Front layers cut with graduation do something ordinary layers do not. Instead of all falling to the same length around the face, they step gradually from short to long, so each piece rests on the one below it. That support is what creates body at the front of the head, and body at the front is what stops fine and medium hair looking flat where it matters most.
The fringe then sits into that graduation rather than on top of it. A center-parted fringe blending into graduated front layers looks like one continuous shape. The same fringe cut into a one-length cut looks bolted on. That is the difference between the polished examples in this collection and a fringe you end up regretting.
Crown lift is the third element and it appears throughout. Short internal layers at the crown push the section above upward, which balances the weight the fringe adds at the front. Without it, a cut with bangs can end up front-heavy, which pulls the whole face down.
Forty-nine cuts with bangs follow in chestnut, bronde, chocolate brunette and glossy dark tones, at chin, shoulder and mid-length, with center-parted, see-through, baby, blunt and curtain fringes. Look at how the fringe meets the layers on each one. If you cannot see the join, that is graduation.
Chestnut Shoulder-Grazing Layers with Soft Center-Parted Bangs
This haircut takes time and effort to create a good style. The bangs that part in the center suit oval and heart faces, and the front layers are graduated so they will give body to fine and medium hair without looking too much. There is good lift from the crown from the interior graduation, and the babylights keep the hairline bright and natural. If I’m being honest, this haircut looks best when you do a round brush blow dry after washing. The ends look weird if you just let it dry and the shape might be really flat by the middle of the day if you let it air dry.
Bronde Beachwave Long Layers with Soft See-Through Fringe
The see-through fringe with long hair adds a softness across the forehead with having to get a solid, blunt bang. The waves are effortless and the bronde hue is warm and natural. The micro-balayage and root shadow work so you don’t have to go to the salon to get a root touch-up. The part that is most tricky is the fringe. Getting that look is serious. The person texturizing the fringe has to get it just right. If they’re too heavy handed, the look is ruined. Getting this balanced right is the difference between a great look and a bad one.
Bronde Layered Lob with Diagonal Curtain and Stitch Babylights
I do variations of this lob often because it is very popular among a lot of females, particularly those with some natural wave and medium to full density. The diagonal curtain bangs starting at the cheekbone provide a nice frame to the face without looking too boxy. The stitch babylights are nice and bright, unlike foils that can be super brassy. The root smudge makes things more low maintenance because it buys you a few weeks until the regrowth bothers you. I will say this cut does need some heat to look like the photo though. The curtain bangs especially want a round brush or large barrel iron to get that sweep, and the babylights are going to need refreshing to stay dimensional every few months.
Chestnut Shoulder-Grazing Shag with Wispy Baby Bangs and Subtle Babylights
The reason I like this shag so much is that it isn’t very 1970s. The baby bangs are soft and detached, and skim the brow hair enough so that they don’t overwhelm smaller foreheads. The cool-toned babylights at the temples brighten the eye area and do wonders for chestnut hair. It works especially well when the rest of the color is kept rich and deep. The movement through the mid lengths is from razored interior layering. This is where this cut lives or dies when it comes to finer hair. You want enough internal texture to create separation and bounce. If the internal thinning goes too far on fine strands, the bangs and layers can start looking limp instead of airy, which is where this cut rewards precision and punishes shortcuts.
Chic Choppy Shoulder-Grazing Lob with Wispy Blunt Fringe and Root Depth
Reliable cut. The soft blunt fringe opens the face and the choppy inner layers keep the texture nice enough to avoid are helmet-y look. Especially good for oval and soft heart shapes as the length hits right at collarbone which draws the eye down and elongates. The warm balayage here is understated, more lived-in warmth than a bold color, which means gentler grow-out. The most tricky part is the bangs. A round brush or at least a quick pass under the dryer will be necessary. If you let them air dry, they’ll split in weird spots and lose that clean look.
