Face-Framing Layers Are Trending in 2025 – See All 30+ Ideas

Cindy Marcus
Cindy Marcus Hairstylist, Editor-in-Chief

Face-framing layers can be a total game-changer if you’re looking to soften your features and add dimension to your hair without losing length. Whether you’ve got straight hair, loose waves, or tight curls, well-cut face-framing layers can make all the difference in enhancing your natural shape. The key is knowing how to customize the layers to suit your face shape—round, square, oval, or heart-shaped—and your hair texture. For fine hair, lighter, more blended layers help keep volume around your face, while thicker hair can handle more dramatic, choppy layers for extra movement.

If you’ve ever had layers that felt too heavy or uneven, it’s probably because they weren’t properly balanced with your hair’s natural density. Ready to see how the right face-framing layers can transform your look? Check out these styles to inspire your next cut!

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Face-framing layers for heart-shaped faces

#1 Face-Framing Layers for Heart-Shaped Faces

With layers that start high and taper toward the ends, this cut is designed to balance out a heart-shaped face. The face-framing pieces soften the forehead and draw attention to the cheekbones. This style works best on medium-to-thick hair, adding a polished, cute touch that’s also low maintenance.

Face-framing layers for long faces

#2 Face-Framing Pieces for Long Faces

Face-framing pieces work beautifully for longer face shapes, adding width around the cheeks and breaking up the length. This layered style suits medium to long hair and works well with wavy or straight textures, making it a versatile and flattering option if you’re looking for a relaxed yet put-together hairstyle.

Bangs with face-framing layers hairstyle

#3 Bangs with Face-Framing Layers

Bangs paired with face-framing layers bring a youthful, playful element to any hairstyle. These layers complement the bangs by adding shape and framing the face gently. Great for those with fine-to-medium hair density, this cut is ideal if you’re seeking a fresh, cute hairstyle that feels a bit retro yet modern.

Face-framing layered cut for diamond faces

#4 Face-Framing Cut for Diamond Faces

This layered cut with a soft face-framing design works wonders on diamond-shaped faces, bringing balance and adding width at the cheekbones. Perfect for medium-to-thick hair, this style keeps the length while framing the face with subtle layers, giving a natural but polished appearance.

Medium length layered haircut with soft face-framing pieces and natural volume

#5 Face Framing Layers for Medium Length Hair

Perfect for women with medium-density hair and oval face shapes, this mid-length layered cut offers effortless movement and bounce. The subtle layering around the cheekbones creates a soft framing effect that adds depth and shape without requiring heavy styling. It’s easy to maintain and flatters most hair types, especially those with a bit of natural wave. Ideal for anyone wanting volume without going short.

Layered haircut with face-framing waves flattering a round face shape

#6 Face Framing Layers for a Round Face Shape

This look is ideal for rounder face shapes needing elongation and softness. The curtain fringe opens up the face, while the longer face-framing layers slim the sides and pull the focus downward. Perfect for medium-density wavy hair, it gives effortless shape and structure. Keep in mind, the fringe needs styling to avoid bulk across the forehead—but it’s worth it for the flattering contour it provides.

Long Asian hair with wispy layered ends and soft face-framing layers

#7 Asian Hair with Wispy Face Framing Layers

This lightweight style enhances naturally straight, thick Asian hair with wispy ends and soft framing that begins at the jawline. It’s perfect for someone wanting face definition without sacrificing fullness. The subtle curtain effect works great with heart or round faces. It’s low-maintenance, but adding texture spray helps prevent the style from looking too flat or heavy.

Thick voluminous hairstyle with deep face-framing layers and side part

#8 Heavy Face Framing Layers on Thick Hair

This cut is all about drama and fullness. Designed for thick, dense hair, the deep face-framing layers start high up near the temples and blend into bouncy waves. The side part helps distribute volume and creates a sweeping effect that lifts the face. Best for oval and square face shapes, this look adds movement to heavy hair but needs a blowout or rollers to keep the shape polished.

Long layered hairstyle with subtle face-framing pieces and natural texture

#9 Subtle Face Framing Layers on Layered Hair

This soft, low-effort look features long layers and delicate framing that starts just under the cheekbones. It’s especially flattering for oval or heart-shaped faces with medium-density, slightly wavy hair. The layers add natural texture without removing volume at the ends. It’s an easy grow-out option for those easing into layers or wanting just a touch of framing around the face.

Middle-parted long hairstyle with soft face-framing layers and balayage ends

#10 Soft Face Framing Layers with a Middle Part

This layered cut is all about softness and movement, with subtle framing that begins below the cheekbones and flows into light balayage. The middle part gives symmetry, great for oval and balanced face shapes. Ideal for women with medium to thick hair who want a polished yet casual look. While easy to style, the blended layers need a trim every few months to avoid flatness.

