Low Drop Taper with Messy Hair

The low drop taper with messy hair is a versatile and fashionable hairstyle that combines a neat, structured taper and a relaxed, textured top. This modern haircut has grown in favor among males due to its low-maintenance appeal and versatility, suiting hair types ranging from straight to curly. Whether you want a low drop taper with messy hair blonde, a low drop fade with a messy top, or a messy taper for curly hair, this guide has all you need to know about the style, including history, styling suggestions, maintenance, and more.

What is a Low Drop Taper with Messy Hair?

The low drop taper with Messy hair is a men’s haircut with a steady taper that begins low on the sides and back, followed by a pronounced “drop” form that arcs downward behind the ears. The top is left longer and dressed in a purposefully disheveled, textured look, providing a contrast between the clean sides and the voluminous, chaotic top. This style is also known as a low drop taper fade with messy hair or a low drop fade with a messy top, depending on the fading technique employed.

Key Features of the Low Drop Taper with Messy Hair

Low Taper: The hair shortens gradually from the top to the sides, beginning just above the ears.
Drop Shape: The taper bends downward at the rear of the skull, resulting in a distinctive appearance.
Messy Top: The longer hair on top is treated with texture, typically in a tousled or messy look.
Versatility: Works on straight, curly, or wavy hair and may be adjusted to varied lengths and textures.

History of the Low Drop Taper with Messy Hair

The messy low drop taper hairstyle is inspired by historical barbering techniques as well as recent trends. The taper haircut, a men’s grooming standard, emerged in the early twentieth century, when barbers began utilizing clippers to achieve clean, graduated cuts. Later, the “drop” taper appeared, which added a curved, low-dropping contour behind the ears for a more dynamic appearance.

The messy hair trend took off in the 2000s, encouraged by celebrities and performers who preferred a rugged, easygoing look. By the 2010s, structured fades and tapers paired with textured, messy tops had become a popular trend for guys looking to strike a balance between sophisticated and informal. Today, the low drop taper with messy hair is a favorite because to its versatility across hair types and ability to fit both professional and casual contexts.

Why Choose a Low Drop Taper with Messy Hair?

This hairstyle is popular for several reasons:

Low Maintenance: The messy top requires very little styling, making it ideal for individuals who enjoy a quick routine.
Versatile Styling: Can be worn casually or dressed up for formal events.
Flattering for All Hair Types: Works nicely with straight, curly, or wavy hair, featuring a low drop taper for sloppy curly or straight hair.
Face-Framing: The low taper complements a variety of facial shapes, emphasizing characteristics such as cheekbones and jawlines.
Trendy Yet Timeless: Combines modern flair with traditional barbering techniques.

How to Get a Low Drop Taper with Messy Hair

Getting the right low drop taper with unruly hair begins with a good barber and open conversation. Here’s a step-by-step instructions:

1. Find a Reputable Barber

Choose a barber that specializes in taper fades and textured cuts. Check reviews or ask for recommendations to guarantee they can do a low drop taper fade with messy hair or similar styles.

2. Communicate Your Desired Look

Select a low drop taper or fade for the sides and back.
Request a longer top (usually 2-4 inches) with texture to achieve the disheveled look.
Mention any variations, such as a low drop taper with messy blonde hair or a messy fringe on straight hair.
Bring reference photos to help explain your vision.

3. Customize for Your Hair Type

Straight Hair: Request choppy layers to enhance texture and movement.
Curly Hair: Keep the top longer to highlight natural curls, and trim the sides tightly.
Wavy Hair: Request a slightly longer taper so that waves flow perfectly into the sides.

4. Consider a Fade vs. Taper

A modest drop taper gently shortens the hair while not blending into the skin.
A low drop fade shaves closer to the skin, providing a sharper, bolder contrast.

28 Messy Low Taper Ideas

Here are 28 creative options to inspire your low drop taper with messy hair that cater to different hair kinds, lengths, and styles

1. Classic Low Drop Taper with Messy Top

The Classic Low Drop Taper with Messy Top is a flexible and elegant men’s haircut that features a clean, tapered fade and a textured, voluminous top. The low drop taper begins just above the ears and gradually shortens towards the neckline, resulting in a smooth, curved form that highlights facial features. The messy top is left longer, often 2-4 inches, with jagged layers for texture and movement, resulting in a casual, carefree style. This style complements a variety of hair types and face shapes, making it a popular choice for individuals looking for a blend of sophisticated and casual attitudes. It’s easy to keep up with regular cuts and can be styled with light pomade or wax for a tousled look.

