Each time I experience a new client tell me they are ready for a new change, I still feel as excited as the very first time I sat with a client. I can tell my clients who are around the age of 50, the conversations start to turn. There are no more conversations about the excitement of change. There are conversations about a change that feels more appropriate in their life overall. This includes their routines in the morning, the reflections they see when they look at themselves, and how they feel about it all emotionally.
One of my life’s treasures is the memory of one of my clients who was a retired teacher. She came to the appointment with a picture she had kept in her wallet for two years. She had two years of patience waiting for the right moment and as we were doing the haircut, she was so quiet that it felt like time stood still. When she finally spoke, she said, “I look like myself again.”. A good haircut is about looking like yourself, not just looking younger. I always try to get that message across to all my clients, especially the 23 who are in the before and after photos.
#1: Layered Long Bob with a Soft Wave Through It
What I enjoy most about this style is the way the layers function without being overly distracting. They begin around the chin and seem to melt down which gives it a very “passy” vibe. If your hair naturally tends to lay flat then this cut is perfect because you can skip the Tuesday blowout and still achieve that \”I tried\” look. The color also adds a nice warmth and glow, really reflects the light in a very non-try-hard way.
#2 Gentle Layers at a Mid-Length That Just Feels Easy
The roundness of the shape and how it flows with the face is great instead of fighting it. The layering of the hair is not too extreme and not one note to keep it from feeling heavy and that color. It warms up and without being loud and that is harder to achieve than people think. This is a cut for someone who wants to look put together without having to take forty minutes to style it in the morning.
#3 A Clean Medium Cut with Layers That Frame Everything Nicely
With this style, the goal is probably to achieve an effect as if they have always worn their hair this way. From what I can see, the layers look perfect. They are expertly framed, the cut is clean without being overly sharp, and the color adds warmth to the skin, which I have noticed, and I believe that is intentional. For those with finer hair, you may need to use a volumizing mousse to keep the style up between washes.
#4 A Shoulder-Length Blunt Cut That Doesn’t Feel Severe
Blunt cuts can be a little edgy, but this one is absolutely on point. There are some subtle layers under the blunt cut so it doesn’t look stiff, which is super important for working with finer hair. Love the soft grey color! Super intentional and confident. Just a heads up, the only thing you have to remember with blunt cuts is they need to be kept up with regular trims for that crisp look (every six weeks or so).
#5 A Blunt Bob with Soft Bangs That Change Everything
The bangs bring a lot to this look. The bob could be boring without the bangs, but they really soften the whole look and add a lot. The color is an amazing choice as well. I’ve gone back to the picture a few times, and the deep auburn is such a great color. It’s one of those cuts that still looks put together even if you just wake up and run your fingers through your hair. It’s perfect for straight hair, so if that describes you, be sure to bring this picture to your appointment!
#6 Collarbone-Length Layers with a Little Light Running Through Them
What especially stands out to me is the restraint shown here. All of the various details are well executed – nothing is overdone, nor is anything done just to make a ‘statement.’ The collar bone hits are a length that flatters almost everyone, and it also lets you pull it back whenever you need to. Brunette bases with those subtle highlights give it a nice dimension which looks great in photos and even better in person, where it really counts.
#7 A Textured Bob with Bangs That Took Years Off
In her before picture, she has long, flat, and quite boring hair. There is nothing exciting about it, and what’s worse the hair does nothing for the photo. However, in the after picture, she has been completely transformed! Just look at that bob! NIt’s full of texture and has a nice shape. The darker shade adds a richness and brightness to the whole look, and the bangs? That’s the best part! They are the most amazing finishing touch. There’s nothing about those bangs that scream regrettable commitment.
#8 A Short Bob with Quiet Texture and a Little Lift
I love it! The volume at the crown is such a nice change for the overall shape! It gives the cut intention instead of just being ‘hair that’s been cut short’. The softer framing layers do give a nice face-frame and I think this option works well for someone who is used to their hair being longer and is making the leap to something much shorter without going all the way to a pixie! A round brush at the crown section during a blowout will help keep that lift between appointments.
#9 Layered and Flipped, in the Way That Actually Looks Fun
I like this playfulness. The turned ends are not an error, they are part of how the layers were cut, and they give character to the whole thing. It’s medium length, so it’s still versatile, but also doesn’t look like she’s playing it safe. I think if you have naturally fine hair and feel like your cut is just sitting there, something like this could be the answer. The movement does most of the talking.
#10 An A-Line Bob That Knows What It’s Doing
I really like A line bobs! The shape’s own geometry works really well by making the back shorter and the front longer which gives an illusion of more length and structure. Because this is a classic example, in 6 months time it won’t feel too out of date. The layers may look pretty solid and may even be a little bit heavy, but they look great as a buffer. Such a nice dependable cut.