Feathered face-framing layers on straight, mid-length hair with subtle highlights

#11 Straight Hair with Feathered Face Framing

This style uses delicate, feathered layers starting at the chin, ideal for adding movement to naturally straight hair. Light highlights enhance the framing effect and give extra dimension. Best suited for oval and longer face shapes, the cut keeps length but removes excess bulk. It’s a go-to for clients wanting polish without losing a soft, natural flow.

Shoulder-length curly hair with layered face-framing curls and side part

#12 Curly Hair with Face Framing Layers

This curly cut features well-placed face-framing layers that open up the face and reduce bulk at the ends. Perfect for medium to thick natural curls, especially on round or oval face shapes. The layers help encourage bounce and definition without creating a triangle shape. A great option for those who want to embrace volume while still achieving shape and structure.

Textured mid-length hairstyle with bangs and choppy face-framing layers

#13 Bangs with Face Framing Layers and Texture

This layered shag hits just past the shoulders and features full bangs with lived-in, textured layers. Ideal for finer hair types needing body or anyone wanting an edgy, undone look. The face framing starts high at the cheekbones and travels down in a wavy pattern, giving lift and softness. Works best on oval and square faces but does require some product for definition.

Straight long hair with curtain bangs and layered face-framing detail

#14 Face Framing Curtain Bangs for Straight Hair

This look combines long, straight hair with delicate curtain bangs that melt into gradual face-framing layers. It’s great for women with naturally straight, medium-density hair who want shape without sacrificing length. The layers start around the jawline and softly curve inward, helping to soften angular face shapes. While styling is easy, regular trims are needed to keep the bangs light and airy.

Long layered haircut with curtain bangs and feathered face-framing pieces

#15 Curtain Bangs with Face Framing on Long Hair

Curtain bangs flow seamlessly into the long, layered sides, giving this style a romantic, lifted feel. It’s ideal for women with straight to wavy hair who want a fringe that doesn’t overwhelm. The soft layers starting at the cheekbones offer balance for round or wider faces. A bit of maintenance is required to keep the fringe shape defined, but it’s worth it for the dimensional finish.

Long wavy hairstyle with blended layers and soft face-framing around cheeks

#16 Long Hair with Layers and Soft Face Framing

These long, tousled layers give a soft cascade effect with light face-framing around the cheeks and jawline. It’s a flattering option for fuller hair textures and heart-shaped faces. The styling adds volume without looking bulky, though it can feel heavy for those with finer strands. Works well with heat styling or air-drying, offering flexibility day-to-day.

Short bob haircut with angled face-framing layers and side part

#17 Short Hair with Defined Face Framing Layers

This clean, chin-length bob uses precision-cut face-framing layers that taper toward the jawline—perfect for elongating round or square faces. The side part adds asymmetry and movement, especially flattering on fine to medium hair densities. While low-maintenance, the defined shape needs regular reshaping. Ideal for those seeking structure with soft femininity in a short style.

Long layered haircut with sleek finish and gentle face-framing layers

#18 Long Layered Haircuts with Subtle Framing

This long, flowing cut has finely blended layers that start below the chin, giving just enough face framing without being too bold. It works especially well on thick, straight to wavy hair types. While it enhances length and softness, it can lack lift at the crown on finer textures. Great for clients who want movement while keeping their length intact. A center part keeps the look modern and balanced.

Mid-length shag with soft bangs and cropped framelette layers around the face

#19 Framelette Haircut

This framelette cut is a modern take on the shag, hitting around the shoulders with lots of airy movement. Shorter face-framing pieces sit high around the eyes and cheekbones, great for showing off features or softening stronger jawlines. The texture gives body to finer strands and brings a casual, edgy feel. It’s a great in-between for anyone not ready to commit to full bangs or short layers.

Blonde long layered haircut with curved halo edge and curtain face-framing

#20 Haloedge Hairstyle

The haloedge cut combines long layers with perfectly curved ends that frame the bottom of the face like a soft curtain. Ideal for long, fine to medium hair, the rounded face-framing effect enhances bone structure and adds fullness around the lower half of the face. A great choice for balanced or heart-shaped faces, though it needs a round brush or heat styling to hold that signature swoop.

Balayage with face-framing layers hairstyle

#21 Balayage Hair with Face-Framing Layers

Balayage pairs beautifully with face-framing layers, highlighting the shape around the face with natural, sun-kissed tones. These layers add dimension to the overall color and bring out the brightness in blonde highlights or brown shades. Ideal for medium-to-long hair, this style gives a fresh, modern look with a soft glow.

