Want an effortless hairstyle that’s easy to maintain? Consider a mid-length haircut with layers around the face. This look adds versatility, volume, and texture while highlighting your best features. Plus, it’s suitable for almost every face shape! In this post, we showcase 15 mid-length haircuts with face framing layers that are sure to re-energize your look and style. These styles are appropriate for straight, wavy, and even curly hair.
Most recently, I had a client who sat in my chair and said, “I want something different, but not TOO different,” and I thought, YES, I understand because that is the most common thing I hear, and the answer is mid-length hair with face framing layers. This style sounds basic, but it really does completely change your whole vibe without the overwhelming feeling of having chopped off a bunch of your hair.
I have many years of experience cutting this style on hundreds of different clients, and the magic is never in the length, but rather, in the positioning of the face framing pieces. Just a 1/4 inch piece of the shortest layer can completely change the haircut’s effect from “I just got my hair cut!” to “did you do something different? You look amazing!” And of course, that’s our ultimate goal! I can’t wait to share with you my 15 favorite cuts, and the best part is this style works with straight, wavy, and curly hair, thick or fine!
#1: That Perfect “I Woke Up Like This” Layered Cut with Bangs
Check out this cut. THIS is what face framing layers can do for your whole deal. The bangs are a soft enough commitment that you won’t regret it in two weeks but are structured enough to do something. Then, the mid length layers create movement so it falls just right. This look is effortless and someone really put a lot of work into that. If you want to look polished, but you need to be out the door in a hurry with a mini texture spray in your purse, then this is your cut.
#2: The “Quietly Expensive” Layered Mid Length
This feels like a clean, expensive energy that leaves people unsure about what it is, but they know *something* is RIGHT. The layers that aren’t screaming “LOOK AT ME I HAVE LAYERS” but are making everything look more elevated. It’s the kind of cut where the blending needs to be on point, because if it isn’t, then it will just look like a one length cut that grew out funny. I will say that the upkeep on this one is real, you probably will want to come in to see your stylist for a trim every 8 weeks or so because once those layers lose their shape, the whole vibe just falls apart, but when it’s fresh? Oh my god, it’s SO good.
#3: Effortless Shoulder Length with the Prettiest Face Framing
I have to say this looks great! The shoulder length cut with just the right amount of layering to keep this style really interesting is *chef’s kiss*. The framing pieces sit just right to either tuck behind the ear or fall forward with the hair. A lot of options with no effort! The natural texture is an added bonus, it looks effortless, like good hair on a good day. For anyone with fine hair that is nervous about getting layers because they think it will make the hair look too thin: this is the cut that I would suggest. It’s going to add shape without removing any of the fullness in the hair.
#4: Smooth and Polished with That Little Bit of Texture at the Ends
These ends are so good! Whoever did this really knows how to use texture shears. It sets apart these cuts from others that are more dated. This kind of detail is easy to miss, but it is what makes it look current. Face framing is quite classic, starting at the cheekbones and blending down. Nothing too wild, but it goes so well with the straighter texture. I love this for someone who likes to wear their hair down as it will look good whether you blow it out or just air dry it. Just grab a good smoothing serum for those ends and you’re all set!
#5: Glossy Waves That Frame Everything Perfectly
The SHINE is unreal! I have to ask her what conditioner she uses because this shine is very reflective. The face framing layers are so soft waved, it really makes the whole cut look romantic. It looks super put together but it also doesn’t look like she spent 2 hours in a salon chair. I love in this example how the layers really open up around her face and create a curtain effect because everything is falling down and away from her features and not covering them. If you feel like your hair just hangs there and does nothing, trust me, adding some waves to the front face framing layers with a 1.25 inch curling iron is going to change your life. I’m not being dramatic, it really will.
#6: Rich Dark Layers with the Softest Waves Around the Face
The combination of the color and the cut work together SO WELL to create that intentional, polished look. The soft waves framing the face with a dark, deep, glossy black? Absolutely stunning! Main character energy for sure. The layers are giving just the right volume to keep the hair from looking flat, and it’s cut enough to hold that sleeker look. No pun intended here, but the outcome of this one really shines. The gloss finish takes effort, so for this look to really be this look, it’s gonna cost. A good gloss treatment is definitely recommended to have at home to get this look between trips to the salon. It will make the big differences so trust me on it.
