Many wonder what is the difference between long layers and short layers.
And most of them believe that having long or short layers has something to do with the length of the hair. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s their height that determines them.
Having “long layers” means that the distance between the longest ends and the shortest layer is over 2 – 3 inches. Short layers, on the other hand, are less dramatic with 1 – 2 inches in between.
In general, those with thicker hair can get away with longer layers while fine-haired people should prefer shorter layers. The difference between long layers and short layers is mainly in the inches.
However, what hairstyle suits you best depends on your hair (thickness and length), the shape of your face and personal preference.
What does it mean to have long layers?
Layering your hair is lovely, timeless and most importantly, it’s easy.
So, if you have long hair, I suggest that you get layers. They add texture and movement to your hair.
Layered hair looks are great because of the increased volume, texture and keeping your hair from looking too plain and falling flat. Searching for cool ideas on how to get layered hairstyle?
You’re in the place. But first, let’s learn a few layering tricks.
First and foremost, you have to remember that the placement, shape, and type of your layers are what makes them special.
There are different types of layers including face-framing layers (Jennifer Aniston) that get shorter toward your face. This is an amazing way to boost your facial features with your haircut.
People with curly or thick hair can experiment with every type of layers. However, people with fine and normal hair should stitch to face-framing layers unless they have a textured bob.
In this case, you should stick to all over layers because they make fine hair look absolutely amazing.
As I mentioned just before, the texture is one of the benefits of having layers.
Cutting layers with a razor or scissors make them look and fall differently. Razor-cut layers look free and wile while scissor-cut layers provide a smoother finish.
Different hairstylists use different techniques.
Some prefer the razor-cut layers while others provide a cleaner finish with scissor-cut layers. Talk to your hairdresser to find out what technique do they use in order to determine if your requirements meet their expertise. Also, ask for hairstyle recommendations.
Should long hair have layers?
If you have long hair, it’s not mandatory that you have layers.
However, if your hair is thin and plain, adding some layers might add texture, movement and increase volume. They also add dimension and give your hairstyle personality.
Layers look best in long hairstyles. However, they look amazing in short hairstyles as well. Do you have a long hairstyle? Are you searching for an unusual hairstyle with layers?
If yes, you have come to the right place. I have prepared a guide on how to choose the right layers for different long hairstyles.
Have I mentioned that adding layers removes weight from your hair, especially from the inside lengths of your hair?
Yes, they add texture and movement but they also make your hair appear lighter. Also, adding long and short layers will increase the range of hairstyles you can play with.
Scroll down to learn how long layers affect straight hair, fine hair, and learn the advantages of layering.
Straight hair
A classic long haircut is a perfect choice for people with straight hair. Adding layers can remove weight and enhance straight hair. However, using an incorrect layering technique can make layers look stacked and obvious.
So, talk to your hairstylist before you decide to add long layers to straight hair. Usually, soft internal and movable long layers boost the overall look of straight hair. They also add extra movement.
Fine hair
Fine hair can look absolutely terrible if you add layers the wrong way. This type of hair can be easily over layered if not layered properly.
Your hair will become weak while the layers will be stubborn and hard to manage when dressing and styling.
It’s recommended that you use over-direction or internal graduated layering techniques in order to protect the internal layers and outline. This way, your hair will look great.
Texture
Long layers enhance texture as well. Long layered variation is the perfect technique for boosting your hair’s texture on thick or normal hair.
It’s based on round layering which boosts softness and texture at the same time, giving you the illusion of long hairstyle as a result of internal reducing of weight and bulk.
Movement
Long layers boost movement, that’s for sure. Layering is the perfect way to boost loose movement and get that wavy hair look that everyone’s after.
Increased layering can give you this beach appearance and keep the maximum length of your hair via the perimeter line while reducing weight via the midsections.
Should curly hair have long or short layers?
Wavy curly hair looks better with long layers. Short layers aren’t recommended for curly hair. The classic long layering technique is the ideal choice for curly wavy hair.
It offers the right distribution of external and internal weight, giving your hairstyle asymmetrical shape that will frame your face quite beautifully.
No matter the length and type of your curly hair, you still need layering. Layers look great on curly hair, especially long ones. However, most hairstylists perform an even cut to people with curly hair – an old-school technique.
However, the best way to cut curly hair is to pay attention to each curl and treat each one individually to boost the appearance, add movement, remove weight and add texture and flow.
How do you ask for a long layered haircut?
I don’t know about you but I face anxiety every time my hairstylist asks me what hairstyle do I want.
