Most people don’t realize that haircuts make a bigger difference than length when it comes to long hair. For example, I’ve worked with clients with hair that goes down to their waist and it looked super boring and shapeless. On the other hand, I’ve also worked with clients with hair that goes just past their shoulders and they looked amazing because the layers were doing the work. Hair that is just long with no shape or style is just long hair.
About three years ago, I had a client that was really protective of her hair and almost cried at the idea of me cutting it. She looked disappointed when I told her I was going to do a trim, but most people share that same sentiment when they get a cut like that. I turned her around and she was amazed at how I made the haircut look longer. The truth is, the hair didn’t look longer, but the shape and volume made it look amazing. That’s the benefit of haircut for long hair, it makes the hair work for you instead of just hanging there. If you’re looking for ideas on how to cut your hair, I’ve got a list of the best haircuts that will change how your hair looks.
#1: Center-Parted Long Layers with a Rounded, Blown-Out Feel
I love a classic cut that features a center part and long layers on the inside. It gives a soft, rounded look with ends that reach the collarbone. This style gives people that “I just left the salon” look, which is part of the reason they love it. It looks great straight or with a slight wave to it and is really nice with a solid color of brown hair that is naturally thick. This hairstyle will look great with some fine babylights. If you have naturally thin hair, this cut will not give you the look you want because it needs a lot of hair to create the volume and hold its shape. For the ends to look like this, you won’t be able to let your hair air dry. You will need a round brush and blow dryer to achieve that.
#2: Feathered Long Layers with That Soft Flip at the Ends
This cut has lovely scalloped framing around the face with the ends that kick out a bit as if they were capturing a breeze. Behind the front pieces is a hidden layer that’s doing a lot of work here; it creates that outward flip without you having to fight it a lot. This will look effortless on you if you have medium to thick hair that is mostly straight or has soft waves. The layers start around the chin, and there is some slide-cutting through the interior to keep it light. I do want to be up front, though. You’ll want to commit to round brush blow drying to get this shape to show up like it should, because if you only air dry, it’s going to look like an entirely different haircut.
#3: Long Glossy Hair with a Short Rounded Fringe
Not everyone would be able to rock this style, and that’s what makes it fun. This style incorporates super shiny, and long hair (mid-back range) paired with a very edgy blunt fringe that sits right above the eyebrows. This is a huge commitment – the fringe will have to be styled daily and an oily forehead will be a big issue with a fringe this short which can be super annoying. The rest of the haircut has some internal layering, which allows the ends to flip up and overall gives the cut more movement so it doesn’t just sit flat and boring. I would suggest this haircut for people with an edgy appearance (like she has glasses, a septum piercing, etc.) and also for people who have medium to thick hair. If you have thin hair, or do not want to style your hair on a daily basis, this haircut is probably not a good option for you right now and you should bookmark it for a later time.
#4: Rich Chocolate Brunette with Voluminous Rounded Layers
I love that rich chocolate color and the layers that are big, rounded, and barrel rolled. The frame face is lovely and there is really good crown lift from the graduated layers, which most people forget to ask for, but it makes a great deal of difference. For hair that is thick or medium density, this cut does a lot of the work, because the weight of the cut helps the hair fall in just the right way. The color is wonderful, it is a rich deep brunette with a nice even color and just a bit of root shadow so it does not look flat. The color definitely helps because it is a rich deep brunette with little root shadow. You will have to do some styling, since a round brush blowout is a must to have that look polished, and that shelf shape at the bottom. If your hair happens to be fine, it probably won’t be as full as this. For the right person this is a stunning cut.
#5: Ash-Toned Brushed-Out Layers with Feathered Swept Ends
I enjoy the blend of fine-to-medium hair with point-cut feathered ends. I think it feels airy because of these factors working together. The layers start a little higher than the chin, so they are good for framing the face. Her inner gradation is just the right amount, as it gives the crown some life and doesn’t go over the top. My favorite part of the color in this cut is the ashy root shadow. It gives you some time between appointments, which is a bonus. The entire style goes well with a round brush blowout and some ends forward. If your hair is very coarse or heavy, I would be a little more careful about suggesting it. The whole concept is light and feathery movement, and coarse hair usually works against that. Ash colors tend to fade warm, so be prepared to use purple shampoo between appointments.
