Are you looking to bring your long hair back to life? A great choice is a layered style! This timeless cut gives your hair more movement while also creating the illusion of more volume. In this article, we are going to give you 15 great layered styling ideas and show you how you can transform your look no matter the season. With these styles, you will definitely notice a positive change in your hair that will boost your confidence!
What a lot of people don’t understand is that long hair and bad layering can detract from your appearance. Your hair can look thinner, and an unkempt layer cut can create the impression that you need a haircut. I have lost count of the number of people I’ve seen walk out of a salon with what looks like an awful haircut only to end up making a Pinterest board out of it. However, when done correctly, layers can make your hair look truly amazing. It’s also a style that looks good weeks later when you look in the mirror!
Last year, I had a client who was so scared of losing hair growth that she did not get a trim or shape her hair for two years. She stayed away from scissors at all costs, thinking that getting any bang trims or split end trims would mean losing progress. When she finally sat in my chair and I added some long layers, she was in for a surprise. Her hair had a nice mid-lengths layer, but before she cried, she thought that she would keep her hair at the same length. That’s the beauty of nice long layers. It can look a lot shorter, but when someone has good layering, it means that the hair is allowed to do what it needs to do. I wanted to collect some of my current favorite looks to give you my honest opinion so you can go into a salon with the right expectations instead of blind hope.
#1: Beige Blonde with Layers That Actually Move
The way this style has been done makes the layers look like they have been designed to flow into the rest of the cut which gives the look a really nice effortless swing. The beige-blonde color is also very forgiving. It’s warm and not brassy which is a difficult balance to hit. If your hair is medium to thick, and you want something polished when you blow it out or let it air dry, this is the dream. Light styling cream and you are good to go.
#2: Textured Layers with Face-Framing Highlights That Change Everything
I can already tell this cut is going to be incredible, and I can’t wait to see the results. There is a lot of bulk to work with, and each layer will take away some of that heaviness and create a more three dimensional finish. You’ll also have some good framing highlights to really enhance and direct the attention to the architecture of the style — and I completely agree, you certainly don’t want to go overboard. I will say, this is not a set it and forget it kind of cut. If you want to keep those layers looking good, you’re going to want to come back for a fresh trim every 6 to 8 weeks. If you can commit, the result will definitely be worth it.
#3: Deep Chestnut Layers with Highlights You Almost Don’t Notice
I love this color! The chestnut base is rich and photographs beautifully, but even better in person. The highlights are so soft that they show mostly show dimension when the hair moves. That’s the sign of truly great color work; when you can’t determine what was done, but everything looks so much more alive and vibrant. The layers here are long and gradual which means the ends still have weight and fullness. This is perfect since your hair is on the thicker side. With coloring done, all you need to do is keep up with a color safe conditioner and this look will last you a long time between appointments!
#4: Espresso Waves That Frame Without Trying Too Hard
An espresso brunette color is flattering for this hairstyle. Soft face framing layers create the right amount of structure, keeping the style from looking too layered and giving an effortless look. For someone wanting a more refined look without investing a ton of time into styling, this is an excellent choice. With a smoothing serum on damp hair, you’ve done most of the work. I also love the versatility of the color as it complements many different skin tones.
#5: Caramel Swirls with Volume That Doesn’t Quit
I appreciate these caramel colors. Highlights make the hair look lively and the movement and dimension, even in still pictures, are stunning. There are enough layers to prevent a mushroom shape on top and to get volume through the crown. I like this look for someone who does not want to go really short, or make a big color change, and just wants a livelier look to their hair. The daily styling is not too bad but I will say the caramel highlights will need to be touched up every couple months and they will start to look muddy.
#6: Chestnut Waves and Soft Bangs That Actually Work Together
Though there is a risk of the bangs and layers not working out, she pulls it off. The modern style of the fringe texture keeps it from feeling weighed down, and the waves along the length creates cohesion for an intentional look. If your face shape is rounder, this one is recommended, as the vertical flow created by the layers and the softer bangs provide a truly complimentary look. No one wants to hear it, but those bangs will require a trim every 3-4 weeks, and to not mention it would be poor styling practice on my part.
#7: Blonde Waves with Layers You Can’t See But Definitely Feel
People with this type of haircut get so many compliments. Most of the time, they do not know what to say. It may be because they can’t identify the layers of the haircut, leading to people thinking it is a great style with great flow. This type of cut can make a huge difference for those with thin or fine hair, as the cut gives it great body. It is also much nicer than the look of cuts that have tons of choppy layers that give a very uneven look. I recommend a subtle balayage as well so when it grows out, the root difference will not be as obvious. With fine hair, you really need to get the ends cut regularly to avoid getting the damage that comes with split ends. Nothing ruins this haircut more than those.
