How to Layer Hair

Layered hairstyle is not only cool but easy to style and manage. In a layered hairstyle, varied lengths of hair strands are created through a proper haircut. Hair is cut into layers with top layers cut shorter than those beneath. The hair can be cut into long, medium or short lengths, depending on the requirement. This is known as layering. Layering is done to enhance one's overall look and make a style statement. Layered hairstyle, when combined with contrasting hair colors, gives a stunning look. Cutting hair into layers can be a lengthy process but it can be made easy with practice. The layered hairstyle is one of the famous hairstyles that supermodels sport in fashion shows.

Layering Tools

Layering can be done with the help of many tools - traditional scissors, thinning shear or razor. The desired hairstyle influences the hairdresser regarding the tool that should be used for layering. The choice of the tool used also depends on how comfortable the hairdresser is with it. This is the reason why one should never ask a hairdresser to use a specific tool. Thinning shears and hair cutting scissors are almost similar, except that the former has one or both blades notched. A single notched thinning shear cuts more hair than a pair of scissors. The notches help in uniform layering of the hair.

You can also cut hair in layers yourself, provided you take the necessary precautions. Some things to remember are:

• A few areas like the top of the head and upper part of the forehead fringe, benefit more from layering than others.
• There are other areas where layering doesn't do well. Some of those areas are:
  • Nape of the neck
  • Along the side of head above ears
  • Around the hairline above the face where hair isn't uniform for consistent layering
  • Near the ends, where hair is not thick enough to support layering.

How to Layer Hair

• You need to wash your hair with shampoo and let dry.
• De-tangle your hair, by combing it with a wide tooth comb.
• Bend your head slightly, so that hair flips down freely.
• Comb your hair again, this time from the scalp towards the floor.
• Divide your hair into two portions, to make a top layer and a layer beneath. Remember that the top layer should be shorter in comparison with the layer beneath it. Ideally, the top layer should be one-third the length of the layer beneath.
• Bring top section of hair in front of your eyes and trim straight across. This layer should ideally fall over the bridge of the nose. You may alter the length, depending on whether you want a short or a long layered haircut.
• If you want a short haircut, cut the hair so that they just fall beneath the level of the eyes.
• If you want a long hairstyle, cut the hair such that they fall below the ear.
• Comb the hair you have just cut. Hold the hair between your index and middle finger, and trim the edges of the hair. This is the final touch of the top layer.
• Comb the sides of layer upwards, dragging some of the hair that were just cut. Hold the side section straight up and trim the edges of this section too.
• With the help of two mirrors, check the layers in the front and back. You have finished layering of hair successfully.

Some hair textures are more suitable for layering hair, for example coarse hair is best suited, followed by medium hair, whereas fine hair textures are least suited. Make sure not to make layers of naturally curly hair improperly, or else they leave the hair looking triangle shaped. Naturally curly hair requires special care and different type of shaping from normal layering.

Many celebrities have sported layered hairstyle. Jessica Simpson is one such celebrity who made the hairstyle quite popular. If you have coarse hair and are looking for a change in hairstyle, layering your hair is the best alternative. Try out this hairstyle and enjoy the attention!