#6: Dark Brunette Layers with a Soft Curtain Frame
This cut has many deceptively simple technical elements. The curtain bangs blend into the length, and there is mid-strand bulk removal to keep the ends from being too thick. The hair has a natural wave that is thick and loose, which is why this look is designed with her in mind. The color has subtle red-brown micro-lowlights that are woven and almost impossible to see which is just enough depth that a solid single-process color doesn’t provide. I will say that thick hair like this is more time-consuming to dry and style, and that’s all there is to it. If your hair is finer, you will want to avoid heavy interior removal as it will go limp.
#7: Golden Face-Framing Highlights on Soft Long Layers
This is a stylish option to get from the salon. It allows you to leave with a new look and still keep people guessing what the change is. There are long layers with a slight graduation at the crown and the golden highlights around the face are low contrast, meaning they should warm up your complexion, but without drawing attention to the fact that you just got highlights. The soft grown out look is a result of a root smudge. It photographs really well and frames an oval face nicely. It is a big effort though, the ends are going to require a lot of styling so a curling iron or round brush is going to be your best friend and the golden highlights will warm up quite a lot and you will definitely need some toner touch ups as those highlights will push golden over time.
#8: Chestnut Balayage with Feathered Face-Framing Pieces
I love to do balayage, especially when it doesn’t really look like a balayage. The chestnut tones blend so well with her natural hair color that it adds warmth with sun-kissed dimension and no harsh lines or obvious placements. The waves and thickness of her hair are perfect because that variation in texture contrasts the color beautifully. The layered face frame that’s feathered and the other layered around the cheeks is so good for a crown effect without the mushroom-y look. The root shadow is also good since it’s low maintenance. Just a note that the lighter lower third will shift and will need to be toned. If your hair is really fine, the effect won’t be as noticeable as more density is really needed for the color to read.
#9: Deep Espresso Layers with Natural Swing and Subtle Warmth
Walking into a salon and seeing a deep espresso brown like this one looks expensive and this cut proves why. These layered starts cut around chin length and blend all the way down to the mid-back. She has a soft face frame and some light inner layering at the crown for some volume. The ends have a natural bend that works well, and this cut is styled to look good with a round-brush blowout – that’s when you’ll really see the movement and dimension come in. The color in the inside is almost black, but highlights will cause it to capture warm micro-reflects which is a nice surprise, If you like to let your hair dry, keep in mind that the layers will look a little anaemic. the length and weight will pull everything straight and lose that shape. This would look great with a gloss treatment.
#10: Glossy Blown-Out Layers with Petal-Shaped Ends
What first caught my eye was the ends of the hair. The hair has a certain flip underneath in the shape of a petal which looks polished and intentional but not stiff. This look is a result of fused slice cutting and interior graduation blown out with a tension finish using a large round brush, and when it all comes together, it’s so satisfying to look at. The face frame curtain layers are dancing around the cheekbone and the length is still mid-back so you’re not sacrificing anything. This looks best on hair that is medium to high density with a straight or slightly wavy texture. If you have very fine hair approach this carefully because those petal ends require enough hair to hold the shape, and that’s where styling comes in. Heat is what makes this cut what it is.
#11: Waist-Length Layers with Curtain Framing and Chestnut Balayage
That’s a lot of hair, and especially with this length, a lot of people would just let it hang there and look heavy. But the way this is cut, it will definitely move. There is a hidden interior graduation that creates S-wave movement without adding too much bulk, and with the curtain framing starting at the cheekbones, it’s really flattering on round to oval faces. Her hair is naturally wavy and on the finer side strand-wise, but with full density, so she has enough hair for it to look lush without being overwhelming. The balayage with a soft root shadow is the right call at this length; you don’t want a hard line of color. I’ll be honest though, maintaining wave definition on hair this long takes time and product. The balayage will want to go brassy on you, so budget for toning visits. But the overall effect is really beautiful.
#12: Glossy Dark Cascade with Long Face-Framing Pieces
Keeping it simple is the move here, and this looks great. The cascade hits mid-chest and is a glossy dark brown. The gloss makes the hair look expensive and very healthy. The natural movement when she moves is really pretty. The only thing I would change would be at the crown. Length like this can be a bit top heavy and flatten things out, so I would let in some hidden layers and slide cut the ends to get a bit more movement. This is a great choice for someone wanting polished hair without a ton of technical layering or color.
