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20 Most Beautiful Layered Hairstyles for Women

Amp up the volume with these celebrity-inspired ‘dos.

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Collage With Mindy Kaline and Reese Witherspoon in Layered Hairstyles
Maya Dehlin / Monica Schipper / Getty Images

From a long, straight mane to a short, curly style, a layered cut brings effortless movement, dimension, and volume to any hair type and length. Layers remove bulk from thick hair while adding body and fullness to fine hair, and they create intentional shape on long, cascading hair and strategic texture on shoulder-grazing strands. One of the biggest benefits, though, might just be the styling versatility: Straight, curled, or natural, layers always look beautiful.

Whether you’re wondering how to embrace your layers or you’re thinking about getting them during your next haircut, these celebrity-inspired looks are full of gorgeous inspiration for layered hairstyles. There are flattering ways to style face-framing cuts and all-over layers, plus chic ideas for bangs. Looking for wedding guest hairstyles? Try Old Hollywood curls for a black-tie dress code or mermaid waves for an outdoor garden ceremony. On the hunt for easy everyday styles? Lock in shine with pin-straight tresses or opt for a relaxed half-up, half-down. Whatever you choose, these layered hairstyles for women prove that varying lengths can singlehandedly transform the way your mane looks and moves.

Follow these haircare tips for any layered cut:

1

Tousled Curtain Bangs

Nicole Kidman in Layered Hairstyle and Sequined Dress
TheStewartofNY//Getty Images

Slightly tousled waves add softness and movement to Nicole Kidman’s long, flowing layers and curtain bangs. With more volume around the face, this layered hairstyle beautifully highlights her facial features.

2

Bouncy Blowout

Hailey Bieber in a Layered Hairstyle Wearing a Metallic Floral Gown
ANGELA WEISS//Getty Images

Thanks to a voluminous blowout with gently turned ends, Hailey Bieber’s center-parted locks simply shine in this layered hairstyle. The sleek, effortless look suits her medium-length mane perfectly.

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3

Side-Swept Glamour

Mindy Kaling in a Layered Side-Swept Hairstyle With a Blue Sequined Dress
Maya Dehlin//Getty Images

If you’re going for a more glamorous look, Mindy Kaling’s cascading, side-swept waves will make long layers dazzle. Her polished, frizz-free tendrils with brushed-out curls are thrown over one shoulder for added volume and definition.

4

Face-Framing Pieces

Jennifer Aniston in Face-Framing Layered Hairstyle
Michael Buckner//Getty Images

Jennifer Aniston’s signature face-framing layers look especially gorgeous blown out. By aiming for a sleek, glossy look, this layered hairstyle draws attention to her soft, choppy angles. It’s both low-maintenance and sophisticated.

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5

Old Hollywood Bob

Chrissy Teigen in a Layered Bob and Black and White Dress
Monica Schipper//Getty Images

Chrissy Teigen’s retro-glam bob proves that subtle layers look just as stunning on short hair. In true Old Hollywood fashion, the varying lengths combine with her deep side part and bouncy curls to create maximum fullness and movement.

6

Full-Volume Curls

Oprah Winfrey in Layered Hairstyle With Full-Volume Curls
Theo Wargo//Getty Images

Speaking of volume, Oprah Winfrey’s shapely curls are all about magnitude. From the large lift at the roots to the ample spirals infused throughout her tresses, this layered hairstyle emphasizes body above all else.

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7

Choppy Bangs

Dakota Fanning in Layered Hairstyle With Choppy Bangs
Kristina Bumphrey//Getty Images

Asymmetry brings even more visual interest to a layered hairstyle. With choppy bangs and uneven layers, Dakota Johnson’s hairdo creates a slightly undone, subtly edgy look that focuses on playful, dynamic movement.

8

Polished Waves

Meghan Markle in Layered Hairstyle With Waves
Pool//Getty Images

The contrast between the wavy texture and gleaming finish in Meghan Markle’s layered hairstyle make her ‘do both alluring yet attainable. Her waves are sleek and polished, which draws attention to the softness of her long layers.

