Top 5 Layered Haircuts for Women

Top 5 Layered Haircuts for Women

Layers are amazing because they make your hair move and look fuller without requiring a major chop and with some Hair Extensions can make a huge difference .

They're perfect if you want to change things up but aren't ready for anything too dramatic.

Once you find the right layered cut and learn a few easy styling tricks, it could become your new go-to look. 

Here are a few of the most popular layered haircuts for women, plus tips on how to wear them, what face shapes they flatter, and the celebs who are making them shine.

The Layered hair Cut

The Layered Cut

The long layered cut is a classic with celebrity fans like Blake Lively and Jennifer Aniston.

This style keeps the length while adding shape and bounce, so it's great for women who want movement without sacrificing length and volume. 

Layers usually start around the chin or shoulders and then blend softly down the hair.

This cut works especially well on medium to thick hair like with our Brazilian Curly Wig

If your hair is naturally straight or a bit wavy, the layers can add the kind of volume and shape that flat or heavy hair often lacks. 

It also helps avoid the dreaded "triangle effect," where your hair looks wide and bulky at the bottom with no movement on top.

With layers, your style gets a light, airy feel that's both flattering and easy to manage. 

It's also great for softening strong jawlines or elongating rounder faces without the need for cutting your hair in a Bob Hair style.

The Shag hair Cut

The Shag Cut

Making a major comeback from the 1970s, the modern shag is less aggressive but equally stylish.

This rock-and-roll-inspired cut incorporates shorter layers at the crown for volume, longer pieces around the face, and textured ends throughout. 

Modern versions often include curtain bangs or face-framing pieces or some Lace Frontal Pieces that blend seamlessly into the layers.

Taylor Swift's recent shag transformation shows just how well this cut can work on straight to wavy hair. 

Billie Eilish has also embraced the shag, demonstrating its versatility with different hair colors and styling approaches.

The Lob with Layers hair cut

The Lob with Layers

If you're not ready to go super short but want something fresh and polished, the lob (long bob) with layers hits the spot.

This shoulder-grazing cut is flattering, low-effort, and incredibly chic.

Add some subtle layering, and you've got a style with natural bounce and movement. 

Emma Stone frequently wears a layered lob, showing how versatile this cut can be, while Lucy Hale's textured, wavy version is super popular on Pinterest and Instagram right now.

This cut is especially good for women with fine or thin hair.

The layers help avoid that flat, limp look and can be tailored to flatter your face shape, like longer layers in the front to frame your face. 

You can use a Straightener or curling wand to add soft bends to the ends as well, then finish with a shine serum or spray for a polished overall look.

wolf hair cut

The Wolf Cut

The wolf cut is a mix between the shag and the mullet, and it's a dramatic style that features heavy layering throughout with a distinctive shape that's shorter on top and longer at the back.

It's all about extreme layering with a rounded shape at the crown and longer pieces at the nape.

It often includes wispy bangs and face-framing layers that create a wild, untamed appearance. 

This trending style works best for those with oval, heart, and diamond face shapes, as the layering creates balance and draws attention to the eyes and cheekbones.

It's particularly stunning on thick, wavy, or curly hair types that can handle the extreme layering without looking too thin.

When it comes to styling the wolf cut, the key is to embrace its naturally undone aesthetic. 

If you have curly hair, you can use a diffuser to enhance its natural texture and apply volumizing products at the roots for maximum lift.

This cut looks best slightly disheveled, as with Miley Cyrus's variation, for example, so don't worry about perfection.

Our customers achieve this look effortlessly with our Human Hair Bundles

Face framing hair cut

Face-Framing Layers

Face-framing layers do exactly what their name suggests; they frame your face in a flattering way.

These layers are often shorter near the front and blend into longer layers throughout the hair.

This creates the effect of having softer features, more definition, and a boost of style without a drastic chop. 

Think of Priyanka Chopra's long, glossy hair with subtle face-framing layers or Jennifer Lopez's voluminous blowouts.

This look works with any hair length, from shoulder to mid-back, and it's especially helpful for thick or heavy hair that needs a bit of lightness and shape. 

Plus, these layers grow gracefully, so you don't have to worry about constant trims.

But if you want to style it, make sure to use a round brush or curling iron to flip the layers away from the face.

This opens up your features and adds an instant touch of glam.

We recommend our HD Lace Frontals for this look

How to Pick the Perfect Layered Cut

As with all things, some styles work better for certain people, so here are a few things to consider when you're not sure which layered cut is right for you.

  • Hair texture: Your hair texture can make a big difference in how layers behave. Curly hair tends to shrink with layers, while straight hair can look limp if the layers aren't placed right. For best results, ask your stylist for layers that work with your texture.

  • Face shape: Consult with your stylist about which layering technique will best complement your features as well. Long layers can elongate a round face, while shorter, choppy layers can sharpen softer features.

  • Styling effort: Consider how much time you can dedicate to styling. Some layered cuts are wash-and-go, while others require more daily maintenance. If you prefer wash-and-go styles, opt for cuts that work with your natural texture.

Still unsure what to choose?
Bring a few photos to your next appointment, or chat with your stylist about your hair goals.

Also, be honest about your routine, as this will affect the level of maintenance you're willing to put up with.

woman cutting her hair in a salon

A Cut Above

Finding the right layered cut for you really comes down to knowing your hair and knowing How to blend Bundles

Is it thick or thin? Straight or curly? Then there's your face shape.

These things matter, and a good hairstylist will help you figure it all out. 

Don't be shy about showing them pictures of celebrities whose hair you love — it really helps them understand what you're after.

Otherwise, layered haircuts give you so many options to play with, and whatever style speaks to you, there's a layered style that will work with your hair and your daily routine.

Back to blog