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21 Face-Framing Layers That Look Flattering on Everyone

 

Face-framing layers are having a total renaissance, with modern takes on layered haircuts showing up on celebs like Ariana Greenblatt, Madelyn Cline, and “the Rachel” pioneer herself Jennifer Aniston.

As for why the look is booming in popularity, hairstylist Serina Battaglini, owner of Serina Styles in Sola Salons, says face-framing layers are flattering on everyone—no matter your face shape or hair type. “All faces can benefit from face-framing layers,” says Battaglini. “The reason why is that you can customize what areas of the face are highlighted.”

The layering technique can accentuate your face or create shape depending on your preference. “This is done by customizing the placement of shorter pieces of hair around either the eyebrow, cheekbone, jawline, or collarbone to help accentuate the best features of the face and hide features that disturb the balance of the face,” adds Battaglini. “Face-framing layers also help give tons of movement below the jawline as well by either curving in toward the neck and chest to create shape or away to create fullness.”

What are face-framing layers?

Hairstylist and Zotos professional educator Angie Ceja describes face-framing layers as “soft flattering movement that frames around the face.” The length of the layers can depend on your facial structure and personal preference.

“Face-framing layers create a seamless blend between the hair and face and bring out shape and balance, giving your hairstyle a polished, finished look,” Ceja adds.

Do face-framing layers work for all face shapes?

Yes, all face shapes can benefit from face-framing layers. “For example, a person with an oval face can have their shortest layer placed around their cheekbone to accentuate the width there and a longer layer placed at the jawline to accentuate the curvature of the jawline, or even below the face entirely,” says Battaglini. “Someone with a more square face can have a shorter layer or bang placed at eyebrow level to offset the width of the forehead and a slightly longer layer between the cheekbone and jawline to help soften the bottom corner of the face.”

Do face-framing layers work for all hair types?

From textured hair to straight hair, you’ll be able to customize your face-framing style to suit your hair type. “Face-framing layers can help create dimension and definition for curls around the face, whereas straight hair can benefit from face-framing layers to provide movement or even wispiness,” says Battaglini. “Others with wavy hair also benefit from face-framing layers as they help to define the waves and prevent them from getting weighed down.”

How long should my face-framing layers be?

A good rule of thumb is to work with the length you already have. “If your hair is medium length, go with shorter layers,” says Ceja “If you have long hair, opt for long face-framing layers that swing softly around your face. This can be customized depending on your go-to style.”

Face-framing layers maintenance

Face-framing haircuts are pretty low-maintenance when it comes to upkeep. “Depending on the length of your shortest layer, I would recommend getting a trim every three months to maintain the haircut length,” says Battaglini. If you want longer hair, you can afford to wait a bit. “Every four to six months if you want to help grow out the length of your hair and establish layers just to help remove any damaged ends,” she adds.

However, it is important to get trims on time. “As long as you are keeping your shape defined, your face-framing layers should stay cohesive and give you that seamless volume,” says Ceja.

Ahead, face-framing layers ideas to bring to your next salon appointment.

Fairy Cut

Finally, there’s a combination of almost every 2025 hair trend: the fairy haircut. “It’s mid-length and has loads of layers,” says hairstylist Marc Mena, who gave Ariana Greenblatt her chop. “And you still have all the fringe to frame the face. It’s just so versatile.”

When asking for a fairy cut at the salon, Mena recommends saying you’d like a mid-length chop with “lots of layers” and face-framing bangs. “Ask for most of the layers to be around the face frame,” he says. “And always, always bring pictures of what you want so everyone’s on the same page.”

Beach Bob

Looking to shed some hair weight for the summer? Mena created this light and summery “beach bob” for Outerbanks star Madelyn Cline. “Maddy and I were inspired by the beaches of Barcelona, so we wanted to create a look that was versatile and had a beachy vibe,” Mena says. “But at the same time, we needed something that was super low-maintenance and easy to deal with at home, but also conservative.”

Mena suggests requesting a “lob” with long, layered angles in the front; this isn’t a blunt chop. “You need some angles and long layers to create the shape on your face,” he says. “The top layers and texture will keep it from falling flat.”

Soft Pop

If you want extra body and movement, using a hair tool like a dryer brush, flatiron, or curling iron can make all the difference. “My major styling tip for people who want to wear their hair very straight is to bevel the ends of your hair with a blow-dryer and brush or a flatiron to enhance that subtle curve at the ends so it can make each layer pop,” says Battaglini.

The Rachel

If you’re a fan of the Rachel, Battaglini recommends asking for round layers to get that ’90s volume. “Round layers are created by over-directing the hair forward and cutting on a diagonal line from short in the middle to long at the hair’s perimeter,” she says. “They do exactly what the name suggests: They help frame the face by accentuating certain features or hiding others. You can often see the results of this technique in the viral butterfly cut or the famous Rachel worn by Jennifer Aniston in Friends.”

Butterfly Cut

According to Maxine Salon hairstylist Jenna Spino, the butterfly cut is a heavily layered and feathered cut that features shorter layers on top of the head and through the crown as well as curtain bangs. These shorter, face-framing layers slightly resemble butterfly wings, hence the cut’s cute name.

