Join
Modern Loose Pompadour with a Taper
Mateusz Banaszek1h 48minShort

Modern Loose Pompadour with a Taper

A men's haircutting course for hairstylists who want to master the modern taper pompadour on fine, wavy hair. You'll learn to build volume and work the clippers with precision.

Result and process

  • Modern Loose Pompadour with a Taper - photo 1
  • Modern Loose Pompadour with a Taper - photo 2
  • Modern Loose Pompadour with a Taper - photo 3

About the course

The modern loose pompadour with a taper is a haircut that combines the volume and texture of a square top with the clean precision of a low taper. The course shows how to build a dynamic, masculine shape on fine, wavy hair - one that keeps lightness and natural movement while staying easy for the client to style every day.

Mateusz Banaszek guides you through the entire process, starting with a detailed analysis of the head shape and hair condition that drives every decision from there. You'll see how an asymmetrical triangular parting simplifies the work, how to build weight on the sides through graduation on diagonal sections, and how tempo cutting adds volume to fine hair on top. Working the clippers is its own precise craft - building the taper from the bottom up.

In this course, you'll see

  • The full process of building an aggressive taper with the 'building-up' technique: a zero line with the trimmer, cleaning with the shaver, and blending upward from the bottom (1.5 mm → 3 mm → 4.5 mm).
  • Wrist movement vs. shoulder movement - the key difference in clipper technique between shaping and pure taper blending.
  • Tempo cutting as a technique for building volume and separation in fine hair on top - when it beats feather cutting.
  • An asymmetrical triangular parting matched to the natural hair growth as the foundation of the entire haircut.
  • Building graduation on the sides with diagonal sections to control weight and avoid a head shape that's too wide.
  • Vidal Sassoon's cross-checking principle - why cross-checking is the habit that separates a craftsman from a master.
  • How analyzing the head shape (a prominent occipital bone, thinning at the temples) affects the height and shape of the final taper.

After this course, you'll start working with intention across different scissor and clipper techniques to bring volume and character even to challenging, fine hair. You'll learn to build a modern taper pompadour as a cohesive, deliberate construction, where every move - from the parting to the final styling - comes from analysis and serves a precise purpose.

What you will learn

  1. 01How to add volume and texture to fine hair with tempo cutting.
  2. 02How to build an aggressive taper fade from zero with the 'building-up' technique.
  3. 03When to use wrist movement versus shoulder movement when working the clippers.
  4. 04How to use an asymmetrical triangular parting matched to the hair growth.
  5. 05How to build weight on the sides through graduation on diagonal sections.
  6. 06How to adapt the taper to a challenging head shape and hair loss.

Before you start

This course assumes you already have:

What's inside

Full access with the course
  1. Modern Loose Pompadour with a Taper - Analyzing the occipital bone2:18

    01Analyzing the occipital bone

    We've got a pretty prominent occipital bone, so I know I'll need to spend more time on this.

  2. Modern Loose Pompadour with a Taper - The importance of cross-checking in haircutting18:24

    02The importance of cross-checking in haircutting

    Anyone who skips cross-checking will never become a great hairstylist, because they simply can't be bothered.

  3. Modern Loose Pompadour with a Taper - Building weight and a triangle at the back29:56

    03Building weight and a triangle at the back

    I want to build weight, so I'm pulling everything down hard to quickly build a triangle.

  4. Modern Loose Pompadour with a Taper - Blending the top with the back of the haircut39:03

    04Blending the top with the back of the haircut

    I'm moving from horizontal cutting into diagonal and vertical to blend the back.

  5. Modern Loose Pompadour with a Taper - Two key clipper movements48:45

    05Two key clipper movements

    For the taper, we work from the wrist. Our shoulder is locked, and we only move from the wrist.

  6. Modern Loose Pompadour with a Taper - The blending principle at the zero line1:10:21

    06The blending principle at the zero line

    If we press the clippers in while creating the line, we're going against the whole principle of the fade - blending.

  7. Modern Loose Pompadour with a Taper - Softening the taper line with texturizing shears1:27:36

    07Softening the taper line with texturizing shears

    I'm moving on to cleaning up the taper with scissors. I'm choosing texturizing shears to soften the line.

  8. Modern Loose Pompadour with a Taper - Styling as the hairstylist's signature1:43:20

    08Styling as the hairstylist's signature

    Don't be afraid of styling. Remember, this is your signature.

FAQ

Is this haircut suitable for clients with fine hair?
Yes, the entire course focuses on working with fine, wavy hair. The educator shows how to use the tempo cutting technique to build maximum volume and texture into the haircut.
Is this course suitable for beginner hairstylists?
This course is designed for hairstylists who already have the basics down. Mateusz Banaszek explains advanced concepts, such as wrist versus shoulder movement, building graduation, and cross-checking, which require some prior experience.
What is the 'building-up' taper technique shown in the course?
It's a method for creating a more aggressive blend. It starts by setting the zero line with the trimmer, then blending it upward with progressively longer guards, which creates a sharper effect.
Does the course show how to handle a challenging head shape, such as a prominent occipital bone?
Yes, analyzing the head shape is a key part of the course. The educator shows how a low taper lets you work around problem areas, such as prominent bones, and adapt the haircut to hair loss.
What is 'tempo cutting' and when should you use it?
It's a scissor cutting technique that visually increases volume and creates separation between sections. In the course, it's used as the best solution for fine hair, delivering a better result than, for example, feather cutting.
How long is the full video course?
The video course runs 107 minutes and shows the entire cutting and styling process step by step.

Details

Duration
1h 48min
Season
Season 1
Hair length
Short

Educator

More courses
Mateusz Banaszek

Mateusz Banaszek

Educator · 4 courses

One of the pioneers of barbering in Poland, creator of the educational project Future Classic and co-creator of the BARBERGROUND trade fair. In his teaching, he emphasizes solid foundations and in-depth analysis - from head shape to the client's overall silhouette - which he considers the key to creativity. His approach combines classic techniques with a modern, holistic view of working in the salon, styling, and building an image.

Ready for the next level

Unlock full access to the Connected Hair course library.

Join the Academy