When you think about long blowout haircuts, it looks polished, sleek and gives full body. However, it’s not overdone.
I get many clients who come in wanting a blowout ready cut and think their hair will look good when they get in and style it and though I understand because a great blowout feels like you have a new head of hair, the reality is that the cut does about 70% of the work before the dryer even touches it. Years ago I had a client with beautiful thick hair. Getting heavily layered cuts from other stylists and as stunning as those looks were and they fit perfectly in the air dry style, they completely fell apart when the wearer tried to blowout those layers. The top layers were too short and too many stacked ones so the hair puffed out at the crown and fell pretty limp at the ends. After that we took her to a style with more sophisticated clean lines and blunt ends with only a couple of internal layers starting at collarbone and with that her blowouts began lasting 2 to even 3 days.
People do not understand that getting the look you want with the gloss actually needs a little weight at the ends, and movement in the mid-lengths, not the other way around. Your cut also needs to take your natural part into account because if your hair is fighting to fall a different way, the blowout will collapse around the crown within just a few hours. A lot of people end up using a round brush or large rollers, so the shape of your cut should support that effort, not do the opposite. Check these out and see what you like.
#1: Rich Auburn Layers with Playful Face-Framing Movement
This haircut really stands out both in person and in photos, making it a great choice! The chin-length framing layers offer softness to the style and avoid a boxy look, which means even medium and thick hair will work well. The warm auburn is a great color choice as opposed to a cool, flat, or ashy tone that would hinder the light movement in the layers. This cut will look particularly good on heart shapes since it accentuates the center of the face and leaves the sides unobscured. This cut is ideal for straight hair worn down, or even some waves if you’re after a slightly messy look. Just a note that layered hair needs maintenance so you’ll be getting trims every 6 to 8 weeks.
#2: Soft Bouncy Curls on Long Layers
I can see that these curls have been structured for blowouts instead of having a drop in. You can tell where the focus volume is concentrated through the mids and the ends have enough density to hold the curl instead of going wispy. I will say that this is a styling intensive look and you are committing to using a round brush and a large barrel to achieve this look. If you enjoy this sort of thing the end result is definitely there. A little balayage in the mid lengths would give this more dimension without changing the whole vibe.
#3: Long Layers with a Seamless Highlight Blend
The end result looks lovely and soft and the highlights are not too chunky. They add a little depth and dimension without being stripey or super distracting and bring attention to the layers. The cut itself is super versatile. The long layers and also the length is enough to make the hair feel full, but not heavy. It sits nicely on most face shapes (oval or heart shapes get the most from it though). The cut also works best with medium to thick hair as fine hair loses some of the volume and bouncy feel. The grow-out is a nice blend which makes the overall look more expensive and it is one of the most easy to maintain styles.
#4: Defined Waves on Glossy Long Layers
Here is a great compromise for people that don’t want perfectly straight hair, but also don’t want full-on curls. The waves are defined enough to be seen as intentional, but not so much that they spent ages on it, and the layers are placed so that the all around weight is well distributed so it doesn’t go flat or too top heavy. For medium to thick hair this look will come easy. If your hair is thin it might take a little more work since the waves may not hold as well and it may not resemble this style as much. Using some shine spray will also add to the overall look.
#5: Soft Curls with Mid-Length Layering
Starting the layers at mid-length is smart as it keeps the ends looking full and gives some bounce and movement to the body of the hair and not just the ends. It’s so common to see haircuts where the layers start way too high and you get those thin scraggly ends that no product can fix, so I like that this cut avoids that. The looseness in the curls is elegant and not stiff and looks especially good on oval and heart-shaped faces. This is definitely high maintenance and you can’t just roll out of bed to have it look like this, but if you like the process of styling your hair, it’s a nice reward.
#6: Sleek Long Layers with Face-Framing Highlights
The drama added in this cut is great. The length and the highlights that get concentrated around the face and pull you in is also very nice. This is a smart cut for fine to medium hair because the layers give the illusion of a lot of natural density without having to be full to pull it off. It’s polished and sleek without requiring too much effort. The downside is that it requires a lot of upkeep to sustain this smooth look, which can be difficult if your hair is wavy or naturally curly. If you like using a flat iron, this cut will be perfect for you.
#7: Glossy Long Layers with Gentle Face-Framing Waves
Here is an example of a nice long layered cut and sometimes that’s all you need. The soft frame waves are subtle enough to add a little interest without over complicating the style, and the length, with its effortless quality is really what people want when they say they want a blow dry finish. It works with medium to thick hair and is fairly versatile across face shapes considering how the layers sit. If you want to up the shine, a gloss treatment every now and then will keep it looking like this in between salon visits.