“The short layers on top are blended through to longer layers on the bottom, and the shorter layers fall at or below the chin and the top layer falls just past the shoulders,” Spino says. As a result, these layers add tons of texture, movement, and volume to the hair.”

Curly Crop

To make curly hair really pop, Battaglini recommends using hair mousse or curl cream. “This helps boost bounce and definition in your curls,” she says. “Make sure to scrunch and finger coil your hair around your face to make each curl sit above the other to give you the full face-framing effect.”

Barely Face-Framing

If you’re not sold on face-framing layers, try a super-subtle cut that adds definition without taking a ton of length off. “A barely face-framing style can work great if you are undecided on a defined face-framing cut,” says Ceja.

Extra Long Layers

“Long layers with face framing gives body and volume,” says Ceja, who recommends the Biotera Fragrance-Free Firm Hold Hairspray with UV & Heat Protection for styling color-treated hair. “This quick-drying fragrance-free spray provides long-lasting hold for all-day control and humidity resistance. It protects color from UV fading and shields from thermal damage, so you can finish up your look with your favorite styling tools.”

Three-Tiered Layers

Amy Abramite, creative director and stylist at Chicago’s Maxine Salon, points to tri-level layers as a great way to create dimension and movement. “The lines are sharp and unblended for a choppy layered effect that is best worn on long thick straight hair to show off the strong angled shapes,” she says.

Cloud Layers

For curly and coily hair, Battaglini recommends face-framing layers to “help create dimension and definition for curls around the face.” It looks especially beautiful on cloud hair a.k.a. voluminous natural hair.

Wolf Cut

A modern take on the shag haircut, the wolf cut includes heavy layers and wavy texture for an effortlessly undone look.

The Charlotte

Another TV character who inspired a generation of haircuts? Charlotte York from Sex & The City. Taking inspiration from quiet luxury and old-money hair trends, the Charlotte is polished, preppy, and looks best when paired with a headband.

Curtain Bangs

Don’t stop at long face framing layers—take your look to the next level with curtain bangs. “Curtain bangs are the gateway to bangs, because they’re super versatile,” says Emily Heser, stylist at Cutler Salon in New York City. “They’re long enough to grow out or pin back if you want, but they can also be cut into a shorter look.”

Chopped Bob

Hairstylist Dave Stanwell created Jenna Ortega’s cool layered bob. “First select the desired length that you are comfortable with, because as you add the layers and chop into it, it will come out a little shorter than a regular one-length bob,” explains Stanwell. “This does work on most hair types, even curls. You might just want to start a little on the longer side so that when it jumps up for the curls, you aren’t left surprised.”

Waterfall Layers

A side part with long layers will give the illusion of cascading waterfall waves. For extra shine, polish hair with a boar bristle brush.

Chandelier Layers

Alan Vuong, owner of Salon Blanc in Honolulu, says bangs are popular on all lengths, but especially when paired with long layers. “Together they flow seamlessly alongside the contour of your face, with the bangs bringing out your eyes,” he says.

He notes that soft sideswept bangs, curtain bangs, and middle-part bangs are all trending, but he especially likes middle-part bangs paired with his signature chandelier-layer cut (the long, soft layers you see in the photo here).

Grown Out Shag

If you’re still growing out your shag haircut from last year, you’re in luck! “Those growing out their shags (or getting a haircut that gives the appearance of growing out a shag) have a lot of layers and texture that give the hair a beautiful undone, natural finish that looks extremely healthy,” says Ky Wilson, a hairstylist based in London. “This look also can give a luxurious ’90s supermodel vibe depending on the cut. The key is to make the layers seamless, oozing fluidity.”

Hybrid Haircut

Don’t be afraid to customize your style. According to Wilson, clients are stepping away from reference photos. “Right now I am seeing a lot of personalization and styles with a DIY vibe; creating a hybrid of two more popular haircuts is becoming the biggest part of my job,” he says. “Movement and layering are still hugely popular.”

Halo Cut

According to Glamour UK, the halo cut uses natural curls to mimic the look of a literal halo. “We see the most dramatic version of the halo silhouette in the form of natural textured and curly hair halo cuts. The crown-like shape is statuesque, regal, confident and celebrates texture and volume,” says pro hair stylist and trend forecaster Tom Smith.

Curly Shag

The secret to maintaining a curly shag? Product. “Find something that will keep your hair soft but allows for a small amount of hold,” says hairstylist Amber Maynard Bolt. “I really love the combo of using In Common Magic Myst to start the moisture process. Then I add a mix of Ouidad Curl Quencher and Featherlight Styling Cream. Depending on how big or subdued you want your hair, you can choose to air-dry or diffuse. Once hair is dry, go back to the Magic Myst to reactivate and eliminate any frizz.”

Whisper Pixie

According to celebrity hairstylist Danielle Priano, who coined the name “whisper pixie” and created the cut for model Taylor Hill, the look “was inspired by the idea of combining something delicate and ethereal (whisper) with something playful and magical (pixie),” much as the classic pixie cut itself does.