It’s common to hear clients request a change, but not a drastic change. Most of these clients think they only want a trim or a small cut, but what they actually need is layers. And by layers, I mean the ones that are soft, rounded, and blended rather than chunky layers from the early 2000s. Those layers are still around, but soft movable layers are what adds life and purpose to hair. I see people with mullet to medium length hair with stagnant, lifeless hair that seems to do nothing out of the shower, and eventually, it looks like the hair has given up on the grow out process. Good layers can change everything. People need to understand that it is not about the length that defines a change. Sometimes hair needs a good cut more than it needs a trim to stop it from looking like a foldable curtain.
Optimal layering can do wonders, but a lot of people don’t know how to use it. One of the clients I had for a long time was doing a single process brunette color, which was a nice color, but it was flat, not because of the color, but because there were no layers to create dimension for the light to reflect off of. This is why I love layering my medium haired clients because I can achieve a lot of results that people think can only be done with color. These particular color results I love because most of them only need a bit of light layering to get them. In all of these examples I’ve shown, there is a lot of difference in the amount of effort each of them is going to take, and yes, I have been clear on which ones give the results and how some of these look better in photos than others.
#1: A Rich Auburn That Actually Changed Everything
It’s fun to see how each hair change impacts our mood, and this ‘before and after’ exemplifies the joy so perfectly! The loose wave has some non-directional pattern, but with straight medium length hair, she used to have no waves. Now, the transformation consists of layers and an auburn style. The warmth of her complexion is enhanced even more from the new color. If she has green or blue eyes, the transformation is even more dramatic! The subtle face-framing layers were just the right amount to soften her up and add movement to the style without looking shaggy. When it comes to maintenance, auburn color is at the top of the list. Make sure to bring color-protecting shampoo to your appointment so the depth of color can last! You can expect to get gloss treatments to maintain the depth of color too. How worth it that is!
#2 Tousled Chestnut Layers That Don’t Try Too Hard
I see that people want this effortless look but aren’t going to style their hair every morning, so I end up cutting their hair like this. The tousled texture is what contributes to the overall ‘effortless’ look and the chestnut color isn’t overly specific so it can suit a lot of skin tones. It’s great for fine hair because the layers add volume and the subtle asymmetry gives this effortless look that isn’t forced. My only concern is that if your hair dries very flat, you may need a texturizing spray to keep the tousled look between washes.
#3 Golden Caramel Waves That Wear Well Over Time
I really appreciate how well the colors blend together. This makes it so regrowth is less noticeable and there is less maintenance to be done which is ideal for longer time spans between touch ups! The golden caramel color is gorgeous on medium to thick hair that has some natural waves. The soft framing layers create a really flattering uplifting face and gives this style a wider age versatility than most of the balayage looks I come across as the warm shades blend into a more natural color. If you have fine hair, this style may feel like a lot of volume to work with, but it is ideal for those with medium to thick hair.
#4 A Clean Layered Bob with Caramel Pieces
I would say that this haircut is quiet but effective. It’s a layered bob with some caramel face framing highlights, so it looks refined yet effortless. The layers add more volume while keeping a more relaxed silhouette which is great for fine and medium hair. The highlights brighten up the face without looking like too much of a hassle which is great, and it really shows on the oval and heart-shaped faces because not a lot of work is needed in the back to give the hair a nice shape. The biggest downside is definitely the highlights maintenance as the longer the highlights are kept, the more brassy and dull they become, so a little refreshing of the highlights is needed. The haircut is low-maintenance, and the highlights will require a lot more work than the haircut.
#5 Chestnut Balayage with Layers That Frame Without Fuss
It looks super realistic and natural. The gradient looks so good and for warm tones, it looks nice and not like a stylist worked 3 hours on it. The face framing layers really pull everything together. They give structure around the jaw and cheekbones without the cut feeling too shiny. This style really is for the best for medium to thick hair because it gives lots of movement and avoids that weird notched look that happens when you add a lot of layers to fine hair. Balayages take less upkeep than highlights, but to keep the style you need to come in to keep the gradient looking good and keep the ends from looking too light.
#6 A Tousled Brunette Bob That Doesn’t Need Much From You
Some haircuts look better as time goes on. I consider this a good sign because it shows that this particular haircut is going to work for this person’s lifestyle. The layers create a softer look which compliment virtually every face shape. For thicker hair, this haircut will be super easy because all you have to do is scrunch your hair and let it air dry. For those with thinner and finer hair, this will require a bit more work as a volumizing mousse is recommended at the roots to avoid a flatter look by noon. Overall, the versatility for this haircut is incredible.
