Uneven Layers

Q: I want to get a layered haircut that is I guess you can say uneven. I don’t know what the haircut type is called. Right now my hair is layered, and it's all different lengths because of the layers but what I want is a layered haircut that has some long pieces of hair and some short, and right now all of my hair stops at the same place but I want some pieces to be longer.

I don’t want it to be an even haircut and I don’t want it to all stop at the same place. I don’t know what this is called. Can someone please email me back and tell me if they have a clue what I’m talking about? I would greatly appreciate it.

A: Well, the first thing to do is to tell the stylist that you want a haircut that is layered and asymmetrical. And the second thing you need to do is explain, carefully and in as much detail as possible, exactly the elements you want in the hair style.

Where do you want longer pieces? How short do you want the shortest parts, and how long do you want the longest? If you have a photo of the style you want, be sure to bring it. The stylist can then advise you as to the best way to adapt the style to suit you.

The trouble with trying to give you a “Name” for a hairstyle is that names vary from country to country, region to region, and even from salon to salon. It is not uncommon to ask for a style in one salon and get one look, and then get a different look (slightly different if you’re lucky) by asking for the same style somewhere else at a later date.

I always advise clients and friends to avoid “style names” and instead focus on descriptions. Learn the basic terms – layered, blunt cut, textured, razor-cut – of cutting, and the basic parts of the head – top, crown, parietal ridge, sides, temples, nape – and you can give any stylist an exact idea of what you want them to do for you.

©Hairfinder.com

See also:

Hairstyling terms & definitions

Are there different types of layering or are certain hair types not suited for layering?

Can you explain disconnected layers and how they are achieved?

What does "layered" mean to a hair stylist?