, down to skin at the bottom. Leave about four inches on top and texturize it so I can blow-dry it up.”

Bring a photo too. Photos stop most mix-ups before they start.

Natural Edge or Sharp Edge-Up?

A natural edge keeps your hairline soft and fades out over time. A sharp edge-up uses a trimmer to draw a crisp line at the front. Choose natural if you hate frequent touch-ups, since a mid taper blowout with a soft edge looks good for four weeks. Choose sharp if you like that fresh, defined look and don’t mind returning every two weeks.

Consultation or Walk-In?

Book a consultation if it’s your first time or your hair is curly, coily, or thin. A short chat saves you from a haircut you don’t like. Walk-ins work fine if you have a regular barber who already knows your head. Expect to pay $25 to $55 in most US shops and $40 to $70 in big cities. A mid taper blowout takes 30 to 45 minutes.

Does This Haircut Work With Your Hair Type?

Yes, a mid taper blowout works on almost every hair type. You just adjust the top length and the way you dry it.

Straight Hair

Straight hair gives you the cleanest blowout and holds a slicked-back look well. It suits most face shapes, but very fine strands can fall flat. Ask for 3 to 4 inches on top and a #1.5 on the sides. Use a blow dryer and a round brush for 60 seconds at the roots.

Wavy Hair

Wavy hair is the easiest to style because it already has bend and body. It suits oval, square, and heart-shaped faces. Ask for 4 inches on top so the waves show but don’t weigh down. Scrunch in sea salt spray, then dry it with a diffuser.

Curly Hair

Curly hair gives you big, natural volume with almost no effort. It suits round faces if you keep the sides tight. Ask for 4 to 5 inches on top and a burst fade at the sides. Use a leave-in cream and never brush it dry.

Coily Hair

Coily hair holds shape well and makes the fade pop. It suits nearly every face shape, especially square and oval. Ask for 3 to 4 inches on top and a clean taper starting at a #1. Moisturize daily, pick the top out with an afro comb, and shape it up every two weeks.

Fine or Thin Hair

Fine hair needs extra lift and a shorter top. It suits guys who want more volume than they have, since the contrast fakes thickness. Ask for 2.5 to 3 inches on top and a #2 at the taper. Blow-dry with a volumizing powder, and skip heavy pomades that pull the hair flat.

How Do You Style This Cut at Home?

You style a mid taper blowout by towel-drying, adding prep spray, blow-drying up and back, then setting it with product. Here are the steps:

Towel-dry until the hair is damp, not wet.
Spray sea salt or a prep spray at the roots.
Blow-dry the front up and back with a brush.
Rub a dime-size amount of product between your palms.
Work it through the top and shape it with your fingers.

The whole thing takes five to eight minutes once you get the hang of it.

Match Your Product to Your Hair Type

The right product keeps your mid taper blowout in shape all day.

Straight or fine hair: matte paste or volumizing powder
Wavy hair: sea salt spray and light cream
Curly or coily hair: leave-in cream and curl gel
Slicked-back version: water-based pomade

Use less than you think. You can always add more.

How Long Between Touch-Ups?

Plan a trim every two to three weeks to keep the fade sharp. After four weeks, the taper grows out and starts to lose its line. If you get a sharp edge-up, stay closer to two weeks. If you keep it natural, you can stretch it to four.

Mid vs. Low vs. High Taper: Which Wins?

No taper wins every time. The best one depends on your face shape, your work, and how bold you want to look.

Feature	Low Taper	Mid Taper	High Taper
Starts at	Above the ear	Temple line	Above the temple
Contrast	Soft	Medium	Strong
Best for	Work, classic looks	Most guys	Bold, modern looks
Touch-up	3–4 weeks	2–3 weeks	2 weeks

A mid taper blowout sits in the middle on purpose. It gives you contrast without going too edgy. That’s why it’s my most-requested taper.

Common Mid Blowout Taper Mistakes to Avoid

Most bad results come from a few simple errors. Avoid these:

Starting the taper too high. It turns into a high fade and looks harsh.
Cutting the top too short. You can’t blow it out with under two inches.
Skipping the neckline. A blocky neck ruins a clean fade.
Using too much product. It weighs the hair down and kills the volume.
Waiting too long between cuts. The line blurs after four weeks.
Not bringing a photo. “Mid taper” means different things to different people.

FAQs

What is a mid taper blowout?

A mid taper blowout is a haircut with sides that fade at mid-height and a full, blow-dried top. The taper starts near the temple. The top stays long enough to lift.

What is the difference between a mid taper and a mid fade?

A mid taper leaves more hair at the bottom and blends softly. A mid fade cuts down to skin and looks sharper. The taper is the safer choice for work.

How do you ask for a mid taper blowout?

Say, “Mid taper blowout, starting at my temple, #2 on top of the fade, about four inches on top.” Bring a photo too.

How do you style a mid taper blowout?

Towel-dry your hair, spray prep spray at the roots, and blow-dry it up and back. Finish with a dime-size amount of matte paste or clay.

Is a mid taper blowout good for curly hair?

Yes. Curly hair gives you natural volume, and the tight sides make the curls stand out. Keep the top 4 to 5 inches long.

Summary

A mid taper blowout gives you a clean fade and a full top in one cut. Pick your top length, match your product to your hair type, and tell your barber the guard numbers. Bring a photo and book your touch-ups early.

Ready to try it? Screenshot the script above and take it to your next appointment.