Tessa is a New York-based writer and editor. When she isn’t fawning over Anne Brontë, she’s reading, writing, and maybe petting some cats. Her interests include feminism, veganism, 19th-century literature, music, and wrestling, all of which end up in her writing at some point. Her senior thesis, “‘No Generous Mind Delights to Oppress the Weak’: Anne Brontë as a 19th-Century Progressive,” earned her a summer research fellowship, giving her the opportunity to do hands-on literary research in New York City.
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Feathered hair first gained traction during the 1970s and was popular with both women and men. Designed to look almost like bird’s feathers, giving the style its name, this ‘do is the result of layering hair with swooshy ends. Actress Farrah Fawcett of “Charlie’s Angels” popularized the look, inspiring women to go to their stylist and ask for the “Farrah-do.”
While there are some similarities between a step cut, layer cut, and feather cut, there are factors that distinguish the three from each other:
Layer Cut. A layer cut involves cutting different lengths throughout your hair. This style results in more volume, lighter tresses, and shorter dry time.
Feather Cut. Feathering is a technique hairstylists use to give texture to your hair, shaping the end of your locks. Namely, they hold the scissors at a 90-degree angle against the hair and cut in a V-shape. This creates that feather effect.
Step Cut. A step cut differs from a layer cut in the way the hair blends. A step cut tends to be more choppy than a layer cut, allowing “steps” in the hair to be more visible. With a layer cut, the feathered ends blend, producing a more subtle style.
Today, feathery hairstyles have received tons of stylish variations and successfully work on different hair types and lengths — from straight to curly, short to long. Explore our curated list of feathered haircuts and find out what works best for you!
@sebastianguedeshairemakeup
Want a hairstyle that manages to be soft with an edge? This cut is a perfect way to achieve that. Great for shoulder-length hair, the layers provide the feather effect, curling out at the ends, while still looking sharp.
Interested in a cut that provides texture and bounce? This soft flip does just that and would be perfect for someone with naturally curly hair. Whether it is straightened or curly, the soft but detailed look will remain.
@prettypaintedhair
This shaggy cut option is perfect to keep your hair manageable. A hairstyle with this texture looks best when a little messy, so you don’t have to worry about having it perfectly styled all the time. The feathered layers add a certain edge to the style, while the color keeps it looking soft.
@suzido_
This classic bob with a feathered side fringe makes hair look fuller, which is great for fine tresses. The layered bangs add a flow through the front of the face while keeping the back more voluminous and thicker.
@gulevich.vladimir
This haircut will add some thickness to your hair, while the choppy layers combined with the shadowy color create a great texture. Having side-swept layers like this make your hair look thicker, while also accentuating this style’s lowlights.
@cosmoxwinters
This retro layered haircut was probably inspired by the 70s. The style will ideally suit any face shape and will make thick hair lighter. Ask your stylist to cut thick front sections of your hair for a side-swept fringe and slightly curl the ends to add sassiness to your hairstyle.
@vlasova_color_guru
While some bobs are sharp, adding some feathering is a great way to lighten what can otherwise be a harsh cut. This stacked bob cut creates a fun look accompanied by some bounce.
@hairbellezzaaa
You will probably want to make a hair appointment with your stylist to create this absolutely stunning straight bob with layers and face-framing highlights. You can style this cut in 2-3 minutes only, plus it ideally matches any outfit.
@evgeniya_bukhlitskaia
Above-the-shoulder layered styles naturally hold more volume and height, making them an excellent option for ladies with thin strands. A look like this one is really easy to maintain.
@st.m_a_r_i
Glam up your smooth medium-length hair with a feather effect to create that super cool hair texture, and dye your locks in the rose gold shade for a truly stunning look. Achieve a salon look by adding a bit of texturizing spray and blow drying tresses with a round brush.
@tanyusha_younusova
This stylish flipped-up haircut is a great way of adding movement to your long hair. Ask your hairstylist to add feathers in stepped layers to make it easier for you to style your hair at home with a regular round brush.
