How to Style Layered Long Hair

Last Updated: November 3, 2022 References

Cutting layers into hair is a great way to add depth, dimension, and movement. It can help reduce volume in curly hair, while adding volume to thin hair. You can make your layers even move effective by getting them cut a certain way, curling them, or straightening them. You can even add highlights or an ombre for extra dimension.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Getting the Right Cut

1
Adjust the length of face framing layers to suit your face shape. The shortest layers should hit the part of your face that you want to highlight the most, such as your angled cheekbones or your dainty chin. Keep the layers in the back of your head long, and gradate them towards your face. This style is especially flattering on straight hair.^{[1]
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- If you have an oval or heart-shaped face, start the layers around your chin. If your face is more square, start the layers above your cheekbones instead.
- If you have very long hair, start your layers at your cheekbones to create balance.
- When giving your hair layers, make sure not to cut it unevenly—layers should fall so they match up on either side of your face and follow the shape of your haircut.
2
Keep your layers long if you have tight, natural curls. The shortest layers should start at chin level. This will help give your hair some weight and accentuate your beautiful curls. If you are getting your hair cut at a salon, request that the stylist cuts your hair while it is dry. This will allow them to see the shape of your curls better.^{[2]
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3
Taper the ends if you have curly hair and want to reduce bulk. Start the layers in the back of your hair at the collarbone level, and keep the layers in the front long. All layers should be horizontal. This will allow you to tuck your hair behind your ears without it fluffing out into a giant wedge shape or "mane."^{[3]
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4
Feather the ends of your bangs to blend them into your layered hair. Bangs are a great way to highlight your cut, but they need to match your layers. Ask your stylist to cut the bangs so that they align with the outer corners of your eyes. Feather the ends of the bangs, and add some graduated layers. Keep the layers in the rest of your hair below chin level. If you start them too high, they'll mix in with your bangs.^{[4]
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- You can still get a blunt bang look, but it would still be a good idea to thin the ends slightly to reduce volume and weight.
5
Add layers to the ends if you want a subtle effect. If you are looking to keep your length but don't want a blunt cut along the bottom, add some layers to the ends of your hair. Start the layers just below your collarbone. If you have very long hair that falls past your chest, be sure to add a few face framing layers too.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Creating Sleek and Straight Styles

1
Part your hair down the center for a sleek, chic look. If your hair is not naturally straight, use a flat iron to straighten it. If you want the ends to flip inward or outward, blow dry your hair with a round brush instead. Be sure to apply a little hair serum, hair oil, or smoothing cream to complete that sleek look.^{[6]
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- Always apply a heat protectant to your hair before you straighten it.
2
Show off your layers with a deep side part. Brush out your hair to ensure that it is free of knots and tangles. Slide the handle of a rat-tail comb through your hair, starting above your left or right eyebrow, and angling it towards the back of your crown. Use the comb to flip your hair off to the side to create a deep side part.^{[7]
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- Tuck your hair behind your ear on the side with less hair to create a sleek, stylish look.
3
Use a blow dryer and a round brush to flip the ends of your hair. Start with damp hair. Use a blow dryer and a round brush to dry your hair straight. As you get to the ends of your hair, rotate the brush to flip the ends of your hair inwards or outwards. You can do this all over your hair, or you can flip just the face-framing layers.^{[8]
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- To flip your hair inwards: hold the brush under your hair as you dry it, then rotate it towards your face.
- To flip your hair outwards: hold the brush over your hair, then rotate it away from your face.
4
Add a volumizing product to your roots to give your style some lift. Apply a volumizing mousse or spray to your roots as you blow dry your hair. This goes great with ends that have been flipped in or flipped out. To maximize your volume, create a deep side part.
- If you need even more volume, use a fine-toothed comb or a small brush to tease the hair at your crown.^{[9]
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- Some products can be used after your hair has already dried. Check the label to find the instructions.
5
Straighten your hair with a flat iron for a sleek look. This works especially well if you have long layers on the ends of your hair. Make sure that your hair is dry before you straighten it, and that you apply a good heat protectant to it first. If your hair is very curly, you may want to straighten it with a blow dryer and a round brush first, then use a flat iron on the ends.^{[10]
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- If your hair is curly or textured, place a rat tail comb beneath the flat iron as you pull the straightening iron through your hair to get your hair straighter for a more sleek look.
6
Add depth and movement with highlights or an ombre. Highlights are great for adding depth and dimension to your hair, and can help it appear even thicker. An ombre is great for giving your hair more dimension and movement. The plus is that it will look great on wavy or curly hair too, so if you don't feel like straightening your hair that day, you don't have to worry about having a bad hair day.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Working with Curly or Wavy Hair

1
Use gel if you want to create a natural wet look. Start with damp hair; it can be freshly-washed or misted with water. Apply a soft-hold gel throughout your hair, from roots to ends. Scrunch your hair upward with your fingers as it dries so that it holds its shape.^{[11]
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- This only works with hair that is naturally curly. It will not work with straight hair that has been curled.
- You can also use a blow dryer with the diffuser attachment to scrunch your hair.
2
Give yourself beach waves for a carefree, relaxed look. If you have naturally wavy hair, you may be able to get away with just misting it with a sea salt spray. If your hair is naturally straight, curl it using a flat iron. Wrap strands of hair around the flat iron like you would with a curling iron, clamp it, then release it.
- This style works especially well with highlighted hair.
3
Curl straight hair with a curling iron if you want to give it more volume. Use a curling iron with a small barrel for tighter curls, and a curling iron with a large barrel for larger curls or waves. Alternate between curing the hair away and towards your face for a more natural look.
- Your hair must be dry if you use a curling iron on it.
- If you prefer not to use heat on your hair, you can put foam rollers into your hair while is it wet.
4
Create a side part for an elegant look. If you have naturally curly or wavy hair, simply brush your hair off to the side to create a deep side part. If you have straight hair, create the side part first, then curl the hair around your face towards your ears. Remember to curl the rest of your hair too.^{[12]
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5
Highlight the upper layers to make natural curls stand out more. Go to a salon or use a home bleaching kit to highlight the uppermost layers of your hair. This way, when you leave your curls natural (instead of straightening them), the highlights will help show off their natural shape.^{[13]
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- You can do this on straight hair, then curl your hair with a small curling iron or foam rollers.
6
Try an ombre to add depth to wavy hair. This style also works on straight hair that's been gently curled at the ends. It looks great while it is down, but you can pull your hair up into an updo as well. Make sure that the ombre fades out above your shortest layer, however.^{[14]
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- This will look great on straight hair too. You can add waves to your hair with a wide-barreled curling iron.

Expert Q&A

Question

What are the benefits of layering my hair?

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist
Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan.

Courtney Foster

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Layers give your hair movement, body, and a symmetrical shape. When you have layers, your hair will also be able to hold a shape longer.
Question

What happens if I don't layer my hair?

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist
Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan.

Courtney Foster

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

If you're not layering your hair, it's more of a blunt look. All of your strands are cut at one angle, and you don't really have a lot of body or movement—it's just one harsh line at the ends of the hair.