Layers? Yes? No? Why or Why not?

[Karrinne]

I've got a wild hair to get layers in my hair.
DH says NO! of course.
DDs say YES! of course.
What do you guys think?

[Glorias]

I'd say no. You can do much more with your hair without layers. Plus,if you don't like them,you may have to cut your hair to get rid of them. Long hair is so pretty without!

[LittleFlower]

Give yourself 3 weeks to think about it Don't get them cut on a whim.

For the record, I had layers for some 4+ years and I loved them. I have wavy hair and they really brought out my waves and made my hair seem more bouncy. I also rarely wore updos. My hair was either loose, in a half up or in a ponytail.

Now that I've learned more updos I find that not all of them look good with layers. Shorter ends of hair will be poking out and this goes for braids too. I've also decided to grow out my layers, just for a change and also to see what my hair looks like wavy and all one length (it was straighter before then I cut it to chinlength, it grew out wavier and I had layers ever since). Layers are a pain to grow out! My hair is brushing my hips but my shortest layers are only at my shoulders. I have a long way to go! Layers also make your ends thinner than they normally are as part of the hair that should be there has been cut shorter.

In your siggy you wrote your hair is at tailbone. IMO if I had grown my hair that long I would leave it as it is. If my hair were a bit shorter (say BSL) long layers could be a fun change and they would eventually grow out on the way to your longer length goal.

ETA: Just checked and you put your next goal as classic. Bear in mind that if you have layers, those layered locks will take a *much longer* time to reach classic.

The 3 week rule still holds

[styg]

i loved my layers when it was shorter: and they were very deep layers (cut by razor). past waist i thought i missed the hair "quantity" for them to look still nice. i think very soft layers might be ok, but in general i think only highly texturized hair looks good with it. my hair also looks constantly uncombed. i mean, all one length my hair looked "cleaner" even if i didn't comb it at all.

i think a nice solution is a U/V cut: clean cut but shaped.

do note: i braid my hair at night and i think it's partly responsible for the "unkept" look: especially the shorter layers - not cut in years - curl up in the most strange ways

i don't think though they are annoying styling wise if they are not overly deep. on the contrary: thinned ends make buns easier.

[KellieKay]

Just be sure you really want them before you cut because they are a pain to grow out. I have the same hair type as you. Layers look choppy on me. It is your hair and you should do what makes you happy. Just be sure.

[Seawave]

I agree with the three-weeks to make your decision. It is really a hard decision to make. When my hair is one length, I want layers; when I have layers I want it grown out one length. With a lot of curl in my hair, I think some layering is probably needed, but right now I have layers that are too short (the shortest one is just below shoulder length). I think layering toward the bottom of my hair would be better. Layering can make the ends look thinner, but with the thickness of my hair and the curls, this has never been a problem. Since you have straight hair, this may be more of an issue. If you do decide you want to put some layers in, you may want to consider just having some put in at the bottom (maybe the bottom two inches) so that if you decide you want to grow them out it won't be as long a process.

Good luck with your decision.

^j^

[Phlox]

I currently have layers I am trying to grow out, all to one length with a slight U-shape. I had the layers done by a stylist before my long hair journey began and they were cut 'deep' (there are many many layers, spanning 7" or so down my length). They looked great when I blow-dried and when my hair was shorter. My ends are actually quite thin now because so many layers were cut.

I personally don't like them on my head because they sometimes look choppy and messy, and I prefer a 'cleaner' look. I also would like to start self-trimming and think this would be too difficult to trim the layers, especially with this many layers (I think I have too many). I may change my mind in the future, and get a few layers closer to the ends. I don't remember what it is like to have long one-length hair, and I may not like it as much I think I think I will.

I would like my layers more if they were longer (farther down the length), and not constantly falling in front of my shoulders. It just looks messy on me. They would not be so bad if they stayed behind my shoulders.

I would also give myself some time make this decision because of the time involved in correcting it should the result not be as desired.

This is my experience, I hope it helps a little!

[Georgy]

Don't do it, I hated mine so much that I ended up cutting to the shortest layer. Not all stylist can do it well, you might end up with a butched "style".
Think about it long and hard so if you do it you won't regret it.

[sarondie]

I have layers that I am growing out. I don't really think they add that much to very long hair, imo. I mean look at my sig pic. What good are they doing me? And they are bad for braids. But it's your hair and your decision. If you decide to get them, I would recommend starting out small in case you change your mind. That way you wouldn't have too long to go to grow them out.

[xOpheliax]

I agree with everyone else, give it some thought, then if you decide to go ahead, start small. Personally (aside from the trouble they cause with updo's) I don't understand why everyone hates layers so much. I think sometimes long hair that's all one length can look a tad boring. It really just depends on the person. I have a few long layers right now but I'm considering getting a couple more. I always had layers in the past when my hair was shoulder/BSL and loved them...my hair just seems to "hang" without them. Maybe it's just me.

[TicTacToe]

I have very layered hair that's just starting it's growing out journey. When my hair is shorter it needs to be layered because it's really thick and wavy and becomes pretty bushy and unmanageable. I had all one length past BSL hair about 10years ago and I loved it. Not sure if I will now, but I'll be getting these layers eliminated gradually by trims as I go.

I say if you want them, start gradually with a few longer ones at a time. I agree with everyone else that they are a pain to grow out if you change your mind. I know what it's like to think "If only my hair had this...". I'm not satisfied until I know the results and no one can convince me that it's a train wreck waiting to happen. I have to see it for myself.

Good Luck.

[ctx]

Do not do it

[Vicky]

I got my layers when I had sholder lenth hair and it worked for a while.
Like everyone has said, they work great if you want to blowdry, straighten and put chemicals on your hair. I am also trying to grow mine out and when ever I put my hair up there are bits hanging out. Well, a bang on the outgrowth doesn't really improve things either

[Carolyn]

I'd say no. Actually a resounding NO. Speaking from experience. All layers do is give you less hair. In my book that is not a good thing. Layers will limit your style options. With buns and braids you will have all those little hair sticking out. You can use gel to control them but that doesnt always work. I think layers are a pain. You will have to "style"your hair more. Straighter hair like yours takes a ton of styling if it has layers. Yes been there done that. Never again. Sorry to be so negative about layers but I hated mine and I'll never cut them again. You could do a gentle U shape cut and not have the problems I mention above. I'd think long and hard about cutting anything. Remember once it's cut you can't glue it back on.

[hairfitness101]

As a professional hairdresser, I would suggest that if you are bound and determined to try something new, try some face framing pieces, just some layering around the face, not the entire sides, and don't touch the back. This way you can still have some variety and if you want to pull it back, it looks sexy/cute when the pieces fall out of the ponytail.It can be nice for french twists too to have some face framing-I'm not talking bangs,I just mean very little layering effect on the ends. Its also much easier to grow out if you don't like it.Oh, and don't let anyone razor your hair!!!!! YOu will regret it big time,I don't care what they tell you about movement and all that jazz, it will fray your ends and cause breakage,its not a big deal on short hair because you get it cut constantly,on long hair,its like murder.