Are your sides big and messy while the top just sits there? A lot of guys who come to my chair have this problem. Their old fade grows out and looks puffy and tired. That does not feel good in school, at work, on stream, or when hanging out.
The low taper fade ninja fixes this. The sides stay low and clean. The top has more hair and looks like a cool gamer style. The name comes from the funny line “imagine if Ninja got a low taper fade”, but the haircut is real and works in normal life too.
I have been a barber for over 8 years. I cut low tapers, fades, and ninja styles every week in my shop, and I write guides about them for badhairstyles.com. In this guide I will explain the low taper fade ninja in very simple words, so you can ask for it with confidence and know how to care for it.
Table Of Contents
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What Is A Low Taper Fade Ninja
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How The Meme Started
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Clipper Guard Basics For The Ninja Look
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Low Taper Fade Ninja vs Skin Fade
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How I Cut A Low Taper Fade Ninja In The Shop
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Beard Match With The Ninja Cut
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Does A Low Taper Fade Ninja Fit Your Face Shape
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How To Keep A Low Taper Fade Ninja Fresh
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Why You Can Trust This Ninja Guide
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More Fade Guides From CrewCutHair
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FAQ: Low Taper Fade Ninja
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Conclusion
What Is A Low Taper Fade Ninja?
A low taper fade is a haircut where only the bottom edge of the hair is faded. The fade sits low on the head. The hair at the sideburns and the back of the neck slowly goes from short hair to bare skin. The rest of the sides stay longer.
The ninja part is the top. The hair on top is longer and thicker. You can wear it straight, wavy, curly, or fluffy. You style it so it has some fun movement, like a gamer or streamer.
So a low taper fade ninja is:
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low taper at the sideburns and neck
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full, fun hair on top
This haircut usually looks good for about 3 to 4 weeks. As it grows, it gets softer, not patchy or harsh. That is why many guys like it.
How The Meme Started
This haircut became famous because of a joke. In 2024 a song line said “imagine if Ninja got a low taper fade”. People on Tiktok loved it. They made many edits and pictures of Ninja, the blue hair Fortnite player, with a super clean low taper fade.
Later Ninja got a sharper haircut in real life. Fans noticed and kept talking about it. By 2025 many boys and men walked into barbershops and said things like:
“I want that low taper fade Ninja look.”
Now low taper fade ninja is part haircut and part internet meme. It feels fun and modern, but it is still a real cut you can wear every day.
Clipper Guard Basics For The Ninja Look
Here is one simple way I use clippers for a low taper fade ninja on medium thick hair. Only try this at home if you feel safe and calm with clippers. If you are not sure, please go to a barber for the first cut.
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Start with clean, dry hair that falls in its natural way.
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On the back of the neck use guard 3. Cut about one inch up from the bottom of the neck.
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On the same area go a little higher with guard 2. Move your hand in a soft flick so there is no hard line between 3 and 2.
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Around the sideburns and just above the ears use guard 1 very gently. Keep this part low. Do not climb up the head.
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Use the mirror and check both sides so the taper looks even.
For the top I use scissors. I keep enough length for a messy gamer style. I cut into the ends so the hair has texture and does not sit like a flat helmet.
Oil on the clipper blades helps them move smoothly and keeps hair from pulling. Take your time. The goal is quiet, clean sides and a fun, full top.
Quick Safety Note
If you have never used clippers before, please be careful. It is easy to cut too high or make hard lines that are hard to fix. You can always bring this guide to a real barber and say, “I want this low taper fade ninja.” A good barber can follow the idea safely for you.
Low Taper Fade Ninja vs Skin Fade
Many people ask which is better: a low taper fade ninja or a skin fade. Both can look nice. They just act differently as they grow.
A low taper fade ninja keeps hair low and soft at the bottom. Most of the sides stay longer. It grows out slowly and still looks fine around week three. It is great for thick or wavy hair and for people who do not want to visit the barber every week.
A skin fade removes hair much higher on the sides. It goes right down to skin for a strong contrast. It looks very sharp at first, but usually needs a fresh cut in 1 to 2 weeks to stay crisp. It can also show thin areas more on some heads.
Here is a simple compare:
| Thing | Low taper fade ninja | Skin fade |
|---|---|---|
| Fade height | Very low at sideburns and neck | Mid or high on the sides |
| Grow out | Soft, can last around 3 to 4 weeks | Grows out fast, needs more touch ups |
| Top style | Messy gamer top, fluffy or textured crop | Any top style, strongest contrast from sides |
| Best for | Thick, wavy, fluffy, medium straight hair | Thick strong hair, very bold look |
A buzz cut is even easier: one guard length all over the head. But then you lose the fun ninja top. If you want 2025 gamer energy, the low taper fade ninja is usually the better choice.
How I Cut A Low Taper Fade Ninja In The Shop
Here is how a full low taper fade ninja cut usually goes in my chair.
First I wash and dry the hair. I check how it grows around the neck and the crown. I ask the client how long they want the top and how wild or neat they like it. We decide together.
Then I set the low taper with guards 3, 2, and 1, just like in the clipper section. I work slowly and check each side, so the taper matches on both sides of the head.
Next I shape the top with scissors. If the client wants more volume, I leave extra length at the front and crown. If they want a calmer look, I keep it shorter and softer. I point cut into the ends so the top can move and does not look flat.