Chocolate Brunette Chin-Length Bob with Airy Baby Bangs and Soft Interior Texturizing
Chin-length bobs can either look sleek or a little awkward, and it usually comes down to the small details. For this look, the small middle gap of the fringe allows the eyes to be seen and prevents the curtain look that comes with thicker bangs. The point cutting at the ends offers them to tuck in, so a simple blow dry in the morning is all you need to be set for the day. I would probably avoid this look if your hair tends to be coarse or curly since both the bangs and the bob require a good amount of smoothness to keep their shapes and working against your natural texture can be very frustrating. However, once it reaches this length, straight hair with a mild wave and medium density is far less high maintenance with this style compared to practically any other option.
Glossy Chestnut Shoulder-Length Cut with Sheer Blunt Fringe
The blunt fringe and slight center gap provide a soft eye-frame and the polished bottom with slight internal layers keeps the style from being boring. Nape graduation removes bulk where it builds up on medium density hair. It’s a detail that a lot of people won’t notice, but you will feel it every time you style. The cut asks something from you every day. The fringe and under-curved ends round brush blow dry with a light smoothing serum to look presentable. If you avoid blow dries, this style won’t give you the photo look.
Glossy Dark Brunette Shoulder-Length Lob with Wispy Blunt Bangs and Subtle Interior Texture
An effortless lob done right. The blunt bangs frame the face while the inner texturing prevents the ends from being heavy, achieving a soft flip as opposed to a blunt thud at the bottom. Those of us with a crown cowlick may require further assistance, as bangs and the top part that tends to lie flat will expose it. Most of the time, a targeted blow dry at the roots or some weight removal in that area will fix it. As long as you don’t mind a few minutes of bang upkeep each morning, this is a great cut for someone who wants to look polished without a lot of effort and time thinking about it.
Glossy Rounded Chin-Length Bob with Short Blunt Fringe
I won’t pretend to say micro fringes are meant for everyone. Some may find it to be a bit too excessive since it really puts emphasis on the forehead and brow area. In that sense, it really is a love it or hate it style. Although, for those who do have an oval or heart shaped face and have features that are balanced, it can be very stunning. Because of the internal graduation, you get rounding without the bulk since it rolls in and is not heavily layered. For those who don’t like to maintain their colour appointments frequently, then a softer root look may be better because with a shorter dark colour at this length, it will show a lot of regrowth. It will be a quick blow dry and not a lot of effort after that and it would suit those with good jawlines and hair textures from fine to medium very well.
Medium-Length Feathered Layers with Wispy Center Fringe and Soft Flip
I like this cut as it is unique, yet it does not rely on color. The layers speak for themselves and a small application of color at the hairline to brighten is all that’s needed. The center fringe is quite wispy, but I believe it is going to require daily heat to sit that way. If you have straight or soft-wave hair that is of good density this should move beautifully, however, if you have tight curls it is going to fight you and the battle won’t be worth it. For those who want something a little different without going full shag or full bob, it is a nice in-between cut.
Piecey Dark Pixie with Micro Fringe and Tapered Sides
At 40, a pixie cut is either a look you desperately want to try or one that terrifies you – and there really isn’t much of an in-between. This cut looks softer is because of the length on the top, which allows the hair to be styled, and a micro fringe which helps to open up the entire eye area. The point cutting technique means the hair is broken up into separated chunks, giving it texture but not looking too messy, and with tapered sides everything stays neat. Expect regular maintenance for this style; the separated pieces will quickly lose their shape and the fringe will need reshaping every 3-4 weeks to maintain that precision. The daily styling time is a benefit, but the salon commitment is high.
Plum Mahogany Long Bob with Blunt Fringe and Face-Framing Layers
The demi-permanent plum glaze brings amazing depth and dimension, developing an even richer quality to the base mahogany color and neutralizing some of the brassiness, which is great because we didn’t want to do a full permanent color. The cut is also good, with nape stacking that creates that inward flip in a really nice way to form a shoulder-length lob. The blunt bang is more committal than some of the wispier ones in this section, meaning that it will require more regular trims and of course, daily styling. To be honest, if your hair is porous, or has a lot of sun exposure, I think it’s fair to say that the plum glaze will fade more quickly than desirable, so prepare to add glaze treatments to your salon visit in order to maintain that color.
