Adding layers to your hair is a high impact way to inject life and movement into locks that lack for one or both.
What’s better it’s achieved with just a few snips of the scissors.
Easy enough.
Still, those wondering “should I get layers in my hair” often have more questions. Understandable since they may not always fully grasp the pros and cons of layered hair.
So we’re going to tackle seven frequently asked questions. To help you get a better understanding about layered hair.
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- Is it good to cut your hair in layers?
- What is the difference between feathering and layering hair?
- Does layering hair make it look thicker?
- How long does layer cut last?
- Are there different ways to layer hair?
- Where should layers start on long hair?
- What angle should I cut my hair for layers?
- How far apart should hair layers be?
Is It Good To Cut Your Own Hair In Layers?
“Why should you layer your hair?” you ask?
Boredom.
For a style revival that’s updated and fresh.
To get some life or volume into flat lined locks.
Those are some reasons why you might want to go for DIY layers in your hair.
Done right, layers are the perfect way to take out bulk, create instant volume and inject some drama, swingy movement or texture into your locks.
Is that good?
Depends on what you’re looking for.
But if you’ve got weight issues with your mane or suffer a volume shortfall then yes, this is a good way to fix them.
It’s also good to match the intensity of layering with your hair type.
For example fine hair girls will want to curb the urge to go all out. Sure they let you unleash a little strategically placed volume where you need it most and all. Yet too much layering is not good.
Also for you soft and blended is generally preferred over blunt.
Thick haired girls are also great candidates for layers.
For you layers can help lose the heaviness holding your hair back from it full-throated volume potential. Just don’t go crazy. Or you could end up with out of control volume that is anything but sassy.
Yet sprinkled throughout your thick hair they are a way to create cool girl texture.
What Is The Difference Between Feathering And Layering Hair?
I can understand your confusion when some describe a style as short feathered layers.
Are those short layers that are feathered or what?
Plus layering and feathering are similar in that they can both be used to add texture and volume to hair.
Yet they are different in that feathering focuses more on texturizing the ends.
Typically you’re scissor cutting the ends pulled out at a 90 degree angle or straight out from the head. Once you release the hair it cascades down resulting in a light, airy and carefree look.
Layering more often focuses more on cutting different lengths throughout your hair – not just the ends.
NOT IMPORTANT: Apparently whenever you discuss feathering you have a moral obligation to bring up Farrah Fawcett’s Charlie’s Angels hair style as THE example. Which was then mimicked, if in a bit more dramatic fashion, by the style worn by Laurie Forman in the That ‘70s Show.
There. Done!
Does Layering Hair Make It Look Thicker?
It can. Which is often why those with fine hair sign up for layered hair. Just another step in their seemingly endless search for ways to create the illusion of a full and lush head of hair.
Just don’t go crazy.
Not only can too many layers lead to those finer strands appearing to be thinner … too much layering can expose the ends to damage.
That can result in the ends becoming brittle.
That can lead to breakage.
So subtle should be the game plan here even though layers are an almost effortless way to camouflage fine hair.
Be smart about layering and you’ll be rewarded with the appearance of added volume and movement while avoiding a stringy straggly look.
Maybe not Rapunzel worthy exactly. But when combined with the right styling products it’s a bodifying trick that can work wonders.
How Long Does Layer Cut Last?
The answer here requires an assumption. That is you’re looking to maintain the style you walked of the salon with rather than grow it longer.
Given that four, five even six months is not out of the question. Or until some part of the cut starts to bug you.
A good layered cut should hold its shape as it grows out and still look good as long as it’s built on a good foundation. Which all depends on the skill of the stylist who cut it.
But done right it should look just as good in four months as it did the day it was last cut.
This also assumes you’re treating your mane like fine a fine silk blouse rather than your knock around yoga pants.
You know, limited heat styling. No crazy binge coloring. No abuse that encourages split ends.
Are There Different Ways To Layer Hair?
As a matter of fact yes there are. A short list might include …
- Soft layers
- Face framing
- Heavily textured
- Invisible
- Long layers (measured in the distance between the longest and shortest layers)
Now what’s best for you depends on the texture of your hair and your face shape. Plus what you want to accomplish.
Like some layer only around their face for some face framing goodness.
Others cut layers strategically to get some volume going in specific spots on their heads.
Others with thick hair target areas to remove bulk like in the back in the crown area.
Others still look to use them volumize their hair to the max. Or remove excess bulk and weight.
It also depends on things like do you want to still be able to do presentable ponytail?
In that case your shortest layers still need to be long enough to be pulled back into a ponytail without a gazillion loose ends poking out all over.
Just remember layers stuck in the wrong places can kill the shape of your cut and leave you with little styling control.
Oh and if you’re looking for a cheat sheet of what to ask for no can do. How the different ways to layer hair are described vary from zip code to zip code and maybe even salon to salon.
The key is finding a stylist who knows how to deliver what you’re asking for. And honestly that ain’t always easy.
Where Should Layers Start On Long Hair?
Long hair with layers is beguiling alright. Just ask Matilda Djerf. She sports stylish … voluminous … layered hair in such an semi-effortless, yet totally sexy way.
Fact is longish layers can soften up and revive tired mono-hair. They’re a way to liven up your locks without any drastic length sacrificing.
Not to mention curling gives your layers that little something extra.
Still what you think about layering longer hair may be completely wrong!
For best results some feel strongly layers in long hair should never start above the ear lobe.
Others point out lots can be achieved cutting them in an inch or two from your ends.
That way instead of your locks being all one length, which isn’t exactly exciting, the layers give your hair shape and style.
But nothing like a little demo video for a little show and tell.
You can see how a skilled stylist does deep point cutting to get the desired layering effect. Which she follows up by slide cutting the face framing sections.
Tip: Remember you always want to layer the hair behind the ear and back differently than you do the hair in front of the ear. That’s because the hair in the back tends to be much denser that what’s around your front hairline.
Now the question is, can you translate this technique to your hair?
What Angle Should I Cut My Hair For Layers?
Getting the angle thing right can make all the difference with layering. Angling is sorta related to the elevation or how high above your head you hold the hair when cutting the layers in.
This quick clip shows three possibilities.
How do you apply angles to your hair type?
Glad you asked.
If you have fine hair you’re likely going to want to cut your layers with the angle of the hair straight above your head. Or pointed towards the ceiling.
Doing so will give you the most layers and volume around the crown of your head while preserving the most weight and density towards the bottom of your strands.
Meanwhile if you have thick or curly hair what do you want with those layers?
Usually it’s a more balanced removal of bulk and weight.
You want to leave some weight around the crown to help keep that hair down rather than puffy.
While you want less weight near the ends to avoid triangle head.
For you holding the hair more out horizontally parallel to the floor when layering might be best.
Tip: Don’t forget you want to point cut with deep peaks and valleys at the ends if you want a softer look to your layers.
How Far Apart Should Hair Layers Be?
Not sure there is a one size fits all answer for this. Which means we’ll weasel out and say far apart to do the job you want done.
Don’t have much more to say.
For more ideas like this to make your hair look absolutely awesome you might want to follow our hair tips and tricks board on Pinterest. It’s where we post hacks practically guaranteed to get rid of dull locks forever.
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