How to Do a Taper Fade on Yourself
- 1). Stand in front of a bathroom or stationary wall mirror. Make sure the lighting in the room is sufficient so you're able to see your entire head. The hand mirror will be used along with the stationary mirror to see the back and sides of your head while cutting.
- 2). Cut hair, starting at the top of the head and using a larger guard. Fading down is the most effective way to cut the taper fade yourself. Longer hair on the top should be taken down first.
- 3). Change the clipper guard to the next smaller size at the layer point. A fade haircut layers the hair to different levels at meeting points. The sides are shorter than the top, and the back of the hair is shorter than the sides.
- 4). Cut the hair at an angle where the first and second layer of hair meets. The arm moves in the direction away from the head to achieve this. Hold the hand mirror steady to see the back of the head and ensure the hair is being cut consistently.
- 5). Blend the hair at each layer point using scissors or smaller clipper guards. Hair should blend or fade in with the next shorter layer. No lines should be visible.
- 6). Hold down each ear to line up the hair behind the ears. A steady hand is needed to ensure a straight line.
- 7). Taper the nape using a block style or following your natural hairline. Hair at the nape is cut down to almost none and is either cut straight across if a block taper is desired or follows the pattern of your hairline.
- 8). Remove the guard from the clippers to line up the hairline. The straight end of the comb can be used to ensure the line is kept straight across and along the sideburns.
