Feathered Layers

To determine which type of layers are right for you, you should consider your hair type and texture. In general, those with thicker hair will have more options to choose from because they have more hair to work with. Anything from invisible layers to choppy layers can remove weight and add movement to long, thick hair like Megan Thee Stallion’s.

Barely There Layers

With thin hair, on the other hand, less is more. Go with layers that can build volume like long, light layers. If you have a curl or wave to your hair, strategically-placed layers can help define texture. Meanwhile, long layers can keep straight hair from falling flat, as well as add dimension.

Subtle Shag

While shag cuts are typically characterized by an ultra choppy look that often leaves ends sparse, Jasmine Tookes’s iteration illustrates a more subtle take. While there are plenty of angles and texture framing the face, the rest of the lengths are treated to a lighter touch that leaves the ends looking full and dense.

U-Shaped Layers

U-shaped layers are all about creating softness around the face, cutting a curved and rounded shape into the hair rather than sharper angles. Joan Smalls’ lush blowout highlights the cut beautifully, emphasizing all the right arcs throughout.

Ghost Layers

If you have fine or thinning hair, layers can be scary. That’s where ghost layers come into play. Adequately dubbed invisible layers, the technique creates barely visible layers to emphasize movement and body without reducing density or length. Don’t believe us? Take Emily Ratajkowski’s mane as proof.

Mermaid Cut

Yes, you read that right. The mermaid cut isn’t just a dream—it’s a thing you can ask for at the salon. While the actual styling of the siren waves will have to take place at home on the daily, getting the perfect angles will set you up for effortlessly tousled success. Ask for soft face-framing layers and fewer slices throughout the length for Sadie Sink’s mermaid look.

Butterfly Cut

It would be a serious professional oversight to introduce the aforementioned mermaid cut without shouting out its big sister, the butterfly cut. A product of the ’90s, the cut is chocked full of millennial goodness like short face-framing layers, tons of bounce, and graduated ends prime for volume. Who better than Sydney Sweeney, another child of the ’90s, to showcase the style?

Wispy Layers

Camila Cabello’s long layered style could’ve easily been in detriment with the addition of equally layered fringe taking away too much hair. The cut works perfectly, however, with the choice in soft wispy layering over deeper slices.

Tapered Ends

Elizabeth Olsen’s long, straight strands take a barely-there approach to layers, save for the graduation of her full fringe. Thick-haired girls, take note: The ends are tapered off with layers, which can be an effective way to remove some weight.

Strategic Slices

Heidi Klum’s gorgeous mane is bouncy and full of texture thanks to subtle, strategic layers, says Francis. “This cut is great for fine hair that is also dense, as well as thicker hair,” he adds.

Try styling with a cocktail of salt spray and shine glaze to allow for the tousled look to also feel polished.

A Seamless Blend

Even though Rihanna’s layers are cut as high up as her chin, they meld perfectly into the rest of her hair, making for a seamless transition. If you have curly, long hair, this cut is for you.

Defined Spirals

If you’ve got curly hair, let Belgian model Rose Bertram be your muse. Her long, loose spirals are everything that curls strive to be: bouncy, moisturized, and well-defined. Just know that it comes with a regimented hair maintenance routine, especially if you’re coloring your hair.

Dimensional Waves

Chrissy Teigen’s super-sleek waves are cut into barely-there layers that give the ends a nice waterfall effect. We love the center part and rich caramel highlights blended throughout, adding dimension and shine.

Thick Layers

Priyanka Chopra’s look is all about volume. Since she has thick hair, the layers appear to bring even more bounce and movement into this style.

Sleek Strands

Awkwafina’s sleek tresses are pure perfection, which Francis attributes to internal sliced layers that create soft movement and the illusion of blunt ends. To replicate her style—which works best on thick, wavy, or straight textures—use a large curling iron, “barely wrapping the ends so they feel sealed and polished but not curled, giving a soft, loose wave to this style.”

Textured Layers

Calling American-British model Aiden Curtiss’ hair “long” might be debatable, but anyone with a curly texture knows the duplicitous reality of shrinkage. Stylianou says that while her natural hair looks amazing, it takes work to keep the style in tip-top condition. Her recommendation include “regular cuts at DevaCurl, lots of treatments, and a good curly hair routine.”