#7: Full, Bouncy Layers That Actually Have Some Personality
The volumetric cuts are here, and I’m excited! This particular cut has a lot of body from the chin upwards, and the length helps give that bouncy, full appearance that people assume is only attainable with shorter hairstyles. And a blunt cut? Please. It’s not gonna happen. I do understand the inspiration photos and the attempts at recreating this look because a lot of people think they’re gonna be let down, but they’re actually often quite surprised, and honestly, the layers do most of the work. The darker color of the hair definitely helps as it creates a lot of movement and allows more light to be reflected at different angles, which gives each layer a different look. If you have thick hair and you’ve been wearing it in a cut that’s all one length because you’ve been scared it would go triangular, go ahead and do yourself a favor and try something like this. It’s all about the right cut and it will actually prevent that triangular look.
#8: Soft and Wavy with Layers That Just… Work
You know how certain haircuts just hit different? This one’s like that. The face framing layers are positioned just right and the overall wave is just right. It’s also great that the layers around the face are soft enough that when the hair is down they blend, but look great when pulled into a low pony. That’s my test for a face framing cut! If it looks good up and down, your stylist nailed it. This would look amazing on someone with soft waves because the styling is minimal, just scrunch and cream and go.
#9: Long Layers That Frame the Face Without Losing Any Length
For my ‘don’t you dare cut off more than half an inch’ clients, here is what I mean! You can do face framing layers without losing length. Here the layers start at chin level and go longer towards the back. This keeps length in the back and sides. The dark color here adds depth to the layers more with the dimension added. I think this is especially great for straight hair because the layers add movement that the hair wouldn’t have otherwise. The styling needed to achieve this is minimal, a round brush blowout would get you this look in 15 minutes!
#10: Textured and Lived In with the Prettiest Layer Placement
Lived-in cuts are my favorite and have that SWEET SPOT look. Sweet Spot is that look like it has been growing out for three weeks after the appointment. What we want to see in the hair is MOVEMENT. Movement in the layers. Movement in the body through the mid-lengths (and if the ends are bent that’s a good thing). Movement around the face. It prevents the hair from looking stiff or “done.” Opening up the face framing hair, it brightens the face. This cut will make the most of your natural wave, and even a hint of texture to bring out. Your hair will look GOOD every day. Yes we all know the upkeep is a thing with layers, but it is worth it. The look in the mirror and your hair looks GOOD every day.
#11: Sleek Dark Layers with a Modern Edge
I think I like the editorial style on this one! The layers are smooth and refined, not chunky or choppy, so the layers are graduated and give shape to the cut without looking too layered. The face framing pieces are so flattering when they hit right at the jawline. I like that the styling here is sleek and polished because it shows that you can have layers without the full on beachy waves look like all the time. Sometimes layers look their best when they are smooth and you can see the shape of the cut doing its thing. This finish is super easy to achieve by just using a flat iron on a low heat setting.
#12: Blended Layers with That Effortless Glossy Finish
I want to praise the blending on this cut because this is what separates the good layered cuts from the great ones. Look at how the layers are blended. You don’t get a choppy feel to the cut because the layering is blended. The face framing layers are nice and aren’t over the top and that’s perfect for someone who wants layers without being too dramatic about it which I think is ideal. The glossy finish looks really healthy and intentional. I really love this cut and I think a lot more people would love it if they asked for it because it’s versatile with how you can style it.
#13: Sleek and Smooth with Highlights That Add So Much Dimension
Let’s take a minute to appreciate these highlights! These face framing layers are just incredible, and coupled with the color variation, each individual layer is enhanced making the whole cut have so much more depth. For fine hair, this is just perfect, as the layers and highlights give the appearance of a lot more thickness. The smoothing and sleek nature of the styling really makes me think she used a good heat protectant and intentional blow dry as opposed to just blasting. If you’re looking to get some color and a layered cut, bring this as your inspo photo!
#14: Textured Layers with Highlights and That Perfect Shoulder Length
This hairstyle is giving me LIFE for the texture because it looks styled and looks natural at the same time and I like how she may have used one product and just ran her fingers through it and called it done. It’s super fun how the face framing layers are more obvious than the other chops because they really do pull you into the face. The placement of those highlights is super nice, especially how they front the pieces and upper layers, that’s where they’re supposed to be to brighten up, without having to so fully about the commitment to a full color. This chop would fit someone who wants something that looks like it took a lot more work than ten minutes in the morning with texturizing spray.
#15: Rich Voluminous Layers with That Gorgeous Inward Curl
The small detail of having a soft inward curl at the end of the cut is the difference between a good and a great haircut. This gives it a polished, high-end appearance. It draws attention to the face framing layers in a really flattering way. It is the best cut for thick hair as all that density is being expertly used instead of creating an overwhelming poof. A large barrel round brush and blow dryer will get you there at home. Then, you can achieve this. It only takes a little time but this detail will make it look like you spent a lot of time on your hair.
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