#8: Voluminous Layers with Highlighted Face Framing
The volume comes from the layers rather than the product or backcombing and you can tell because it moves rather than sitting there like a helmet. The highlights are subtle and placed to enhance the dimension the layers already create, which is how it should be. This is especially great if you have an oval or heart-shaped face because it softens without adding width. If you have straight hair that’s looking a bit lifeless, this is the kind of layering that will give you life and movement. A lightweight hair serum on the ends will keep those layers looking healthy and separated.
#9: Sleek Long Layers with Warm and Cool Tonal Depth
I like the coloring technique. The use of both warm and cool tones adds dimension to the hair without being too shiny. This also creates an illusion of depth which is more difficult to do than most people think. The haircut is also nice, with subtle framing layers starting around the face and graduating out. For more angular features like yours, this works nicely because it smooths everything down without hiding the structure. If your hair is of medium thickness, this will look and feel great. The haircut is also versatile and will allow you to style it in multiple ways without the haircut getting in the way. The face framing layers will need to be trimmed more often to keep their shape, while the rest of your hair will be able to go longer without a cut.
#10: Glamorous Soft Waves with Balayage Dimension
There seems to be a lot of buzz about balayage, and while there are many things to say about this style, here it is being done well. The color enhances depth and the overall shape, aided by the layered cut underneath, comes from the cut. This is ideal for fine to medium density hair. The balayage creates an effect of thickness that a single-process color wouldn’t. The waves also complement oval and heart shaped faces. Grow-out is the best part of a balayage. Instead of being stuck to short 6 week intervals, realistic maintenance can get you 3-4 months without a touch up!
#11: Thick Glossy Layers with Soft Highlighting
This look will be good for you if your hair is thick and straight. This is because it allows you to use your natural hair to your benefit. The layers will keep the hair light, and the pieces that frame the face will soften the look/ The soft highlights add dimension and are not overdone. I would say that this does not look low maintenance. Those highlights will need to be touched up often. The cut will hold its shape well over the time between appointments, which does help you out. Overall, a good solid cut.
#12: Polished Long Layers with Soft Curtain Bangs
For most people, the right length can make any curtain bangs style work, and this is no exception. Curtain bangs are soft and blend in nicely with the rest of the hair. They can be worn forward, and give a nice framing to the face. The rest of the cut is sleek and falls past the shoulders, with just the right amount of layering to keep things interesting. For a medium density hair type, this looks nice because it moves a lot , but it doesn’t look bulky. This cut and shape looks best on face shapes like oval and heart. The problem with curtain bangs is that they get a different look after about three to four weeks, and require a lot of trimming. If you are not someone who likes going to the salon frequently, this style might be aggravating.
#13: Warm-Toned Voluminous Waves on Long Layers
I really like how the warm tones go with the haircut. The color makes the whole look come together. The cut is also nice with the layers cut to relieve some bulk at the bottom table of the hair while keeping the sides thick enough to give volume. The natural waves are also lovely. This medium thickness warm colored hair is very compatible with a variety of skin tones. This style does require effort and there’s no way to take shortcuts when it comes to styling. The layered cut does make the blowout easier because the hair isn’t all one length working against the brush.
#14: Long Layered Curls with Sun-Kissed Balayage
The curls have great body and the layers are cut so that the curl pattern is neither weighed down at the bottom nor bunched at the top. That takes cutting skill. I can tell this was done by someone who gets layering and how it affects curl movement, which is not always the case. The balayage is great because it adds a sun-kissed look that is pretty any time of year. It works best for medium to thick hair because the curls need a certain amount of hair to hold this shape. I will say, keeping defined curls like this will take effort on your part. You will be styling every wash day, which means using a heat protectant will be necessary to prevent the ends from looking crispy.
#15: Cascading Curls with a High-Shine Finish
I think the glossy finish really elevates this style. The curls fall in a way that feel very light and airy. With finer hair like this achieving a style that looks this light and airy can be difficult and risky. It can end up looking limp throughout the day. The length gives you the most versatility and can be dressed up for more formal outfits. The curls are also great for everyday outfits. Recreating this at home will take you some practice with a curling wand and styling products. The end result is definitely worth the effort because it is one of the more high-maintenance styles.
#16: Dark Glossy Layers with Soft Curtain Bangs
A beautiful glow is not typical with darker shades. The darker base color is rich but not too cool. The curtain bangs here feel nice, and their layers make sure the look is not choppy or disconnected. This cut works well for oval and heart-shaped faces, and this medium density cut keeps everything looking balanced. A lightweight styling cream should be used to define the movement in the layers. Bangs will need regular trimming so a colour like this one to dark will be more forgiving for the grow out between colour appointments.