#7 Vibrant Copper Layers with Real Texture
I love the warm and copper blend, with loose waves and textures added at the ends. This illusion creates density and thickness in the hair making fine to medium hair look like it has almost double the amount. For this look, the layering is executed well. The ends are not too heavy, and the waves have a natural flow. Personally, red tones fade quicker than other colors. Be prepared to come to the salon more often than someone with a standard brunette shade because you will need a color-depositing conditioner to hold you over between visits. Especially with cooler skin tones, warmth and depth that a brunette shade cannot provide is what this offers.
#8 Honeyed Brown Layers with a Polished Finish
This style is going to look great in photos. The brown is beautiful and warm for a color that is honey and the layers give a look that is timeless and not too trendy. This style is for medium to thick hair so that you can have the density needed to get that look. You will get the best look if you don’t mind rounding for about 10 minutes. This will look exactly like the photo. If you don’t like hair styles that are quick and easy, this will frustrate you because it does lose the effort. The cut works especially for round and oval face shapes, because the length and layers together, work to elongate the face.
#9 Sun-Kissed Highlights with Feathered Ends
Feathering the ends of a layered look actually softens the overall finish in a way that standard blending just doesn’t. Paired with bright beachy highlights, this layered look glows all year round. This look is particularly good for fine to medium hair, due to how the ends of the hair look fuller as opposed to tapering out. The subtle asymmetry of the facial framing is not obvious as a deliberate choice, but it serves the purpose of distraction really well. Just bear in mind that lighter pieces will need maintenance to not look grown out and intentional as your natural color starts to come through.
#10 A Cinnamon-Toned Bob with Real Movement
I like cutting this kind of bob because the layers actually do something. They provide a soft graduation through the ends, which creates a more dynamic shape. The warm, cinnamon color provides depth and dimension on its own. So, you aren’t relying solely on the cut for your hair color to create interest. This cut is ideal for medium to thick hair where you want the volume the layers create without it getting puffy or shapeless. I would say this style requires a trim every six to eight weeks to keep those layers from losing their definition. Once they grow out past a certain point, the graduated effect will flatten and you will lose what makes the cut, work.
#11 Soft Black Waves That Keep Things Simple
This style may not be the most thrilling of the bunch, but it is one of the easiest to wear. The subtle layers provide enhancement to what you already have without contending against your own texture. The soft waves around your cheekbones will feel like an effortless style. If your hair is medium to thick and dark and you do not want to commit to color, this is a good option as the dimension comes from the cut and your hair’s depth. The best part is this style is low maintenance. All you need to do is define your waves with a curl that way it’s not straighter than it should be.
#12 Mid-Length Curls with Highlights That Actually Look Natural
This is the cut I recommend when people say they love their curls but feel their hair lacks shape. Your curls will have a place to fall with these mid-length layers, and natural highlights will show more texture and not blend into one. It works well for medium-density hair because you get volume and movement without the bulk. With this length, curls may need a little guidance. A light curl-enhancing mousse on damp hair will keep your hair defined and bouncy, not frizzy and undefined. If you’re willing to give it that two minutes, this look will consistently deliver.
#13 Brunette Layers with Highlights That Know When to Stop
I appreciate the restraint. The highlights are fine and sun-kissed and the end result looks expensive without being over the top. The layers are all blended so this cut will require less styling time and no more obnoxious short pieces sticking out. It works best for medium to thick hair so the volume is nice and flattering for all face shapes. The color will need maintenance and will be more obvious when your roots shoot up darker, but with the cut and highlights, it will look good even as it grows out.
#14 Warm Cinnamon Layers with a Gentle Wave
The cinnamon color blends well with a wide range of skin tones. Paired with those light waves and layers, there’s an overall relaxed yet sophisticated feel. The layers around the face are great for adding extra volume and movement—this is particularly the case with medium and thick hair. The way hair is cut around the face tends to necessitate the most attention to the cheeks, and I think it’s even more effective than makeup contouring. This isn’t exactly a wash and go haircut, the light waves will need some assistance to keep their shape. If you’re someone who doesn’t want to use a styling tool, this haircut isn’t for you. Those who are willing to put in a few minutes on their hair will find it to be worth while.
#15 Dark Waves with Wispy Bangs That Actually Work
I usually advise against getting bangs because people often complain they make them feel heavy or are blocked after three weeks, plus bangs require maintenance to look good. That said, this look is very flattering and the bangs are forgiving. Wispy bangs in layers are great because they make the hair look healthier. The natural wave in the hair will look styled and effortless. The look is ideal for oval and heart shaped faces. Bangs get messy really quickly so if you don’t want to maintain them, best not to have bangs in the first place. The rest of the cut is beautiful.
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