Everyone told me how wonderful layers were, but I quickly found out why you shouldn't get layers in your hair. Layered hair looks great on some people, but I discovered they weren't for me. In fact, many women come to the same conclusion. It's a hard lesson to learn, but if you understand why you shouldn't get layers, you might not have to make the same mistake I did.
1 Too Full or Flat
Layers are designed to help thin out excess thickness or help boost volume, depending on the fullness and thickness of your hair. I wanted the extra volume. My first clue as to why you shouldn't get layers was how quickly my hair fell flat after I got my cut. The stylist did a wonderful job and it looked perfect when I left the salon. After the first wash, I never quite got the same fullness. I've discovered that some women have the opposite problem and get an unwelcome poof of volume.
2 Extra Maintenance
No one really wants a hairstyle that's difficult to maintain. I had to spend three times as long each day to get my layers to look decent. Keep in mind, this was just “decent,” not great. You have to work hard to get each layer to curl and lay just right to get the desired effect. Previously, I rarely used curling irons and flat ironsbut they quickly became my best friends in the layer battle.
While it would be great if every strand of hair grew at the same pace, it doesn't. I learned this the hard way. Within a week, I just wanted to the layers to grow out. Each layered section grew at a different speed with most sections ending up with varying lengths of hair. Plus, you can't just let it grow. To make it manageable, you have to trim each layer regularlyto avoid looking like a small child got happy with the scissors.
4 Limited Hairstyles
I have long hair, so I'm used to pulling it back in a ponytail, braid or bun. Layers drastically limited my choices. The shorter layers stick out of every up-do. I had never used so much product and so many bobby pins in my life. If you have shorter hair, ponytails became a thing of the past. If you're active like me, layers quickly become the enemy. No matter what you try, hair will slip out and get in your face.
5 Not Right for Every Hair Type
I loved how layers looked on some of my friends and of course, celebrities. Layers aren't for everyone. Great layered hair depends on a variety of things, such as hair length, strand thickness and face shape. For me, my extremely fine thin locksdidn't take well to the varying lengths. Plus, my naturally straight hair refused to let the layers curl slightly on the ends, so I had absolutely zero shape. Hence, the flat look I ended up with.
6 Spend More Time at the Salon
If your hair is one length, you might be able to trim it at home or go longer between trims. Layers require regular salon visits. Trust me when I say you should never try to trim your own layers. I've seen people try and it's not pretty. In order to keep layers at the right lengths, you have to visit the salon oftenwhich is extremely time-consuming if you're used to going every few months or so for a quick 10 minute trim.
7 Translation Issues with Stylists
The single most important thing when getting layers is getting the right stylist. Even if your hair is a perfect candidate, there are numerous types of layers. Add this to the fact that every woman needs different lengths and number of layers I was lucky that my stylistgot it right, even though my hair didn't cooperate. Many women aren't so lucky. Talk to your stylist and ensure they know exactly what you want to avoid a mess later.
8 No Going Back
Any time you cut your hair, it's obviously something that can't be undone. I spent months hating my hair. It was almost two years before all the layers finally reached the same length. If you're not certain that layers are right for you, don't do it. Consider wearing a layered wigwith a similar hair type to yours to see how it looks and whether you're ready for the extra maintenance.
9 Strains the Budget
I wasn't used to having a shelf full of hair productsor a drawer of styling tools and running to the salon to keep my layers manageable. I wanted something cute and fairly easy to style. It got impossible to work with and expensive to maintain. I literally spent four times more just to style and manage my layers as they grew out. If you're used to heavy styling, it may not be such a shock, but if you're used to a quick pony with zero product, be prepared to drastically change your routine.
I regretted layers almost from day one. While some people love them, I don't recommend getting them just because they look great on someone else. Take the time to find out if you really want the extra upkeep because once you get them, you're stuck for a while. Do you have any hairstyles you regret or wish you could warn others against?
