1. Female haircuts - Parallel layers
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2. Introduction
The layering of hair is the internal shaping of a cut. It provides volume, direction, movement, and sometimes, soft edges on the perimeters.
Layering can also be described as the three-dimensional shape of hair. Systems for layering are classified by shapes and patterns:
Parallel
Convex
Concave
Square
Asymmetric
All of these shapes and patterns can be used together or on their own.
See the pages on hair travel for more details on layering patterns.
The haircut on our model gives a soft look. It is versatile and has several finishes when it is blow-dried.
The look has no outline shape. This was achieved by layering the shape only.
A combination of vertical and horizontal lines are used to move the shape and achieve the best angles for this cut. The cut can be kept long or cut short using the same layering system.
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3. Step 1 of 17 - Before
Our model is ideal for this haircut. Her hair is medium texture and has a slight natural wave.
She has an oval face shape and her hairlines are flat, with an even growth pattern.
Before cutting, be sure to check your client's hairlines and hair-growth patterns so you can choose the best layering system for the cut.
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4. Step 2 of 17 -Back area Section off the hair above the occipital area.
Take out a vertical section as your first cutting guideline.
This is one of the most important sections in the haircut. It is the main guideline to the length of your haircut.
You should decide on the length of your haircut during your client analysis and consultation.
Sectioning off the hair into segments or areas makes cutting a great deal easier. It also makes it clearer for you to see how you are progressing through a haircut and understand how you achieved the finished result.
Tip: The first section is very important. It gives you your guideline for the rest of your haircut.
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5. Step 3 of 17 - Behind the ear
Hold the section of hair that is your cutting guide between the inside of your fingers and pull it parallel to the head shape.
Using the inside of your fingers in this way is an important technique to learn. It gives you flexibility and greater precision in achieving the correct angles for the haircut.
Make sure the hair is always wet and that your cutting sections are clean. Use the fine teeth of your comb to achieve maximum tension in the hair.
Notice how the model's head is in a slightly forward position. This allows the stylist to achieve the correct angle in the haircut.
Tip: Throughout your cut, keep checking for balance, clean sections, and accurate cutting line.
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6. Step 4 of 17 - Maintaining weight and balance
The stylist is working out from the centre towards the back of the ear in parallel lines. When you are cutting parallel layers, you should position your body parallel to the head. This enables you to achieve an even and balanced shape.
Note the client's head position and the angle of the stylist fingers. See how the stylist is cutting the hair on the inside of their fingers to achieve the correct angle.
The sections are all pulled parallel to the head shape. This will achieve a soft, natural, flat hairline at the back.
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7. Step 5 of 17 – Cross check
When you have completed the nape area, check the balance of the haircut before proceeding to cut the area above the nape.
Here, the stylist is cutting horizontally to check the balance and clarity of the lines.
You can also see how the section from the back of the crown to the back of ear is separated.
Tip: Check the balance of your lines continually as you progress so you don’t waste time putting it right at the end of the haircut.
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8. Step 6 of 17 - Nape and crown area
Pull out from the head the next vertical section to be cut.
Take your guideline from the nape section. Hold the guideline between your fingers and pivot your fingers to angle the cut away from the head. This will give you more length at the crown.
To achieve the correct angle, you will need to tilt your client's head into an upright position.
To achieve the best result, keep your body parallel to the head, angle your fingers correctly and use the fine teeth of your comb to achieve maximum tension in the hair.
Tip: To achieve optimum angles in the nape and crown area the use of cutting with the inside of your fingers is better when cutting.
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9. Step 7 of 17 - Back of the crown to the back of the ears
Continue working until you reach the back of the crown, pulling out parallel sections.
Pull out your last section parallel to the back of the ear, allowing the nape hairline to fall away.
As you work, follow your cutting angle with your body. This will help you achieve balance in your haircut.
Note how the stylist here has not cut into the bottom of the hair.
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10. Step 8 of 17 - Back area completed, checked, balanced
Follow your guideline out to the sides.
The guide here is taken from the last section at the back of the ear and pulled parallel to the head.
Use the same angle as before for your fingers and the section of hair.
The hair is sectioned to the temple area. It is segmented, following the shape of the head and the flatness of the sides of the head.
The stylist is standing parallel to the cutting line and angling the hair away from the head.
Tip: How far back you pull this section into your guideline will determine the length at the front.
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11. Step 9 of 17 - Top box section
The side area is sectioned off from the temple to the back of the crown, with equal sections on both sides.
The sectioning pattern is vertical and the stylist is using a system of progressive layers. The hair is pulled back to a new guideline each time to give a progressive build up in weight and length towards the front.
This technique achieves a soft flow forward in the hair. Pulling all the hair back to the same point would build up too much weight and give your cut a heavy weight line.
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12. Step 10 of 17 - Side area
Maintain the same angle on the side area and continue to take the direction of the cut backwards.
Pull back the remaining sections from the front hairline. This will give you length, which you will cut freehand at a later stage.
Remember to check across as you work on the second side.
Tip: This layering system enables the hair to be pushed forward and builds up length progressively.
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13. Step 11 of 17 - Crown and top area
Work towards the front of the head, using the same system you used to cut the sides.
Pull the sections upright and parallel to the head. Angle the sections to create length towards the front.
The depth of your angle will depend on the client's choice of style. You can also add shape to this area by cutting freehand when you have finished the rest of your haircut.
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14. Step 12 of 17 - Crown and top area
This stage of the cut is partially disconnected at the front side areas.
The crown is connected vertically. Use a longer and higher angle towards the front of the head.
The crown side area is connected with the crown guide.
Using the crown as your guideline allows you to continue the angle from the back of the head.
You can ‘blunt cut' this stage or use thinning scissors, depending on the finished look you are aiming for.
Note how the stylist's fingers are curved as they pull the hair upright.
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15. Step 13 of 17 - Front area
At this stage of the cut you can add your own personal touches.
Our stylist has chosen to cut this section by lifting the hair over the comb and point cutting to achieve a soft edge to the shape.
Before blow-drying, you can add strength to the perimeter to give the haircut a bolder shape.
Your haircut is now complete.
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16. Step 14 of 17 - Slices, first colour
To add first colour, take a slice of hair, create a fine horizontal meche and place the meche onto a colour wrap. Our stylist has taken a rectangular segment from the top box section.
We used Blondor special cream with 9 per cent Welloxon Perfect to pre-lighten the hair. We applied it to mid-lengths and ends first, then used the root area colour wrap to secure each slice.
We developed the colour for 20 minutes under heat using a Climazon Millennium to achieve the required lift.
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17. Step 15 of 17 - Colour Touch Application, second colour
Having shampooed the hair, we applied Wella colour 6/45 vermilion and 0/4/6 red fire, mixed with original crème lotion, to sections from the crown to the nape area.
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18. Step 16 of 17 - Work from crown
Work from crown to front hairline.
We developed the colour for 20 minutes without heat the rinsed the hair to remove any excess product.
Colour touch was applied, using an applicator bottle to make sure we achieved an even distribution.
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19. Step 17 of 17 - Final result
Our model's hair was blow-dried using a vent brush.
High-hair Texturising Mousse extra hold was used to create more volume at the crown. The styling was finished off with High-hair finishing spray.
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