47 best layered haircuts that’ll instantly complement your cheekbones

Layers are a divisive topic. Those of us who overdid flicky, layered haircuts in the noughties – then spent the next two years trying to blow dry them into submission – may, justifiably, think they’re not worth the hassle. On the other hand you cannot miss sultry, choppy, voluminous layers if you own a social media account. Everywhere we look, layers are leading the trends. Shags made a surprise comeback over lockdown, as did floaty, fluffy ‘70s flicks with curtain bangs, and more recently, we’ve seen the trend graduate toward sleek but bouncy '90s inspired layers and curve cuts.

The thing is, even the most styling-phobic among us probably already have some form of layers (they come in all shapes and sizes, see). The trick is matching your aesthetic, your lifestyle and your willingness to get to grips with a round brush, to the layers you choose. For instance: relaxed, invisible layers (more on those later) vs big '90s layers, or bold shaggy layers.

“Layers are pretty much a part of any haircut unless you’ve got a sharp bob,” explains leading hair stylist, Luke Hersheson. “A grown-out fringe is an example of layers, as are some framing pieces that finish around your jaw or chin,” he says.

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Unsurprisingly, for 2024, layers are going absolutely nowhere. In our 2024 hair trends round-up, top hair stylist and trend forecaster, Tom Smith told us: “as a theme, so many of the trending cut shapes for 2024 will incorporate some ‘Rachel-esque’ face framing and feathered layers." And celebrity hair stylist, Andrew Fitzsimons agreed: “we’re going to see less blunt, straight chops, and more wispy layers,” adding, “if you have hair that is textured, I recommend a shorter look as it enhances your curls and can be shaped depending on your curl type."

As for the trending layered cuts to watch out for, “Butterfly Layers” combines two of 2023's biggest trends. "It’s a marriage between the curve cut, rounded haircuts and the butterfly cut," celebrity hairstylist and ColorWow international creative director, Dom Seeley, told us. “It will leave the length and really open up the face, giving you a ton of movement and layers,” he says.

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Tempted to get chopping? Before you make the cut, here’s everything you need to know about layering.

What is layered hair?

At its most basic, a layer is “hair that doesn’t reach the bottom of your hair,” says Luke. More specifically, “it is the lightest form of hair cutting,” explains Ryan Forsythe, senior director at Trevor Sorbie’s Covent Garden salon. “Sections of hair are held out and cut vertically from the head to reduce weight.

What are the benefits of layered haircuts?

“Layering hair not only removes weight but can also help to create shape, give volume, movement and texture,” explains Ryan. “If you opt to keep your hair on the longer side – don’t let your hair wear you. Hair that’s not tailored can swamp your features. I would always encourage face framing tendrils and soft movement to open the facial features. It adds volume, body and interest to hair,” explains Dom.

Do layers make hair look thicker?

“Not necessarily thicker but they can add volume giving a fuller effect,” says Ryan. If you have very fine hair however, stick to longer layers, as shorter sections, like those in The Shag, can make it look wispy.

Can having layers in your hair help to transform or update a style without the need for losing length?

“Absolutely, if you have a heavy one length bob for example, a few layers can help you achieve more texture/movement,” explains Ryan. “Or if your long hair feels a bit flat on top, some layering around the crown will give it some bounce.”

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Where would you tend to cut layers in?

“Depending on the shape you want to create, or where you want to lighten, it is generally done in the ‘internal’ area (top, back, sides ),” says Ryan. “The ‘external’ being the outline or perimeter length.”

Do layers work on all hair types?

“Most hair types can suit varying levels of layering, particularly thick heavy hair. Hair that is very fine should avoid over layering as it can make it even finer and cause ‘wispiness'” Ryan says. “If you have fine hair and then you put lots of layers through that hair, it’s going to make the ends of the hair feel thinner,” agrees Luke. “Also very frizzy or coarse hair will generally benefit from having more weight,” says Ryan. In which case, you may not want to add too many layers in.

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Do layers with straight hair work?

Straight hair can fall a little flat, especially if it's one length (and *extra especially if it's long). Even if you plan on wearing your hair poker straight, adding layers can give subtle lift, volume and body without looking obviously choppy. So yes, layers with straight hair are a very good idea.

Do layers with curly hair work?

Layers in curly hair will help give gorgeous definition and shape to hair alongside deliberate bounce and volume. “Layers are perfect for curly hair,” says afro and textured hair specialist and Color Wow ambassador, Michelle Thompson. “This is how we can achieve all of these beautiful shapes with maximum movement. Layers are ideal if you want to create volume and dimension. Keeping the hair all one length will give you more of a heavier controlled look, however this is dependent on the type of curl pattern that you naturally have,” she adds.