#11 A Pixie with Real Texture and a Little Bit of Attitude
The length here is absolutely a choice, and clearly a good one. The softness from the layers at the crown is important because without that, a pixie on fine hair can be a bit flat looking. Most notable here, is how this cut really accentuates her face shape. I always say to clients wondering about a pixie, that the upkeep is much more straightforward than what people expect and you’ll know when you are ready. Just, of course, don’t miss your trims.
#12 A Chin-Length Bob That Feels Quietly Polished
We love the silence in this cut! It’s clean, smooth, and the way it’s falling to the chin really balances everything out. The color brightens her entire face up, and gives off that freshly salon done vibe, which is a great sign of a good colorist. This is a wash-and-go style if you have straight or wavy hair which adds to the practicality and makes you not sacrifice anything.
#13 Long Layers with Face-Framing Highlights That Catch the Light
If you want to avoid going shorter, this is an excellent option. The layers are doing their job, adding shape, while also preventing the style from looking too flat and dull. One of the best aspects is the face-framing highlights, meant to mimic sun-kissed strands. For medium to thick hair, this cut will shed some of the weight without losing any length. If your highlights are on the cooler side, you might need purple shampoo to keep them from going brassy.
#14 A Short Textured Cut with Bangs That Soften Everything
This looks like it will really trick the eye as to how long the hair is. It looks as if it has been a really long time! Especially when the hair looks good on the person, it is hard to think about longer hair than this. The texture really goes with the hair and the bangs. The bangs are light and not heavy and blunt. They are meant to soften the forehead and highlight the features instead of distracting from them like heavier bangs would. The wavy texture in the hair means this style will probably be really low maintenance, a lot less product than other styles. If there is any wave in your hair, this is your sign.
#15 Shoulder-Length with Warmth and Soft Layers Throughout
What stood out to me the most was the color. It is warm and rich, and looks great on her skin. The cut is simple, shoulder length with soft layers, and that’s why it works so well. It is perfect as is. Hair that is this fine can lose shape easily before appointments, so I would recommend a lightweight texturizing spray to keep the layers looking a little more feathery.
#16 A Copper Pixie That Completely Changed the Energy
It’s often necessary to take a second look at before and after photographs, given how noticeable the difference is. While the shade of copper is fairly strong, it is also well-balanced with the cut. With regards to finer hair, the short layers and texturing give sufficient volume and are super flattering. In my opinion, of all the changes made, the one that makes the most dramatic improvement is the overall brightness of her face, not just the hair. An extreme change is highly effective.
#17 Shoulder-Length Layers with Highlights That Add Just Enough
There’s solid structure in the haircut. The layers do a great job of framing the face, and the movement is just right so that it doesn’t look flat or stagnant. The highlights look well woven and give dimension to the haircut without being too stripy or overdone. For hair of this medium density, a shoulder length cut with layers is a good option. I know it sounds boring, but it really does look nice on most people. Just a touch of lightweight oil on the ends would keep everything looking smooth in between washes.
#18 A Modern Bob with Texture That Moves
Bobs are often considered a little dated if they sit just under the jaw, but I think it really depends on the hair texture. This one looks contemporary. The layers are on the more subtle side, but they trick the eye into thinking there is more volume. The best part of the style has to be the undone-ness. It looks like she styled it but tried to not go over the top. That’s a look that really does translate well to photos and works in real life too.
#19 A Silver Pixie with Texture That Keeps It Interesting
The silver hair is really striking. Given the texture of the crop, the hair feels light not heavy which is great for fine hair. I also love how the crop frames the face so cleanly and so deliberately. I really admire how she has completely embraced the silver and has chosen to defy the norm and work with that. The right cut gives the impression that this is an articulate and beautiful choice.
#20 Long Layers That Let the Color Do the Talking
The cut probably does act as a color border. Deep gray is subtle, but it does accentuate her eyes. The soft layers, together with that texture, create an effortless look. Longer hair requires, well, a bit more time from you in the morning, so it is definitely for someone who doesn’t mind investing a bit more in the morning, as well as someone who appreciates the ritual of it.
#21 A Chin-Length Bob with Bangs That Have Some Weight to Them
Bangs should appear thick, but not heavy, and that’s an easy balance to get wrong. The bob here is polished with clean edges and just enough movement to keep it looking a little interesting. I like this as an option for someone whose hair has been the same for a long time and wants something different, but not too different. This is a small change, but looks like a big change, and that’s the best kind of change!
#22 A Short Silver Pixie That Looks Like It Was Always Meant to Be
Some hairstyles just seem to have found their person, and this one absolutely is one of those. Textured layers are sooooo good for adding life to the silver, and the way it’s been cut is making her fine hair look like it has way more volume than it probably does. I keep coming back to this one. The length and colour and shape around her face, everything feels right. On days you want it a bit more, a little matte wax on the top layers would add definition.
#23 A Copper Pixie with Layers That Give It Life
I really like the combination of copper and singing. The warm copper color pairs well with her skin as it has been touched upon with the modifier. The color layering does achieve the goal of having a short neck, light and airy. This look will elicit positive reactions and people will say that something is different, without knowing what it is.
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