Layered hairstyles are often a requested haircut at salons. Many women sport a type of layered haircut, including celebrities and models. More common styles include long layers, medium layers, and curly layers. Individuals can also choose to get niche layered hairstyles, such as Asian haircuts and choppy “emo” layers.
Hairstylists recommend certain hairstyles with layers depending on the client’s desired hair length, hair type, and hair texture. The shape of the client’s face is another consideration. If a client has a long or oval-shaped face and wants to keep hair long and straight, long layers may used to frame her face and add body. The first layer starts at chin-level to create a soft frame that flatters the face and continues down the entire length.
Medium layers are done in a similar fashion, except the hair at the back ends right below the neck and gets shorter as the cut approaches the face. The shortest layer usually ends at the cheek bones to frame the face. Unlike long layered hairstyles, which often look good on long faces, medium layers flatter any face shape.
One of the more common misconceptions about layered hairstyles is that they only look good on women with straight hair. Several layered styles, however, have been known to flatter women with curly or wavy hair. The shortest layers for these hair types end below the chin; any shorter, and the cut will create too much volume around the head. Layered cuts for curly African-American hair also require more maintenance than straight layers because the look fades faster as hair grows out.
Asian hair is very thick and straight and, thus, can look good when layered. Like long layers, Asian hairstyles also frame the face with layers that end at chin level. A few shorter layers are then added to create more volume at the top of the head. Side-swept bangs finish the look and draw attention to the eyes.
Layered hairstyles are generally conservative, but rough, choppy layers can create an edgy look popular among teenage girls. Rather than creating clean, even layers throughout, the choppy layers are designed to look messy and uneven. Like Asian hairstyles, many of the layers are concentrated at the top to create volume. The rest of the layers are cut unevenly down the length of hair.
This style of haircut for men is limited in comparison, but no less flattering. Short and medium styles can look neat and classy and can be styled to look messy using gel or hair wax. Men with longer hair benefit from a hairstyle with top-heavy layers and a layered back. With some tousling and styling, this hairstyle can give off a casual “surfer” vibe.