8 Tapered Haircuts That Will Inspire Your Next Major Hair Transformation

Getty | Mike Coppola
  • A tapered haircut is characterized by hair that's shorter on the sides and longer on top.
  • Tapered haircuts work on all textures, but look most flattering on "oval face shapes."
  • The style is both edgy and easy to maintain.

We give a lot of credit to seasonal hair-color transformations, but sometimes when you're really looking to undergo a big change, a haircut is all you need to start fresh. A tapered haircut, for instance, is an edgy haircut that's typically longer in the front but shorter on the sides and back of the head, making it fun to wear, easy to style and maintain, and perfect for anyone hoping to enter a new season with a dramatic new look to match.

"It's a short and layered cut, but with a long top that stops just below the cheekbone and tapers in the back toward the nape," celebrity hairstylist Juan Carlos Maciques previously told POPSUGAR. According to Maciques, this cut works best on those with "very petite, oval face shapes" since the short length won't overexpose the face, though it can look flattering on just about any hair texture.

"Cut it, line it up, and let your natural hair be free on top," hairstylist Takisha Sturdivant-Drew said. "It's about the cut with many lines that shows off your natural texture."

If you're currently in the market for a major hair change soon, keep scrolling to check out some tapered haircut inspiration.