Mid Taper Slick Back: Stylish Men's Haircut Ideas 2026

A mid taper slick back is a haircut with short, neat sides and longer hair combed straight back on top. It looks sharp in an office. It also looks good on a Saturday night.

You get a clean edge around the ears and enough length up top to style. Below, you’ll find eight mid taper slick back styles, guard numbers, prices, and the exact words to tell your barber.

Table of Contents

What Is a Mid Taper Fade Slick Back?

A mid taper fade slick back is a haircut where the sides fade down from about temple height, while the top is combed back. The fade starts in the middle of your head. It does not start high like a high fade or low like a low taper.

I cut a lot of these because the mid taper slick back works on almost everyone. It is neat but not extreme.

Taper Type	Where It Starts	Best For
Low taper	Just above the ear	Conservative looks
Mid taper	Around the temple	Most men, most jobs
High taper	Above the temple	Bold, high-contrast looks

Barber script: “Mid taper, #1 at the bottom, blend up to a #3. Leave 3 to 4 inches on top to slick back.”

Expect to pay $25 to $50 at most U.S. shops. A cut like this takes 30 to 45 minutes.

8 Best Mid Taper Fade Slick Back Styles

Here are eight mid taper slick back styles, from clean and shiny to messy and relaxed. Pick the one that fits your hair and your life.

Classic Slick Back Styles

1. Classic Slick Back Mid Taper

The classic mid taper slick back is the base cut every other style grows from. Think neat sides and a smooth, combed-back top with a medium shine. It suits oval and square faces best, and it works for office jobs. Ask for a #1 to #3 fade with 3 to 4 inches on top. Use a pea-sized scoop of pomade and a comb, and restyle each morning.

Read More Hairstyle : Mid Taper Slick Back

2. Wet-Look Slick Back Mid Taper

The wet-look version adds a glossy finish that looks like you just stepped out of the shower. It fits straight and wavy hair best, and it looks great with a suit. Ask your barber for 4 inches on top so the hair has weight. Use a high-shine pomade or gel on damp hair. It needs product daily, and it washes out in one shampoo.

Mid taper fade

A mid taper fade is just the side blend on its own. Ask for it when you want a clean base before you decide on the top. Most barbers use a #1 or #2 guard at the bottom. Touch it up every 2 to 3 weeks.

Mid taper slick back men

Mid taper slick back men’s cuts usually keep the sides tighter than the cuts boys get. Men with thinning temples should ask for a slightly softer fade. That hides recession and keeps the shape full. Book a trim every 3 weeks.

Mid Taper slick back Middle Part

This version splits the top down the center and sweeps both sides back. It frames a long or oval face well. Tell your barber, “Center part, combed back, mid taper.” Use a comb to draw the part, then lock it with light-hold gel.

Textured Slick Back Styles

3. Textured Slick Back Mid Taper

Texture adds grip and movement, so the top looks fuller instead of flat. Fine and medium hair gain the most from it. Ask your barber to point-cut the top, which means snipping into the ends to break them up. Style it with matte clay or paste, not shiny pomade. A dab of sea salt spray gives it extra lift.

4. Messy Slick Back Mid Taper

The messy version looks like you ran your fingers back and left for work. It fits thick or wavy hair and a relaxed lifestyle. Keep the top 4 to 5 inches long and the taper tight, so the mess looks planned. Rough-dry it with your hands and use a light cream. It takes two minutes in the morning.

Detail and Combination Styles

5. Slick Back Undercut Mid Taper

This style pairs a mid taper with a sharp line where the long top meets the short sides. It is more dramatic than a plain taper. It suits strong jawlines and thick hair that needs weight removed. Ask for a #2 on the sides with a disconnected top, and keep the top 4 inches long. Get a trim every 2 to 3 weeks to keep the line crisp.

High taper slick back

A high taper slick back starts the fade above the temple. It gives more contrast and a bolder, cleaner look. Choose it if you like a sharp, military edge. Tell your barber, “High taper, #1 to #4, slick back.”