@tyler_the_hairstylist
A medium-length layered cut will help you take your mane to the next level. Opt for front highlights or balayage to show off the feathery texture of your layers and create the illusion of volume on thin hair.
@anastasiiia_korzhova
Add rock vibes to your everyday look with this mid-length razored shaggy cut with a trendy blonde underlayer. This haircut works best with thin to medium textured strands, as thick hair can seem a bit bulky with this layered style.
@rachelwstylist
This jaw-length bob offers plenty of fullness and volume due to its crisp layers running around the crown, while side-swept bangs help achieve a more dramatic effect. An excellent choice for those looking for a way to thicken their fine hair.
@thximenes
When trying out various ways to rock fine hair, women often go for easy-to-manage cuts that are sure to look good as they grow out, just like this layered haircut. The layers on top add extra volume to your thin hair, while short length makes the haircut more lightweight.
@nikcabral
Pair a trendy layered cut with feathered bangs to achieve this glamorous, ’70s-inspired hairstyle. It looks especially hot on women with blonde hair and blue eyes, oozing that distinctive Hollywood vibe.
@alexandrmaslovsky
Look how airy this style looks with the curled framing layers. Styled with a large round brush, your shiny blonde hair strands get extra dimension and multiple layers.
@emrahdemircii
It’s easy to create such a flirty and feminine look with multiple short layers and side bangs. Besides, a pleasant sand blonde hair color perfectly softens and balances this shaggy cut.
@tarasiegel50
This messy haircut will definitely draw everyone’s attention! Razored layers help to add lift to your thin hair, while front bangs are ideally paired with shorter layers to complete the rocker vibe.
@stebunovhair
Take the plunge with short hair and cut your fine locks into a long pixie with softly chopped layers and caramel highlights. This look will draw attention to the flattering angles of your face and soften sharp features.
@tetsuya.t.vain
Layered haircuts are a great option if you want to achieve a messy look without sacrificing length. Multiple short chops help create an illusion of body waves and give you that bombshell volume you must have been dreaming about.
@vlasova_color_guru
Stay up-to-date and trendy with this black spiky pixie with long layers. Pixie haircuts with sharp angles and flipped-up layers work nicely with coarse hair and add a playful touch to the overall look.
@kortri
This hairstyle can effectively tame your thick locks and create a chic, modern look! Layers create an interesting shape, adding lightness to your tresses, and golden blonde hair color makes hair shinier.
@anastasiiia_korzhova
A blonde balayage and side-swept bangs that tenderly frame the face create a flirty and gorgeous glow-up that will definitely draw everyone’s attention.
@galinoire
Layered side bangs are an especially cool addition, as made evident by this pixie cut. This short style is classy, all while still being fun and flirty.
@kortri
Don’t want to look like Farrah Fawcett? No worries! This haircut is perfect if you’re not sure if you want to go fully-feathered. The side bangs softly frame the face, while the highlights add some more dimension, emphasizing the layers.
@northernlightsthesalon
This hairstyle is perfect for blondes who want to have fun with their hair without going too crazy. The hair is layered, producing that feather-like quality, but it still looks natural. This style merely enhances the natural hair.
@janelleloveshair
Interested in adding some volume to your hair? Look no further than this style! The layers in this cut create a voluminous look without being too big. It’s subtle but trendy and a great option if you want to retain your natural hair.
@shear_drama
The side bang and the ends are layered to create a feathered yet choppy look. Meanwhile, the ombre color matches perfectly with the layers, really emphasizing the cut’s texture.
@vishnusaloon
This sweep-away bang is what really gives the cut a modern flair. The long layers blend well so as not to take away from the prominent bang, which is obviously the centerpiece of this look. This style is great if you want a change but don’t want to lose your long locks.
@ginacoladacuts
Don’t hesitate to try something new with your hair, even though you are not ready for drastic changes just yet. With layers, you will be able to uplevel any cut by adding texture and bounce.
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