Holland Taylor's Layered Hairstyle

Holland Taylor - Layered hairstyle for older women — Holland Taylor - Photo: Everett Collection/Shutterstock

Holland Taylor is one of entertainment's many "overnight successes," which means she spent more than a decade struggling and facing disappointment before landing the role that gave her the break she needed.

She began her career in New York with dreams of becoming a Broadway star, and 15 years later, she finally landed a role in the television sitcom "Bosom Buddies" opposite Tom Hanks in 1980. This role served as a springboard for her career, leading to other notable roles in film and television, where she consistently "steals the show."

Ms. Taylor is known for portraying bold, brassy, hard-hitting, and powerful women. Perhaps her hair plays a part in this persona: reportedly, Ms. Taylor gained the nickname "Penny" Taylor as a teen in Allentown, PA, because of her coppery red hair. Her look always exudes that of a well-groomed and boldly styled woman who isn't afraid to stand out in a crowd.

Over the years, Ms. Taylor's hair color has become lighter and more subtle, which is often a positive choice for a mature woman. Today, Holland Taylor is less of a "Coppery Fireball" and more of a "Strawberry Blonde," but she remains one of the loveliest ladies around, whether on stage or on camera.

The Cut:

How to layer hair with a circle cut technique

The cut you see here is a modern twist on a traditional circular cut, shaped more like an oval than a full circular style. The hair at the top and crown areas measures approximately 4.5 to 5 inches in length, gradually tapering down to about 2.5 to 3 inches at the bottom perimeter of the head. The hair is layered using a traditional circular cut technique, with steeper cutting angles to create the elongated oval shape.

The Color:

Ms. Taylor's hair color is ideal for many women in her age group, noted not just for its exact shade but also for the softness of the color and how beautifully it complements her complexion. If you wish to emulate Ms. Taylor's color, look for a shade with a red or orange base, around a level 7 or 8 in lightness. To add depth and dimension, consider incorporating highlights (base color: red/orange; level 9) or lowlights (base color: red/orange; level 6) to avoid a monotone result.

Dark hair colors within the red/orange base family can be brightened with highlights to soften the overall color, typically aiming for shades around level 7 or 8.

The Style:

Ms. Taylor's look is achieved through blow-drying with a round brush. Use a diffuser to build volume and lift at the scalp, drying the hair to an "almost fully dry" state.

Once dry, style the hair to flip up at the ends and lightly mist with spray. Scrunch or pull through the hair to create definition and points in the style. This style works best with hair that is full-bodied and naturally wavy.

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See also: Hairstyles for elderly women