Next time you find yourself looking in the mirror wondering how to spice up your go-to blunt haircut, consider calling up your stylist and asking for face-framing layers. This versatile technique involves cutting the hair into tiers around the face to help define and “frame” your features (hence the name). While face-framing layers can flatter everyone, they’re not a one-size-fits-all deal: the best cut for you is largely dependent upon your face shape. To help you narrow down your options, we’re breaking down our favorite face-framing haircuts for round faces, heart-shaped faces, oval faces, and more, plus sharing inspiration to inspire your next cut.
Face-framing layers are shorter pieces of hair strategically cut around the face for body and movement. The best thing about face-framing layers is that they can work for all hair types, textures, lengths, and face shapes. Because of this, there is no one way to do layered haircuts.
Hairstylist and Zotos professional educator Angie Ceja describes face-framing layers as “soft flattering movement that frames around the face.” The length of the layers can depend on your facial structure and personal preference. “Face-framing layers create a seamless blend between the hair and face and bring out shape and balance, giving your hairstyle a polished, finished look,” Ceja adds.
Curtain bangs and face-framing layers are similar, but not quite the same thing. The former, as the name suggests, is a type of bang. They typically hit right above the cheekbone and are worn with a middle part for the characteristic “curtain” effect. Face-framing bangs fall a bit longer-usually somewhere between the cheekbones and jawline. While curtain bangs are flattering for most people, they might be too strong of a haircut for those smaller foreheads or round faces. It’s important to consult your hairstylist to find the right layered haircut for you, whether that’s a puffy ‘80s blowout or a wolf cut.
The key to a great face-framing haircut lies in tailoring the layers to your unique face shape. Here's a breakdown of which styles work best for different face shapes:
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Oval-shaped faces (also known as oblong faces) are slightly longer than they are wide and typically feature softly rounded edges. There are plenty of layered haircuts that flatter this proportional shape, but we suggest leaning into your symmetrical features with long, face-framing bangs. To give your hair layers extra shape, consider opting for a DIY blowout. Keep in mind that you’ll want to prime your strands with a heat protectant like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Blow Dry Primer for 48 HR Frizz Control. This priming cream smooths, nourishes, and adds shine-all while protecting against temperatures up to 450oF. Curtain bangs can highlight the best features of an oval-shaped face, making them a great addition to long, face-framing layers.
Those with a heart-shaped face have a wider forehead, prominent cheekbones, and a narrower chin. A long layered hairstyle with curtain bangs or side-swept fringe can help call attention to your enviable cheekbones while helping to balance the rest of your features beautifully.
Square faces are equal in height and width and have sharp, defined features and a strong jawline. To help balance your features, ask your hairstylist for soft long layers with side-swept bangs. To really lean into the soft effect, lightly curl your ends inward with a wide-barrel curling iron. If your hair has trouble maintaining a curl, mist your finished look with the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hair Spray - Unscented. Someone with a more square face can have a shorter layer or bang placed at eyebrow level to offset the width of the forehead and a slightly longer layer between the cheekbone and jawline to help soften the bottom corner of the face.
Rectangular faces are similar longer than they are wide and tend to be uniform in width across the forehead, cheeks, and jaw. Much like square faces, rectangular faces look best with face-framing layers that help soften their chiseled features (think: wispy, mid-length layers that add texture). This face shape is also a great candidate for fringe-try French bangs for an effortless look that’ll pair perfectly with your long layers.
Those with round-shaped faces have a visage that is equal in width and length. They tend to have a wide forehead, rounded chin, and full cheeks. Long layers that start just past your chin can help visually elongate your face for beautiful balance. Alternatively, try a choppy cut, like a shag: the intentionally-messy cut adds a bit of edge to your naturally youthful appearance. Curtain bangs can elongate a round face, making them a great addition to long, face-framing layers.
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Diamond faces feature a narrow forehead, defined cheekbones, and a tapered chin. For a harmonious look, consider asking your stylist for medium-to-long layers that start just below your cheekbones.
Triangle faces feature a narrower forehead and a more prominent jawline, so naturally, your best face-framing hairstyle is going to be all about adding volume on top for balance. Ask your stylist for face-framing bangs that will help add fullness around your forehead-styles like micro bangs and blunt bangs will be most flattering.
From textured hair to straight hair, you’ll be able to customize your face-framing style to suit your hair type. “Face-framing layers can help create dimension and definition for curls around the face, whereas straight hair can benefit from face-framing layers to provide movement or even wispiness,” says Battaglini. “Others with wavy hair also benefit from face-framing layers as they help to define the waves and prevent them from getting weighed down.”
