Where should my layers start?

For medium to long hair, begin layers at the chin or just below the nose.

What type of layers are best for fine, thin hair?

Opt for longer layers since layering can make fine, thin hair appear more sparse.

Does curly hair curl better with layers?

Layers can lend shape to curly hair and can remove some of the bulk. But it's best to go with long layers since short layers may make curly hair pouf out.

Layered Haircuts That Preserve Length and Boost Volume

woman with blonde, layered haircut — @matildadjerf / Instagram

If your hair is in need of a refresh, consider getting a layered cut next time you go to the salon. Whether your hair is short, medium-length, or long, adding layers into the mix can create volume, dimension, personality, and movement. Plus, while we love a blunt cut, there's just something so classic about graduated haircuts.

Take the trendy yet timeless curtain bang, for example. The swooping middle that angles down toward the ear was famously worn by Brigitte Bardot and now every person on TikTok. The mullet has come in and out of vogue more times than we can count, with new iterations such as the wolf cut and shullets popping up. Of course, we'd be remiss not to mention face-framing strands and super-long round layers that give tips movement to those attached to their length.

No matter your length, texture, or personality, there's a layered haircut style for everyone. So, we rounded up 76 of our favorite looks and tapped two celebrity stylists to share insights on how to achieve some of them with the right tools and products. Scroll on for haircut inspiration and styling tips.

Meet the Experts

Joseph Maine is a celebrity hairstylist and cofounder of Trademark Beauty. He is also Color Wow's artistic director.
Anastasia Stylianou is known for her work as a world-renowned hairstylist specializing in fashion, celebrity, and curly hair.

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No-Layers-Layers

We have to hand it to Priyanka Chopra Jonas for perfecting the no-layers-layered hairstyle, which is ideal for anyone too scared to go for that full-on Rachel-from-Friends look. Ask your stylist for long layers around the front of your face to help balance out the cut.

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Textured Waves

We love the way Jourdan Dunn's short hair has been tapered to give it more shape. To get the look, ask your hairstylist for some longer invisible layers that sit above the jawline. Style with a few spritzes of texturizing spray for effortless waves.

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Lash-Grazing Bangs

Taylor Swift's shaggy layered lob is très rock chic. Lash-grazing bangs really highlight the eyes. To give it that piecey, airy texture, work some dry shampoo through your hair with your fingertips.

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Layered Braids

Gabrielle Union long braided hair — George Pimentel / Getty Images

Long hair don't care. Graduated braids à la Gabrielle Union give the style a beautiful cascading effect. If you don't want to commit to a layered look, just flip your braids to one side and create a deep side part for a quick switch-up.

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Glamourous Bounce

We're digging Eva Mendes's modern take on an Old Hollywood glamour 'do. Her soft curls are accentuated by the subtle layers throughout the lengths, but her fringe is voluminous, making the overall style look updated and fresh. For an extra boost of volume, flip hair to the side like Mendes.

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Face-Framing Baby Strands

The singer Jisoo in a bold lip tint — @sooyaaa__

Take it from Blackpink's Jisoo—barely-there face-framing strands are such a mood. Whether you pick them out of your updo to have them stand out or lit them blend with the rest of your length, they'll draw attention to your face and give your look a little more oomph.

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Power Layers

Winnie Harlow's haircut proves the power of layers and their ability to lift naturally curly hair. A little bit of a curl-enhancing gel can go a long way.

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Glossy Straight

Zendaya's long layers are the perfect length to complement her glossy straight locks. Paired with a middle part and full brows, her overall look is a match made in beauty heaven.

Byrdie Tip

If your hair is a little rebellious, you can go over it once with a smoothing iron. But keep in mind that it's all in the blowout; straighteners should only be used as a finishing tool.

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Smooth Ringlets

Adding subtle layers to curly hair can give ringlets bounce and a little height, as proven by Alanna Arrington. To ensure your curls have maximum definition (and look ultra-glossy), drop a quarter-sized amount of curl cream into your palm for a smooth look.

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Butterfly Haircut

Bring on the volume with this layered look that went mega-viral on TikTok. Butterfly haircuts consist of both short, face-framing layers and long ones for added movement.

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Curtain Bangs

We love the wearability of curtain bangs as they bring softness to the face and can be styled so many ways.