#8: Chestnut Layers with Wispy Bangs and a Whole Lot of Easy
I appreciate this style for its potential to show natural growth. It is really difficult to show that kind of growth without it looking like a full-on mullet, big props to the stylist. The bangs are light enough to give the helmet look a movability, while also allowing the layers to fall in a transition free cascade. This cut is made to work with any natural waves or texture in your hair. I’d recommend having a texture spray for when you need to give things an encouragement, but this style really looks good for the low amount of effort it requires.
#9: Chestnut Balayage with Waves That Look Like They Happened by Accident
What stands out the most to me is the color work. The way the balayage color melting is done makes it look like you went on vacation and your hair lightened up naturally. The layering is done well to make the whole look sophisticated and less excessive. The waves look salon made and not like they took too much time to style. This looks really good on med-thick hair especially to those with an oval or heart-shaped face. The seamless balayage is going to require regular visits to a colorist so be prepared for that but with this it will be more time in between colorist visits than with traditional highlights.
#10: Chocolate Waves with a “Woke Up Like This” Energy
For those who enjoy towel drying their hair, scrunching, and walking out the door, this cut is for you. The layers are designed to compliment your natural texture, so this is essentially the result you would achieve without any styling. That being said, I always feel the need to say this; If your hair is fine, I would recommend using some volumizing mousse to prevent your hair from falling flat by the middle of the day. However, for medium to thick hair, this is as low maintenance as long layered hair will be.
#11: Blonde Waves with Face-Framing Highlights That Earn Their Keep
Some face-framing highlights appear out-of-date, chunky, and uneven. But these are different. The highlights are placed perfectly so the face beams as if it had natural sunbeams. The waves are profesh, the body is just right, and the length is ideal for updos and ponytails if you want to take a break from updo girl. The only thing I want to caution is that if you have really fine hair, you’re not going to get a ton of volume. But this is the perfect compromise for fine haired people to get polished plus the max relaxed look.
#12: Auburn Waves with Layers That Know When to Stop
Auburn hair is always a winner in my book, and this specific shade is doing something wonderful. It is warm but does not cross that copper line which can be too harsh for lighter skin tones. The layers are done here in a strategic manner that adds movement through the mid-lengths and ends without being too thinned out. This is always my concern for people with naturally wavy hair who ask for layers. This combination is really flattering on the oval and heart face shapes. The way the hair falls brings focus to the eyes and cheekbones in an organic way rather than something too engineered. The color will require some upkeep to remain this vivid, but auburn fades more gracefully than most shades so you get some leeway.
#13: Copper Tresses with Swooping Layers and a Whole Lot of Personality
I appreciate how brazen this is. The copper is exceptional and creates a statement before you see the cut. The cut is smart since the layers do a lot of subtle underneath the color. The generous swoop shape keeps the weight evenly distributed and it doesn’t feel heavy even with all the hair. If you’re considering coloring your hair a bolder color and you’re worried about it looking too costume-like, this is great reference to show your stylist. It really gets the balance between bold and
wearable right. Just remember that vivid copper fades quickly, so be prepared to get some color-depositing products.
#14: Chestnut Waves with Billowing Ends That Feel Like a Shampoo Commercial
This is one of my favorite photos because it highlights every amazing thing about long layered hair. The layering is so good, with nice sleek layers at the top, and middle lengths that then open to some beautiful ends that have an almost unjustifiable amount of movement. The chestnut shade of the hair is rich and deep, classy and expensive. Plus, the color is versatile enough to suit a really broad range of skin tones. Anyone with naturally straight to wavy hair will find it so easy to achieve this look. Even if your hair is more coarse, you’d just need to use a large barrel curling iron to achieve that same end look. Long hair is best when combined with a good conditioning routine since it needs that extra moisture.
#15: Sunkissed Brunette with Soft Bangs and Zero Fuss
I really like this coloring method that uses sunkissed highlights on a brunette base. It brightens one’s face without the commitment of full highlights and the grow out looks good too which means we have more time in between appointments and it saves you money. The bangs aren’t too much for the cut but add a nice touch that makes the whole thing a bit more refined. This is a really good option if your hair is fine because the layers make it seem a lot fuller in a way that a blunt cut just doesn’t. This is really nice hair for everyday!
#16: Copper Waves with Subtle Layers and Maximum Impact
This hair is big, beautiful, and unapologetically voluminous! The purpose of the layers is to provide some shape and avoids the hair looking like one solid wall of hair. This copper tone is rich, warm, and looks great in photos! When clients consider this shade, I always ask them to think about their lifestyle first because maintaining this at this level is a commitment. If you enjoy visiting salons often and don’t mind a little extra upkeep, do it! This color and cut combination is the kind of look that gives you a whole new vibe when you see it in the mirror. Those subtle layers are the difference between heavy and luxurious, especially for thick hair.
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