Reaching for super-long locks requires an intensive effort, whether through spending money on extensions or investing time and effort into growing out your natural waves. No matter their reasons for growing out their manes – style, comfort, or self-confidence – many women opt to grow them long. If this intrigues you, too, here are a few styling tips to remember before taking the leap and going long.
1. Layers
Layers can be an excellent way to refresh long hairstyles without losing length and can transform your look drastically. They can help define facial structures, add volume and movement, tame unruly strands, and make long locks lighter to wear – layers work great no matter the style or texture – from straight to coily locks!
Face-framing layers can help define your jawline and cheekbones while drawing attention to your eyes if you have an oval, heart, square, or diamond face shape. Shorter, stacked layers can also help accentuate rounder faces while simultaneously softening an angular jawline. In contrast, graduated layers that grow longer towards their ends will add movement and thickness to your look.
Add romance and texture to your long-layered haircut by adding choppy layers for a romantic flourish. Choppy layers feature uneven, short top layers, gradually getting more extended at the bottom for a charming waterfall effect that suits bob and longer locks alike.
Choppy layers work particularly well when applied to wavy or curly locks, allowing the layers to move naturally when you style with either your hands or a blow dryer. Furthermore, they can even be hidden behind your ears for a more discrete appearance.
For a timeless style that works for virtually all face shapes, consider side-swept waves with thin layers that blend into the rest of your hair. This timeless look works for any special event and works for people of any age.
Layered-cut layers also work great for long hair. They can bring out your strands’ highlights and accentuate curves, control unruly curls, and even help lighten up the crown of your head for a lighter feeling crown.
Suppose you have long layers and want to incorporate them into your hairstyle; try utilizing the balayage technique by only coloring the tips of your strands with color. In that case, this will help define and make your layers more vibrant while giving them a natural finish.
2. Texture
Your hair’s natural texture significantly affects how long it appears. Straight strands will appear their actual length, while wavy or curly locks may seem shorter due to kinks and bends in their structure. To enhance the movement of your strands, ask your stylist to include multiple layers down your hemline; soft balayage tones add dimension while further emphasizing the texture of your locks.
Quist begins her work with clients with extreme length goals by developing an appropriate plan of care and maintenance to set them on their journey to mid-back length. Growing your mane to mid-back requires dedication in your daily routine!
3. Volume
Long hair requires extra maintenance and styling efforts, and Quist suggests notifying your stylist that you want extreme length before styling yourself. She notes that mid-back-length locks require twice as much care as shoulder-length strands.
If you have thin strands, longer lengths can work to your advantage in creating volume. Choppy layers, texturizing with texture pastes or strategic highlights, and adding bouncy waves will all add dimension without compromising length. Backcombing your crown can give it that trendy, messy look; backcombing also makes thin strands appear thicker. For a more blunt style, try straightening with a flat iron instead.
4. Length
hair length is one of the main characteristics that sets it apart, whether long and flowing or tied back in an updo. According to Quist, clients with extreme lengths require additional care than those with shoulder-length or shorter locks.
An ideal retro and feminine style for long hair is a side-swept romantic wave look from the 1950s. Part your hair on one side before sweeping back a section and pining it up to add volume – leaving the rest of the locks to fall naturally around your face in soft waves for a retro yet feminine appearance.
Opt for the medium-length hairstyle if you want a natural look with girl-next-door charm. This timeless classic provides an easy and more mature feminine style at once; plus, natural volume can be accentuated with light layers or fringe for extra fullness. Add loose waves for fullness, or try adding velvet ribbons for an additional feminine touch!