#13: Long Feathered Layers with a Center Part and Stacked Ends
This style has feathered ends which gives a nice clean finish. The middle part with curtain bangs is a classic style, and on hair this thick and straight it works especially well because there is enough weight to support the layers instead of having them all just disappear. The root shadow is a smart way to add dimension without the upkeep for someone with long hair who doesn’t want to spend a lot of time in the salon for color. I cut this with long graduated layers, and used 45 degree angle point cutting to take out some of the inner bulk. You’ll need to blow dry those ends with a rounded brush or flat iron to get them to behave; air-drying will give a more relaxed and looser look.
#14: Center-Parted Blowout with Feathered Volume
This provides a great base for thick hair and a big and bouncy blowout style. The internal layers and feathered ends create a rounded and flipped look that adds so much volume and movement. The style is flattering on oval and square face shapes as the fullness on the sides help to balance out the features. One of my favorite aspects is the subtle nape underflips for added lift underneath, and it is one of those details that adds so much to the polished overall effect of the style. The only downside is how much work goes into creating a style like this. To get a blowout look, you will need a round brush, and for curls, a barrel that is one to one and a half inches. If you have a very thick hair texture, head the need for thinning with thinning shears or slide cutting to avoid the flat helmet look.
#15: Deep Blue-Black Layers with a Blended Face-Framing Fringe
I admire the blue-black color combo. There’s something about the color’s depth and shine in pictures that really catches my eye. The layered cut, blended, and face-framing bangs add structure and personality to the style. The internal long graduation creates some stunning, soft C-curls ends, which look gorgeous when styled in a modern vintage way. This style suits oval or heart-shaped faces best as the bangs and face-framing pieces direct all attention to the eyes and cheekbones. To maintain the blue tone, get a cool-toned gloss or toner — regular glossing will be needed as the black will fade warm. You’ll need to do some heat styling to the fringe and shaped C-curls to hold the style. Adding babylights or a low-lift glaze over this base will be a lovely way to add some dimension without compromising the color too much.
#16: Warm Caramel Curtain Layers with Feathered Ends
I love the soft glow this look has; the warm tones paired with a shadow root and low contrast balayage gives a soft glow that looks effortless and is not too stripe-y or overdone. There are some pivot layers that start at the cheekbones and the ends are presented to look soft from some slide cutting and light point cutting. This type of haircut on fine to medium hair creates that ideal weight in movement and body and ensures that the hair does not lose fullness. Curtain bangs can be really flattering on oval faces and these suit the model really well. They will take a bit of work each day to style them (as they should). It’s going to look very different if you have coarse or tightly curled hair as this entire look is meant to be softer and more refined.
#17: Ultra-Long Corkscrew Curls with Warm Sun-Kissed Color
Your hair is absolutely stunning, with so much definition and volume from all those amazing curls! Your curl pattern is 3B-3C and is extremely dense, starting at mid-back length and extending all the way to your waist. The warmth and sun-kissed highlights throughout your hair add depth without breaking your curl pattern. Cutting curly hair at this length is definitely a process. For this, I would do a Deva cut dry and then add long internal layers. I will strategically use slide shears to remove bulk because if you take weight out of the wrong places, you will end up with a triangle shape. Speaking of that, one side is projecting more than the other, which is super common with curly hair. You would want asymmetric weight removal to visually balance that. Your hair absolutely needs a lot of moisture and protein based on its porosity. It is not high maintenance in the best way, but once it is taken care of, it will stop people in the streets!
#18: Warm Copper-Brunette Layers That Frame Glasses Beautifully
This haircut stands out from the usual trends we see, and I appreciate how it’s been custom tailored to someone’s unique face and lifestyle. This cut has a lot of details, so let’s get to the fun part! The graduated layers start at the chin, which is very flattering when paired with her glasses, and they don’t clash. The cut also has a few internal layers, and the ends were sliced lightly to create an inward flip that hugs her frames. The thought put into this cut really shows! The warm copper-brunette color suits her perfectly and creates the illusion of added roundness to her face. The added body is a product of her hair’s density and slight wave, and I appreciate the root shadow, as well. Warm copper colors tend to shift a lot, so this will give you extra time before needing to come in for a touch-up. Yes, you will need some brassy control toning because warm copper colors need so much maintenance. The body in her hair will also create a lot of volume, and heat will be required to achieve the blowout flip this style. The hair won’t naturally dry into this shape.
