@suzido_
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.
Feathered hair first gained traction during the 1970s and was popular with both genders. Designed to resemble bird feathers, giving the style its name, this cut is the result of layering hair with swooping ends. Actress Farrah Fawcett of “Charlie’s Angels” helped popularize the style, inspiring women to visit their stylist and request the “Farrah-do.”
Feathery hairstyles have since evolved with many updated variations and suit a range of hair types and lengths — from straight to curly, short to long. Check out our curated list of feathered haircuts to see what works well for your hair type.
@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.
Searching for an effortless and customized style that works for most hair types? Look no further than a feathered hairstyle! This soft, volumizing crop instantly makes your locks dynamic and airy. Invite some natural motion and lightness to your style with a cool haircutting technique that’s all about low maintenance and flowy texture.
A feathered style owes its name to a lightweight, wispy texture achieved with a special cutting technique that tapers the ends for a flowing, feather-like effect. In the early 1970s, this iconic hairstyle introduced soft layers for maximum self-expression and individuality.
The 70s feathered looks maintained the signature volume and quickly gained popularity thanks to celebrities like Farrah Fawcett and David Cassidy. The 80s feathered fashion evolved into bolder styles with big blowouts and heavy layers. The 90s feathered comeback is often linked to Princess Diana’s feathered style, known for its softer and sleeker silhouette.
Today, modern feathered adaptations can be seen on Jennifer Lopez, Hailey Bieber, and Lucy Hale, who celebrate this retro glam with a more blended texture and styling freedom. As a result, feathered hair has transformed into a recurring trend with lots of versatility and personalization options.
Among all the classic feathered styles, this iconic look is a nod to the 70s hair with long, graduated layers throughout and wispy ends for endless motion and bounce.
@rachelwstylist
While layered and feathered hairstyles are closely related, they possess unique characteristics in terms of the cutting technique and styling effect that set them apart. With a layered cut, you get a gradation of length with shorter and longer strands cut blunt or soft with scissors for extra body and structure.
A feather cut can also be layered, but its texture and finish differ significantly. With this style, you get feathered ends that are thinned with one of the feathering techniques for an airy effect. Unlike classic layers, feather hair can be achieved with slide-cutting scissors or razors to create a seamless blend and take the excess weight off the tips. Also, a feathered style is easier to maintain and it requires less styling compared to a layered crop.
This cutting method creates soft, wispy ends rather than blunt lines thanks to the angled motion — usually around 45 degrees—with styling scissors or a razor gently slicing down the hair shaft in a gliding motion. The method removes weight while maintaining length and tapering out the tips for an airy effect. The motion is light and controlled, often focused near the face or along the client’s hair ends to add movement and texture without any harsh lines.
While there are some similarities between a step cut and a feather cut, there are factors that distinguish them from each other. 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.
Feathered trends today offer a perfect balance between nostalgic hairstyles and contemporary hair fashion. The reimagined crop provides a youthful and edgy feel thanks to a more subtle and wearable shape. Think of flipped ends on a softly layered haircut that directs attention away from unnatural height and effectively redistributes weight instead.
The feathered shag is a perfect example of a remastered classic form. Often paired with a wispy fringe for a face-framing look, it creates a more tousled appeal with just a touch of that iconic retro glam. However, there are dozens of other styles that can be feathered too. For more trendy ideas, scroll through the gallery below.
This striking two-tier haircut with shorter layers around the chin and longer ones below the shoulders creates a bouncy style while maintaining length.
@joseph_pellicoro_pro
Here is a modern take on the shag cutting with feathery layers hitting the shoulder length. It features choppy layers and a wispy fringe for a soft “halo” effect.
@act.hair
Adding curtain bangs to your feathered look is a proven technique for getting lots of movement around the face. It helps you maintain overall length while creating dimension.