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Long Bob

Is there any look Shay Mitchellcan't pull off? We'll wait. Here she rocked the red carpet with a platinum, long bob that hits just above the shoulder and has subtle, long layers sprinkled throughout.

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Side-Swept Curls

Angela Bassett curly hair and blue eyeshadow — @lacyredway

Those with naturally curly hair know that the texture can already provide subtle layers depending on how they fall and wear throughout the day. However, shaping your cut with soft layers really takes the style to the next level—just ask Angela Bassett.

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Subtle Fringe

Jennifer Lopez — Gregg DeGuire / Getty Images

Super-subtle jaw-length layers and a long center-parted fringe help to add some structure and shape to J.Lo's long layered haircut. Use a medium barrel curling iron to achieve these bombshell waves.

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Tousled Pompadour

Alicia Keys pompadour — Dan MacMedan / Contributor/Getty Images

Alicia Keys always hits the right notes, both in her music and with her style. We can't get enough of this tousled pompadour that features shaved sides.

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Undone Layers

We're swooning over Alessandra Ambrosio's undone long layers. To get her supermodel waves, loosely wrap large sections around a 1.5-inch barrel and shake out afterward—no precision needed.

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High-Contrast Layers

Lizzo with a bold layered haircut — @lizzobeeating

Take it from the queen of feeling good as hell that these contrasting layers are an immediate confidence booster. This style is perfect for bold, edgy personalities who aren't afraid to try new things and step outside their comfort zones. For added flair, consider throwing in bright colors, such as Lizzo's green, into the mix.

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U-Shaped Haircut

For a subtle graduated haircut, opt for a U-shaped trim. The style features very slight layer difference from the forefront face-framing layers to the longer ones in the middle and back. The final look will give hair a soft, round shape.

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Piecey Fringe

Mary J. Blige rocks a piecey fringe, which works to eliminate the weight a denser hair type would carry. "This heavily layered cut with a swoopy bang is best suited for small faces and an angular bone structure," says Maine.

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Mid-Length Layers

Jamie Chung — Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images

Fake texture on fine hair with this mid-length layered cut. Maine says you can customize the front layers depending on whether you want to elongate or shorten your face. "Heavily layering from throughout the perimeter of the hair gives it a cool effortless vibe," he says.

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Choppy Lob

Jenna Ortega with a choppy bob hairstyle on the red carpet — Dominik Bindl /FilmMagic /Getty Images

Jenna Ortega knows a thing or two about channeling cool, effortless looks. We love the blunt layers that start above her jaw and have a slight bend to them for that lived-in feel.

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Curly Cut

According to Maine, a long cut like Nicole Beharie's can be good for curly hair types that are looking for lots of control, or for those who live in a humid environment (as the added weight helps manage the curls). "The deep side part helps add shape to an overall simple haircut," he adds.

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Fine Texture

Chrissy Tiegen — Jason LaVeris / Getty Images

Have fine hair with minimal texture? Maine says this is the cut for you. "If you have a long face or thick, textured hair, this look may eventuate the length and become triangular in shape," he says.

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Modern Mullet

leigh anne pinnock wearing a mullet — @LEIGHANNEPINNOCK

This modern hairstyle is the perfect crossover between a mullet and a shag and is commonly known as the shullet. It's perfect for those with bold style who aren't afraid to stand out and make their edgy side known.

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Thick Layers

If heavy layers are your thing, you have something in common with Oprah Winfrey. "This cut is great for people with very thick hair who want a short style, and is best styled with flips, movement, and lots of volume," says Maine. "Short bob lengths can extenuate round or large faces, but with this sort of volume it can offset the shape and make the face appear smaller," he adds.

Byrdie Tip

To achieve wispy bangs, use hot rollers or velcro rollers. Let hair sit for 10 minutes before removing gently and shaking it out.

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'70s Shag

suki waterhouse in gucci tool print yellow and blue dress with sweeping shag bang hairstyle — @sukiwaterhouse

The '70s will forever remain an iconic decade for good reason. Its rock n' roll influence brought in a handful of timeless beauty looks, including the shag. Here, Suki Waterhouse wears it with choppy layers and lightly textured strands.

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Pinned-Back Layers

Iman — Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images

A universally flattering look is this long layered cut with face-framing pieces. "This is styled by blow-drying the hair in small sections very smooth," notes Maine. "I would follow the blow-dry with a flat iron to make sure all of the curl is removed and then follow with a curling iron."