If you predominantly wear your hair curly, it's best to chop hair curl by curl when dry and your curl pattern is visible so the shape doesn't alter when it dries (because shrinkage is real). “A lot of hairdressers are now cutting the hair dry, or curl by curl, in its natural state, this is so that they can cut the hair as they see the curl sitting in its natural formation. This can create a great shape,” says Michelle. “But unfortunately if you like to wear your hair smooth and straight from time to time it’ll result in the hair looking uneven. My preferred way of cutting curls ( type 2 & 3 hair types) is wet. This requires an understanding of how each curl is going to sit in both its wet and dry state, it’s all about knowing how much tension to apply when cutting or how little tension to apply. This way of cutting will enable you to wear your hair both curly and straight as opposed to just curly,” she adds.

Are there any hairstyles that can particularly benefit from layering and any that should avoid?

“Short hairstyles, pixie cuts and the 70s Shag are both styles that really benefit from lots of layers,” says Ryan.

How easy is layered hair to style?

It's worth consulting with your hairstylist to create a cut that's as choppy as you want it, whilst working with your styling skills. “If a layer is done well and belongs to the hairstyle, it shouldn’t take too much styling,” says Luke. “Even with a shag, you should be able to wash it, leave it to dry and it will fall into place.”

Provided you’ve chosen a low maintenance style (that’s been cut in by a pro) “it can be pretty easy,” agrees Ryan. “With the use of the right products and just finger drying you can achieve a natural, soft result or you can dry smooth for a sleeker finish. Layers help to give versatility to hairstyles.”

All the ways to wear layered hair..

The butterfly cut sees two distinct layers of hair that replicates the top and bottom wings of a butterfly. In practice, this means a curtain fringe and some mid-length voluminous layers up top, then the longest length of the hair as a bottom layer. The curve cut sees a graduation of layers framing and cupping the face. The two together make butterfly layers.

The C-cut or curve cut gives gently descending layers which lean in and cup the cheek, chin and collarbone to offer up some dreamy face-framing action. And horseshoe-shaped layers through the back give dimension without feeling as harsh as some of the other layered cuts we've seen recently. Although it can work on anything from bob length to XXL layers, it works particularly well with midi and lob haircuts. “It’s a progression of the heavy ‘70s and ‘90s cuts we've seen everywhere. It's like the revival of The Rachel, but it's much more soft and not as heavy on the face framing," says Dom Seeley, celebrity hairstylist and ColorWow international creative director. "It gives a more rounded, balanced haircut that’s still fun to style and easy to do, but the hair has more intentional, rounded shapes and curves – instead of the “V” cut where hair goes to a point,” he added.

‘90s layers, like the ones that give the supermodel blow dry its oomph, blend medium-length layers, that finish around the jaw or shoulder-blade. They’re statement in that the layers are an obvious element of the look, but they're relaxed since the length makes them easier to style, or tie-back on off-duty days. Plus, they can can grow out seamlessly.

Our obsession with all things ‘70s is still going strong. The decade has given us the shag, the wolf cut, Charlie's Angels flips, swooshy curtain fringes and even (if you're brave) a modern spin on the mullet.

For a delicate approach to hair layering, internal and invisible layers are low-key but make all the difference offering longer layers in finer sections to give hair volume and movement without creating choppy, chunky layers that need a lot of styling. “Internal layers create movement and air pockets inside the hair without necessarily changing the overall length of a hairstyle. The length stays and the movement increases,” explains LA's coolest hair stylist, Sal Salcedo. “They exist to give the hair volume and shape it from the inside out,” he adds. “Invisible layers are really relevant for a softer approach,” explains Luke. They're subtler, seamless and much more imperceptible. "You may have layers in your hair, but you don’t want them to feel like clumps or ledges. It’s less of an obvious layer,” Luke says.

Gentle shaping helps tailor curls to give all that pretty volume in all the right places.

The Bell Bottom cut takes its inspo from the '70s with an A-line cut (that's heavier and more voluminous around the cheekbones before extending to wide flicked-out ends that pay homage to '70s bell bottom jeans). It also works perfectly with a pair of swooshy, curved curtain bangs.

A lighter, longer take on shaggy layers the “pretty shag” leans into mussed-up texture, but keeps the layers in hair longer, so they're easier to style.

A hybrid between the bold mullet and the delicate pixie cut

These lightly cut layers work beautifully when mussed up with some tactical styling. Hair pro, Britt Sully, used IGK's Down + Out Dirty Spray and Amika's Matte Volume Powder to add texture and waved hair in alternating directions to maximise the cut and make an impact.

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