Brushed-Out Crinkles

Victoria’s Secret model Lily Aldridge demonstrates the art of subtle layering with her long, brushed-out “S” waves. The retro-meets-modern half-up, half-down style is perfect for lazy days, second-day hair, or both.

Sliced Layers

Sandra Bullock’s hair might not be considered “long” by textbook definition, but as Francis points out: “Layers are sliced on the longer side of the cut giving movement and texture to the hair.” This works to add a boost of volume to thinner textures.

With this cut, there’s flexibility when it comes to styling. Francis suggests prepping hair with a heat styling lotion, and then wrapping sections with a medium-size curling iron at mid-length to create “bends” for an undone finish.

Waterfall Waves

Talk about waterfall hair. Demi Lovato’s wet-look style shows off the long layers cut throughout. This is sauntering-out-of-the-ocean hair at its finest and works best on medium to thick hair densities.

Effortless Length

Sarah Jessica Parker’s blonde tresses are visually effortless thanks to layers that maintain length while adding body, notes Francis. “The layering like this would allow for finer hair to still look full and not seem so heavy on thicker hair allowing for movement,” he adds.

Protective Braids

Gabrielle Union’s hair is showstopping in this long braided look. This protective style is at once polished and defined, while also being casual and cool thanks to its varying lengths and undone ends.

Bouncy Ends

Redheaded beauty Lily Cole wears her lustrous hair long and layered. We’re loving it, especially how her curled ends create added texture and bounce. A cool-girl side flip amps up the volume.

Scattered Layers

Shakira’s shag cut is utter curly perfection with its scattered shorter layers and skinny ends. Stylianou points out that this style is ideal for 3b and 3c curl types or if you want to create volume or disguise damaged hair. “The less you care about perfect neat curls, the better. A little frizz and bed head actually works better to achieve this style, believe it or not,” she says.

Middle-Parted Waves

Jamie Chung parts her hair in the middle to let it drape down naturally on either side of her face, framing it perfectly. We like how her long layers amplify the flowy look of her wavy hair.

Textured Angles

Before we say anything, let’s get it out in the open: Zendaya’s hair always looks amazing on the red carpet, no matter if she’s wearing faux locs, sleek-straight strands, or a pixie cut. These super-subtle, texturized layers will look amazing on curly-haired girls.

Glam S-Waves

Naomi Campbell has got it going on with this head-turning hairstyle. Francis agrees: “This look feels like hair goals—texture, shine, and length. There’s enough layering to keep the hair from feeling heavy or triangular and allowing movement and fullness for a longer length cut.”

Also, “Using a flat iron to create ‘s’ waves will help to recreate this done yet undone style,” he adds.

Cascading Curls

Although Sasha Keable’s hair isn’t naturally curly, she proves that it’s still possible to join the curl club. Stylianou curled Keable’s hair using the Chopstick Styler. Then, she sprayed loads of texture spray and slightly teased the ends with an afro comb to achieve long cascading curls.

Rocker Shag

Supermodel Georgia May Jagger is known for her super-layered hair. Here she dons a long shag with her trademark rock ‘n’ roll texture (possibly inspired by her dad?).

Flipped Ends

Here, Amanda Seyfried’s hair is prim and proper. For added flair, she incorporates a subtle side bang and flipped ends.

Overgrown Curtain Bangs

All hail the queen of long, layered locks. J.Lo has been known to wear her hair in long layers from time to time. Here, they start at her chin and continue all the way through to the longest length, giving her one of the biggest and bounciest hairstyles we’ve ever seen. Her grown-out curtain bangs also frame her diamond-shaped face perfectly.

Voluminous Coils

Ciara’s hair always looks amazing. This head-turning look of hers—with its mega-volume, crimped texture, and animal print barrette—has us begging for ’80s hair to make a comeback (did we just say that?). By pulling hair up into a half-up, half-down ‘do, Ciara modernizes this vintage style. She also highlights her long layers that lend shape to her hair. If you’ve got natural hair or love big, textured styles and are feeling bold and confident, this look is for you.