Razor-Textured Chin-Length Bob with Airy Brow-Grazing Fringe and Root Lift
I like that this style uses the cowlick, instead of trying to force it down. It also adds volume without having to use product or blow-dry it, which is great. The interior has a nice separation and volume because of the razor cutting done on the mid-lengths and the brow bangs are the perfect length to show enough forehead. It looks ideal on fine to medium hair with some wave to it. The bangs will clump if they aren’t styled daily, but the rest of the haircut is really low maintenance.
Rounded Bronde Chin-Length Bob with Sheer Wispy Fringe
The chin length bob stands out due to the soft salt-and-pepper root blend. Rather than fighting against gray hairs, you can use them to your advantage and allow regrowth to become a part of the color story instead of something to hide. The rounded shape along with the razor-thinned ends all flip under with ease, and the bangs are sheer enough that they won’t need a full blowdry routine to look done. Uou will need to put in some time with color maintenance, though the root blend does buy you some time. This style is perfect for anyone looking to start transitioning and embracing some silver while still keeping a constructive style.
Short Asymmetrical Pixie with Long Side-Swept Fringe
This is a cut with a lot of personality. The asymmetry is intriguing and the long side-swept fringe provides styling opportunities that shorter cuts don’t offer. The crown elevation adds volume to fine hair that tends to fall flat, and the root shadow gives depth without an intricate color service. The only place this cut takes real commitment is in the daily upkeep. It’s going to need some texturizing spray or other products to hold the fringe and piecey texture, and the shape will need daily upkeep with a razor or point cuts to keep the diagonal shape from becoming too relaxed.
Short Layered Bob with Notched Micro-Bangs and Crown Lift
The little cuts in the micro-bangs help create some relief in the brow area, and prevent the fringe from sitting solid across the forehead. Such detail work helps maintain a more open look around the face. The smallest A-line does add a bit of structure for sure, and the inner point-cutting is just enough to prevent it from appearing too stiff. This should work best with medium-density straight or gently wavy hair. I’d be a little more cautious to recommend it to someone with very fine hair because the micro-bang may end up looking too thin and wispy. On very curly hair, this is going to behave very unpredictably. For those who like low-maintenance color, it tolerates a soft root shadow very well.
Sleek Chin-Length Rounded Bob with Sheer Brow-Grazing Fringe
I’m enjoying the simplicity of this style! I like how it lets the shine and texture of the hair show through. The softly textured bangs were cut so nice! How the hair is cut at the back of the jaw gives a lift to the face without it looking like a lot of length was cut. The babylights also gives a nice soft brightness around the bangs. This is a nice cut for straight hair of medium density. You will most likely find that the hair will dry nice after you do some rounded brushing at the ends. I would not recommend this style for you if you have thick curly hair, because the rounded shape and light fringe needs a lot of smoothness and control. The bangs will need some good point cutting for an airy look, so you will need someone quite good.
Soft Bronde Shag with Piecey Curtain Fringe and Subtle Root Shadow
I keep cutting shags because depending on the hair type and how they style it, this could be a super low maintenance cut. This one is a little more updated as she has the piecey curtain bangs which are slightly off center, and the longer, more freely-moving face framing layers. Plus, the root shadow is a nice touch because it saves you from hard regrowth lines every few weeks. This cut also absolutely sings with natural waves because the interior razoring gives the hair license to do what it naturally wants. The daily ask is a texturizing spray or some sort of salt spray to define the layers. It won’t tame super coarse tight curls but it’ll be a dream on wavy, medium-density hair.
Soft Brunette Shoulder-Grazing Lob with Wispy Brow-Length Bangs
This is a good style suggestion for those particularly looking for bangs that won’t require too much styling. Brow-level bangs are soft and airy, so they pair best with people who have waves and don’t want to spend too much time styling. Low-contrast babylights are great for adding lift to the face and also for camouflaging the first few grey hairs around the part, which is often a request of many of my clients in their 40s. Interior point cutting gives just enough texture to the mid-lengths so that it moves but still keeps the overall density, which is perfect. My only concern is if the hair is super fine and straight, then the bangs could look a bit flat and sparse unless some root texturizing is done but on good wavy hair with a reasonable amount of density, this will be such a nice easy to wear cut.