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Textured Pixie

You can't go wrong with a blonde pixie cut, especially if you're oval-faced like Kristen Stewart. Layers are a must with a cut like this—they add much-needed texture especially if your hair is on the finer side.

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Effortless Layers

Zoe Saldana — Gregg DeGuire / Getty Images

Zoë Saldaña is giving us some head-turning princess vibes with her effortlessly put-together low ponytail. "This is a good style to make use of those finer hairs around the hairline, or anyone growing out their hair," Stylianou points out. Get the look by curling random pieces of your ponytail and leaving a few face-framing layers out on display.

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Italian Bob

Close your eyes and imagine yourself in a convertible driving down the Amalfi coast with the sun kissing your shoulders. Now, imagine yourself with this retro collarbone-grazing cut and a silk scarf. The Italian bob is timelessly elegant and one of the hottest styles of the moment.

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Shoulder-Grazing Lob

Amp up your shoulder-grazing lob with barely-there curtain bangs and subtle piecey highlights à la Kerry Washington.

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Farrah Fawcett Hair

Farrah Fawcett wears her signature feathered '70s haircut — Getty Images

The iconic '70s hairstyle has had a major renaissance, and for good reason. Its feathered layers create a ton of volume and dimension, giving it serious main character vibes.

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Asymmetric Bob

Lori Harvey with a layered bob haircut — @loriharvey

Va-va-voom! Give your bob a bit of movement and a side part for a sexy spin on the classic cut.

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Rich Curls

We love a good wave set that's as effortless as it is rich in texture, and Melanie Fiona's 'do checks all the boxes. Use a 1.5-inch curling iron to wrap one-inch sections of hair around, making sure to wrap from root to tip.

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Chin-Grazing Bob

Selena Gomez's chin-grazing bob is made every bit prettier with the inclusion of a few layers. The best part? It's also a great way to give fine hair a bit of width and volume. Opt for a middle part like Gomez to complement a rounder face.

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Long Feathered Framing

Rather than Jessica Biel's long hair hanging loose and looking shapeless, she's feathered the front of the hair to create some shorter layers around the face. And we can't forget about her honeyed highlights that add so much warmth.

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Voluminous Cut

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley — David Fisher/REX / Shutterstock

If you want to reap the voluminous benefits of layers without committing to a chop-heavy cut, ask for layers in the bottom few inches of your hair like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. You can wear it in a deep side part to embrace the effect of shorter layers, but if you're wanting to switch it up you can flip it back to the center and just like that, the layers are invisible.

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Strategic Layers

Jennifer Aniston layered medium-length haircut — Steve Granitz / WireImage / Getty Images

Jennifer Aniston is the poster girl for layered hair. While "The Rachel" style has long since grown out, Aniston and her hairdresser Chris McMillan are die-hard fans of the volume-boosting and shaping effect of well-placed layers. The key to this look starts with a smooth blow-dry done with a round brush.

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Slight Layers

If the thought of putting scissors to your curls freaks you out, take a cue from Alicia Keys. Layers add volume, definition, and texture—plus, the look of curly bangs is never not on-trend. Just "don’t go crazy with the layers. This should be cut visually and ever so slight, otherwise you may end up with a mullet," advises Stylianou.

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Cool-Girl Texture

Okay, so Khloé Kardashian's hair has been lengthened with extensions, but to help disguise the join, her hairstylist packed the mid-lengths and ends with layers. It also happens to add a cool-girl texture to her mane.

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Wispy Layers

Halley Berry — Earl Gibson III / Getty Images

If you're looking for proof that a simple blowout can lend itself to both volume and elegance, look to Halle Berry, who styles hers with wispy layers and an undone fringe. Given the length, those with medium to thick hair will look best in this style.

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Feathered Length

Jennifer Lawrence keeps her feathered layers interesting by maintaining a classic mid-length and a face-framing front. Maine says that most textures and densities can pull off a cut like this, but to be wary of deep side parts as they can make the layers look unbalanced.

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Face-Framing Layers

If there's one thing Rachel McAdams knows how to nail (besides a pretty epic rain kiss), it's a chic hair hairstyle. Go for layers that shape the face—rather than cut into it—along with a subtle auburn shade to mimic her look.

