The Best Ways to Style and Maintain Layered Hair

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Keep your layered locks looking stylish with our complete guide
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Layered hair is great for creating the illusion of length and/or volume. It is a look that is versatile and can be pulled off by just about anyone. Although layered hair is a great choice as a style, it usually requires more upkeep than a basic haircut. Managing layered hair, however, can be simple with a care routine that works best for you.

How to Style Layered Hair

If you have layered hair, use a blow dryer to give the layers more volume and bounce. Use a boar-bristle brush on curly hair or a nylon bristle brush if you have straight hair. Apply volumizing product to your hair and finish your look with a smoothing serum.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Styling Layered Hair

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  1. Blow-drying your hair will make the layers more noticeable and bouncy. Use a blow dryer on your hair after your shampoo and conditioning routine in the shower. Start drying your hair by flipping it over and going over the underside portion of your hair for a few minutes. Use your fingers to pull lightly at your roots and then move them towards the ends of your hair as you blow dry it. Then, flip it back over and continue until your hair is dry or about 80 to 90% dry. [1]
  2. Using the wrong type of brush can leave your hair looking frizzy or messy. If you have naturally wavy or frizz-prone hair, use a boar-bristle brush. This type of brush will smooth out your hair. Use this brush like you would any other brush when it comes to styling. Avoid brushing out your hair if it is very curly, as this will only add frizz. [2]
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  3. To use this brush, hold the brush underneath a section of hair. Then, brush it all the way down, lifting the brush up and out as you near the ends of your hair, as if you are making a C shape. This will add volume and bounce to your hair. [3]
  4. Layers are often added to make hair appear fuller, so a volumizing product will add to this illusion. A volumizing product works best on those with thinner, straighter hair, though anyone who has problems with flat hair can use it. Volumizing products often come in a spray, cream, or powder form. Apply the product to your root area with your fingertips and then style your hair as usual.
    • Look for a volumizing product that is made to hold for long periods of time if you have trouble keeping volume in your hair after a few hours of being styled.
    • Go for a volumizing product that also moisturizes if your hair is dry.
  5. Changing up your style every so often will freshen up your look. If you have naturally curly hair, straighten it every so often. If your hair is straight, add curls or waves to it with a curling iron or texturizing spray. [4]
  6. Complete your style with a smoothing serum. A smoothing serum will moisturize your hair and reduce frizz, which will keep your layers looking healthier. Apply smoothing serum from mid-shaft to the ends of your hair. Use only a drop or 2 of serum if your hair is thin and short, but you can use a few drops if your hair is thick and long. [5]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Keeping Layered Hair Healthy

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  1. [6] Never apply heat to your hair without applying a heat protectant first. A heat protectant will usually come in the form of a serum or cream. Apply the serum from mid-shaft to the ends of your hair. Then, blow-dry or use a heat styling tool on your hair as usual. [7]
  2. If you hair is damaged, then use a moisture-rich shampoo and conditioner on your hair every other day or a few times a week, depending on how often you wash your hair. Look for a moisture-rich shampoo that is made for the texture of your hair. [8]
    • Keep in mind that the type of shampoo and conditioner you use depends on your hair type. For example, if your hair is curly, look for a shampoo and conditioner made for curly hair.
    • Try to avoid shampoos that contain sulfates, which can be harsh on your hair. [9]
    Jen Atkin, Celebrity Hairstylist

    Choose products that support hair health. "It starts in the shower. With dull hair or hair that is aging, it’s best to use products that are hydrating. They’ll help give the hair a little bit of life."

  3. A deep conditioner will condition your hair more thoroughly than a conditioner that is meant for regular use. Apply a deep conditioner from mid-shaft to the ends of your hair. Leave it on between five and thirty minutes, depending on the instructions given on the label. Repeat the process once a week. [10]
  4. [11] Daily use of heat styling products may end up seriously damaging your hair, which will leave your layers looking fried. Blow-drying and the occasional use of a heat styling tools, like a straightener or curling iron, is okay with the use of a heat protectant, but try to avoid the daily use of heat. If you do need to use style your hair with heat, limit your use of daily heat to blow-drying with a heat protectant. [12]
    • Try using some heat-free styling methods if you are trying to reduce the chances of damaging your hair from heat.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Freshening up the Look