Sunlit Bronde Mid-Chest Waves with Airy Micro-Shingle Fringe and Root-Softening Lowlights
Bangs and long hair can easily go wrong, but this style looks great! Micro bangs mean less clearing which works really well with long hair. The point cut interior layers break the weight so the waves can move freely without losing shape. The balayage combined with root softening low lights balances the dimension without going too highlight heavy. The face framing highlights, in addition, are great because they soften the overall look and complement her natural freckles. For someone wanting to keep the length, maintain hair, and add to the front, this is a great haircut. It will need to be reshaped often and in humid weather will require an anti-frizz product to control it.
Sunset Copper Shoulder-Length Lob with Soft Blended Fringe and Cheekbone-Grazing Layers
Are you thinking about getting a copper hair color? Copper hair does fade, so you may have to do some maintenance and get some glossing treatments to keep the color looking fresh. With this style, copper hair color looks even better! With a heart shape face, it is perfect with a blended fringe with layers around the cheekbones. The fringe shortens the forehead, and the layers are designed to lift at the crown. The root shadow creates warmth in the color to give it a glow instead of looking flat. The cut is performed with some interior point cutting in the mid lengths to create movement, and the natural wave will do a lot of the work. Just know that the fringe needs daily styling and the color will need some ongoing love.
Textured Short Angled Pixie-Bob with Side-Swept Fringe
With this haircut, we have skipped away from the classic pixie and bob and met a style that is likely appropriate for women who want to go shorter, but aren’t ready for a full pixie. The graduated nape and interior razor texturizing allow for some volume at the crown. Then, with a long side-swept fringe and those diagonal wisps over the ear, it creates a softer overall effect and directs attention to the cheekbones. This style will provide those with fine to medium hair a lot of built-in movement, without as much hair working against the style. The main things to consider with this haircut are that it will take a little time and effort to style each day. You’ll want to use a root-lift spray, as well as some form of texturizing product, to achieve this look. In those with coarser or curlier hair, it will likely look quite different than what you see here.
Textured Short Crop with Soft Micro-Bangs and Feathered Sides
Short crops are one of those styles where I either love it or think it won’t work and there’s not much middle ground. This one works best on someone fine to medium hair that lies fairly flat at the sides and has a bit of natural volume at the crown to help it hold the shape. Micro-bangs that sit above the eyebrows open up the entire face and the razor and point cutting do a really good job at making it look softer and not too severe. It does air dry quickly and really doesn’t ask much of you on a daily basis other than a bit of piecey styling through the fringe with your fingers. On short coarse or heavy hair, though, I think you’d struggle at the sides and crown to get to this level of ease and I would definitely prefer to direct you towards something with a bit more length to work with.
Warm Brunette Mid-Length Shag with Wispy Face-Framing Bangs
The shag length is impressive. It gives the hair a lot of movement and the slide cut layers adds to this. The wispy bangs are a perfect length for just a touch of eye coverage. Color is spot on for this age. The warmth along with the chocolate base really brightens the eye area without highlighting everywhere. This is a great cut for medium to thick wavy hair. The layers have the right density to not lose their shape and give a nice crown lift. If the hair is too fine, then this much layering can work against you and make the ends look too thin. In those cases, I would recommend adding some interior texturing and styling a bit of an S-shaped blowout to create volume. Bangs will need trims fairly often.
Warm Caramel Balayage Mid-Length with Soft Side-Swept Fringe
The color makes this look the most. The brightened eye and face framing babylights contrasts against a chestnut base. The subtle root smudge at the part appears natural and gives depth as opposed to looking fake. The cut is long interior graduation with side swept short bangs and ends that are razor feathered. That simplicity is actually a strength as it means she can style it with a round brush can do it quickly. It doesn’t require a lot of layers or texture to add interest as the color adds dimension. The fringe will need styling every day to keep its sweep and the babylights are going to need to be toned to stop them going brassy. This cut is actually easy to maintain.