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9

Beachy Lob

Jessica Biel Soft Layered Hairstyle
Michael Buckner//Getty Images

For a laid-back, beachy look, take a page out of Jessica Biel’s styling book. Her slightly tousled, center-parted waves have the effortless, natural beauty of a mermaid-inspired hairdo, yet the styling is intentional.

10

Ultra-Sleek Locks

Constance Wu in Sleek Layered Hairstyle
Stephanie Augello//Getty Images

To achieve a lustrous, layered hairstyle that’ll glisten all day long, try Constane Wu’s pin-straight style with long, soft layers. The layered cut helps the middle part and flat-ironed finish feel dynamic instead of lifeless.

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11

Romantic Half-Up

Jennifer Lopez in Layered Hairstyle With Half-Up
Raimonda Kulikauskiene//Getty Images

In Jennifer Lopez’s layered hairstyle, a section of her loose waves are gathered at the crown of her head in a way that underscores her face, yet her bouncy curtain bangs keep the half-up, half-down look soft instead of formal.

12

Unkempt Down-Style

Kylie Jenner Layered Hairstyle
Karwai Tang//Getty Images

Want to embrace your natural texture? Look to Kylie Jenner’s slightly undone waves injected throughout her barreling layers. Rather than manufacturing perfectly polished curls, her hairstyle is strategically designed to look unkempt for the most amount of body.

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13

Retro Luster

Emily Blunt Crimped Lob Layered Hairstyle
Taylor Hill//Getty Images

Emily Blunt’s layered lob is brimming with vintage opulence. While her glossy waves are refined, the center part and subtle face-framing pieces keep things playful, pretty, and effortless.

14

Flipped Ends

Gwenyth Paltrow Layered Hairstyle With Flipped Ends
Arturo Holmes//Getty Images

If you want to show off your face-framing layers, emulate Gwenyth Paltrow’s silky style by opting for a smooth finish with flipped-out ends. This layered hairstyle emphasizes the different lengths while giving the edges plenty of dimension.

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15

Crimped Tendrils

Lana Condor in Crimped Layered Hairstyle
Gregg DeGuire//Getty Images

Channel your inner mermaid by replicating Lana Condor’s easygoing, layered hairstyle. Her slightly crimped curls and wispy, unkempt ends add a lot of body to her flowing hair without weighing it down.

16

Cascading Layers

Kate Hudson Long Layered Hairstyle With Subtle Waves
Christopher Polk//Getty Images

A striking side part and loosely placed waves will bring instant glamour to your layers, especially for long hair. Sweep your strands over to one side, just like Kate Hudson, to underscore the different lengths while creating drama.

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17

Brushed-Out Barrels

Reese Witherspoon Layered Curls
Monica Schipper//Getty Images

For ample body and movement, no matter your hair length, you can never go wrong with blown-out layers. The soft bends throughout Reese Witherspoon’s layered look create a full, fluffy shape with a little bit of polish.

18

Tapered Edges

Jennifer Lawrence in Long, Layered Hairstyle With Floral Mesh Dress
Amy Sussman//Getty Images

Wispy bangs and long, barely-there waves make for such a pretty pairing. The intentional layers throughout Jennifer Lawrence’s luscious locks give her hairstyle plenty of dimension, while the relaxed texture prevents her ‘do from feeling too stuffy.

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19

Relaxed Texture

Jennifer Garner in Medium-Length Layers
Steve Granitz//Getty Images

Jennifer Garner’s layered hairstyle is the picture of effortless elegance. Her relaxed waves, graceful layers, off-center part, and shiny finish work together to create a look that’s youthful yet chic.

20

Slightly Teased Strands

Jessica Alba in Long, Teased Layered Hairstyle
David Crotty//Getty Images

Jessica Alba’s layered hairstyle demonstrates that it’s totally possible to amp up the volume without opting for big, barreling curls. By slightly teasing her layers and adding just a touch of texture, her tendrils develop a bodacious flair.

Headshot of Lilly Blomquist
Lilly Blomquist
Associate Editor

Lilly Blomquist is the associate editor at The Pioneer Woman, where she writes lifestyle stories across a wide range of topics—including news, entertainment, holidays, food, and more.

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