2. Low Drop Taper with Messy Hair Blonde

The Low Drop Taper with Messy Hair Blonde is a stylish and eye-catching men’s haircut with a low drop taper fade that begins just above the ears and blends seamlessly into a shorter neckline for a sleek finish. The top is left longer with a chaotic, textured look, accented by a bright blonde shade that lends a dramatic, modern edge. This style complements a variety of hair types and face shapes, providing a laid-back yet elegant appeal. It may be styled with a mild texturizing product to highlight the jagged layers and keep the voluminous look, making it excellent for individuals seeking a low-maintenance but fashionable cut.

3. Low Drop Fade with Messy Hair

4. Low Taper with Messy Fringe for Straight Hair

The low taper with messy fringe for straight hair is a fashionable, modern haircut that has a neat, progressive fade beginning just above the ears and a textured, slightly disheveled fringe. The slight taper keeps the sides and back tidy, resulting in a professional yet comfortable look that complements a variety of face types. The messy fringe creates a playful, casual look, enabling the straight hair to fall organically over the forehead with volume and movement. This adaptable style is appropriate for both casual and business situations, and it requires little upkeep beyond a fast styling application to improve the texture. It’s great for people who want to strike a balance between strict organization and carefree flair.

5. Low Drop Taper with Messy Hair Curly Hair

The low drop taper with messy curly hair is a dynamic and stylish hairstyle with a gradual fade beginning low on the sides and back, curling around the ears for a striking drop impression. This cut enhances curly hair’s inherent structure by keeping the top fuller and styling it with a purposely chaotic, voluminous look that adds character and movement. The contrast between the tapering sides and the wild, curly top provides a striking yet manageable style, ideal for individuals who desire a low-maintenance but eye-catching look. This adaptable haircut looks well on a variety of facial shapes and may be enhanced with a light style product to define the curls. It’s a wonderful pick for those looking for a balance of sharpness and relaxed texture.

6. Low Drop Taper with Messy Hair Straight Hair

The low drop taper with messy hair and straight hair is a fashionable and modern haircut with a gradual fade that begins low on the sides and back, with the hairline slightly dipping around the ears for a distinct look. The top is left longer, with straight, textured strands fashioned in an intentionally chaotic manner, giving it a casual yet finished look. This design is ideal for people seeking a low-maintenance haircut that expresses confidence and adaptability. It can be readily altered with the appropriate product to improve the texture and keep the messy look in place.

7. Low Drop Fade with Messy Top

The low drop fade with a messy top is a popular hairstyle that combines a clean, tapered fade and a fun, textured crown. The fade begins low on the sides and back, curving downward around the ears for a subtle, sculpted appearance, while the top is left longer and fashioned into a disheveled, messy look. This design adds volume and movement, making it excellent for people who desire a casual but sophisticated look. It is suitable for all hair types, from straight to wavy, and can be enhanced with a mild style product to maintain the messy top in place. The contrast between the sharp fade and the disheveled top provides a balanced, modern look.

8. Messy Taper with Side Part

The messy taper with a side part is a trendy hairstyle that combines a tapered fade on the sides and back with a rough, tousled top fashioned to the side. The taper gradually shortens the hair from the top down, resulting in a neat but relaxed transition, and the side part gives a touch of classic elegance with a modern twist. The sloppy texture on top gives it a casual, effortless look that requires little styling. This adaptable style is suitable for all hair types and can be accentuated with a light pomade or wax to define the part and hold the messiness. It’s a popular choice for people who want to strike a balance between formality and informal style.

9. Low Drop Taper with Long Messy Top

The low drop taper with a long messy top is a dynamic haircut that features a sleek, low-starting taper on the sides and back and an extended, tousled top for a striking contrast. The taper fades gently from the longer hair on top, dipping slightly around the ears to give a smooth, sculpted shape, while the long top is fashioned with a sloppy, textured finish for a carefree look. This design is ideal for people seeking a versatile look that can be worn simply or dressed up with texture-enhancing products. It complements a variety of hair types, particularly straight or wavy, and adds volume and movement with its lengthier, disheveled top. The smooth taper and robust top make it an excellent choice for a modern, laid-back look.

10. Low Drop Taper with Textured Crop

The low drop taper with textured crop is a sleek, modern haircut for men that combines a precise taper and a dynamic, layered top. The low drop taper starts just above the ears and fades into the skin with a delicate curve that highlights the head’s natural contour. The textured crop on top has short, jagged layers that add volume and movement, and is frequently styled forward or slightly to the side with a matte product for a natural look. This cut is ideal for those who want a sharp, professional style with a hint of modernity. It complements most hair types and face shapes, making it a versatile and popular option.

