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The Ultimate Guide To The 'Forbidden' 16 Guard Blowout Taper: Everything You Need To Know

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The "16 Guard Blowout Taper" is one of the most requested men's haircuts of late 2025, a style that has exploded in popularity across social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube. This specific request, however, often sparks confusion and debate among barbers, primarily due to the unusually long "16 guard" length and the precise technique required for the voluminous 'blowout' finish. If you want a modern, textured cut that blends a significant length on top with a sharp, clean taper on the sides, this guide is your definitive resource.

This trending style is a sharp and modern cut that combines short texture on the crown with a clean taper on the sides and back, giving the hair a natural, voluminous lift—the signature 'blowout' look. It offers a perfect balance between a professional, clean-cut appearance and a trendy, high-volume style, making it a versatile choice for many hair types.

The Mystery of the 'Forbidden' 16 Guard Explained

The term "16 Guard" is the most unique and often debated part of this haircut request. Understanding what it signifies is crucial for both the client and the barber.

What Does a 16 Guard Actually Mean?

The number on a clipper guard corresponds to the length of hair it leaves behind. Typically, clipper guards range from a #0 (closest to the skin) up to an #8 (leaving 1 inch of hair). The "16 Guard" is an exceptionally large size, and in the context of standard clipper guard systems, it is often considered a non-existent or "forbidden" size that has become an online gimmick.

  • The Intentional Length: When someone asks for a "16 Guard" cut, they are asking for a significant length on top, specifically about 2 inches (5.1 cm) of hair. This length is much longer than a standard buzz cut, such as the popular #8 guard (1 inch).
  • The Reality: Most professional barbershops do not carry a physical #16 guard. Instead, the barber will achieve this desired 2-inch length using clipper-over-comb techniques or by cutting the top with scissors. The "16 guard" simply acts as a shorthand for the desired long, textured length on the crown.
  • Why the Hype? The added length (2 inches) is what provides the necessary weight and texture to create the famous voluminous, wild 'blowout' effect, which is the key feature of the final style.

If your barber looks confused when you ask for a #16, clarify immediately that you want the top cut to approximately 2 inches of length with a lot of texture, and then blended into a taper on the sides.

Deconstructing the Blowout Taper Technique

The "blowout taper" is a hybrid style that combines two distinct haircutting elements: the taper and the blowout finish.

Taper vs. Fade: The Critical Difference

It is essential to know the difference between a taper and a fade, as using the wrong term can result in a completely different haircut:

  • The Taper: A taper is a gradual change in hair length. It starts short at the neckline and sideburns and progressively gets longer as it moves up the head. A key characteristic of a taper is that it leaves some hair length at the top of the side and back, maintaining a more classic, professional look.
  • The Fade: A fade is a more aggressive cut that shortens the hair to a very low or zero-guard (skin) at the bottom, making the hair virtually disappear.

The "Blowout Taper" specifically uses the taper technique. This means the hair on the sides and back will be cleaned up and shortened, but it won't be shaved down to the skin. The taper often starts with a very short guard, like a #0 or #1, and then smoothly transitions up to the longer length on top (the 2-inch '16 guard' length).

Achieving the Blowout Volume and Texture

The 'blowout' is a styling technique that gives the hair its signature high-volume, dynamic, and slightly messy look. This is achieved after the cut is complete:

  1. Product Application: A pre-styler, such as a sea salt spray or a volume mousse, is applied to damp hair.
  2. Blow Drying: A blow dryer is used to lift the hair up and back, focusing the heat at the roots to maximize volume and texture. The hair is often dried with the hands or a round brush to encourage the hair to stand up and out.
  3. Finishing Touch: A strong-hold product like a clay, wax, or pomade is used to lock the shape in place, ensuring the volume lasts all day. The goal is to keep the hair looking wild and voluminous, not flat or slicked down.

How to Ask Your Barber for the Perfect Cut

To ensure you get the exact "16 Guard Blowout Taper" you see in trending videos, use precise terminology and manage expectations about the guard size.

The Request Checklist

Use the following script to communicate clearly with your barber:

  1. Specify the Top Length: "I’m looking for a blowout taper. I want the top to be about two inches long, which is what people online call the '16 guard' length. I need a lot of texture added to the top so it has volume."
  2. Define the Sides: "For the sides and back, I want a taper, not a full fade. I want it to start short at the neckline and sideburns—maybe a #0 or #1—and then blend smoothly up to the longer length."
  3. Discuss the Blend Line: "I would like a mid-taper or high-taper to keep the sides looking clean and sharp." (A high taper is shorter and more dramatic; a mid-taper is softer and more conservative.)
  4. Confirm the Style: "I want to style it with a blowout look, so I need you to leave enough length and bulk on the sides to support the volume on top, but not so much that it looks messy."

Essential Tools and Products for Maintenance

Maintaining the volume and clean lines of this haircut requires a few key items:

  • Quality Clippers: Your barber will use professional clippers and trimmers to execute the clean taper lines.
  • Thinning Shears: These are crucial for removing bulk and adding the necessary texture to the 2-inch top, allowing it to achieve the 'blowout' lift.
  • Blow Dryer: Essential for styling the volume and lift.
  • Volumizing Product: A matte-finish, high-hold clay or wax is recommended to maintain the natural, textured look without shine.

The 16 Guard Blowout Taper is more than just a buzz cut; it is a meticulously styled haircut that relies on a specific length on top and a clean, gradual taper on the sides. By understanding the true meaning behind the "16 Guard" and communicating the technical details of the taper and blowout, you can confidently walk into any barbershop in 2025 and walk out with this viral, high-volume hairstyle.

The Ultimate Guide to the 'Forbidden' 16 Guard Blowout Taper: Everything You Need to Know
16 guard blowout taper
16 guard blowout taper

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