Layered Haircuts for Oval Faces & Olive Skin

Layers add dimension and volume to hair.

Haircuts and hairstyles are not universal. A cut that looks stunning on one person could have an entirely different effect on someone else. The shape of the face has a lot to do with what types of hairstyles each person can pull off. For oval faces, Marie Claire magazine recommends a layered look. Layered haircuts fall at various lengths against the face, breaking up the long appearance of the oval shape. If you have olive-colored skin as well as an oval shaped face, adding highlights that correspond with your skin tone help the layers stand out.

Things You'll Need

• Mirror
• Brush
• Hair shears
• Highlight chemical formulas
• Mixing bowl
• Paintbrush
• Foil
• Hair clips

Instructions

1. Stand in front of a mirror. Brush your hair to untangle any knots and get the hair as smooth as possible. Flip your head upside down and brush the hair down toward the floor.

2. Grab onto your hair with your non-dominant hand. Hold the hair shears in your dominant hand. Open the shears so that the blades face away from you and position them at the part of your hair where you want to start the shortest layer.

3. Slice the hair in a downward motion with the scissors, carving through the various layers you are holding together. The very last cut that you make comes to a V-point at the bottom.

4. Flip your hair back up and look in the mirror to find a variety of layers in your hair. Examine the shortest layer and decide whether that layer is short enough to frame your oval-shaped face. If you need to break up the shape even more, try adding bangs. Add bangs by sectioning the top portion of the hair and cutting the hair straight across at brow length. Finish the bangs by making small incisions upward to soften the straight, harsh angle.

5. Add highlights to complement your olive skin and new hairstyle. Highlights intensify the various dimensions in your layered haircut, but getting a flattering color is the key. People with olive complexions should stick with warm and golden hues for hair color. As such, look for highlighting formulas that contain golden hues and less ash.

6. Mix the formula in a mixing bowl using the paintbrush. For highlighting dark hair, mix in a bleach component to lift the deep color of your hair. When you are ready to begin, use the pick of your comb to make a straight line from the front of your head toward the back. Weave the comb in and out of the hair to pick out a few strands to highlight. Place a piece of tinfoil underneath the hair and paint the formula onto the hair. Fold the foil up and repeat on the next section.

7. Allow the formula to process according to the manufacturer's directions. Remove the foil and wash out the hair with shampoo and conditioner.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear gloves when mixing chemical hair formulas.

• Use caution when cutting your hair with sharp shears.

References

• Marie Claire: Get the Best Cut for Your Face Shape
• You Tube: How to V-Cut Your Hair
• Marie Claire: Choosing the Right Hair Color