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Original poster

Are long, layered hairstyles unfashionable now?

47 replies

amusedbush · 30/08/2020 11:11

I've been growing my hair for a while and I like the length (down to my bra band) but when I first started seeing my current hairdresser, the first hairdresser I've ever really liked, he encouraged me to get rid of my layers. It's now all one length but I can't do anything with it! When I wear it straight it just hangs there (DH said it looks like a pair of curtains - thanks, love!), but when I try to wear my natural curls it looks like a frizzy triangle. Even just a wave with my curling tong looks lank and heavy.

I have a lot of hair but each strand is very fine so it can look thin, especially when shorter and straight. There's no body to it but I've noticed on social media, Pinterest, hair care articles, etc, nobody seems to have any layers. Even on the salon's social media everyone they feature seems to have one length, then styled in sleek waves.

I know this is an odd point of reference but I've been rewatching Brooklyn 99 and in early episodes Gina has a lovely layered cut which looks very glamorous and volumised with a wave in it. In later episodes she has long hair, all one length, and it has the same witchy/curtainy look as mine now.

Will I look dated and naff if I ask for layers at my next appointment? I'm living in a messy bun at the moment and I'm sick of it.

OP posts:
Pancakeorcrepe · 30/08/2020 11:17

My hairdresser is very reluctant to do layers even though I asked her various times. She says hair looks thicker all in one length but mine just doesn’t look nice without layers, I have the same curtain issue.
So I have found a hairdresser who does layers. You need to find someone good with wavy/ curly hair and explain to them that you want to wear your hair not in a bun.

Original poster
amusedbush · 30/08/2020 11:23

@Pancakeorcrepe

My hairdresser is very reluctant to do layers even though I asked her various times. She says hair looks thicker all in one length but mine just doesn’t look nice without layers, I have the same curtain issue. So I have found a hairdresser who does layers. You need to find someone good with wavy/ curly hair and explain to them that you want to wear your hair not in a bun.
There is a specialist curly salon locally, they offer dry curl cuts and it does intrigue me but I need a style that works when it's curly, wavy or straight as I like to change it up. Maybe I should contact my current hairdresser and if he's reticent I could look into the other place.
OP posts:
Itisbetter · 30/08/2020 11:29

No idea on the “datedness” of different styles but all one length is really unflattering on SO many people. I like more texture and bounce and honestly associate the soft one length look with little girls. I’d try another salon until you find someone who likes the look that does you justice. If you don’t like it and your partner doesn’t...who is getting any benefit from this???

Youzam · 30/08/2020 11:30

I really don’t like layered hair and think it always looks naff. However, it’s your hair and you should have it exactly as you like it.

lookatallthosechickens · 30/08/2020 11:37

I think it’s your hairdresser who is out of fashion/out of date, and probably just really bad at their job because actually cutting shape into to hair with layers takes skill, as opposed to cutting a straight line across the bottom which anyone with a comb and decent shears can do.

Anyway, long ‘shag’ or layered hairstyles are basically the cutting edge of style now, with or without long fringe or bangs, working with the natural texture of the hair instead of fighting it by straightening it or even worse putting in those awful fake looking flippy waves with the straighteners.

Floisme · 30/08/2020 11:39

The only reason my hair curls / waves on its own is because it's layered. If it was one length, it would, as you say, be a curtain. But we joke about how long it takes my hairdresser to cut it - it's low maintenance for me but time consuming for him. I wonder if this is where the reluctance is coming from?

Anyway regardless of the reason, or what's in fashion, if you're asking for something and they won't do it then I would look elsewhere. As a rule of thumb, I find that hairdressers are more likely to get it if they have curly hair themselves.

BanjoStarz · 30/08/2020 11:40

I think really it depends on whether you want to be fashionable or stylish.

Technically long layered cuts are no longer fashionable, but there’s very few of us who can get away with the blunt all one length look that’s so fashionable at the moment without looking like Lord Farquaad from ShrekGrin

The most stylish cut is one that flatters your hair type and face shape - most curly hair needs some form of layering to help bring lightness and bounce to it in my experience.

At the end of the day, if your hairdresser won’t do what you ask him to then find a different one, you’re paying for the service and it’s not up to them to decide what you should have (excepting refusing to go platinum white in one sitting, chemically treatments on damaged hair etc).

Estrellente · 30/08/2020 11:41

I have the same problem OP- long thick wavy hair and no matter how many times I ask for layers and point cutting I end up with all one length blunt cut. I can only assume they don’t know how or can’t be bothered?
I’ve started cutting it myself into what I want and I’ve had SO many compliments on it since doing that. I might never go to a salon again...

looperb · 30/08/2020 11:42

My hair is like Giseles so I pretty much always have some sort of layer to encourage the wave.

looperb · 30/08/2020 11:43

and to thin it a bit

YetAnotherSpartacus · 30/08/2020 11:43

I haven't been to the hairdresser for AGES, but last I went I stressed 'NO LAYERS' and she put in 'just a couple' GRRRRRRRRR. I have naturally curly hair, but layers make it frizz dreadfully especially if there is any moisture in the air. So - opposite problem.