Rounded Curly Shoulder-Length Cut with Soft Blended Bangs
I wish we could educate more stylist on the skill that curly bangs are. Each curl must be cut dry and consider the amount they will shrink (usually 35-45% for 3B curls). These bangs that are softly blended bangs framed around ovial and heart shaped faces and the light internal layers give so much shape without disrupting the curl pattern. The mid lengths are perfect because they sit right in that range of giving enough depth and dimension without having to do a full colour servicing. After this cut you will want a good curl cream and a diffuser because the bangs will need to be reshaped quite a bit. The low heat styling and instant lift make this cut a good option for naturally curly hair, but it is very high maintenance.
Soft Bronde Shoulder-Grazing Layers with Airy Center Fringe
The airy center fringe on this style is intentional, and I believe it works for those entering their 40s. It softens the forehead and gives a cheekbone lift without adding any weight to the face, and because it is airy you won’t have to deal with a heavy maintenance bang situation. The graduated layers along with some internal point texturizing give nice movement to the mid lengths, and the babylights with root shadow provide a softness and natural brightness that don’t require a lot of salon visits. It’s a well-balanced cut that works for fine to medium wavy hair. It does involve a bit of a trade off but not a lot. The fringe will need a light blow dry and some root lift to keep it in shape, but other than that this is easy to recommend.
Sun-Kissed Textured Long Layers with Soft Curtain Bangs
An example of a haircut request I receive most often from women in their 40s is long layers with curtain bangs, and I can see why. For this example, I used some inner point cutting technique to allow more free movement for warm balayage waves, which also helps to break up some bulk for lowlight. The curtain bangs also frame the face as they work with the natural waves and not against them. It gets specific with crown cowlicks, but the cut addresses it with some shorter layering at the crown, so it won’t just flop over. The bangs are gonna need shaping daily with a round brush and a diffuser, which is a request I standardly recommend with curtain bangs at this length.
Strawberry-Red Textured Chin-Length Bob with Soft Wispy Bangs
I enjoy cutting red bobs because I think the color and shape come together uniquely here. This shade of red is especially great for blue eyes and light brown freckles. The chin-length bob with interior layers and point-cut ends adds texture and volume to fine to medium wavy hair and keeps the hair from being weighed down. It also dries nice and scrunchy when you use a diffuser, so it’s perfect for someone who doesn’t really want to do a full blowout. The reality check with this color is that it requires constant upkeep as well as a regular glaze to keep it from fading and becoming brassy. The bangs and waves require a lot of daily maintenance as well. Also, there is a small forward cowlick in the fringe line that your stylist will have to think about when deciding about the bang length, otherwise they might lift up in the middle.
Textured Short Pixie with Airy Side-Swept Fringe and Tapered Nape
It’s true that not everyone can manage short pixie cuts that expose the neck, and it’s reasonable to say that. If neck and jaw exposure is not an issue, this is an option that is neat and classy. The light airy side swept bang offers enough softness while not overwhelming with weight. Internal razoring and point cutting at the crown were done to create texture and add some lift. The color shadow at the roots is a good way to hide regrowth so you’re not dealing with color every few weeks. The longer ear on the right is balancing a forehead that is a little higher, and it’s these little things that really raise a pixie to the next level. This haircut needs to be designed with extra care in the perimeter, so ensure your stylist is a true magician with short hair.
Brushed Bronde Short Bob with See-Through Blunt Bangs and Interior Texturizing
A lot of my clients want haircuts that they don’t have to style every day, that they can air dry, and this bob is perfect for that. The bangs are see-through and light, so they won’t look sparse when they sit forward. The shorter inner layers that were razor cut give a nice natural bend to the ends and keep their shape. This way, you won’t have to brush and blow dry it every day. The babylights plus root shadow give some warmth without being heavy and will seamlessly blend as they grow. For fine hair, the ends may need some volumizing mousse to not be flat, and the bangs might need some shaping, but this is definitely one of the more low maintenance styles here.
