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8 Face-Framing Hairstyles That Look Good on Everyone

 

Make your new 'do work for you with these universally flattering hairstyles.

There’s nothing like a fresh haircut to renew your energy and boost your confidence. This is true whether you’re contemplating a brand new hairstyle or just want to switch things up a bit. If you’re brainstorming new ‘dos, might we suggest a layered look that frames your face in the most flattering way? We asked professional hair stylists to share the face-framing hairstyles that look good on everyone to help narrow down your options. Bookmark this post!

MEET THE EXPERT

• Olya Iudina, celebrity stylist at IGK NYC
• Ginnymae Higgins, hairstylist and owner of Mae Day in Sacramento, Calif. 
• Raven Hurtado, stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, Ill.

Butterfly Haircut

Sydney Sweeney’s butterfly haircut is a glamorous yet effortless style that features voluminous, cascading layers that frame her face while creating some movement and body. “This cut is designed to create the illusion of fuller, bouncier hair, with shorter layers around the face blending seamlessly into longer lengths for a soft, feathered effect,” says Ginnymae Higgins, hairstylist and owner of Mae Day in Sacramento, Calif. 

When styling, she recommends using a volumizing mousse or lightweight heat protectant on damp hair before blow-drying with a round brush to level up the lift and bounciness. 

Short Curls and Curtain Bangs

Sabrina Carpenter is largely responsible for the recent surge in curtain bangs, and we can’t say we’re too surprised. They look so good, and prove that this sort of layered, voluminous cut is super flattering. 

“In this style, Sabrina Carpenter wears her hair curled and pulled in a modern French roll while showing off her face-framing layers,” says Raven Hurtado, stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, Ill. “These face-framing layers are short and cut to highlight and contour her face. [This look] works on just about any face shape and looks good while the hair is pulled back.” 

Shoulder Length Layers With Soft Fringe

This carefree, shoulder-length haircut features curtain fringe that softly merges into face-framing layers. “I love this cut since it works well on every type of hair—you just adjust the fullness according to the hair's density,” says Olya Iudina, celebrity stylist at IGK NYC. “It does require a bit of styling skills on straight hair, but wavy or curly hair might look good without even much effort!” She says you can wear this a lob or slightly shorter or longer depending on your preferences. 

Airy, Blended Face-Framing Layers

If anyone knows how to rock a layered haircut, it’s Jennifer  Aniston. And there's a reason she serves as one of the biggest (and OG) hair influencers of all time—her looks are often universally flattering.

“Her face-framing pieces might differ in length from time to time, but it’s always well blended and airy,” Iudina says. “I’m a big fan of well-blended front pieces; the softer and more delicate you cut them, the easier it gets  to wear them.” She suggests asking your stylist to start with shorter pieces at your nose or chin level and blend them smoothly all the way to the bottom of your hair.

Glamorous Hollywood Layered Lob

A layered haircut on textured hair is the epitome of effortless elegance for the recently engaged Zendaya. “This foundation allows you to style it many ways, for example here with curl, soft movement, volume, and face-framing dimension that flatters all hair types,” Higgins says. “To achieve a smooth, salon-worthy finish at home, start by applying a heat protectant and a lightweight smoothing serum to damp hair to prevent frizz and add shine. Blow-dry using a round brush, focusing on lifting the roots for volume while smoothing the lengths.”

Ultra-Long, Face-Framing Waves

You can have ultra long hair and some face-framing layers too (no fringe required!). Just take inspiration from Blake Lively, who’s known for her flowing mane that somehow always has movement. (Hint: It’s the layers that create that effortless movement.) “These long layers work good on everyone, and also for people who are low maintenance when it comes to styling,” says Hurtado. “It gives tousled and chic at the same time.” She suggests using a 1.25-inch curling iron to recreate these loose waves.

Long and Low Face-Framing Layers

“Minimum face framing is also a great option,” says Iudina. This works for all sorts of hair textures, though it’s a great trick for people with fine or thin hair who want to create the illusion of more volume. “These types of face-framing layers start lower than the chin level so you don’t lose the fullness around the face, but still have movement and that flowy look,” Iudina says.

Curly Updo With Face-Framing Tendrils

This romantic, timeless updo on Nicole Kidman showcases the star’s naturally curly texture via face-framing tendrils. “Cut into soft, long, subtly-blended layers, her curls are allowed to cascade forward to maximize her beautiful eyes, while longer pieces are pulled up in the back and pinned to maximize the textured finish,” Higgins says. 

She notes that this face-framing style is universally flattering because it softens facial features, adds dimension, and complements various face shapes and hair types.