#17: Flowing Glossy Layers with Side-Swept Bangs
Many underestimate the versatility side-swept bangs provide when matched to different face shapes. They are particularly complimentary when matched to heart and oval shapes. These light cascading layers are elegant and timeless. This hairstyle is most suited to fine and medium hair. This is because the layers give a lot of movement without removing too much volume to the overall hair. With regards to the length of the hair. The longer the hair is, the more prone it is to split ends. This means longer hair will require more frequent trims to keep your it looking polished rather than messy.
#18: Golden Long Layers with Defined Bouncy Curls
This looks great with naturally warm skin. The warm tones create a glow that wouldn’t be achieved with cooler tones. The curls look stiff, which means time was put into curling them, probably with a medium barrel and some sort of flexible hold hairspray. The length is flattering and adds versatility with blowouts. If your hair is medium to thick, the curls will help with pattern and reduce some of the bulk. It is a lot of work, but the end result is fabulous, and if you love the styling, this is the look for you!
#19: Full-Bodied Blowout with Soft Layered Volume
Each and every individual wave shows the round brush technique shining through and gives it a finish that’s smooth and ranks it well above the more common and inferior styles that include static flyaway ends. This style works best on straight and thick hair, as it has the natural density to support the volume, unlike deflated styles that lose their volume within an hour. For oval and heart shapes, this style creates a harmoniously balanced look. If you’re trying to achieve this look at home, sectioning your hair is imperative. You’ll need a round brush to pull the hair from the roots to the tips while guiding hot air as you go. Once you master the technique, it just takes practice!
#20: Elegant Bouncy Curls on Expert Layers
If you start curls from the middle, this is intentional, and you should do it because it helps keep the polished bounce finish while avoiding the crazy top-half hair syndrome. The layer frames the curl placement well, and there is enough movement so it doesn’t look stiff, but just enough structure to keep everything in place. This looks fabulous with oval and heart-shaped faces. I have to mention that obtaining curls like this takes time and a good heat protectant is a must if you plan to do this. It’s not an easy style, but it looks as such and that’s the main point.
#21: Glossy Balayage Layers with Soft Face-Framing Waves
The waves add a bit of character to the length, and balayage softens the face framing and enhances the overall. For straight and slightly wavy hair textures, this suits best as the cut/color do all the visual work and you wouldn’t have to work against your natural pattern. It is perfect for fine to medium density hair because the balayage helps to create a little more volume and the layers offer movement without the hair feeling too sparse. This look is also great for an effortless transition from a casual to a more polished look.
#22: Mid-Back Blowout Waves with Subtle Balayage
This style should reach your mid-back. For this length, the cut needs to be done really well, or the hair will just hang there and do nothing. The subtle layering prevents it from looking like a curtain, and the balayage adds just enough tonal variation so that the light reflects differently as you move, giving that salon-fresh quality. This is suitable for fine to medium density hair, as the layers are not too aggressive, and just enough to create shape. Maintenance is real though; at this length, you risk dryness and splitting at the ends. Regular trims and a good leave-in conditioner are a must.
#23: Clean Long Layers with Warm Subtle Highlights
It’s difficult not to love this. It’s beautiful and very well done. The face-framing layers are soft and the highlights add just the right amount of warmth to not make the color flat. The cut is versatile too; with straight hair of medium density, you can wear it styled in a few ways and the shape won’t fall apart. This is best for oval faces but not exclusively. The highlights show brightness without being high-contrast, which I think ages better than bolder color choices. A solid everyday cut that doesn’t ask much from you.
#24: Full-Volume Long Layers with a Center Part
Center parts can be seen as divisive, but this style of cutting hair is especially lovely when it comes to the oval and heart shape faces. The sheer volume that this cut creates is pure spell casting. The volume is expertly controlled and dispersed at the bottom of the cut so that it doesn’t mushroom out. The soft waves around the face soften the harshness of a centre part. If you have naturally thick and straight hair, this style will do a lot of the work for you with very little effort on your part. The length will require some trims to maintain the health of the ends, but the cut will be very easy to maintain, and with good salon visits, it will look good for a long time.
#25: Long Layered Waves with Soft Dimensional Highlights
The highlights do something subtle but effective, and that is create just enough variation to suggest movement in the hair, even when it is sitting still. The waves look natural and the hair cut layers prevent the hair from becoming heavy around the shoulders. This is a really versatile cut that flatters both round and oval faces. The highlighting technique works particularly well for finer hair as it gives the appearance of more hair without heavy processing. It is super easy to style and the upkeep is medium low. Most of the time, nothing about this look is going to demand your constant attention, which I think is exactly what most people actually want, even when they’re drawn to something that looks more complicated.
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