The difference a good face frame makes can elevate a cut to a level where people won’t even know you got a haircut. That’s the kind of difference it can make. How little it takes in terms of length is crazy. Just adding or removing a few hairs that touch the jaw and cheek area is enough to change or even elevate the entire perception of a person.
One of my clients from last year received a compliment from me as a result of the haircut she received from me. After I added some layers to the face she looked in the mirror and said, “I look like myself again.” A great face frame cut should help eliminate that ‘hair curtain’ and present a person’s face to the world instead of a bush of hair. Each of the fifteen photos features a unique look, many of which I’ll be obsessed over, and you’ll be able to spot it.
#1: Warm Balayage Waves with Layers That Actually Do Something
The picture shows a beautiful example of a budding balayage. The transition from a natural brown root to a bright almost white blonde is pretty and great because it helps draw attention toward the face and solid colors won’t work. The hair is waved layered and cut to work with the wave rather than fight it. I have been wishing customers would ask for this more often. With thicker hair, this kind of layering (along with the waves) helps remove bulk without sacrificing volume. It is a nice change from the heavy thick wild look to a more relaxed and free flowing style. The maintenance does need to be factored in. The blonde is going to need a touch up every 10 to 12 weeks to keep that contrast looking fresh and not grown out and I think that is worth it because the end result looks good.
#2 Soft Caramel Waves That Frame Without Trying Too Hard
What I appreciate here is how one of the first framing layers creates the illusion of happenstance, as if the hair just fell around the face. The highlights add warmth to the hair, which reads more like, “I just got back from somewhere sunny,” rather than, “I sat in a salon chair for three hours,” even though that is probably closer to reality. If you want something a little more subtle, this one’s great. Your co-workers won’t be able to identify what it is. Medium density hair holds this shape beautifully, and the layers are soft enough to hold that you aren’t committing to a completely different styling routine.
#3 That Chestnut Bob Everyone Thinks They Can’t Pull Off
I know that bobs are scary, but this is one of the most easy-going options. The layered framing is soft and won’t create any harsh lines. The layers will lightly graze your cheekbones and let the rest of the hair do its thing. The chestnut color is warm and looks great on so many skin tones, which I love because I hate having to say, “but only if you’re warm-toned.”
You’ll probably need to put some effort in with a round brush if you want to get the texture nice and polished, but you don’t want a bob to look too put together, so the ideal is that it looks a little messy, and this type of cut will fit that bill.
#4 The Sleek Mid-Length That Does More Than You’d Think
This looks really really basic, so I would probably just hand this to someone with very fine hair and say “trust me”. But, face framing layers do pull off a quiet little magic trick and give illusion of more volume while keeping the bulk to a minimum. The subtle movement and clean lines look, for lack of a better term, expensive. If you want a cut that you can basically wash and wear, maybe do a touch up straightening the front pieces, and then walk out the door, then this is the style for you. To keep this looking intentional, light trims every 6-8 weeks are necessary.
#5: Flowing Layers with Bangs That Were Made for Thick Hair
This is the cut for you if you have thick, wavy hair, and have been feeling like your hair has been weighing you down, and sitting heavily on your head, as opposed to being a source of beauty and movement. The layers are strategically cut to remove weight so that your hair can move freely, while retaining the beauty of all your hair. The bangs are also cut to blend with the wave pattern, so instead of becoming fluffy and going flat they look nice (which is a real thick hair issue), so thick haired people understand the struggle.The bangs are the only real commitment here, and I would say you will likely need to get them trimmed every 3-4 weeks. The rest of the cut basically styles itself, and if you have natural waves, it’s just effortless. You won’t need many products and it is just gorgeous.
#6: An Easy Mid-Length Cut That Knows What It’s Doing
Not every haircut suits everyone. However, some can amazing on certain people. This haircut has so many angles that show off the excellence of the layers, which is the most impressive part. In fact, this cut can look good on straight hair. But, you probably want to avoid looking too flat without that dimension. For hair of this medium density, you don’t need much layering to face frame. If you live in a humid area, a light anti-humidity spray would do just fine. Also, layers, in fact, straight hair can lose its shape very quickly, so avoid it. Overall, this style is very low-maintenance for face framing.
#7: A Before-and-After That Makes My Point for Me
The change in this style is phenomenal! The chop is a more sophisticated style choice. Moving from a longer look to something more lifted is an excellent decision. The mid-length layered look is a more positive change. The layers also assist her hair in moving to the side creating the volume to the hair that is absent in extreme lengths. I adore the pieces that frame the face! They actually give the whole look a touch that won’t date anytime soon. Layers generally mean a bit more styling! True, maybe five more minutes in the morning, but that is a fair trade in my opinion. I am sure the mirror is looking forward to the reflection admiration!