@haircaregroup
If you combine an edgy mullet and a shag with top-heavy layers that taper to longer back layers, you’ll get a pronounced V-shape with a choppy front fringe and a wispy touch, known as a wolf cut.
@lizzmmarie_
This trendy bob and pixie blend features textured layers for dimension. It usually has longer sideburns, and feathered top layers for a relaxed look.
@marianegrohair
Opt for a technique-specific style using a straight razor to create light, airy strands. They will produce soft, wispy layers perfect even for finer hair textures.
@looksbylyssg
With lots of modern upgrades, feathered haircuts are among the most universally flattering styling options. They can be adapted to different hair types, lengths, and personal preferences, which makes them perfectly customizable and extremely versatile. From a feathered pixie and a textured bob to an edgy mullet with a wispy finish, the following cuts are the most popular options these days.
The long style with below-the-shoulder layers beginning at the collarbone creates a waterfall-like effect of graduated layers.
@hair.by.eleni
This shorter interpretation of feathered techniques creates volume without a dramatic silhouette for a modern, fresh appearance. A French bob also works great with feathering, offering a retro-modern look featuring bobbed hair with tousled ends. The same goes for an asymmetrical feathered bob haircut with one side slightly longer than the other for an edgy feel.
@tulaorganic
A short, cropped style with longer top sections and feathered edges might appear frizzy. But its asymmetrical, messy elements only add charm to the look.
@selenarve
This dramatic cut is often enhanced by razor cutting. Its flippy tips resemble a mullet and/or a wolf cut style with pronounced texture and movement.
@andigarnhair
Here the layers are flipped away from the face for a voluminous, Farrah Fawcett-inspired look and the ultimate hair flick.
@hairbymollyv
The cool thing about feathered styles is that they can be tailored to any hair length, from closely cropped looks to long strategically layered haircuts. Here are some ideas to try with your length and get that perfect feathery touch to your chosen look!
A short haircut with feathered ends gives the illusion of more hair and dimension, featuring tapered or razored ends for added edge.
@mycoiffeur_winterthur
This classic long feather cut with a distinctive V or U-shaped silhouette features progressively shorter layers toward the top with flipped ends.
@sculptedhair.melissa
Try a structured, medium-length cut with strategic layering for movement. It maintains the weight line at the bottom with face-framing layers starting at the cheekbones.
@hairbybumzigana
Get a perfect finishing touch to your wispy hairstyles with trendy bangs that enhance your features naturally. Using feathered techniques for your front section will help you frame the face and add personality to any haircut.
Try a light, airy fringe with a soft, piece-y texture to complete your feathered cut this time. The combo creates a gentle face-hugging effect without heaviness.
@babygothstyles
Asymmetrical bangs swept to one side and showing off their feathered ends add a dramatic angle while softening facial features.
@_ashesofbeauty
Shorter pieces around the face that blend into the longer layers along the sides create softness in the front while maintaining overall length.
@_hairby_lo_
The versatility of feathered hairstyles is undeniable. So, why not go for something new and more creative for your locks this time and enhance your personal style with minimum effort? A well-chosen crop will give you extra volume, texture, and definition wherever you want it – at the top, around the crown, or along the sides.
If you’re still asking yourself, “Can I get a feathered cut if I have curly hair?” this photo is the answer. Try a specialized cut for curly textures with layers to enhance your natural curl pattern using dry-cutting techniques to maintain curl integrity.
@lilyyhair
This technique is designed to add movement to otherwise flat-lying hair and create texture and dimension through strategic layering.
@jbootybb
This cut enhances natural wave patterns with layers that fall down the back naturally. It is so low maintenance, that you barely have to do a thing to make it work.
@theowhytehair
Use lighter layering to maintain fullness in thin strands while adding movement and creating volume for added lift and wispiness.
@looks.by.lang
This method for removing bulk from dense hair still keeps your tresses full and layers defined. It creates movement without producing excessive volume or a triangle effect.
