What Are Layers & How To Ask For Them

One of the most common misconceptions about a layered haircut is that layers come in numbers.  I will admit, when looking at someone who has a long layered haircut it can look like there are 3-5 different lengths of hair going down the length but I'm here to tell you that that is not the case.  It looks like that because of the way it is styled or the natural wave of the hair.  I had a client once who insisted on having me cut exactly 3 layers into her extremely long hair.  I explained to her that layers don't come in numbers.  You basically start from where you want your shortest layer to start and blend them all the way down to the ends of your hair.  She did not understand this and kept insisting that she really just wanted 3.  If only I had this picture to show her at the time what 3 layers actually looked like:

LOL!  Looks crazy right?!  Trust me, this is not a look that is in nor will it ever be.  What I always suggest to clients who have a bit of a hard time communicating what it is they are looking for is finding a picture that embodies what you love.  Pictures speak a thousand words to stylists and having a visual that you both can look at and talk about is HUGE.  Here are some examples of layered haircuts and how you can ask your stylist about them without any confusion:

1.  The Long Layered Cut

Let's say you have hair down to the middle of your back and it is all one length.  You have never had any layers put into it.  If you have fine or thin hair, I suggest not going too short with your layers because this can actually take away more bulk than you would want, making your hair feel much more thin than it already is.  I would recommend trimming no more than an inch to an inch and a half.  If you have thick or course hair you have a lot more freedom with your layering.  You can take them as high as you want for a more dramatic layered effect or leave them as long as you want.  When asking for this cut you can say to your stylist "I'd like a long layered cut with my layers starting at about here and blended down."  Here is an example of a long layered haircut:

2.  Choppy Layered Cut

Choppy layers are most commonly seen in short bobs or what I like to call the emo cut.  It's the same concept as a long layer, cutting shortest to longest, blending everything together.  However, choppy layers are more textured.  They can be point cut, razor cut, or textured with thinning or texture shears.  When going for this particular look I highly suggest bringing a picture to your stylist so that there is no confusion about what it is you are expecting.

3.  Face Framing Layers

What I have noticed is when I am asked to give a client face framing layers they usually something along the lines of "Could you add more layers in the front?"  This could mean a bunch of different things.  It's not a very specific question so I always end up clarifying if it really is the layers they want shorter or if it's face framing they are wanting.  This look is adding layers just around your face from shortest to longest.  The most common starting point is usually around the chin and then blended down.  Think Jennifer Aniston from the show Friends when she had her hair long.  This look is extremely common and I myself still get this done.  Face framing is the common terminology that every stylist will understand so that's really all you have to say when asking for this.  

So there's my brief explanation about layers.  I hope that clears the air about what a 3 layered cut looks like LOL!  If you have any questions feel free to write a comment about it.  I would love to hear from some of my readers:)

Products I Regret Buying

I've talked a lot about products that I love and recommend but I have yet to talk about any products that I just couldn't stand.  So here it is:  Products that were a big mistake:

1.  Paul Mitchell's Twirl Around

This product line promises frizz free curls and crunch free style.  It's supposed to tame unruly curls while defining and separating.  I tried the entire line on my 4 year old daughter.  She has super frizzy and curly hair.  I used the shampoo, conditioner, leave in conditioner and the crunch free curl definer and none of it made a difference.  I put the curl definer in wet hair and dry hair and it didn't do a damn thing to tame her hair.  Define her curls?  I think not!  It simply doesn't work.  When asked what products I would recommend for curly hair I usually always mention a good moisturizing shampoo and conditioner combo with of course a leave in conditioner and to help tame the frizz, any type of smoothing serum.  Paul Mitchell does make an awesome super skinny serum which is to tame frizziness and help give you smooth and straight shiny hair.

2.  It's A 10 Miracle Defrizzing Gel

Normally I'm a big fan of It's A 10 but this is one product I wasn't too thrilled with.  I bought the Defrizzing gel for my daughter (I try everything to keep her hair in check) and again, I was disappointed.  It says it pretty much does the same thing as the twirl around but it didn't do a thing for her hair.  I put it on dry and wet hair and it didn't make a difference.  I will say though that I tried this on myself just to tame some fly aways and it held pretty good.  If you are looking for a light weight gel this might be the one to try but anything more than hiding fly aways I would not recommend.

3.  Paul Mitchell's Awapuhi Moisture Mist

With this particular product I both love it and I hate it.  I love it because it's so versatile.  You can use it on skin and hair.  In the summer I like to put it in the fridge and spray it on after a day in the sun or coming back from the pool.  It feels great on my skin.  I hate it because I feel like it's a watered down version of a leave in conditioner.  I like to see results in my hair when using any type of product and with this I didn't see a difference.  I have used it a few times on clients and wasn't too thrilled with it.  I really couldn't see or feel a difference in their hair.  I was also told that this could be used as a setting spray for makeup.  Used it for about a month and my makeup wasn't staying put so that was disappointing.

So those are my top 3 products I regret buying.  If you have any questions about products I've mentioned here in past posts or you would like me to do a review on a particular product, feel free to leave me a comment or send me an email at arleyrhiannon@gmail.com.  Also, if you are in the Roseville or Sacramento, CA area and would like to make an appointment with me I can be reached at:

(808)373-6076

Estanzia Salon & Spa

106 N Sunrise Blvd

Roseville, CA 95661

Follow me on Facebook & Instagram 

@hairbyarley

New Product Alert!!

Hey guys!  I have recently found an amazing new product that I am absolutely in love with.  Matrix recently had a new Oil Wonders line added to their collection called Volume Rose.  This stuff is my new favorite go to for pretty much every woman in my chair.  It smells like roses!  Aside from the smell being perfection, benefits of using this product line are great too.

Volume Rose includes a shampoo, conditioner, finishing spray, mousse and a pre shampoo treatment oil.  All products are considered to be lightweight and are targeted towards women with fine hair who are lacking volume.  The shampoo is silicone-free and is infused with rose hip oil.  It works as a primer for the hair by removing buildup and gently cleansing each strand.

The styling products in this line have already replaced my regular favorites.  I tend to always go for a lightweight finishing spray of some sort or a flexible hold hairspray or mousse.  My go to would always be Paul Mitchell's Worked Up but this line has blown them out of the water.  Volume Rose finishing spray and mousse adds up to 78% more volume to fine hair when used with shampoo and conditioner.

There is a pre shampoo treatment oil that you would put on hair prior to shampooing.  As a hair stylist, I don't really think this product is necessary.  To me, it's just an added step that you don't really need.  Matrix says that it will add nourishment to damaged strands and only targets those areas.  Meh...I don't really see the point in this particular product but if you have extremely damaged hair this definitely wouldn't hurt it.  You would be applying this in small sections prior to shampooing.  Do not rinse, apply shampoo like normal.

So, this is my new product update.  I will be selling this line sometime within the next month or two at my station and will let everyone know when I get them up and running.  Until then, you can purchase this line at Ulta or at a professional salon in your area.  If you want to try it out, come see me for a haircut!  I will be using this shampoo and conditioner on all non color clients:)

If you are in Roseville, CA or surrounding areas and would like to book an appointment with me, I can be reached at:

(808)373-6076
arleyrhiannon@gmail.com

You can also check out some of my work on my facebook and instagram @hairbyarley