Choosing a hairstyle in LA involves more than just picking a style you like or what’s in fashion. Most trends are not practical for someone who has a low ability to style their hair in a way that involves washing it regularly, drying it, or using a lot of product. If you’re using [dry shampoo](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=dry+shampoo&tag=lateshairs-20) often, it’s not bad product — it’s the city water. To avoid compromising the health of your hair, styles such as long layers, blunt ends, or an airy bob are great options. You may be surprised by how much your hairstyle can extend the look of your hair color before it needs a touch-up.
In LA, the light is different than anywhere else. Each stylist chooses their color and highlights based on what looks good in the salon under the artificial light, but it can look completely different when you step outside. Once, I was working with a woman in Seattle who complained about how flat and dull her chocolate brown hair was. I suggested to her that we add some warmth in the middle and it was the first time she felt her hair looked like it belonged in California.
It’s about more than taking a photo and looking good. I designed these with the intention that they would look good as you’re walking around the city and going about your daily routine.
#1: Tawny Textured Waves with a Little Movement
I first appreciate how color appears different in various light and warm tawny tones seem to have depth, rather than one dimensional. The layers are done so they sit just below the cheekbone which adds some direction to the look without being overly done. For those with finer hair, and want something that feels more alive, this type of layering does that quite subtly. This is the type of cut where people will notice something is different but won’t be able to put their finger on it, and that’s my favorite result.
#2: Long Golden Blonde with Waves That Start Low
One place I continue to revisit is the start of the wave. It’s not cut from the root, not even close to the face, it really picks up from mid-length, which is what makes it feel so effortless and current. Thank goodness the roots are left a touch deeper, which is a relief for anyone who doesn’t want to go to the salon every six weeks. If your hair holds some natural thickness, this kind of length and movement pretty much styles itself. For straight textures, you’d want to be blunt with yourself about your willingness to use a curling iron a few times a week, because the wave is what makes the whole thing.
#3: Golden Waves with Lighter Pieces Around the Face
The lighter strands at the front brighten the face and also prevent the overall effect from being too blocky or blunt. If all the blonde pieces were uniform in colour, the hair would look flat. The bottom layers let the waves do their thing, and the hair will feel full without the bulk. I will say these highlights will require more maintenance than some others. The blonde face framing highlights will grow out and the effect will be unbalanced and off so if you’re not a fan of that look, you can expect to see your colorist frequently.
#4: Long Black Layers with Soft Curled Ends
Very thick, healthy, dark hair has unique qualities. The curl at the end is so slight, it looks like the hair just decided to end that way, which is of course, the goal. The layers cut throughout the hair help prevent the hair from becoming a solid sheet which creates that nice movement. If you keep this length, I really recommend a serum at the ends to protect it. Long hair is prone to damage so the ends really deserve the TLC.
#5: Deep Merlot Layers with a Gentle Wave
This color changes in natural light, giving it a nice gradient effect from muted colors indoors to a rich, almost secret wine hue outside. This is what I think people are drawn to with the merlot palette; it is a bold color, but it does not overpower the room. We can also keep your hair this length to get more of a sweeping movement with it. A thicker chop is ideal as it gets rid of some of the weight but keeps the style nice and full. If your hair is fine, it is better to talk to your stylist about where the layers will be so that they don’t sit flat to your head. For the right person, a color shift like this can be very refreshing without a big change on the day to day activities.
#6: Blonde Bob with Lived-In Texture
What makes this bob easy and enjoyable is that it has grit at the ends that helps avoid a polished or stiff look. The length is also forgiving so it doesn’t require daily precision. If you have finer hair, this is an ideal cut because the blunt ends give the appearance of fullness without needing product or much effort. That said, you’ll need trims every five to six weeks because a bob loses its clean energy once it starts growing out uneven.
#7: Chestnut Waves That Frame Without Trying
Looking at the warmth of the chestnut color, I can see how the color gave an expensive feel to it without the design being too involved. The waves look soft and intentional and fall in a way to soften the jaw and cheeks without looking too deliberate. It’s a simple style, and works with different textures and densities of hair, though it comes alive with the right amount hair to fill out the waves. The hair on top can be straighter, and for holding the curl defining cream and a diffuser would be great so the style stays intentional between washes.
#8: Copper Blunt Bob with Full Bangs
This haircut will change how people look at you. It’s the intention with each element of it that makes it work. The full bangs and the blunt cut, and the color are all working together rather than clashing for attention. The warm golden copper color is perfect. It’s trickier to pull of than you might think, and if this color works for you, you’ll want to go to a colorist who knows how to work with warm tones. As for the bangs, that will take a trim every few weeks so if you enjoy a bit of ritual, that kind of upkeep may feel less like a chore and more like you’re taking care of something you love.
#9: Curly Shag with a Soft Fringe
Shag cuts definitely give an organic feel that compliments your natural curls, although this may come as an adjustment for some people. These haircuts are designed to work with the natural shape and movement of your hair, rather than against them. Compared to a lot of other hair styles, shag cuts give more room for curls to grow and expand. Even though this style may look a bit messy, just the right amount of volume is kept and added at the crown. One of the biggest concerns for those with curly hair is getting the dreaded triangle, and shag cuts help avoid this too! Since curls tend to grow in unpredictable ways, expect to have this cut done regularly.
#10: Ash Balayage That Looks Like You Spent a Summer Outside
For those hesitant about adding color to their hair, I personally like suggesting balayage. It is painted on in a way that honors your natural base so that the grow-out is not a hard line but more of a gradual fade. Additionally, this particular one is a little more ashy, which keeps it modern and avoids being silver. The transition from darker roots to lighter ends makes you hair look longer and more voluminous, even on days where you didn’t style it much. What I love about this service is that it is low commitment, and you can really extend your appointments and still like what you see in the mirror.