Original poster
amusedbush · 30/08/2020 11:48

Thank you for all of your comments, and I laughed at the Lord Farquaad comment Grin

I'm not looking for the super choppy emo mullet haircut I had back in 2005 but I definitely need something to break up this curtain situation I've got going on. I'm due to see my hairdresser in October for a cut and colour (I get my balayage redone every six months) so I'll speak to him before then to give me time to find a different salon if we can't agree. He does shape my hair around my face but it's just not enough.

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lookatallthosechickens · 30/08/2020 11:49

This instagram account shows what I mean in terms of what’s actually in style now - instagram.com/hollygirldoeshair?igshid=1i2ux9r7konse

Some of her cuts are pretty edgy but lots of them especially the really long ones are so pretty and natural - looking. Blunt cut hair is fine if that’s what you want but if that’s all your hairdresser is capable of, then look elsewhere. Even though I don’t go for tattoos or unusual hair colours, I look for stylists that do, because they tend to actually be interested is hairstyling as an art and a skill.

ShaNaNaNaNa · 30/08/2020 11:57

I think long hair with very precise, graduated layers is a bit dated, but one length isn’t for everyone (or many of us!) and some good layering creates body and movement. Especially more flattering as we get older.

MrsVeryTired · 30/08/2020 11:57

I'm not giving up my layers, if its stylish enough for Meghan Markle (who has beautiful hair) its good enough for me Grin

For a while I went for the wavy "Lob" but now it just looks scruffy, I want my hair to look fabulous!

Agree that perhaps heavily layered styles are no longer "in" at all but I'm not after an edgy cut tbh, just want to look good.

Talking of Brooklyn 99, Rosa has fabulous hair, and definitely some layers there.

Recently watched Cardinal (Canadian crime series) and one of the suspects had beautiful hair, she was Latin looking (although I think portraying a Native Canadian) and there was definitely layers.

Original poster
amusedbush · 30/08/2020 11:58

@lookatallthosechickens

This instagram account shows what I mean in terms of what’s actually in style now - instagram.com/hollygirldoeshair?igshid=1i2ux9r7konse

Some of her cuts are pretty edgy but lots of them especially the really long ones are so pretty and natural - looking. Blunt cut hair is fine if that’s what you want but if that’s all your hairdresser is capable of, then look elsewhere. Even though I don’t go for tattoos or unusual hair colours, I look for stylists that do, because they tend to actually be interested is hairstyling as an art and a skill.

Some of those are really nice! I definitely don't want a fringe but my hair is about the same length as this "after" photo and I really like the style:

www.instagram.com/p/BzJFSW8gIzB/

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Original poster
amusedbush · 30/08/2020 11:59

@MrsVeryTired

I'm not giving up my layers, if its stylish enough for Meghan Markle (who has beautiful hair) its good enough for me Grin

For a while I went for the wavy "Lob" but now it just looks scruffy, I want my hair to look fabulous!

Agree that perhaps heavily layered styles are no longer "in" at all but I'm not after an edgy cut tbh, just want to look good.

Talking of Brooklyn 99, Rosa has fabulous hair, and definitely some layers there.

Recently watched Cardinal (Canadian crime series) and one of the suspects had beautiful hair, she was Latin looking (although I think portraying a Native Canadian) and there was definitely layers.

Yessss Rosa always looks amazing!
OP posts:
Original poster
amusedbush · 30/08/2020 12:07

@lookatallthosechickens

I can't stop scrolling through that instagram account you linked to and this cut is dreamy:

www.instagram.com/p/BmBf7xyhXZB/

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MrsVeryTired · 30/08/2020 12:11

@amusedbush Love both those pics, and that before pic is definitely not one length either, layers!
I think my hairdresser only cuts one soft layer into mine (and mine hasn't been cut since before lockdown) but I recently blow dried mine and looked at the back view and it still sits perfect (and swishy) with lots of "movement".

Branleuse · 30/08/2020 12:12

its coming back in. You mark my words. Like proper 70s rock chick layers and modern mullets.

Branleuse · 30/08/2020 12:12

and yes, omg that instagram girl looks amazing

Branleuse · 30/08/2020 12:13

find a hairdresser thats not such a wuss

Original poster
amusedbush · 30/08/2020 12:14

I think the second photo I linked to would be doable for me. I dry my hair with the Remington one-step hot air brush so I can get a "bouncy blow dry" at home but obviously having one big curtain of hair means I can't get any real body in it. If I could get a style like that one, I think I could maintain it at home.

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lookatallthosechickens · 30/08/2020 12:14

@amusedbush amazing! I wish my hair was less curly so I could have this one - www.instagram.com/p/B9XA2kTg5zV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link but I might settle for something like this www.instagram.com/p/ByspK00ACnG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link or this www.instagram.com/p/B0oTHi9gwRj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link if I ever find another decent stylist (mine moved back to Berlin when lockdown started 😭)

MrsVeryTired · 30/08/2020 12:17

Friends is very popular atm and Rachel and Monica with all their different swishy hair styles...

Phoebes one length with fringe was never as glam