Marie very true. My hairdresser started cutting subtle layers without evening asking me. I have to put my hair in a bun for work and now its full of bobby pins to combat the pieces sticking out
Loopy I agree on some of it because when you put ur hair up in braids the hair sticks out and they can be a right pain,, I still like long shaping around the face,, i like it Suttle and flowy
Jacelyn I agree some of it. But I adore having layers on my hair. I feel less weight. No layers or layers I always difficult time to style and maintain my hair. I have straight and thick hair. Whoever touches my hair says I have a ton of hair.
a_rose You complain about them being extra maintenance but most people know before getting them done that in order to make them look really good you're going to have to use a curling iron I mean duh and even if you don't they look fine you're just overly critical
Natalia ^^I wasn't happy until I washed my hair as normal, and my natural waves worked really well with them! It gave my hair a more voluminous appearance:)
Natalia I guess its just different for others. I got my haircut last week and asked for just slightly short layers accompanied with some medium to short layers. My stylist blow dried..straightened..etc, just to show the layers better?
Jaspreet This article is sooo true... Am struggling with layers.. I had naturally straight and long hair, but now due to layering i find them difficult to manage...since they got ugly frizzy curls in them... I dnt knw when they get normal.
Sherrol Had my hair layered about 5 months ago and it was a huge mess due to translation issues. The hair stylist cut like super short layers all over and after 3 painful months with ugly hair i finally had it cut off and yet again the new barber used the thinning scissors to cut my hair after cutting it to bob styled. thanks man.
Donny I've finally resigned myself to cutting my own layers by watching a few youtube videos. Hairstylists generally give you their one layered haircut they learned in beauty school. This layered haircut always gives layers that are way too thick and assymmetrical if you part your hair on the side. If you look at magazine haircuts, their hair's layers are much, much lighter and they have more of a 'face frame' in their cut. I don't know why this is, but my theory is that hairsylists fry their hair with blow-dryers everyday, and thicker dryer hair needs thicker layers. If you have better healthier hair but need shape for various reasons around your face, you need more 'face framing', but less layers. The reason you may need shape is because your jaw's too narrow or too wide or your forehead's big or little, and small face framing layers will visually correct these slight imbalances. Hairstylists one-size-fits-all haircut they learned in beauty school doesn't take all these facial-structure nuances into account. So take back control - cut your own hair. Figure out what looks good on you. Start by imitating the haircuts in magazines with super-light layers or no layers - not the cheap beauty-school procedure cuts designed for fried hair that will be blow-dried everyday.
Jane I hate layers!! I have straight hair...and it gives weird waves, and not to mention hairstyles r so hard to do, even a poneytail!
Payton I got layers when my hair was thick enough and lately I've been into braiding my hair and pieces fall out in so sad but I only braid my hair when it looks bad and it also drives my friend crazy when pieces fall out of my braid
Eman Best article !!!
Jare i like longer layers, I guess the author was talking about short layers...
Mirijane Oh wow. Um, I, uh, don't think I want layers anymore.
Lola I'm still trying to grow my layers out
Naturalistamac Same here! I had the same problems for two years or so. Now it is long and nice, but it took a long time!
Janette The title of this article should be changed to 9 reasons you should consider before getting layers. Everyone's different 😊
Shalaka So true, I should not have got layers, so challenging to style not happy with fall at all
Jaiden This article is the truth! I just recently got layers after getting 10 inches cut off and absolutely regret it. It's hard to style and the fact that the layers are short makes it even more difficult to handle. Plus, you can't do cute pony tails, buns, or braids without it coming undone!
Helen Personally, layers for me were AMAZING as I have the frizziest and thickest hair ever, and it helped to thin it out 👍 However, if the layers were too short it did turn into a triangle.. I think layers throughout the head work best with those with thicker hair works best, with thinner hair they can fall flat, but some pretty face framing layers are good for most hair types!
Brianne the author is right I wish I didn't have layers
Kat Layers are awesome
Anna Layers personally worked great for me. My shortest layer is around my shoulders and I have to problem with it getting in the way during sports and it never sticks up for updos. If you have a slight wave to your hair like I did, id say layers are a great option because it's makes a lot move wavy and less frizzy. That being said, layers don't always work out with all haircuts
Jenna I kind of agree with you, if you're considering short layers then it's best to really think about it. However I think almost every great hair style has face framing layers
Jenna Everyone's hair is different, layers may not have worked on her hair
Aria Everyone has differing opinions, there's no need for cattiness. For those of you who love your layers and it has worked out, great. It's not for everyone, and I agree with this article, layers just weren't flattering on me but I'm glad it has worked for others.
Ladymaat I had layers and I loved it...my hair has always been long, thick and wavy. My stylist cut my long hair in layers, so I was still able to wear ponytails and updos...I can't agree with this article
Amanda she probably goes to super cuts or walmart no offense. And I am a cosmetologist. There's that.