Even if I have the perfect hairstyle in mind, I’m having a hard time explaining what I have imagined. Sometimes, I bring pictures. But it doesn’t work out as I expected.
That’s why I came up with a guide on how to ask for certain hairstyles. And I matched different hairstyles with different hair types just for you.
If you want long layers:
When asking for long layers, keep in mind that it’s not about the length of layers you ask for. It’s about the space between the shortest layers and the longest one. The distance between the top layer and the bottom layer should be significant (over 3 inches).
According to experts who deal with a different type of hairstyles every day, stating that you’re into boho vibe is alike asking for long layers.
Most professionals know what you mean by that. Boho vibe means having messy, wavy, natural-looking layers. This type of hairstyle screams natural movement and texture.
Long layers are suitable for people with naturally wavy hair, thick hair, normal hair, fine long hair, people who prefer to air dry and use a wand to curl their hair.
If you want texture:
If you want to add texture to your hair, you should simply ask for weight to be thinned out or removed from your hair. This means that a subtle soft undercutting will boost texture on the ends and keep dense ends from looking too thick.
This type of hair is suitable for people with very thick hair, volume seekers, people who love an “undone” or more lived-in look or people who prefer to air dry and have wavy hair.
If you want major texture:
Razor-cut layering is the perfect way to add major texture to your hair. Did you know that razors boost your hair’s texture more than scissors?
However, it depends on your hair if your hairstylist can perform this technique on you – let them decide if your hair is suitable for a razor-cut hairstyle.
It looks great on fine hair because it brings out waves and removes unwanted weight by adding crazy layers. It’s a great cut for those who prefer rough-dry, people with bangs and for those who love to wear their hair down.
If you want a classic layer cut
If you’re interested in a classic layer cut, tell your hairstylist that you don’t want something too textured but soft subtle layers in the back.
Ask for medium face-framing layers in front if you want to get a classic women’s layer cut. This haircut is great for thick, normal hair and for those who live for their curling curl.
If you want short layers
Short layers don’t refer to short top layers. If you want something simple but sexy, describe the hairstyle you have in mind and ask your hairdresser to add short layers to it.
Short layers are defined by the space between one layer and the next (1 – 2 inches). So, they represent a “short distance” between the layers.
If you don’t know what type of layers do you want exactly, ask your hairdresser to help you decide.
Are you interested in layers around your face? Or all the way around? How about some layers in the back? If you are looking for softer layers, ask for it.
State that you don’t want something too excessive and crazy.
Short layers are perfect for removing that “triangle” or “bell” shape you get from a blunt cut.
Also, it’s a great hairstyle for those who want to transform their blunt cut into something more subtle and natural. It’s also suitable for people who want a short hairstyle but boosted volume or texture at the same time.
FAQ
Q: Should I get my curly hair layered?
A: To answer your question right away: yes, you should get your curly hair layered if you want to remove weight and add movement. Layers make a big difference with curly hair.
Shaping curly hair is often done when it’s dry with scissors or razor. If you have curly hair and you love air dry, inform your hairdresser to keep the top layers longer. Keep in mind that short layers aren’t recommended for curly or wavy hair.
Q: Do layers make your hair curlier?
A: Depends on the hair. If you have thin hair, layering will add texture and volume. However, it will not make your hair curly, at least not entirely.
Keep in mind that curly hair looks great with longer layers and when it’s shoulder-length or longer. Adding a few longer layers will prevent your hair from looking boxy.
Q: Are layers good for thick hair?
A: Yes because they remove weight and add movement to your hair. If you add layers to thick hair, your hair will feel much lighter. However, keep in mind that thick hair looks great if you add short layers.
They will add movement to your hair. One-length bob is also an amazing hairstyle for thick heavy hair. If you haven’t tried that one yet, I suggest that you give it a shot.
Change is always good when it comes to hair. In my experience, a person who’s changing their hairstyle into something crazy is ready for a major life change and improvement.
Q: Are layers good for thin hair?
A: They can add texture and volume to your hair but only if added properly. Using the wrong layering technique can make your thin hair look bad.
The pixie cut is the best hairstyle for thin hair since it makes it look thicker than it actually is. If you want to add volume to your hair, try pixie cut with choppy layers.
Final verdict
Now that you’ve learned the main difference between long layers and short layers, I believe that you will not have any issues explaining the wanted haircut on your next visit to the hairstylist.
Don’t forget that asking for long or short layers means asking for longer or shorter layers but asking for the correct distance between them.
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