Sunlit Warm Blonde Chin-to-Shoulder Lob with See-Through Curtain Bangs
The weight line on this cut is doing something subtle that makes a real difference. It’s set so the ends turn under on their own, which gives you that polished, tucked-in look without having to fight with a round brush for it every morning. The see-through curtain bangs lighten the brow without overwhelming the face, and the root shadow with lowlights gives depth that keeps it from going flat blonde. It works best on straight to slightly wavy hair with fine to medium density and I’d say it’s one of the more forgiving lob options for an oval or heart face. The ongoing requirement is daily shaping for the bangs and that under turn, so a round brush is your friend here. On very curly or very thick hair, this shape will resist you.
Rounded Chestnut Chin-Length Bob with Soft Blunt Bangs
I really love soft rounded bobs and this one is a perfect example of this look. The blunt ends and subtle layering at the nape allow the hair to tuck under really nicely and the gentle point texturing on the bangs helps with the not too done look. This works best on straight to wavy, medium to thick hair as it’s a low maintenance style and requires minimal effort. I would say fine hair will struggle to hold this shape and will need some internal layering and a volumizing product. The bangs will also need regular styling and glossing that is going to be required to maintain the rich chestnut color. However, when it all works, it really works.
Chin-Length Textured Bob with Soft Blunt Fringe and Natural Crown Lift
This bob embraces the natural cowlick at the crown as a feature rather than a problem. The natural lift at the crown adds volume throughout the shape that would typically require product and technique. The soft blunt fringe can help to mask some forehead lines, which many women in their 40s seem to appreciate, even if they don’t say it directly. The internal point cutting and subtle layering on the fine to medium hair keeps the ends looking softer. The warm chestnut color with some brightening babylights softens the color at the ends and prevents the single-process dullness a dark color would create at this length. The fringe will need a quick blow dry or round brush to create that movement and if the hair is coarse and thick, a lot of thinning will be needed to achieve this level of movement.
Textured Copper Shoulder-Length Shag with Wispy Curtain Fringe
Another copper! I love adding these because the tone is truly beautiful on many women this age, it warms the skin and adds richness that cooler tones don’t have. This shoulder length shag utilizes slide cutting and point texturizing to keep ends airy, and the natural root shadow with subtle lowlights gives depth that masks regrowth better than solid copper. The wispy curtain fringe will need some regular shaping, and some anti frizz cream will be required if the waves are to be defined rather than fuzzy. A crown cowlick is actually a plus here as it adds some natural lift which is good for the shag shape. This is a cut that is easy to love on medium to thick wavy hair.
Layered Shoulder-Length Bronde with Feathered Ends and Wispy Center-Parted Fringe
This attractive and efficiently cut hairstyle will appeal to women who like classic modern looks. The long layered and feathery hairstyle adds volume to the top of the hair and the wispy center-parted bangs frame the face gorgeously. The combination of babylights and subtle lowlights create a bright and natural glow that isn’t too overpowering. This is the ideal combination a lot of women want at the moment. This look suits best for fine to medium straight hair textures. Realistically, the expectation to set is that some blow drying will be required to achieve those ends that flip up, and the bangs may need to be trimmed frequently so they don’t get in your eyes. Low tension balayage will keep the maintenance really low and point cutting will do the same. A small crown cowlick will be easily managed with shorter internal layers.
Warm Bronde Layered Shoulder-Grazing Bob with Side-Swept Curtain
The front part of this style is slightly longer and directed towards the chin to create a subtle inward rolling effect that shortens the look of a longer lower face almost imperceptibly to the untrained eye. The side-swept curtain bangs, soft balayage, and root melt blend beautifully and frame the face, especially for oval and heart shapes. The razor cut ends and soft interior layering give airy movement to medium fine hair that is wavy and naturally so. Additionally, excellent gray blending is not an issue with the balayage as is why it is used. Where this cut becomes high maintenance is the styling. It does take product and a diffuser to create and maintain its shape, and the highlights will certainly need regular touch up glossing to maintain warmth and dimension.
