19 Face-Framing Haircuts With Layers That Flatter Any Face Shape

Whether you have a round face, an oval face, or a long face, ask your stylist for these layers that frame the cheekbone, chin, and collarbone.

Face-framing works regardless of your face shape, hair length, or hair texture. For any popular haircut, this technique can be added to your choice length to make it at least 10 times more flattering. We think the curtain bangs trend was onto something, but we'd venture to say that short curtain bangs aren't for everyone. Face-framing pieces of hair are what make the difference between a fine hairstyle and your best hairstyle yet.

We went straight to the experts on this trend to share their most popular face-framing cuts. Customize these low-maintenance layers just how you like them and pair them with your signature cut. Need inspiration? Here are the most flattering styles to bring to your next appointment.

Platinum "Money Piece"

What's the "money piece," you might ask? It's your new secret weapon. In other terms, it's the piece of hair right at the frame of your face that catches the sunlight and lightens in the summertime. Layer it, brighten it, and rock it.

Long Blow Out Layers

If you're looking for that gorgeous blowout style, getting longer face framing pieces can help achieve that. This hairstyle has long face framing pieces coming from the middle part and facing out to add a wispy, professional look.

Lowlight the Frame

Instead of the typical highlights on face framing layers, try out lowlights. In this hairstyle, the lowlights on the face frame have the same dimensional effect as highlights while being easier to maintain.

Layered Curls

These curls don't have anything weighing them down. Keep the layers coming, and you won't either.

Face Framing Layers and Curtain Bang Combo

Can't choose between curtain bangs or face framing layers? Try both. This hairstyle incorporates both styles to make an effortlessly cool look.

Face-Framing Fringe

Brigitte would be proud. This Bardot-worthy long fringe by stylist Cherin Choi hits those cheekbones like nobody's business.

Highlight the Frame

To really emphasize the face framing effect, make the strands lighter than the rest of the hair. This hairstyle is long angled bob with subtle highlights throughout and bright highlights framing the face.

Low-Maintenance Layers

We've found the ultimate cool-girl cut that feels a little retro—not to mention, we're very much on board with the low-maintenance layers by stylist Chris Greene.

Long Layers

Scared to make the chop? You can still frame your face with long layers, which work perfectly on long, straight strands.

Side-Swept Fringe

And the award for most flattering lob goes to: This layered shoulder cut with serious sass.

Chin-Grazing Layers

As if redheads needed any more help standing out in the crowd. This killer haircut with chin-skimming long layers will do the trick.

Layered Curls

Curls might be naturally more footloose and fancy-free, but they can still feel heavy if not layered. This mane, cut by stylist Sal Salcedo, gets a flattering touch from wispy bangs and layers that graze the cheekbones and chin.

Shaggy Layers

Haven't you heard? The shag haircut is back and better than ever—seriously, more Stevie Nicks and less Joan Jett. Starting with curtain bangs, this cut by stylist Ashlee Norman cascades down into the most flattering layers. And we're loving it.

Face-Framing and Curtain Bangs

Anyone else remember the grip that curtain bangs had on hairstyles in 2021? It seemed like everyone we knew was coming out with a new crop, but honestly who wouldn't with a cut this cute.

Platinum Blonde Framing

Is there anything more fun than a bright blonde hairstyle to make you feel completely refreshed? These framing pieces of hair, styled by Kayluh Stewart, are curled away from the face at the client's cheekbones to accentuate her face structure. "When I do face-framing layers, I use the position of the corner lips to see where I'd like to start the framing layers," Stewart says. "I like to use a razor for a more textured cut and then I go in with texturizing shears and blend til I get the desired look my clients are going for."

90s Framing Drama

Hello? That's the 90s calling to say, yes, the flipped-out bangs are back and better than ever.

Ashy Blonde Framing

Be sure to ask your stylist which length of framing they think would best highlight your facial bone structure. This client's longer, slim face is accented by cheekbone-length framing that creates the appearance of fuller cheeks. "If a client is going for a shorter face framing look such as a curtain bang, I use my comb to lay their hair flat on top of the forehead area to help decide where I should start the bangs," stylist Kayluh Stewart says. From there it's the same process for any other version of face framing!

Caramel "Money Piece"

Here's the brunette version of the "money piece." It's a subtle warm caramel strand right at the cheekbone, and it has us calling our stylist for an emergency session, stat.

Face-Framed Lob

Short hairstyles aren't excluded from this ultra-flattering trend. The blunt cut and sweeping face-framing on this cut, by stylist Gabby Marie at Beautique Salon, is too good not to imitate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between curtain bangs and face-framing bangs?

Curtain bangs lengthen outward toward the edges and are parted in the center, creating the effect of parting a curtain to reveal your forehead. Face-framing bangs are a longer version that brushes the cheekbones and often ends at or below the jaw line.

Who should get face-framing layers?

We've stated that face-framing layers can flatter any face shape, but sometimes they can elongate your face more than you'd like. If you have an oblong face, shorten up your face-framing layers to the cheekbones or add fringe bangs to balance your face shape.

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