11. Low Drop Fade with Wavy Messy Hair

The low drop fade with wavy messy hair is a vivid haircut that combines a crisp fade with a lively, textured top to create a stunning contrast. The fade starts low on the sides and back, softly lowering around the ears to produce a smooth, contoured form, while the wavy hair on top is left longer and groomed into a loose, tousled look for a relaxed mood. This style highlights the natural wave of the hair by adding volume and movement, making it great for a casual but stylish look. It’s ideal for individuals seeking a low-maintenance cut that still looks effortlessly cool, especially when paired with a minimal styling product to define the waves. The combination of a sharp fade and wavy, messy hair gives a balanced, modern look that works in a variety of settings.

12. Low Drop Taper with Messy Hair Male

The low drop taper with messy hair is a trendy, modern hairstyle for men that combines a crisp, sleek taper and a relaxed, textured top. The taper begins low on the sides and back, gradually blending into the skin and curling slightly over the ears for a smooth, polished appearance. The messy hair on top is left longer and brushed with a touch of product for a tousled, carefree look. This adaptable cut complements a variety of face shapes and hair types, striking a balance between neatness and casual flare. It’s low-maintenance but stylish, making it excellent for guys who want a smart look without much effort.

13. Low Drop Taper with Undercut

The low drop taper with an undercut is a strong, high-contrast haircut for males that combines a progressive taper and a prominent shaved part. The low drop taper begins just above the ears and fades softly into the skin, with a slight dip around the sides and back for a clean look. The undercut includes a sharply shaved portion beneath the lengthier top, producing a striking contrast that highlights the styled hair above. The top can be left longer and styled in a variety of ways, including slicked back or textured, increasing the adaptability of this edgy look. This haircut is great for people seeking a trendy, eye-catching style with a hint of sharpness and flare.

14. Low Drop Taper with Messy Pompadour

The low drop taper with a messy pompadour is a daring and fashionable haircut for men, combining a precise taper with a voluminous, messy top. The low drop taper begins just above the ears and fades seamlessly into the skin, with a small curve around the sides and back for a polished appearance. The messy pompadour has longer hair on top, styled upward and slightly forward, with a rough, undone finish that exudes carefreeness. This cut complements a variety of hair types and face shapes, combining classic elegance with current flair. It’s ideal for individuals who desire a distinctive look with little upkeep.

15. Low Drop Fade with Messy Fringe

The low drop fade with messy fringe is a popular and adaptable hairstyle for men, with a smooth fade that begins low on the sides and back and dips slightly around the ears. The fade goes smoothly from a shorter length at the bottom to a longer, disheveled fringe at the top, adding a casual, young touch. The messy fringe is combed forward with a textured, undone look to heighten its casual charm. This style complements a variety of hair types and face shapes, providing an ideal balance of sharpness and laid-back charm. It’s low-maintenance and great for people who want a trendy, easy look.

16. Low Drop Taper with Messy Quiff

The low drop taper with a messy quiff is a fashionable and adaptable hairstyle for men, blending a polished taper with a voluminous, tousled top. The low drop taper starts just above the ears and fades softly into the skin, with a small bend around the sides and back for a clean finish. The sloppy quiff has longer hair on top, combed upward and slightly back with a rough, undone look that lends a rustic charm. This cut complements a variety of hair types and face shapes, providing a mix of classic sophistication and current edge. It’s excellent for individuals who want a striking yet low-maintenance look.

17. Low Drop Taper with Bleached Tips

The low drop taper with bleached tips is a stunning and trendy hairstyle for men that combines a crisp taper and a dramatic, eye-catching accent. The low drop taper begins just above the ears and fades softly into the skin, with a slight curve around the sides and back for a sharp, polished appearance. The top hair is left longer, while the tips are bleached to a light blonde or platinum tint, giving it a high-contrast, edgy look. This design is ideal for people who want to make a statement while keeping the overall cut clean and adaptable. It complements a variety of hair types and face shapes, bringing a modern twist to a traditional hairstyle.

18. Low Drop Taper with Messy Side-Swept Hair

The low drop taper with messy side-swept hair is a sleek and informal hairstyle for men that combines a polished taper and a relaxed, textured top. The low drop taper begins just above the ears and fades softly into the skin, forming a delicate curve around the sides and back for a clean appearance. The messy side-swept hair on top is left longer and combed carelessly to one side, resulting in a carefree, windswept look with lots of movement. This style complements a variety of hair types and face shapes, striking a balance between sharpness and laid-back charm. It’s a simple cut ideal for people who want a trendy, effortless look.