At the end I blow dry with my fingers to lift the roots. I use a small amount of matte clay so the hair holds but still looks natural, not wet and shiny. If the skin at the neck or sideburns looks red, I tap on a little light oil or balm to calm it down.
The client leaves with clean, low sides and a fun top that still looks good when they mess it a little at home.
Beard Match With The Ninja Cut
A low taper fade ninja looks best when the beard blends nicely with the haircut.
If you have a beard, ask your barber to fade it into the haircut. We usually use a longer guard, like a 2 or 3, near the top of the beard close to the taper. Then we go down to a 1 or even no guard toward the neck. This makes a smooth change from hair to beard.
If your beard is patchy, a shorter beard often looks better with this cut. A small amount of matte beard balm can control small flyaway hairs without making the beard shiny or oily.
From the side, the haircut and beard should look like one clean shape, not two separate blocks of hair.
Does A Low Taper Fade Ninja Fit Your Face Shape
This style works on many face shapes because the taper is low and the top can be changed. Here is a simple guide.
If you have a round face, the low taper makes the sides slimmer. A taller top makes the face look longer. This mix can help your face look sharper.
If you have an oval face, almost any version of this cut works. You can go fluffy, neat, or a little spiky. Your face shape is already balanced.
If you have a square face with a strong jaw, a softer top and not too harsh of a taper can help. This stops the head and jaw from looking like a hard box.
If you have a heart or diamond face, a full top plus a short neat beard can balance a narrow chin. The low taper keeps the sides tidy but does not remove too much support.
If you are not sure what shape you have, just show your barber a few low taper fade ninja photos and ask what they would change to fit your face.
Simple Product Setup
You do not need many products for this haircut. For most people, three items are enough.
First, use a matte clay or paste for the top. Put a small amount in your hands, rub until it feels soft, then work it into dry or slightly damp hair. This will hold the shape and keep a natural, no shine look.
Second, use a gentle shampoo so you can wash often without drying your hair out. This is helpful if you restyle each day.
Third, if your neck or sideburns get dry or itchy after a cut, use a little scalp oil or aftershave balm on the skin. This helps calm the area around the taper.
Your daily routine should only take a few minutes: wash, dry, small bit of product, quick finger style, and you are good.
How To Keep A Low Taper Fade Ninja Fresh
To keep this haircut looking sharp, most of my clients do small home fixes and regular barber visits.
At home, once a week, you can gently clean the neck with a guard 2 or 3 if you understand clippers. Take off only a little hair. Use a mirror or a friend to help so both sides stay even. If you are not sure, skip this and wait for your barber.
In the barbershop, a full refresh every 3 to 4 weeks is common. Some people book a quick clean-up in between if they have a special event and just want the neck and sides sharpened.
If your hair looks greasy or heavy, it usually means you used too much clay. Next time use less, and blow dry a bit for lift before adding product.
Why You Can Trust This Ninja Guide
I do not just copy other websites. This guide comes from real haircuts I give in the shop and from how the low taper fade ninja trend grew on TikTok and in 2024 and 2025. I see which tricks make the cut easier to style and easier to grow out on real heads.
If a step does not work on real people, I do not keep it in my guide. My goal is simple: you walk into the shop knowing what you want, and you walk out happy with the results.
More Fade Guides From CrewCutHair
If you like the low taper fade ninja and want more fade ideas, here are other guides you can add to your screenshot folder. Link them in your article like this:
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One Side Fade Haircut For Men: Complete Guide
https://badhairstyles.com/one-side-fade-haircut-for-men/ -
Short One Side Fade Haircut: Clean, Easy Styles
https://badhairstyles.com/short-one-side-fade-haircut/ -
Low Taper Fade Fluffy Hair Expert Barber Guide
https://badhairstyles.com/low-taper-fade-fluffy-hair/ -
Low Taper Fade Haircut: Styles, Guide And Variations
https://badhairstyles.com/fade-haircuts/low-taper-fade-haircut/
These pages help your readers and also show search engines that badhairstyles.com is strong and deep on fade haircuts, not just one style.
Low Taper Fade Ninja: People Also Ask
How long does a low taper fade ninja last?
Most people are happy with it for about 3 to 4 weeks. After that, the taper starts to lose its sharp shape.
Can I do this haircut at home?
You can try if you are careful with guards 1, 2, and 3, but the first cut is safer with a barber. After that, you can clean the neck and very bottom at home if you feel confident.
Is this style good for thin hair?
Yes. Because the sides are not shaved high, you do not show as much scalp. A textured top can also make thinner hair look fuller.
What hair types work best?
Thick straight hair, wavy hair, curly hair, and fluffy hair all work with this cut. Your barber will change the top length and texture to fit your hair type.
Why do people say “imagine if Ninja got a low taper fade”?
It started as a song line and a meme. People made funny edits of Ninja with this cut. Now the phrase is part joke and part real haircut name.
Conclusion
The low taper fade ninja is a smart choice if you want hair that feels modern, fun, and still easy to live with. The sides stay calm and clean. The top stays full and playful. It looks great on camera, in class, at work, and when you are just chilling or gaming with friends.
Before your next haircut, save a few pictures of low taper fade ninja styles that you like. Then tell your barber in clear, simple words:
I want a low taper fade at the neck and sideburns, and a fuller messy top like the ninja style.
If you want more fade ideas and step by step guides, visit badhairstyles.com, make a small folder of screenshots, and bring it to your next appointment. Turn the meme cut you see online into a real fade on your head today.
