9 Layered Curly Hairstyles to Step Your Hair Game Up

TABLE OF CONTENTS
• Do Layers Enhance Curls
• What Kind Of Layers Are Best For Curly Hair
• The Best Layered Cuts and Hairstyles for Curly Hair

When it comes to curly hair care you probably have a precise hair regimen that features moisturizing conditioners, hydrating shampoos and reparative masks for the occasional hair breakage. But, what is your hairstyling situation? Maybe you like to let your hair get as big as possible for voluminous curls or maybe you just throw strands into a big bun letting a few coily pieces frame your face. We know it can be hard to style curly hair sometimes, especially if you have thick, tight curls that only seem to fall one way on the head. Cue the layered curly hair trend that you may not realize other curly-haired folks are already enjoying.

No matter the time of year or how complicated hair trends get, staples like layering curly hair will always be a stylish trend because bouncy, beautiful curls are always going to look good. If you have coily hair and you’re getting a curly haircut as upkeep for your overall shape, or you have looser curls and are in need of a split-end trim, consider getting your curly hair cut in layers instead of a straight across trimming next time you’re at the salon. And if you’re in need of inspiration or you just want to know how to upkeep your newly layered look, read on for layered hair ideas and the products that’ll keep you looking like you just walked out of the salon.

Do Layers Enhance Curls

Curly hair layers are a great way to define and enhance all curl types – coils, waves, ringlets, etc. Layered hair allows curls to gain movement and retain bounce. Adding layers to naturally curl hair can promote definition, add texture, and help shape your hair. Many times, the weight of curly hair pulls the curls down and forces it out of shape. However, layered curls and coils are more liberated and appear longer and fuller. With all the curl-enhancing benefits of layers, it’s important to keep hair properly moisturized with the best curl-defining products to keep strands shaped and hair healthy for the best, long-lasting look.

What Kind Of Layers Are Best For Curly Hair

Getting layers in your hair is one styling technique that you’ll want a professional to do for you. There are endless types of layers since it is a customizable hair technique that will take into consideration your curl type, texture, and desired length. Before your stylist cuts your hair, ask for strands to be cut in short layers under longer layers to create more volume on top and prevent your curly hairstyle from looking too bottom-heavy or boxy. If you like a bang or front framed hair piece look you can go with the traditional layering cut of short layers on top of longer layers.

When it comes to the gritty technical details, that’s best left to your stylist, but when it comes to the haircut style, we’ve found 9 trending looks for you to take inspiration from. Before your next salon trip, bookmark this story to pull up when your stylist asks what layered hairstyle you’re trying to achieve.

Find Your Personalized Routine!
Know your curls better than ever before! Our quick and easy 5-step quiz, which uses powerful data to determine your hair type, will help you understand your strands. Set aside a couple of minutes to answer some simple questions, and we’ll take care of the rest. At the end, we’ll identify your curl type and main hair concerns, and provide expert tips, product recommendations, and a personalized routine. The journey to gorgeous hair starts now. Click Here to find your personalized routine.

The Best Layered Cuts and Hairstyles for Curly Hair

Layered Tapered Curls

Tapered haircuts and hairstyles are a friend to curly and coily hair for a multi-dimensional look that lightens the weight of hair by cutting a lot of it off. Layered curls with a tapered cut feature long hair in the front with shorter hair starting gradually from the sides and nape of the neck. This style is ideal for those with thin hair who may want more volume, or just want less hair without losing the look of long hair. Use the Black Vanilla Edge Control Smoother
on the shorter hair parts and edges to keep hair in place and frizz and flyaways away.

High Volume Layered Curls

Whether you have short layers, long layers or a mix of both, high volume is possible with the right hair products. Dampen your hair before applying the Wash Day Delight Gel to Foam Styler Aloe which wraps around your curls to detangle and define strands while adding 48 hours of hold. The hold that this gel-to-foam styler provides will keep curly hair layers in place without any frizz or crunchy texture while the lightweight formula allows hair to dry with volume.

Layered Center-Part Bob

More volume is added to short curly hair when parted in the middle with a bob layer cut taking that to the next level with springy curls that bounce with every head turn. Manage the upkeep of your layered bob with a few spritzes of a hydrating styling product like the Black Vanilla Moisture & Shine Leave-In Conditioner which is formulated with soy protein and pro-vitamin B5 that helps strengthen hair and minimize breakage.

Curly Layered ‘80s Shag

Great for looser curl types, the curly shag is full of precise short layers that result in a fuller look towards the roots and wispier, light strands at the end. For curly hair, talk with your stylist about cutting hair in short, medium, and long layers so curls can grow from a shag cut to a mullet for endless rockstar vibes. When it’s time to refresh your curly shag use a detangling product like the Hair Milk 4-In-1 Combing Creme which defines curls while gently loosening knots in hair, preventing excessive tugging.

Wavy Layered Lob

The wavy lob is a great curly hair idea for those with looser curls or waves who want body and bounce. Sometimes this look requires a heat tool to define the cut and slightly relax curls. If your hair happens to fall in this category, remember to grab a heat-protecting product. We like the Monoi (Repair + Protect) Multi-Styling Milk which doubles as a styling conditioner that primes and and moisturizes hair before and after applying heat.

Curly Bangs with Layers

Take this as your sign to get the bangs — even if it’s tastefully cut layers to give the illusion of bangs. No matter your current hair length, you will be changed once the front pieces of hair are snipped back with added layers around the face to promote hair volume and all-over definition. Yes, curly bangs with layers can be a lot of maintenance, especially since curly hair tends to have a mind of its own — sticking up and out in every direction. But that’s when you’ll want to reach for a lightweight hair gel like the Wash Day Delight Gel to Foam Styler Aloe that’ll shape curls and assist in manageability while styling.

Layered Ombré Curls

Ombré colors and curly hair are a match made in hairstyle heaven with the subtle gradient of color on layered hair that creates an epic illusion of definition and highlights. If you prefer a more natural look, opt for a sombré (soft ombré) color that matches your roots for a better grow-out phase. Or, if you like color, add some vivid shades to the ends of your hair for a gradient of blues, pinks, purples, etc. When it’s time to wash your hair choose a shampoo with a formula that won’t dry out strands or strip the color from hair. We love the Monoi Repairing Sulfate Free Shampoo which gently cleanses hair while adding the nourishing Monoi oil that keeps hair looking shiny and beautiful.

Curly Layered Shaggy Bob

This hairstyle takes the beloved ‘80s shag cut and shortens it…literally. By cutting a shag into the length of a bob you’re adding maximum volume to the short layers at the top of your hair. As these pieces dry they will create the illusion of volume with the longer pieces underneath creating dimensions. Bobs can be hard to upkeep since you’ll want constant haircuts to maintain the short length. Between trips to the salon, use the Black Vanilla 4-In-1 Combing Creme to detangle hair while the lightweight formula makes it easy to style the different hair layers for shiny, shaped curls.

Layered Pixie Cut

When cutting hair into a pixie, your hair should be longer on top to show off the texture and bluntness of your layered strands. When you style this haircut, use a hairdryer to dry the longer pieces in the middle so the entire head dries around the same time — you don’t want long wet layers and dry tapered sides. Always use a heat protectant before using a hot tool. We love the Monoi (Repair + Protect) Multi-Styling Milk which protects hair up to 450 degrees while conditioning curls with the added Monoi oil that helps repair hair.

Featured Image provided by @aureefabienne