Long haircut with wispy face-framing layers

#22 Wispy Layers for Long Haircut

Long, wispy layers create a soft, airy look while still framing the face in a subtle way. This style is ideal for fine to medium hair, adding movement without bulk. It’s a versatile option that suits multiple face shapes, keeping the look light and easy to manage—perfect for those looking for a relaxed, cute hairstyle.

Heavy layered haircut with face-framing for wavy hair

#23 Heavy Layers for Wavy Hair

Heavy layers bring out the natural texture in wavy hair, adding volume without making the style appear too “done.” The face-framing sections add definition and enhance the movement of the waves. This cut suits medium-to-long hair and works best for those with naturally wavy or textured hair who want a carefree look.

Face-framing layers for fine hair

#24 Face-Framing Layers for Fine Hair

Face-framing layers work wonders for fine hair, adding just the right amount of volume and shape around the face without weighing down the length. These layers create a fuller look, especially around the cheeks and jawline, making it an ideal style for those with a delicate hair texture who want a cute, manageable haircut.

Face-framing long haircut for oval faces

#25 Face-Framing Long Hair for Oval Faces

These long layers with face-framing sections flatter oval faces by adding a graceful contour around the cheeks. Ideal for straight or slightly wavy hair, this cut maintains length while creating a flattering frame that softens features. It’s a sophisticated style that adds just the right amount of volume without overwhelming the face.

Shoulder-length haircut with face-framing layers

#26 Face-Framing Shoulder-Length Haircut

A shoulder-length cut with face-framing layers is perfect for a fresh, effortless look. These layers add softness and dimension around the face without sacrificing volume. This style works beautifully for medium to thick hair, especially with a bit of natural wave, and suits oval or heart-shaped faces best.

Face-framing lob for round faces

#27 Face-Framing Lob for Round Faces

This lob with face-framing pieces is ideal for round faces, adding length and slimming down the cheeks. It’s a cute hairstyle that balances well with a lob length, and the soft layers make it low-maintenance while keeping a polished look. Perfect for fine-to-medium hair density.

Face-framing layers for straight hair

#28 Face Frame for Straight Hair

This smooth, straight look with face-framing layers adds a bit of shape without a heavy cut. Perfect for those who love straight hairstyles and want a bit of structure around the face. This style suits medium-to-long lengths and works well on round or oval faces, bringing a refined yet relaxed finish.

Long face-framing layers for square faces on brown hair

#29 Long Face-Framing Layers for Square Faces

These long, face-framing layers soften a square face beautifully by adding gentle curves along the cheekbones and jawline. The layers start around eye level, naturally drawing attention to the eyes and balancing out the face’s angles. With warm brown tones and subtle highlights, it’s a perfect brown hair inspo look that feels fresh yet sophisticated. This style works well for medium to thick hair, offering shape and movement while keeping length intact—a cute hairstyle for anyone wanting that effortless look.

Long face-framing layers for straight hair

#30 Face-Framing Long Layers

These long, layered pieces add gentle framing around the face without cutting into the length, creating a polished yet easygoing look. Ideal for thick, straight hair, this cut has a natural flow, especially if you like to wear your hair down. Works well on oval or long faces, adding width and a subtle face-framing effect.

Short layered haircut with curtain bangs

#31 Short Layers and Curtain Bangs

Short, choppy layers paired with curtain bangs create a fresh, lively look for short hair. This cut brings out natural texture while framing the face nicely, with just a bit of edge. Perfect for anyone looking to try something new and cute, especially if you love a low-maintenance style that suits square and heart-shaped faces.

Soft layers for medium hair with face-framing

#32 Soft Layers for Medium Hair

This medium-length hairstyle with soft layers is ideal for adding a gentle lift without overwhelming the look. The face-framing pieces soften the edges around the cheeks, making it a lovely choice for round and oval faces. Great for anyone wanting that cute hairstyle vibe while keeping things light and effortless, especially on medium-density hair.

Long hair with face-framing layers

#33 Long Hair with Face-Framing Layers

This sleek, long hairstyle with face-framing layers is all about subtle sophistication. The soft, blended layers frame the face beautifully while keeping the length intact, making it perfect for anyone wanting a polished, low-maintenance look. This style is best for straight or slightly wavy hair and adds a flattering shape for those with round or heart-shaped faces.

Face-framing layers with side part hairstyle

#34 Face-Framing Layers with Side Part

The choppy layers in this shoulder-length cut are perfect for creating movement around the face, and the side part really highlights that soft volume. These face-framing pieces suit a variety of face shapes, adding dimension without being too fussy. This style works best on medium-to-thick hair and is ideal if you want a bit of texture without losing length.