Soft Layered Chin-Length Bob with Side-Swept Bangs
For clients with hair that is fine to medium in density, I always suggest a stacked bob with feathered side-swept bangs. This particular style is designed to give hair the appearance of being more full in the areas that need it the most. The crown area achieves more volume without added bulk in the layers, and an added 1-2 inch face framing layers lift the cheeks. The warm auburn with glazed babylights offers more dimension and helps accentuate the layers more than a single process color. Managing flyaway hair may take more effort, so you’ll want a root lifting product along with a light wax or serum to tame flyaway hair. For the right hair type, all of this is absolutely worth it. This haircut will hold its shape well so it will be low maintenance in between appointments. This haircut will hold its shape well, so it will be low maintenance between appointments.
Sleek Blue-Black Chin-Length Bob with Micro Bangs
I admire the boldness of this choice. Glossy blue and black with a chin-length bob and micro bangs is much more unique than the other styles on the list. This look takes a lot of maintenance and commitment. There are no secrets with this look. With a straight edge and some back internal layers, the jaw will be powerfully defined, and the mini bang notches will break the weight of the bangs so they don’t look solid and block the forehead. That small inward tuck is a nice detail that keeps the end sharp and line flexible. This cut is not the best choice for very thick or curly hair unless a lot of internal slide cutting is done, and short bangs often draw attention to forehead texture. With that said, this look will be great if you have straight, fine to medium thickness hair and an oval or heart-shaped face.
Warm Bronde Shoulder-Length Waves with Feathered Fringe
The simple wear and easy explanation of the cut makes it easy to recommend. The feathered bangs and S shaped waves work together well. The internal layering on mids gives great volume by removing excess bulk. Bonus clockwise crown cowlicks are great since they provide a natural lift that would otherwise require blow drying. The soft root smudge covers regrowth well and the face framing highlights soften the overall appearance. Poorly positioned layers can cause the silhouette to widen, so consider longer inner layers with razor texturing to help the hair move in instead of out. Daily styling of the bangs is a must.
Copper Layered Shag with Wispy Curtain Bangs
To be completely honest, I feel a bit more indifferent about this shag than the others on this list. The cut has good structure, with mid-length layers that are textured and a curtain fringe cut with point cutting, and the natural crown separation gives it great lift. However, the copper hair color can be extremely flat and wash out some peoples skin tones. The fringe can also be a bit of a styling commitment since it may require more styling than the shag provides if she has very fine hair. To help slow the typical fast color fade that red is known for, a subtle copper with micro-lowlights and a root melt will add depth and dimension. I can pull off this look and will determine whether I can do so based on your color and texture.
Buttery Caramel Layered Mid-Length Cut with Feathered Curtain Bangs
This haircut captures crafted detail and has a longevity that will surpass the test of time. The warm caramel balayage and reverse point cut will make an inward flip with soft ends that will naturally contour your face, paired with the feathered curtain bangs that will give a flattering eye opening effect. The root shadow will provide an easy grow out at this length and colour level and the lifestyle change will be a positive one. Best suited for an oval face shape with fine to medium texture and medium density, It will have the greatest impact with a round brush blow out or some light styling with hot tools, and the bangs will likely need daily upkeep to remain open. It will only take about ten minutes to achieve a look that will last you throughout the day.
Long Chestnut Layers with Wispy See-Through Bangs
Sometimes the best approach is to do less. Take this example: the long chestnut brown hair with layers to just past the collarbones, with a see-through wispy fringe and soft feathered ends. This look works because it really doesn’t try to do too much. The fringe opens the eye and softens the forehead. The layers that are around the face move nicely with the rest of the length. With this look, I would suggest doing a subtle root smudge instead of highlights, as the chestnut base should be deep and rich enough on its own so the hair doesn’t need a lot of brightness to be interesting. The cowlick at the crown and faint root greys will also be fixed with the root treatment. The fringe is the daily commitment since fine bangs will need daily smoothing, so they can separate and go limp in humidity, but with the rest of the cut will dry nicely and behave.