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  1. Layers can quickly lose depth and definition. Split ends are also more apparent with layers, so frequent trims are important. Schedule a trim with your stylist at least every six weeks, but you can trim your hair more or less frequently, depending on your type of hair. [13]
    • If your hair grows very fast, you may want to get a trim every four weeks.
  2. Adding color or highlights can freshen up your look and make your layers more obvious. Go for subtle highlights if you don’t want a dramatic change. Ombré is a good option if you want a more dramatic look, but it can be difficult to pull off if you have lots of layers. Also, don’t dye your hair too often, since it supports the grown-out look. [14]
  3. You can make your layered hair appear bolder with blunt bangs. Or, you can go for a softer look with longer, wispier side bangs. Keep in mind that bangs have to be trimmed often. [15]
  4. There are many different ways you can add layers to your hair. You can try soft, long layers, or short choppy layers. If you’re looking for a change but want to keep layers, alter the type of layers you have. Go for dramatic, choppy layers or layers that frame the face.
    • Ask your stylist for advice if you aren’t sure what type of layers would look best on you.
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  • Question
    How do I protect my layered hair from heat damage?
    Patrick Evan
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Patrick Evan is the Owner of Patrick Evan Salon, a hair salon in San Francisco, California. He has been a hairstylist for over 25 years and is a Thermal Reconditioning Specialist, dedicated to transforming difficult curls and waves into sleek, straight hair. Patrick Evan Salon was rated the Best Hair Salon in San Francisco by Allure magazine, and Patrick's work has been featured in Woman’s Day, The Examiner, and 7x7.
    Patrick Evan
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Make sure to use a heat protectant spray to avoid potential heat damage from blow-drying your hair.
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  • Question
    What is the use of sulfates in shampoo?
    Patrick Evan
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Patrick Evan is the Owner of Patrick Evan Salon, a hair salon in San Francisco, California. He has been a hairstylist for over 25 years and is a Thermal Reconditioning Specialist, dedicated to transforming difficult curls and waves into sleek, straight hair. Patrick Evan Salon was rated the Best Hair Salon in San Francisco by Allure magazine, and Patrick's work has been featured in Woman’s Day, The Examiner, and 7x7.
    Patrick Evan
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Sulfates are widely used to create the lather in shampoos and act as the surfactant. They can be rather harsh on your hair.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    Will this work with thin hair?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it should work with thin hair as well, although you may need to use more product.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Tips

      • A haircut with layers will usually require more styling than a haircut without layers. Keep this is mind before asking for a cut with dramatic layers if you prefer a laidback styling routine.
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      • Ask your stylist what type of layers they recommend for your hair. Light layers look best on fine hair, and dramatic layers work well thick hair.
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      Warnings

      • Avoid the use of heat styling products as much as possible if your hair is severely damaged.
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      Things You’ll Need

      • Hair dryer
      • Hairbrush
      • Volumizing product
      • Smoothing serum
      • Moisture-rich shampoo and conditioner
      • Deep conditioner
      • Styling tool (straightener and/or curling iron)

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.allthingshair.com/en-us/hairstyles-haircuts/medium-hairstyles/maintain-layered-haircuts/
      2. ↑ https://www.matrix.com/blog/16-ways-to-restore-smoothness-and-shine-to-frizzy-hair
      3. ↑ https://www.matrix.com/blog/16-ways-to-restore-smoothness-and-shine-to-frizzy-hair
      4. ↑ https://www.allthingshair.com/en-us/hairstyles-haircuts/medium-hairstyles/maintain-layered-haircuts/
      5. ↑ https://www.allthingshair.com/en-us/hairstyles-haircuts/medium-hairstyles/maintain-layered-haircuts/
      6. ↑ Patrick Evan. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 17 January 2019.
      7. ↑ https://www.allthingshair.com/en-us/hairstyles-haircuts/medium-hairstyles/maintain-layered-haircuts/
      8. ↑ https://www.allthingshair.com/en-us/hairstyles-haircuts/medium-hairstyles/maintain-layered-haircuts/
      9. ↑ Patrick Evan. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 17 January 2019.
      1. ↑ https://www.allthingshair.com/en-us/hairstyles-haircuts/medium-hairstyles/maintain-layered-haircuts/
      2. ↑ Patrick Evan. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 17 January 2019.
      3. ↑ https://www.matrix.com/blog/16-ways-to-restore-smoothness-and-shine-to-frizzy-hair
      4. ↑ https://www.allthingshair.com/en-us/hairstyles-haircuts/medium-hairstyles/maintain-layered-haircuts/
      5. ↑ https://www.allthingshair.com/en-us/hairstyles-haircuts/medium-hairstyles/maintain-layered-haircuts/
      6. ↑ https://www.allthingshair.com/en-us/hairstyles-haircuts/medium-hairstyles/maintain-layered-haircuts/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Layered hair is a great, versatile style choice, but taking care of it requires a bit of upkeep. If you want to make your layers more noticeable, blow dry your hair after you shower. For even more volume, work in a volumizing cream to your roots before styling your hair. Once your hair’s dry, brush it with a boar-bristle brush if you have curly hair, or a round brush if you have straight hair. This will prevent it from getting frizzy. Curls look great on layered hair, so try using an iron to curl your locks. Just make sure to use a heat protectant spray to prevent damage. To learn how to use a deep conditioner on layered hair, read more from our Cosmetology co-author!

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