#8: Ash Blonde Waves That Feel Like a Quiet Upgrade
The shade of ash blonde chosen must appear polished, new, and glowing. This instance of ash blonde is perfection. The brightness of her hair is high enough to elevate the whole look. The hair is bright enough to have avoided the large chunky highlight issue from the early 2000s. This cut/style looks best on hair that is of medium to high thickness and therefore the density is key to shaping the waves. It is advisable that when using ash tones, one anticipates the possible need to apply purple shampoo in order to eliminate any unwanted brassiness. Expect to keep salon appointments every eight weeks to maintain a fresh, clean look at the ends of your hair from the previous blonde color.
#9: Long Cascading Curls for When You Want to Feel Like a Painting
I won’t feign indifference. The curls encourage a smooth, natural movement of the hair, without disturbing the curl or layer, which is particularly ideal for thick long hair as it maintains overall volume. The curls will complement and frame the face beautifully from every angle. The look does require some work; investing in a good ceramic curling iron and spending time styling it will really pay off as the finished result will be stunning and cause people to lose their train of thought mid-sentence.
#10: Balayage with Dark Roots for People Who Have Lives
Blonde Face Framing Highlights with Dark Roots
Blonde face framing highlights are perfect for those clients who want to look amazing, but don’t want to spend plenty of time in my chair. The goal is dark roots. The dark roots create a natural, intentional grow-out phase that will look great for months! The golden blonde face framing highlights do all the work around the cheekbones and eyes. This looks especially great on medium to thick hair as it gives a lovely weight to the hair. However, one thing to keep in mind is that blonde hair has a tendency to get brassy. This is something you’ll want to chat about with your colorist, and you may need to get a color-depositing shampoo. In terms of effort to impact ratio, this look is one of the best!
#11: Sun-Kissed Balayage That Doesn’t Look Like You Tried
The balayage tastefully integrates the natural brunette with caramel to the point where it is difficult to distinguish the two. Such kind of blends looks youthful as well as natural. The soft waves and mid-length haircut help draw the gaze down on rounder face shapes. The face framing waves help to open everything up. For finer hair, this is ideal as the balayage adds more texture and volume. Since the hair is not fully bleached, it is less damaging. To avoid the lighter sections from fading, use a color safe shampoo.
#12: Rich Auburn Curls That I’m Honestly a Little Jealous Of
While I recognize my slight bias, I do think auburn is nice to look at, and their outfit works. The curls, while not too harsh, guide the attention to the eyes and cheekbones, and that is the goal. It may look like an easy style, but it was very likely far more difficult and time-consuming than most would think. The rich sart is the most versatile and, in addition to the frizz, adds some classy visual texture right before the curls take over, I would recommend a light volumizing spray at the crown while blow-drying to keep some shape up there to prevent it from falling flat after that little bit of root volume.
#13: Burgundy Waves That Aren’t Messing Around
What a statement color! Deep burgundy looks amazing on longer hair, especially with movement. Highlights that frame the face look iridescent when the light hits them. If you like your hair to draw attention, then this shade is definitely the one for autumn and winter. I must warn you, however, burgundy is one of the fastest fading hair colors. That means you can expect to visit the salon way more often than you would with a more natural color. If that doesn’t bother you, then go for it! The cut is versatile and can be dressed up or down and is perfect if you have natural volume to support those layered.
#14: Midnight Black Layers with Curls That Know When to Stop
I appreciate how restrained this look is. It features long layers, with mid-length curls starting at the middle of the hair shafts, and everything looks polished but not stiff or overdone. Since jet-black hair can look one-dimensional, the movement and light play created by the layers and soft curls at the ends add depth. If you want to feel glamorous for no reason on a Tuesday, this is a great option. The length of your hair means you’ll need to stay on top of your trims and deep conditioning to prevent the ends from looking tired, but the color is pretty low-maintenance. You won’t have to deal with brassiness or fading.
#15: Glossy Black Waves with the Kind of Shine That Stops You
I noticed how shiny your hair is, and I’m sure others do, too! Your hair looks incredible and has a very nice, liquid quality, with lots of waves flowing through it. The softness in the ends prevents it from looking too heavy, and I love how much movement it adds to the whole cut. Your waves fall in the most perfect way around your face. I like how subtle it is, and how it helps to open your face without a ton of layers. The gloss and shine are stunning. I bet you get gloss treatments every few weeks to maintain it! To keep that gloss, it’s really important to be careful with heat tools, but the results are definitely worth it.
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