Hair texture changes and often becomes finer with age, so long strands can start to look dull and lackluster over time.
The best way to combat thinning is by adding layers, however, incorrect placement or the wrong type can often draw more attention to the signs of aging.
Hair experts have shared their tips and warnings for mature women thinking about adding layers to boost hair volume.
Wigporium founder Jack Miles and nope founder Rosie Myers have decades of experience cutting and styling hair, and they both agree that four specific types of layers can have the opposite effect of helping people look younger.
Surprisingly, it’s not just its length that matters.
Layers too short
Cutting layers too short can make women look older than they are, especially when the hair is already long.
Rosie said these short, contrasting locks of hair “draw attention to wrinkles” and leave people with a visibly aged complexion “with nowhere to hide” when it comes to distracting from them.
Layers too long
Many women say “I want layers but still have length” when they’re sitting in the salon chair, but the results are pretty good. Jack explained, “When layers are cut too long, they can end up creating a ‘stringy’ look.”
In turn, hair appears “thin and lifeless” and can “immediately age you.” If you are someone with fine hair, long layers can “give the impression that your hair is thinning with age.”
The length also makes the hair fall downwards, especially on the face-framing strands at the front. Thick ends are another aspect to consider, according to Jack, who suggested that they give the illusion of “a droopy look.”
Layers too uniform
Hair expert Jack warns that “when layers are cut to the same length all over the head, it can create a flat, monotonous look.” This can make hair appear “dull and lifeless,” and lack dimension.
On the other hand, having too many layers doesn’t necessarily add volume. They can cause the hair to stick to the scalp, resulting in a shaggy, messy look.
Rosie, another hair specialist, warned that if choppy layers are “too blunt, they can end up making you look much older.” While some people may think choppy layers are fun and youthful, they can “create a harsh, unbalanced look that can take away from the definition of the face,” resulting in an “unruly, untidy” finish.
Unless you have very thick, dense hair, too many layers can create an uneven appearance, and instead of making hair look voluminous, it looks dry and static. Jack adds that too many layers are also unnatural and “hard to achieve (if you’re over 40).”
For a more youthful look, Jack suggests adding just a few layers to “soften the face,” break up harsh lines, and increase roundness and body.
Cutting these layers at an angle allows the hair to move naturally and can even “lift the face.”
Curtain bangs are a great way to add a bold edge to your hairstyle and can be stylishly adapted to most cuts. Stylists claim that they also “flatter all face shapes.”
Favoring upturned ends rather than a straight cut will work with curtain bangs to achieve a delicate, youthful look.