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Natural Movement

Kim Kardashian side flip shoulder-length "wet" hair — Jon Kopaloff / FilmMagic / Getty Images

Amp up your look like KKW and opt for a layered clavicle lob with a cool-girl side flip. If your hair has natural movement, spritz through a shine spray to achieve that shiny, wet look without the grease.

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Layered Lob with Volume

Olivia Culpo's long, layered lob doesn't come without some mega volume. To fake volume and texture like this, ask your stylist for a lob with long layers. Then, work in some mousse into towel-dried hair before blow-drying it with your head flipped upside down.

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Choppy Post-Pixie

If you're growing your hair out from a pixie crop like Kate Mara is, you should know this: Layers are your friend. A little choppy texture throughout the ends can prevent a bob from looking too prim.

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Total Texture

Hailey Bieber's hairdo is all about texture. "A look like this can require special ways of cutting and removing weight to prevent the hair from becoming triangular, so really dense or curly hair types should see someone who specializes in their texture if they want to achieve this style," notes Maine.

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Working with the Wave

Alexa Chung — Kristina Bumphrey/Starpix/REX / Shutterstock

If your hair is naturally wavy, a few well-placed layers can help give naturally unruly hair some shape. Otherwise, they can help add much-needed volume and oomph to fine hair. A little balayage, like Alexa Chung's, can also help to add texture without the need for tons of layers.

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Sleek, Straight, Slightly Layered

Ciara has no shortage of Pin-worthy hairdos, but this neck-length bob is one for the books. The ends are slightly layered and flicked inward while the strands are sleek and straight, giving the whole look a touch of elegance.

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Low-Maintenance Layers

Cara Delevingne — JB Lacroix / Getty Images

We're all about low-maintenance 'dos, and this one fits the bill. "This look works well for most hair types, textures, and face shapes," says Maine. "To achieve this style, I would recommend making flat iron waves by rocking your hands back and forth as if you’re using a doorknob as you slide your way down the hair. The looser the better, so only do a couple of rocks back and forth as you make your way down."

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Subtle Structure

Incredibly subtle, yes, but the layers in Sienna Miller's hair help to add some structure to her longer length. Plus, a few layers around the shoulder can prevent long hair from looking unloved. A quick spritz of sea salt spray will get you her undone finish.

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Extra-Long Layers

We never thought there'd be a day when we'd actually have major hair envy for a combover style, but alas, here we are. Rihanna's flip-over works thanks to her imperfect curls and extra-long layers. It's "great for really long hair and anyone trying to elongate their face," comments Stylianou.

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Vintage Glam

If you're looking for a way to achieve a vintage glam look without going full-throttle, take a page from Beyoncé's book. Her S-waves are complemented by her dimensional layers and can be achieved by using a one-inch curling wand and a good ear tuck.

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Asymmetrical Baby-Bob

Gabrielle Union's asymmetrical bob is what hair dreams are made of. To replicate, ask for choppy layers—for dimension and texture—and slick one side of the hair down with a mattifying pomade.

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Two-Toned Bob

Pastel Pink Hair Bright Lob Kaia Gerber — @kaiagerber

Bring out your inner rock n' roll star by going full Gemini hair and leaning into the two-toned look. What's more, throw in some choppy layers, too.

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Perfectly Imperfect Bedhead

We're getting lots of hair-spiration over Jada Pinkett Smith's perfectly imperfect bedhead. To DIY these tousled waves, warm some hair paste into your fingers before running through the bottom half of your layers.

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Undone Bob

If choppy layers aren't your thing, they're about to be thanks to Julianne Hough's edgy bob. To replicate at home, use a flat iron to create undone curls all around your head. Then, to maintain that messy look, spritz on a texture-enhancing hairspray.

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Side-Shaved Layers

Taraji P. Henson — Dan MacMedan / Getty Images

We're all about a jaw-grazing bob that's super low-maintenance, but paired with asymmetrical layers and a side shave? It goes from convenient to stylish. We stay heart-eyed for Taraji P. Henson's cut.

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Blunt Layers

Lauren Conrad — Vivien Killilea / Getty Images

Mid-length blunt ends with added texture are a winning combination. "This style is created by cutting a blunt line into the length and then slicing out some pieces throughout to give it movement," says Maine. "It's a great option for those who have thin to medium density, as it makes your hair appear more full since the layering is minimal and the density is kept around the perimeter."