@houston.hair
There are lots of finishing techniques that enhance feathered cuts. Many of them focus on bringing maximum movement and wispiness to the ends as a way to highlight soft layering or just remove the unnecessary weight from the tips. Whether you want to achieve a retro glam with flipped ends or get a classic blowout for your middle part feathered style, the following tips will show you how.
Need haircuts with soft, light feathering that maintain their shape and movement without any heavy styling? Consider cuts like layered shags, curly bobs, tapered cuts, and styles with long feathered layers. Strategic layering makes them ideal for air-drying.
@blairandthehairs
Get a natural-looking, summer-ready style by combining feathered layers with salt-spray texturing. This will give you an effortless, tousled style that feels relaxed and easy to wear anytime.
@cuts.by.rasa
Still wondering how to do the feathered blowout? It’s simple! You’ll need a round brush and a blow dryer to enhance the layers and create a polished, bouncy finish with ends curved away from the face.
@bridgetbilodeau
Try retro-inspired styling that flips ends outward for maximum volume. This way, you’ll recreate the iconic 1970s look with a modern flair that will flatter blonde and brunette locks alike.
@styledbyeve
Thinking about going feathered? Start here with some more important facts.
How often should I trim my feathered hair to maintain the style?
Feathered hair requires precise form and movement, so regular trims are a must. To keep your feathered tresses fresh and shaped, get a trim every 6-8 weeks. This will help you prevent split ends and maintain a light texture throughout the length.
Can I get a feathered cut if I have coily hair?
Yes! In fact, coily locks will look gorgeous with a feathered haircut since it removes the bulk from the ends and sets your natural texture free. Before booking your next salon visit, however, make sure you find a professional stylist who specializes in curly hair. This way, your hair will surely get the best fit for your texture.
What styling products work best for feathered hair?
Texture-boosting, lightweight sprays or serums designed for a specific hair type are the best products for feathered styles. So, if your locks are fine and flat, consider using a volumizing mousse or a root-lifting mist. Thick tresses will hold feathered textures best with texturizing sprays of light serums for shine and extra softness.
How do I style feathered hair without heat tools?
As a low-maintenance look, feathered hair works really well with quick styling options that don’t require heat. Air-drying your locks with a touch of a volume-enhancing mousse is the easiest way to achieve a well-structured look with minimum effort, perfect for active lifestyles. Overnight styling for feathered hair can also include heatless rollers on damp locks for bouncy and damage-free curls.
Can feathered hair work for people with round faces?
Feathered hairstyles for round faces are incredibly flattering. They have a face-slimming effect thanks to the wispy texture and angled layers. Combine the look with other dynamic elements like side-swept bangs or a curtain fringe that are also great for chubby faces.
How can I maintain volume in my feathered style throughout the day?
Your daily feathered hair upkeep doesn’t need to be super complicated. A volumizing product and a texture spray will work great for giving your flippy ends an extra hold to get you through the day looking put-together. Also, take some weather-resistant products like anti-humidity spray or smoothing serum to keep your tresses picture-ready.
Why does my feathered cut look different from the salon photos I showed my stylist?
It all depends on your hair type, texture, and thickness which affect the final look. Your reference photo should be as close to your own hair texture as possible to avoid similar problems in the future. Also, ask your hairdresser for a style with an easy feathered hair routine before getting a new crop. This will protect you from “expectations-reality” drama and DIY at-home feathering whenever you feel like your glam doesn’t match your vibe.
How long does it take to grow out a feathered haircut if I want to change styles?
To grow out your feathered layers, you’ll need about 6-12 months, depending on your chosen shape, hair density, and texture. While you wait, try to blend your crop with the rest of the locks or reshape it with different styling options.
As you can see, even a subtle change in your hairstyle can make a huge difference. Knowing your hair is key to a flawless look, so make sure you understand how each transformation will work for your hair type and texture. Until then, try different cuts and be bold with your choice for the best look ever!