Slick back low taper fade

A slick back low taper fade starts just above the ear and keeps more hair on the sides. It’s the softest option of the three. It works well for round faces because it adds no extra width. Ask for a #2 at the bottom.

Mid taper slick back boy

For a mid taper slick back boy cut, keep the top shorter, around 2 to 3 inches. Short hair is easier for kids to manage. Ask for a #2 guard on the sides with a soft blend. A little light gel is enough.

6. Slick Back with Beard Mid Taper

Here the side fade flows into your beard, so the whole look reads as one clean shape. It suits men with a full or medium beard and a square or round face. Ask your barber to fade the sideburns into the beard at the same height as your taper. Trim the beard every 2 weeks. Brush it daily with a beard oil.

7. Slick Back with Design Mid Taper

This is a mid taper slick back with a shaved line or pattern cut into the side or part. A good design pops best on short, dark hair. Bring a photo and ask for a line “no deeper than a #0.” A part line, a curve, or a small shape are the common picks. Expect to pay $10 to $20 extra, and plan on a refresh every 2 weeks.

Low-Maintenance Slick Back

8. Natural Slick Back Mid Taper

The natural version leans on your hair’s own direction with almost no product. It fits men who want a good cut without a long routine. Thick, straight, and wavy hair all work. Ask for 3 inches on top and a soft #2 to #3 fade. Use a quick comb after a shower and skip the heavy pomade.

Why Mid Taper Fade Slick Back Is So Popular in 2026

The mid taper slick back is popular because it looks neat, fits most jobs, and takes five minutes to style. It also grows out well. You don’t look messy after week three.

Men are also moving away from harsh skin fades. A taper looks softer, and it feels more grown-up.

Barbers like it too. It works on many hair types, so it’s easy to adjust to each client.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Looks clean at work and at night	Needs 3 to 4 inches on top
Fits most face shapes	Needs a trim every 3 to 4 weeks
Easy daily styling	Pomade can build up in your hair
Grows out neatly	Thinning hair shows more on the sides

How to Choose the Right Style for Your Hair Type

Your hair type decides how your mid taper slick back sits and how much product you need. Start with your texture, then pick the style.

Straight Hair

Straight hair slicks back the easiest, so go for styles 1 or 2. It can look flat, though. Add a little texture spray for lift. Use medium-hold pomade.

Wavy Hair

Wavy hair gives natural volume and a relaxed shape. Styles 3, 4, or 8 work well. Let it dry with a bit of cream, and don’t over-comb it. Keep the top 4 inches long.

Thick Hair

Thick hair needs thinning so the top doesn’t puff up. Ask your barber to texture the inside layers. Style 5, the undercut, is a good fit. A strong-hold pomade keeps it down.

Curly Hair

Curly hair slicks back with some soft, defined curl left in. Use a curl cream and brush it back while wet. Keep the taper clean to balance the curls. A mid taper slick back looks great with a light curl at the ends.

Coily and Afro-Textured Hair

Coily hair can take a slick back when you grow the top to 4 or 5 inches. Brush it back with a soft brush and a moisturizing pomade. A mid taper slick back is a strong look for Afro-textured hair when the fade is sharp. Wear a durag at night to hold the shape.

Read More Hairstyle : Mid Taper Slick Back

FAQs

What is a mid taper slick back?

It’s a haircut with short sides that fade from the temple down. The top stays longer and gets combed straight back.

How do you ask your barber for a mid taper slick back?

Say, “Mid taper, #1 at the bottom, blend up to a #3, and leave 3 to 4 inches on top to slick back.”

How long should hair be for a slick back?

Aim for 3 to 4 inches on top. Shorter than that won’t hold the comb-back shape.

What guard number is a mid taper?

Most barbers start at a #1 and blend up to a #3 or #4. Some start at a #0 for a tighter finish.

How much does a mid taper slick back cost?

Most shops charge $25 to $50. Beard work or a design adds $10 to $20.

Summary

The mid taper slick back is a neat, flexible cut that suits most men. Pick the style that matches your hair type, face shape, and morning routine.

Screenshot your favorite style and show it to your barber. Share the guard numbers from this guide, and you’ll walk out with the cut you wanted.