5 Tips for Cutting Beautiful, Graduated Layers

There’s a reason your clients keep coming back for layered hairstyles—the right kind of layers give hair volume and movement, make it feel lighter and help flatter different face shapes. To keep you on your layering game, BTC has rounded up some tips from Sojourn Creative Director Melissa Stone on how to cut perfect, graduated layers and bring some life back into your clients’ locks.

1. Talk it Out
Prior to cutting long hair, conduct a thorough consultation. The goal is to understand the client’s needs, texture, what she likes and doesn’t like and her functionality requirements.

2. Try Dry
Once you’ve determined the blueprint for the layers, cut and finish freehand. It’s easier to finish when hair is dried.

3. The Right Tool
A hard rubber or carbon comb will make all the difference when cutting. The texture of the hair will determine whether you select a wide or fine tooth comb.

4. Special Effects
Freshen and modernize a look with disconnection and concave layers.

5. Bang-Bang
When cutting a fringe, determine where you need to create the illusion of more or less width. Bangs can completely alter the shape of the face so take extra care in this section.