#19: Warm Caramel Balayage Waves with a Deep Side Sweep
All I can say about the side swept hairstyle is that it is beautiful! It softens the jaw line and gives an amazing look. Her natural waves look so good with the cut and the graduated layering. It also meshes wonderfully with the warm caramel balayage and the shadow root. The bright highlights in the temples also compliments the hair so nicely! Remember! Longer hair may hold the waves. This means you may have to re-wave sections with a light wave wand to get that tousled look. You want to be careful because it will lead to more brass. If your hair is fine, then you may not get the same level of fullness. The side swept hairstyle is absolutely gorgeous. It helps the contours of your face really soft! To achieve the effect of looking effortlessly chic, Her natural texture helps, having a wavy and high density with layered cuts and internal graduation. Also, it combines so much with the warm caramel balayage and shadow root, and then the bright highlights in the inner temples. It is so good and well planned. Just keep in mind that long heavy hair can waves flat especially on day 2 and 3 so you may need to re wave sections with a light wave wand. Also it means more brassiness and more maintennace. If your hair is fine the fullness you see should it won’t translate the same way.
#20: Rounded Long Layers with a Slightly Off-Center Curtain Fringe
One tiny detail makes all the difference. The part isn’t exactly in the middle of the section; it is a bit off to the side which makes the curtain fringe and asymmetry that is more interesting and more flattering than a true middle part would. The curtain fringe skims the cheekbones and the layers fall in a rounded shape from mid chest. There is interior graduation and micro layers at the crown to create lift. When working with thick dark hair like this, some internal thinning or slide cutting is essential to stop the bulk from taking over and to stop the hair feeling heavy, otherwise the shape will disappear. A round brush blow-dry finishes this style off perfectly and gives that polished, sew-it-under look to the ends. It’s great for oval faces.
#21: Sleek Blue-Black Layers with a Wispy Curtain Fringe
The blue-black base produces a fantastic glossy reflection when light hits it. The curtain fringe is wispy enough that it won’t overwhelm the face. The long layers blended with interior graduation and slide cutting create movement without disrupting texture. This style looks great on medium to thick straight hair and oval face shapes. This fringe will need to be trimmed every few weeks to stay wispy so keep that in mind. If your hair is fine this style may weigh everything down and look flat, and you may need some thinning to keep it airy.
#22: Deep Chocolate Waves with a Center Part
This look is relaxed and effortless! That’s what I love about it most. The style looks like it took no thought to put together, which is a great look. Stunning s-waves were created using internal long layers with point cutting on the ends of the layers. The waves are done from chin to mid back. A center part is a good even out the balance and the subtle shadow root suggests she doesn’t have to commit to a color appointment ever six weeks. The model here has straight to wavy medium density hair so the cut will give good movement to the hair and also keep the length without it being too heavy or thick. The trade off is a round-brush blow dry or wand will be needed to define the curls. Some humidity also will work against you as it will puff everything out and blur the shape of your cut.
#23: Curtain-Layered Cut with Soft Caramel Lowlights
The layered look is an approachable option for almost anyone. Curtain bangs offer a soft frame for the face and longer layers add movement to the overall look. Dimensional caramel babylight lowlights are a great choice to break up a medium to dark base color and keep it from looking flat. The hair falls beautifully on wavy and straight textures of medium to high density. The tapered ends slide and look pointed which provides a nice finish. That said, just keep in mind that the ends you see in the photo are from a round brush blowout, so that’s definitely not how the cut will dry. Babylights are low maintenance, but they will need to be refreshed, eventually. If your hair is very fine, all of these layers may thin your hair out more than you would like.
#24: Cool Ashy Bronde with a Silver Money-Piece Frame
The newly done ashy bronde color displays the cool tones perfectly. The modern editorial look is enhanced by the striking silver money pieces that frame her face. The cut has long graduated layers with feathered ends that have been rounded brushed for more lift and movement. This work beautifully for straight to wavy hair with medium to high density. This type of face framing is ideal for oval and heart shapes as it pulls the focus inwards. Now I have to be honest with you. If you want easy hair then this is not the look. Cool tones and money pieces are the highest maintenance colors that I do. Brass is always coming back no matter what color you choose. Especially around the face framing silver pieces, this is very obvious. This means regular touch up toner sessions at the salon and toning shampoos in between. If you wait a long time between appointments this may annoy you. But when it is fresh there is no denying how stunning it is.
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