‘My Boyfriend Calls This The Alpaca Fade’: Florida Woman Realizes All 15-Year-Old Boys Have The Same Haircut. Gen X Wants It Back

One Florida woman has taken to the internet to ask a profound question for the ages.

Amanda.Michelle.4’s (@hoying) TikTok has been viewed 21.6 million times and features Wheatus and Slater’s version of “Teenage Dirtbag.”

The camera pans a group of teenage dudes. One of the text overlays reads, “Tell me you’re a 15 year old boy without telling me.”

Yes, all 10 or so of them are hanging out and drinking out of red plastic cups. And all of them have mop tops of light fluffy curls and waves that taper down the nape of their necks.

The observation leads Amanda.Michelle.4’s to question, “What’s the actual name of this hairstyle and why do they all have it?”

The Internet Always Has Answers

Sometimes, you absolutely should read the comments. In the spirit of the season, sometimes you’re grateful for small things, like a light roasting of teenagers.

“I’m a 60 yr old woman & I had that haircut in 1893,” Regina (@reginalaurel88) quipped.

Other folks offered their own explanations. “I heard someone at the gym referre [sic] to them as broccoli heads.. I absolutely lost it,” Nicole (@dizzy333) said.

Barber Tina Hayes (@tinathomas277) weighed in with a more formal explanation. “It’s a low taper textured fringe. I’m a barber and I cut them all dayyy long,” Hayes shared.

But What’s The Cut Really Called?

According to the comments, it’s either a cut called “The Edgar” or the “Tossled Pixie” from the July 1981 issue of “Modern Salon.” However, Barber’s Take suggests that it’s a version of the cut known as a “burst fade.” And with different versions, there’s probably one for every 15-year-old boy in your life.

A burst fade is a semi-circular fade tapering around the ear, often called a “radial fade” or “halo taper,” says the site Forte. But instead of a vertical fade or a basic taper, it curves outward, creating a sunburst effect that adds shape and edge. It’s versatile and works with all types of hair.

Styles range from the “textured long hair with burst fade” to “disheveled mohawk taper fade” and manage to look polished and undone at the same time. Think Prince, circa “Purple Rain” (1984), if he traded in his guitar for a PS5 controller.

How Did It Get Popular?

The fade itself, which is the basis for the haircut, has its roots in military culture (high, tight, and neat). But this new version, writes GQ Australia, combines the skill and precision of a classic fade with a rebellious edge. An added bonus? It suits just about every face shape. “At its core, it’s still a traditional taper technique, bringing a square tight finish to encourage a strong jaw line and clean neckline,” reports the magazine.

Once you’ve committed to the lewk, GQ suggests using some product (texture powder or sea salt spray) and scrunching the hair near the crown of the head for the done/undone textural effect that says, “I care—but not too much.”

What To Ask For If You Want One

You could just “ask for the TikTok haircut,” says u/dunzilla89 on Reddit.

And more than one snarky TikToker called it ‘The Alpaca.”

But because it’s got so many variants, the barbershop Mancave suggests the old cliche: Bring in a picture. Mancave explains, “With pictures, your barber is also able to give you some feedback if your head shape and hair type will suit the look you’re going for.”

Now that we’re talking about barbers, what do they think of the cut? Consensus: It’s tough. “It’s one of the more technically advanced things barbers do,” notes u/gurglesmech.

As it turns out, it actually takes a lot of work to look effortlessly fluffy and mildly alpaca-ish.

BroBible reached out to Amanda.Michelle.4 via TikTok direct message for more insight into teen boys. We’ll update this if she gets back to us.