If you have naturally coily, textured hair, ask your stylist for face-framing layers-the cut will help remove bulk while giving your curls plenty of space to shine. Add the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Leave-in Conditioner to your haircare routine to lock in moisture and refresh your curls after every wash.
A good rule of thumb is to work with the length you already have. “If your hair is medium length, go with shorter layers,” says Ceja “If you have long hair, opt for long face-framing layers that swing softly around your face. This can be customized depending on your go-to style.”
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For a modern take on the classic ‘90s blowout, opt for long, cascading layers that start around your jawline. Pair it with softly curled ends for an ultra-bouncy effect with tons of natural movement. Retro-chic, face-framing layers reminiscent of the 1990s are making a comeback. Style the nostalgic look by curling the ends of your hair inward for a bouncy-yet-sleek look (just be sure to ready your strands with the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Leave In before powering up your curling iron).
If you’re looking for a layered haircut cut you don’t need to style, opt for a razor cut with long layers that hit right at the collarbone. These textured face-framing layers have plenty of natural volume movement, making them a great pick for those who prefer a more low-maintenance approach to haircare.
The classic shag cut is typically on the shorter side, but you can adapt the technique for longer lengths, too. Ask your stylist to cut choppy layers throughout and add dramatic face-framing pieces in the front for a voluminous, intentionally undone look. The ‘70s shag haircut is all the rage on HairTok and Instagram. Achieve this look by asking your stylist for a collarbone-grazing cut with curtain bangs and choppy layers placed throughout. This modern take on the ‘70s shag is flattering on all face shapes, but especially those with round, oval, and heart-shaped visages. Pair yours with long, tousled fringe for extra rock-and-roll flair.
Long, chin-grazing layers around the front of the face can enhance your features and make your mane appear more voluminous. We’re especially fond of this cut for those with long, thick hair, as the layers help remove weight without sacrificing your lengths. Long layers that start below the chin can give a more full-bodied appearance to fine straight hair. Layers are one of the best ways to elevate your long hairstyle. They will emphasize your features and jazz up the cut.
The “money piece” hair trend is ideal for those with brunette hair. The technique involves lightening the strands at the front of your face for a “framing,” layered effect. Opt for a warm caramel for a subtle style or platinum-blonde strands for a bolder appearance. Consider incorporating the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Bond Repair Shampoo with Citric Acid and the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Bond Repair Conditioner with Citric Acid into your haircare routine to help strengthen your strands after your coloring session. To enhance the appearance of your face-framing layers, ask your hairstylist to make the frontmost strands lighter than your overall hair color. Or, DIY the look with the L’Oréal Paris Féria Hyper Platinum Advanced Lightening System Bleach. The at-home system can lighten your hair up to eight levels, and the kit comes with an anti-brass conditioner to help neutralize unwanted warmth.
Just because you’re currently rocking a lob or bob, doesn’t mean you can’t achieve face-framing layers. Face-framing bangs, like curtain bangs or micro bangs, can really enhance a short haircut. Spice up your bob haircut with wispy layers around your face. Ask your stylist for a layered haircut to enliven your blunt lob.
The butterfly haircut, as it’s been dubbed on social media, features wispy, cascading layers that give long strands captivating movement, bounce, and body much like a butterfly’s fluttering wings. These face-framing layers offer the same volume as a short ‘do without sacrificing length, and are a great option for those with finer, straighter strands.
One way to elevate a chic updo? Pulling out some tendrils from the sides of your hair to frame your features (it’s also a good way to mask overgrown layers until your next styling appointment).
As summer rolls around, you might be looking for a layered hairstyle that gives you the appearance of living full-time on the beach (ah, if only). Face-framing layers can add some glorious volume and movement to your mane for that coveted windswept look.
Textured face-framing layers are a great way to level up your classic lob. For an edgy look, pair the messy, lived-in cut with a bold hair color (platinum blonde is a great choice).
Face-framing bangs aren’t just for those with straight hair. If you have natural hair, have your stylist cut your bangs while dry and taper the edges slightly for a flattering, face-framing effect that’ll put your curls front and center.
If you want to experiment with layers but don’t have much length to work with, try the bottleneck bob.
Face-framing haircuts are pretty low-maintenance when it comes to upkeep. “Depending on the length of your shortest layer, I would recommend getting a trim every three months to maintain the haircut length,” says Battaglini. If you want longer hair, you can afford to wait a bit. Face-framing layers have duly earned the fame of equally flattering, feminine, and versatile hairstyle elements. Unlike regular bangs, they grow out gradually and don’t require frequent salon appointments.
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