19. Low Drop Fade with Curly Messy Top

The low drop fade with a curly messy top is a fashionable and textured haircut for men. It has a smooth fade that begins low on the sides and back and dips slightly around the ears. The fade glides smoothly from a shorter length at the bottom to a fuller, curlier top that adds volume and character. The sloppy curls on top are left natural and ruffled, giving the hair a relaxed yet bold style that showcases its inherent texture. This cut is ideal for persons with curly hair and diverse facial shapes, providing a perfect balance of neatness and carefree style. It’s low-maintenance and perfect for modernizing a traditional fade.

20. Low Drop Taper with Messy Comb-Over

The Low Drop Taper with Messy Comb-Over is a fashionable, modern haircut that combines a sharp, tapered fade and a relaxed, textured top. The low drop taper begins just above the ears and curves downward toward the neck, resulting in a clean, progressive fade that highlights the face. The lengthier top is dressed with a messy comb-over, which adds volume and a casual, carefree look. This flexible look complements a variety of hair types and face shapes, striking a mix between sophistication and laid-back charm. It’s simple to keep and can be tweaked with items like pomade or matte clay to achieve varied amounts of grip and texture.

21. Low Drop Taper with Messy Hair for Oval Faces

The Low Drop Taper with Messy Hair is an excellent haircut for oval faces because it highlights the face’s innate symmetry while adding a touch of rustic charm. The low drop taper starts just above the ears and gradually fades down to the neck, producing a clean, sharp contrast that complements the balanced proportions of an oval face. The messy hair on top, left longer and textured, gives volume and movement, breaking up the length of the face and creating a more dynamic image. This style is low-maintenance but adaptable, and can be styled with a light pomade or wax to emphasize the chaotic, carefree look. This cut works well for oval face shapes because it highlights their features without overwhelming them.

22. Low Drop Fade with Messy Hair for Round Faces

The low drop fade with messy hair is a great haircut for round faces because it offers height and structure to balance the proportions. The fade begins low behind the ears and descends slightly at the back, producing a smooth transition that lengthens the face, while the messy, textured top adds volume and a carefree look. This style looks best when the top is slightly longer and styled upward or to the side to highlight the vertical lines that match the rounder cheekbones and jawline. Regular trims are required to keep the fade’s sharpness and the messy’s texture, giving it a low-maintenance but fashionable option for a current look.

23. Low Drop Taper with Messy Hair for Square Faces

The low drop taper with messy hair is an attractive haircut for square faces because it lowers the strong jawline and adds texture to complement the angular features. The taper begins low about the ears and dips gently at the back, creating a gentle fade that balances the face’s width, while the messy top adds height and a relaxed, voluminous look. Styling the top slightly forward or to the side elongates the face and reduces the attention on the sharp edges. Regular maintenance is required to maintain the taper crisp and the messy texture defined, resulting in an adaptable and appealing option for a modern look.

24. Low Drop Taper with Messy Hair for Long Faces

The low drop taper with messy hair is an excellent haircut for long faces, adding width and texture to balance the elongated facial shape. The taper starts low near the ears and dips slightly in the back, giving a subtle fade that frames the face, while the messy top adds volume on the sides to shorten the appearance of length. Styling the hair with a side part or a tiny forward sweep can intensify the appearance, creating a broader look around the cheeks and jawline. Regular trims are recommended to keep the taper’s form and messy texture, making it a trendy and manageable choice for a modern look.

25. Low Drop Taper with Messy Hair and Beard

The low drop taper with messy hair and beard is a tough yet sophisticated look that has a gradual fade beginning low near the ears and a little dipped back for a smooth transition. The disheveled hair on top, combed with texture and volume, gives off a casual, easygoing attitude, while the beard lends masculinity and depth to the face. This combination complements a variety of face types, providing versatility when the beard is well-groomed and the taper is maintained with regular cuts. The overall look emanates a trendy, laid-back charm that is ideal for individuals who want a low-maintenance yet bold appearance.

Conclusion

The low drop taper with messy hair is a classic yet current hairstyle that combines structure and effortless flair. Whether you wear a low drop taper with messy hair, blonde hair, curly hair, or straight hair, this style is adaptable to any personality or lifestyle. It’s no surprise that this look is still popular among males, given its low-maintenance appeal, flexibility to different hair types, and unlimited styling options. By following the styling and maintenance advice in this tutorial, you can maintain your low drop taper with messy hair looking fresh and attractive all year round. Visit your barber, play with textures, and appreciate the confident, relaxed vibe of this legendary hairstyle.