#11: Caramel-Kissed Waves with Long Layers
Your hair will look great in pictures and it will probably look even better in person. The caramel color is so beautiful because it brightens the natural brown hair underneath without overwhelming it. With the cu-cuts that are soft and intentional, the curls are able to separate and move apart. This gives the picture fullness rather than too much. If your hair has a natural wave, this will probably not take a lot of upkeep. Even though the color needs to be touched up every once in a while to avoid the look of dirty hair, because of the color, it will get better with time instead of worse.
#12: Auburn Curls at Shoulder Length
I appreciate that the auburn here isn’t trying to be a bright red. It is warmer and earthier, more natural. The length to the shoulders is the sweet spot for curly hair, as it gives the curls room to form without the weight pulling the curls down straight. The layers are cut so that each curl is free to sit exactly where it wants, and a cut like this is perfect for a wider face because the curls form a soft frame and draw the focus inward. Expect to spend money on good anti-frizz products and to be patient with the process because your curls look good from a lot of care, not by accident. The more defined the curls, the more care and patience.
#13: Retro-Inspired Waves with Wispy Bangs
I appreciate the fun retro style and the wispy bangs are a huge plus. They move with you, and they help soften the forehead area without concealing it. I also appreciate the contrast that darker roots and lighter ends give. The color blend creates a depth that draws the eye. It adds a level of detail that makes the hairstyle look more intricate than it really is. The greatest aspect is that if your hair has a natural wave to it, a lot of that volume will come from that. You’ll just have to put in a little more work on the days when it doesn’t cooperate.
#14: Long Chestnut Waves with Effortless Volume
When it comes to luxury hair extensions, it is all about the details. The chestnut colour is so rich and beautiful with depth (not heavy!) and the layered dimension gives the hair life and movement while allowing it to move as one. If you have a thick mane (whether it is natural or due to the cut), this is definitely one of those styles that you will benefit from your own texture. The volume is doing exactly what it should! To be honest, it is all about the conditioning! This length of the waves need to have a good solid moisture and conditioning routine or else they will get stiff and straw-like at the ends, and we definitely don’t want that! So good thick moisture and good conditioning are essential if you want to keep that lovely soft and movable texture to your hair.
#15: Auburn Waves with Quiet Layering
Even though the layers in this particular style are understated, they are what really create movement. The auburn shade is a beautiful dark color that is flattering to most skin tones, which is hard to say about most reds. This kind of layering, especially for fine hair, gives the illusion of more volume without the danger of looking too sparse. If you like this color, be prepared to come in for touch-ups every 4-6 weeks because the color will shift and fade and the auburn tones require a lot of maintenance.
#16: Long Layers with a Punk-Inspired Color Story
I don’t recommend vivid color to everyone, but when someone is ready for it, it is something special. The dark base color makes the pink and teal colors feel more personal than trend-driven, as it feels like whoever’s wearing this made every decision with intent on each shade combo. The long layers keep things grounded so the color doesn’t overwhelm the shape, and that is important; with this much going on chromatically, you want the cut to feel stably. A semi-permanent formula for the vivid shades is the way to go here so it lets you play without the kind of commitment that makes you anxious six weeks in. Just know that refreshing often will be necessary to keep these colors bright.
#17: Shoulder-Length Brunette with Just Enough Layer
The greatest thing that this cut can do is get out of your way, and that is exactly what this one does. It is clean and simple. The restrained layers are cut just long enough to barely lift the ends so the style doesn’t look flat. This is one of those styles meant for straight, medium density hair where you can wash save and go, and still look great without feeling like you skipped a step. The cut is framed around the face in a flattering way without being fussy. If ease over drama is your thing, this is definitely one to consider cutting. However, if you’re after texture or volume, it will probably feel a little too quiet for you.
#18: Beachy Blonde Balayage at Medium Length
A great balayage is supposed to look like it happened naturally, and this one certainly does! The blonde highlights are concentrated to the areas that the sun would hit and are more heavily dispersed towards the ends. Leaving the base color alone also adds to the believability. The hair also has a natural wave to it which makes this nearly self-styling, which is the real luxury of having a cut like this. For medium to thick hair, the texture and movement come easily. If you’re considering this style and have finer hair, be sure to discuss placement with your stylist because the placement of lighter pieces is relatively more important considering there’s less hair to work with.
#19: Clean Blunt Bob with Textured Ends
The horizontal line of this bob is super satisfying; it sits right at that point where it lightly touches the collarbone but doesn’t go fully to shoulder length. The ends are textured so it doesn’t read too severe (which is always a danger with blunt cuts) and adds some nice casual energy to the hair which I think is great for everyday. For finer hair a little volumizer at the roots will go a long way here. What I really like about this cut is the versatility. You can wear it straight one day then the next add a bend with a curling wand and it turns into something totally different.
#20: Soft Waves with Charcoal-Toned Highlights
The highlights have an ashy quality and are not too blonde or silver and seem to sit in a cooler charcoal space. They create dimension with a base color that is darker than the highlights without having too much contrast. If you want a more modern look without your color being too obvious or bold, this is great. The soft waves are a nice add too and the highlights will need some maintenance due to growth of the base color to maintain that ash look, but the vibe is low maintenance enough that you won’t feel like you need to come in before your appointment.
#21: Warm Caramel Through Soft Waves
The way the caramel color contours rather than sits on top like a highlight is very nice. In terms of the polishes waves I can see how they could be from a big barrel curl or from plaiting your hair overnight. It’s a style that can be appreciated for a long time, even with some upkeep coming. The warm tone palette makes the fade look intentional rather than neglected as the color fades.
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