How to Layer Long Hair

While the specific techniques for creating a long layered cut can vary greatly depending on the desired style and depth of the layers, the underlying basics of the cut require the same steps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Quality Hair Cutting Scissors.
• Razor for cutting hair.
• Comb

1. Wash the hair and comb to remove tangles and straighten the hair for proper cutting. Determine the proper part on the middle or the sides of the head and set the part before cutting. Periodically check the part and adjust as necessary.

2. Cut the hair to a uniform length. This is your base length and it should be just slightly longer than what you want the longest sections of hair to be for the finished cut.

3. Set guidelines for yourself for where the longest sections should be and where the shortest sections should be.

4. Divide the hair into sections with a comb; and, beginning at the bottom and the back, raise the hair until is it completely vertical off the head. Cut the hair in a straight deliberate cut to the length determined for the longest lengths of hair.

5. Move to the sides of the head, and repeat the process. Check the hair back against the longer lengths to ensure the transition is clean and smooth, not jarring.

6. Move to the front of the head and again repeat the process. Once again, check the cut against the sides and back for uniformity and smooth transition. Double check your work on the front by standing facing the person and pull up the hair from both sides of the head to ensure uniformity.

7. To add body and soften layers, repeat the process with the hair in the front and on the top of the head using a razor instead of scissors to cut the hair to the desired length.

Tips & Warnings

• If the person's hair thick and prone to being very full or frizzy, avoid the razor as it will add too much body.
• To adjust the depth of layers, change the angle that you hold the hair for cutting. A straight vertical off the top of the head will create the most dramatic layers, while a less severe angle will create a more subtle effect.
• Be careful of wave and curl. If the hair is wavy or curly you will need to ensure that you are pulling tightly prior to making the cut, otherwise you will end up with messy uneven lengths.
• When learning the cut it is sometimes helpful to use a very concrete guide even to the point of marking the mirror as a visual guide.
• Be sure to double check the uniformity and transition between sections as you go. That way you don't have to do a drastic cut to fix things at the end.