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Pixie Cut

Jennifer Hudson's eye-skimming pixie proves that you can have layers even if you're donning ultra-short strands. To accentuate the varying lengths, work in a hair pomade a little bit at a time.

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The Wolf Cut

Shag hairstyles will always come back in style, so keep the edgy look in your back pocket for your next salon appointment.

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Lightweight Layers

Logan Browning's curls hit perfectly at shoulder length, and the addition of subtle layers keeps it from looking too heavy on the bottom.

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Asymmetrical Layers

The key to short bobs? Lots of volume. Jazmyn Simon nails her asymmetrical bob by chopping in layers that thin out at the bottom. To lift the hair, apply a volume-enhancing mousse and let it air-dry.

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Shoulder-Length Curls

One thing Vivica A. Fox taught us with this look? Don't be bashful about going dark at the roots. We're loving her perfectly-curled shoulder-length 'do, which looks like the work of a blow-dryer and a large round brush.

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Shaggy Style

We're all about Sandra Bullock's rockstar vibes—her long layers don't have any excess weight, which lends itself to this beautiful shaggy style. "This is a style nearly any face shape can pull off but it's best for medium to thick densities," says Maine. "In order to get this full look, I’d recommend alternating directions wrapping around a wand and slightly pulling each strand to loosen the wave."

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Side Bangs

While long hair can make hair look flat and dull, Jordin Sparks's thick, side-swept bangs and voluminous mane are anything but. Help keep your side bangs in place by spritzing on a medium-hold hairspray.

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Spirally Waves

Robin Givens long curly hair — Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images

We can't decide what we love more—Robin Givens's luscious lashes, her subtle highlights, or her spiral waves. To get this specific cut, ask for invisible layers and curl hair with a one-inch curling wand.

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Shoulder-Length Layers

Kristen Bell's shoulder-length, layered look is amplified with a hint of darkness at the roots. Don't forget to show off your favorite chandelier earrings with a proper tuck-back.

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Glossy Waves

Whoever said wavy hair can't be glossy was clearly mistaken. Just take one glance at Ashley Graham, who stuns with subtle layers, a chestnut hair color, and ultra-shiny locks. Get her look by washing hair with a buildup-removing clarifying shampoo and wrapping your hair around the barrel of a curling iron or wand.

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Limited Layers

Meghan Markle's long layers prove that sometimes the simpler the cut, the better. "This can best be achieved by twisting a round brush and using a blow-dryer, or by wrapping hair around a large iron," says Maine.

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Maximum Texture

Chanel Iman — Steve Granitz / Getty Images

Get maximum texture for your long layers by alternating the direction you wrap your hair around the wand. Finish off by working a shine-boosting serum through the ends and laying down baby hairs with a styling paste.

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Swoopy Fringe

A shoulder-grazing cut with a dirty blonde hue and a swoopy fringe is all you need to replicate Kate Hudson's feathery layers.

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Straight and Sleek

Tia Mowry's straight and sleek layers get a playful twist with the addition of a side braid. Use a humidity-resistant spray to keep strands looking shiny no matter the weather.

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Flowing Layers

Olivia Palermo's flowing layers get points in the plus column for being versatile. Maine says to style by wrapping each section of hair away from the face with a large wand or curling iron.

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Face-Framing Bob

Tika Sumpter's face-framing bob looks ultra-chic on those who want to show off their great bone structure or extenuate their jawline. The fringe helps to offer a bit of width to the overall look.

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Blunt Bob

Angela Bassett bob — Jerod Harris / WireImage / Getty Images

Spruce up your blunt bob with jagged ends like Angela Bassett. "This works well for most hair types but is ideal for angular face shapes with nice bone structure or small features," notes Maine. "The style is best created with a flat iron—not for making the hair perfectly straight, but for putting slight bends and kinks in the hair."

FAQ

Where should my layers start?

For medium to long hair, begin layers at the chin or just below the nose.
What type of layers are best for fine, thin hair?

Opt for longer layers since layering can make fine, thin hair appear more sparse.
Does curly hair curl better with layers?

Layers can lend shape to curly hair and can remove some of the bulk. But it's best to go with long layers since short layers may make curly hair pouf out.

76 Lightweight, Layered Hairstyles That Preserve Length and Boost Volume