“I’m 58 and I’ve always loved having long hair, but lately I feel like it makes my round face look even fuller. I don’t want to lose the length, and I’m definitely not ready for a bob. Would long layers with curtain bangs give my face a little more shape without feeling like a drastic haircut?” — Karen D., Raleigh, North Carolina
Karen, I wouldn’t cut off the length you love just because your face is feeling a little fuller lately. You can absolutely keep your long hair. I’d simply change where the shape starts around your face.
What I’d suggest for you is long layers that begin below your cheekbones, paired with curtain bangs that fall around the bottom of your nose. That way, you’re not suddenly looking in the mirror and wondering where all your hair went. You’ll still very much have long hair, but those shorter pieces around the front will break up some of the fullness around your cheeks.
And when you style it don’t feel like you need one of those big, perfectly curled blowouts. You really don’t. I’d give you a little height at the crown, sweep your curtain bangs away from your cheeks, and put a few relaxed bends through your layers. That’s enough to show off the haircut.
Here’s exactly how I’d have you do it at home.
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Step 1: Give Your Roots a Little Help
Karen, after you wash your hair, gently squeeze out the excess water and let it air-dry for a few minutes. You want your hair damp rather than soaking wet.
If your long hair tends to lie flat, especially around the crown, smooth a small amount of Kenra Volume Mousse Extra 17 through your roots before you start drying. It gives you some lift and has thermal protection without requiring another styling step.
Don’t spread mousse through all of your lengths. For the shape we’re going for, I’d concentrate it around the crown and leave the ends lighter.
Step 2: Protect Your Hair Before You Blow-Dry
Before you bring out the dryer, mist CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray lightly through your hair. It can be used before blow-drying and helps protect your hair from styling heat. It’s also currently listed on Amazon.com in the U.S.
You really don’t need to drench your hair in this. A light, even application is enough.
Then use your fingers to lift the hair at your crown while you dry your roots. Since you want your round face to appear a little longer, I’d put that extra volume on top rather than puffing out the hair beside your cheeks.
Step 3: Give Your Long Layers a Relaxed Bend
Once your hair is mostly dry, switch to a 2-inch round brush.
Take fairly large sections, place the brush underneath the hair, and slowly pull it toward your ends while following it with your dryer. When you reach the bottom, turn the brush slightly outward.
You don’t need to curl every section. We’re simply putting enough bend into your long layers so they don’t hang straight down around your face.
Step 4: Spend an Extra Minute on Your Curtain Bangs
If you only have time to style one part of this haircut, make it your curtain bangs.
Bring the entire bang section forward and place your round brush underneath. Dry it forward first, then divide it at the center and sweep each side back and away from your cheeks.
That outward direction is important for you. Instead of having the bangs sit heavily against the widest part of your face, you’re opening everything up around your eyes and cheekbones.
And please don’t spend ten minutes fighting with them. A couple of passes with the brush should do it.
Step 5: Keep the Front Layers Smooth and Directed Away From Your Face
Now take the first couple of layers on either side of your face and smooth them away from your cheeks with your round brush.
Place the brush underneath each section and pull it down through the hair while aiming your dryer from the roots toward the ends. As you reach the front, guide the hair slightly back and away from your face rather than turning the brush or curling the ends.
Karen, you don’t need a curl here. The goal is simply to keep those front layers from falling straight against your cheeks while letting the rest of your length stay smooth and natural.
Once those pieces are dry, leave them alone. They’ll frame your face without adding extra fullness around the sides.
Step 6: Smooth the Ends Without Flattening Everything You Just Did
If your ends look a little dry after blow-drying, Verb Ghost Oil would be my pick here. It’s specifically positioned for fine-to-medium hair and is designed to add shine without a heavy finish.
Even though the brand suggests two to three pumps, I’d start smaller for finishing. Rub a tiny amount between your palms and lightly skim it over your mid-lengths and ends. You can always add another little bit.
Keep it away from your curtain bangs and roots. We just spent all that time giving those areas lift, so we don’t want to flatten them now.
On Mornings When You Don’t Want to Style All That Hair
And this is the part I think you’ll appreciate most, Karen: don’t redo the whole thing.
Lightly dampen your curtain bangs and the two front sections. Use your round brush to sweep them away from your face, give the crown a quick blast with your dryer, and leave the rest of your hair alone.
If the ends need tidying, use the tiniest touch of your Verb Ghost Oil again.
That’s really all I’d want you doing between washes. Long layers and curtain bangs can look beautifully styled without turning your morning into a full blowout session.