What haircut style is characterized by being very short and close to the hairline while gradually getting longer towards the top?

The haircut style characterized by being very short and close to the hairline while gradually getting longer towards the top is a taper. This style involves a seamless blend of hair length where the sides and back are cut shorter, creating a smooth transition to longer hair at the crown. This gradual increase in length allows for versatility in styling, making it suitable for a variety of looks while maintaining a clean and polished appearance. Tapered cuts can also frame the face well and can be adapted to suit different hair textures and lengths.

The bob haircut is typically a straight cut around the head at one length, rather than having the short-to-long gradation seen in tapers. The pixie cut is a short hairstyle that usually involves very little length on the sides and back, often leaving a bit of more length on top but not featuring the same gradual length transition. The shag haircut usually includes layered ends and can have varying lengths throughout; it doesn’t specifically follow the tapering characteristic of being very short close to the hairline while gradually increasing in length.