Short Layered Haircut

       Many women have active lifestyles, busy schedules, or just a preference for
convenience in their lives, and short hair is a reflection of these factors - usually, at
least. In some cases, a woman opts for short hair just because she likes the style. Short
hair styles in a woman usually signify a strong personality, a no-nonsense attitude and
someone whose focus is spending valuable time on something other than hours of
grooming.

       That doesn't mean short hair is less attractive, just generally less demanding in the
amount of time it takes to maintain it. Here we have a short hairstyle with bangs, an
angled wedge at the ears and lots of shape.

Step One:

       Shampoo and condition the hair as needed. Towel-dry the hair and comb through
to remove any tangles. Separate a section of the hair at the fringe area for bangs.
(Remember that the bangs/fringe area should RARELY extend beyond the outer corners
of the eyes.) Section-off the hair at the top of the head and clip it out of the way.

       You're now ready to cut the perimeter of the hair. Start in front and cut the fringe or
bangs to the desired length. Next, choose one side and clip the perimeter of the haircut.
In our demonstration, we choose to cut a long-angled wedge over the ear. Repeat this
step on the opposite side, carefully noting the landmarks of the head (where the cut
starts in relation to the ear, how far down along the face the cut line extends, etc.) so
that you can assure balance in the style.

       In the areas of the head behind the ears, cut the hair into a sloping curve around to
the nape of the neck. Move to the opposite side of the head and repeat this step so that
the cut line meets in the back of the neck.

Step Two:

       As you can see in the diagram, the hair is then cut in layers at a steep angle. Begin
step three in the back of the head and work your way from the cut line upward to a point
about two finger widths above the occipital bone.

       Working back to front on one side, then another, continue layering the haircut
around to the front of the face. Use the parietal ridge as a guideline on where to stop in
the upward motion of the layering process.

Step Three:

       Take down the previously bound top section of the hair and comb it out. Divide it
according to the desired parting (or the natural part in the hair). The top of the head,
including the previously uncut hair along the parietal ridge is then cut as though you were
performing a traditional circle cut.

       Once the top and sides are blended together, a razor tool can be used to soften the
edges of the cut and smooth the tapering effect of the layers. It is important to be very
careful in this step, as the already layered edges leave little room for errors. A light
touch will produce the desired results.

Step Four:

       Our demonstration was styled with a flat ceramic brush, a blow-dryer on a low-heat,
low-speed setting, styling mouse for volume and a small amount of gel on the sides for
control. A light misting of hairspray and the wide-tooth end of a styling comb added
definition to the style.

       The finished style is short and easy to maintain. The shape of the cut (and the
volume on top) will elongate short and round faces, accent the eyes and emphasize the
upper portion of the head. It is a great style for athletic women and busy professionals
alike.

Advice: Practice this hair cut on a manikin before trying it out on a real person.

©hairfinder.com

More Hair Cutting Instructions

How to Cut this Razored Wedge Style