How to Style Layered Hair
Layered hair is a timeless and versatile hairstyle that can suit a wide range of hair types and face shapes. Styling layered hair can be a bit tricky, but with the right tools and techniques, you can achieve a gorgeous, voluminous look that will turn heads. In this article, we'll guide you through the steps of styling layered hair, from preparation to finishing touches.
1. Prepare Your Hair
Before you begin styling, it's important to ensure that your hair is clean and dry. Washing your hair removes dirt, oil, and product buildup, allowing your styles to hold better and last longer. If you have curly or wavy hair, you may want to use a smoothing shampoo and conditioner to help tame frizz and enhance your curls.
Once your hair is clean, gently towel-dry it to remove excess water. Avoid rubbing your hair vigorously with a towel, as this can cause frizz and damage. Instead, use a soft towel or an old t-shirt to gently squeeze the water out of your hair.
2. Use the Right Products
To style layered hair, you'll need the right products. Start with a volume-boosting shampoo and conditioner to give your hair a lift at the roots. After washing your hair, apply a heat protectant spray to prevent damage from heat styling tools.
Next, choose a styling product that will help hold your hair in place. If you have fine hair, opt for a lightweight mousse or volumizing spray. For thicker hair, a stronger hold hairspray or gel might be more suitable.
3. Blow-Dry Your Hair
Blow-drying your hair is an essential step in styling layered hair. It helps to set the shape and volume of your style. To begin, section your hair into manageable pieces using clips or hair ties. Start blow-drying the bottom layers first, gradually moving up to the top layers.
Use a round brush to lift your hair at the roots while blow-drying, creating volume and shape. Point the blow dryer downward, following the brush as you dry each section. This technique helps to smooth out your hair and enhance its natural texture.
4. Style Your Layers
Now that your hair is dry, it's time to style your layers. Start by sectioning your hair into small pieces and use a curling iron or flat iron to create curls, waves, or straight styles depending on your preference.
For curly or wavy hair, wrap small sections of hair around a curling iron, holding it in place for a few seconds before releasing. For straight styles, run a flat iron through your hair, starting at the roots and working your way down to the tips.
As you style each section, spray with hairspray or use a styling wax to hold the shape in place. This is especially important for fine hair, which tends to fall flat quickly.
5. Finish With a Final Touch
Once you've styled all of your layers, give your hair a final touch-up with a comb or brush to blend the layers together and create a seamless look. You can also add a few more spritzes of hairspray for extra hold if needed.
If you want to add some extra shine to your hair, try using a glossing serum or shine spray. Apply a small amount to your palm, rub your hands together, and then lightly run them over your hair to distribute the product evenly.
6. Maintain Your Style
To keep your layered hairstyle looking fresh and voluminous all day long, you'll need to give it some TLC (tender loving care). Carry a small bottle of hairspray or styling wax with you to touch up any flyaways or flattened layers throughout the day.
If your hair starts to look limp or flat, give it a quick blast of hot air from your blow dryer to reactivate the volume at the roots. You can also use dry shampoo to absorb excess oil and add texture to your hair if needed.
Styling Tips for Different Hair Types
Fine Hair:
- Use lightweight products to avoid weighing down your hair.
- Opt for volumizing shampoos and conditioners to give your hair a boost.
- Blow-dry your hair upside down to add volume at the roots.
Thick Hair:
- Use stronger hold hairspray or gel to tame unruly locks.
- Curl or wave your hair in smaller sections to create more manageable curls or waves.
- Consider thinning out your hair slightly to reduce bulkiness and improve layer definition.
Curly/Wavy Hair:
- Embrace your natural texture by using curling creams or gels to define your curls more clearly.
- Avoid over-brushing, while brushing might seem like a good way to detangle curly hair, it often leads to frizz and tangles. Instead, use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle your hair while it's wet. This helps to preserve the curl pattern and prevents breakage.
- Enhance with diffuser: When blow-drying curly or wavy hair, use a diffuser attachment to distribute the air evenly and prevent frizz. The diffuser helps to set the curls without disrupting their natural shape, resulting in a more defined and voluminous look.
- Protective hairstyles: If you're planning to be outdoors for an extended period or engaging in activities that might damage your curls, consider protective hairstyles like braids, twists, or buns. These styles not only protect your curls from the elements but also add a stylish touch to your look.
- Regular trims: Curly hair tends to develop split ends more quickly due to its natural dryness. To keep your curls healthy and bouncy, get regular trims to remove damaged ends and prevent further splitting.
By following these tips, you can style your curly or wavy layered hair to perfection, embracing its unique texture and creating gorgeous, voluminous looks that will turn heads. Remember, curly hair requires patience and gentle handling, but the results are well worth the effort!
