Layered Hairstyles for Curly Hair

Layered Curly Hairstyles to Step Your Hair Game Up

Table of Contents: 

• Are Layers Good For Curly Hair? 

• What Kinds of Layers Are Best For Curly Hair? 

• Layered Haircut Styles for Curly Hair?

When it comes to taking care of your curly hair, you probably have a specific routine that involves using moisturizing conditioners, hydrating shampoos, and reparative masks to prevent hair breakage. But, have you thought about your hairstyling methods? Perhaps you prefer to embrace your big, voluminous curls, or maybe you opt for a simple bun with some coily strands framing your face. Styling curly hair can be a challenge, especially if you have thick, tight curls that tend to fall in one direction. This is where the layered curly hair trend comes in, and you may not realize that many other people with curly hair are already enjoying it.

No matter the season or the current hair trends, layered curly hairstyles will always be a staple option because it gives you bouncy and beautiful curls. If you have coily hair and need a curly haircut to maintain your overall shape, or if you have looser curls and want a trim to get rid of split ends, consider getting layers instead of a straight across cut the next time you visit the salon. And if you need some ideas or tips on how to maintain your layered look, keep reading for some inspiration and product recommendations to keep your hair looking like it was just styled by a professional. 

Are Layers Good For Curly Hair?

Layered curly hairstyles are a great way to define and enhance all curl types - coils, waves, ringlets, etc. By adding layers to curly hair, it allows curls to gain movement and retain bounce. The layers can also promote definition, add texture, and help shape your hair. Often, the weight of curly hair pulls the curls down and causes it to lose its shape. However, with layered curls and coils, hair can 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 Kinds 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.

Layered Haircut Styles for Curly Hair 

Layered Tapered Curls 

Tapered haircuts and hairstyles are a great option for curly and coily hair. These layers create a multi-dimensional look that lightens the weight of the 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 Moisture & Hold Jelly  to set your style with shine while keeping your curls looking healthy and manageable.

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

This layered hairstyle is perfect for those who want a chic and sophisticated look. Short curly hair gains extra volume when styled with a bob layer cut and parted in the middle, enhancing springy curls as they bounce with each head movement. The center part helps to create a flattering shape that is perfect for any face shape. 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.

Layered '80s Shag

The curly shag is a perfect haircut for those with looser curl types. It is full of precise short layers that result in a voluminous effect at 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. The shaggy texture helps to create a voluminous shape that is full of personality. When it’s time to refresh your curly shag, use a moisturizing product like the Goddess Strength Leave-in Cream, which helps to reinforce weak strands so hair is stronger and more breakage resistant between washes. 

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 Goddess Strength Leave-in Milk which doubles as a leave-in conditioner that primes 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 Black Vanilla Moisture & Hold Jelly  that’ll shape curls and assist in manageability while styling.

Layered Ombré Curls

The combination of ombré colors and curly hair is a perfect pairing to those looking to add a touch of color to their look. The subtle gradient of color on layered hair creates a stunning 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 Black Vanilla Moisture & Shine Sulfate-free Shampoo which gently cleanses hair while adding softness and shine with hydrating aloe leaf juice and rose extract. 

Shaggy Bob 

This layered hairstyle is perfect for those who want a low-maintenance and easy-to-style look. The layers are cut in a short, graduated pattern, with shorter layers at the top and longer layers at the bottom. The shaggy texture helps to create a relaxed and effortless look.

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.

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. While styling 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 Goddess Strength Divine Strength Leave-in Milk  which not only protects hair up to 450 degrees, but also nourishes curls with the castor oil and black cumin seed oil for major strength.