Mid-Length Feathered Layers with Curtain Fringe and Root-Smudge Depth
What makes this cut unique is the curtain shape fringe and the subtle root-smudge lowlight with some interior razor texturizing to keep it from being overly heavy. The face-framing layers are flipped in at the ends to lift the jaw and contour the face to a V. With fine to medium hair of medium density, the movement and lightness are noticeable. Most curtain fringes come with the downside that a quick round brush blowout and a light styling cream are needed to keep the curtain shape. The fringe will fall flat against the forehead and won’t sweep to the sides. Some styling or heat will be needed.
Face-Framing Blonde Shoulder-Length Cut with Soft Curtain Bangs
Classic haircut with a feathered curtain fringe and some very soft layering. The cut does what it’s meant to do, having soft layering around the face to add softness and create elevation and movement in the hair. The shadow roots give depth and dimension without adding color and the maintenance that comes with it. This style works best with an oval face shape, and suited for medium density hair that is fine to medium. The bangs will take daily styling to look their best and the ends may become dry, damaged, and porous if your hair tends to be dry, so consider this before getting lighter ends. For balancing the fringe with the lengths throughout the back, the best technique is a mid-shaft layering with soft razor and/or point cutting.
Feathered Copper Pixie with Wispy Micro Bangs and Crown Lift
What I appreciate the most with the Pixie haircut range is the range of eye-baby bangs and the crown which has feathery layers that create a lift that is effortless and does not require blow drying and styling products. The layers are soft and not harsh because of point-cut layering and slippery razor texturing. The crown’s natural cowlick works with the volume and where you want it most. The subtle root-smudge balances the regrowth and where it is on a pixie haircut makes a difference because the closer you get to the scalp the more it stands out. This haircut will require the least effort to style if your hair is fine to medium and straight as all you have to do is run your fingers through the hair and you are done. If your hair is super coarse and thick, this haircut will not be a breeze as it will need a lot of effort to maintain the hairstyle.
Textured Shoulder-Grazing Lob with Curtain Bangs and Blunt Perimeter
The soft perimeter gives the lob its shape while the internal texturizing prevents it from being too heavy. This combination is best for people with medium-fine hair who want natural volume without too much layering because it creates an effect of thickness at the ends while the inside is light and free to move. The curtain bangs are raised at the cheeks and the babylights with a shadow root are subtle, adding dimension without the commitment of a high-maintenance color. For those who have natural volume, this is a good air-dry cut. Those with fine strands will just need a root-lift product to avoid a flat crown. While the bangs may need a light blow-dry, the rest is pretty low-maintenance.
Copper Textured Chin-Length Bob with Feathered Fringe
This cut is stunning on the right person! The bob at chin length paired with feathered wispy bangs creates so much movement. Internal crown layering gives the bob more movement than you would expect at chin length. The razor texturizing helps to reduce the heavy framework bob look, and the ends also look nice and light. The copper will go nicely with the babylights and won’t send the look over the top. Chin length is great on round to oval faces to help elongate the look of the face. If you are not at copper level, you will be short selling yourself to get the bangs if you have a small crown cowlick because the bangs will go around. It is an awesome color and cut combo if you like to keep up with the maintenance!
Textured Espresso Pixie with Wispy Micro-Fringe and Crown Lift
A good pixie cut is helpful to open up the face and is great because it won’t get in the way, is easy to look after and will take very little time to style each day. Pair it with a nice easy micro-fringe and some little crown layers finish most cowlicks so they won’t be a nuisance. The top should be razored so you get a good balance to the shape of the nape if it is tapered, and for oval shapes with straight or slightly wavy hair of medium density, it is very flattering. Daily styling is just working a texturizing product through the top and with coarse hair that tends to create more bulk instead of a nice, light texture. With the right texture, this is one of the most low-maintenance hairstyles.
Michelle King Keenan
Michelle King Keenan is the founder and editor of Haircut Tips, where she shares hairstyle ideas, haircut inspiration, and practical styling advice for women and men of all ages. A lifelong hair and beauty enthusiast, Michelle has spent years exploring cuts, color, and styling techniques and sharing them with a growing community on Instagram. Through Haircut Tips she breaks down trends into easy, real-life advice so readers can feel confident about their next look.
