Face-Framing Haircuts That Will Make You Look Younger

While layered hair trends have gravitated in and out of style over the years, face-framing pieces are having a prolonged moment in the 2020s. Like Jennifer Aniston before them, celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter have put face-framing locks on the map again. And who could blame them? This flattering cut falls under the list of long, layered hairstyles that can freshen up your look by drawing attention to your face, though you could also flaunt them with shorter hair. 

Whether you're going for face-framing bottleneck bangs or are simply looking to cut your layers around your jawline, this look has the approval of gurus like Michelle Cleveland, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Hair Addict Salon. In an exclusive chat with Glam, Cleveland reveals that, when incorporated into certain haircuts, face-framing pieces can actually make you look younger. Textured, choppy styles like the Miley Cyrus-loved vintage shag or the bold, power-woman bixie cut highlight all the right features, breathing youth into your style. If you're looking for a non-invasive way to shed a few years off of your look, these trendy face-framing cuts may be the way to go.

Sometimes confused with the mullet, the edgy shag cut is a retro throwback that many celebrities still wear today. We've seen the likes of Zendaya, Michelle Obama, and Vanessa Hudgens wear variations of this style, which is characterized by an overall unkempt silhouette with short layers at the top of the head and choppy bangs of any length. In an exclusive conversation with Glam, Michelle Cleveland explains that this look is so powerful when it comes to taking off the years because it screams "young, fun, and edgy."

Shag cuts don't come with strict rules, but as Cleveland explains, most interpretations come with "tons of face-framing layers" that can be as long or short as you like. For a softer and more feminine approach, you can opt for a trendy butterfly shag cut, which features layers cut around the face that start off short and get longer. But if that's not your vibe, we've got ideas for several shag haircuts to inspire your next salon visit, including the Goldie shag, modeled after film star Goldie Hawn, and the edgy lob shag embraced by Billie Eilish.

If you're not someone who likes layers, the idea of cutting face-framing pieces may seem daunting. Fear not if that's the case, as Michelle Cleveland confirms that you can still embrace this look by sticking with bangs only. The longer curtain bangs, which can be worn with short hair or with long hair, are the perfect avenue into face-framing territory for those who are hesitant. "I love the look and simplicity of a curtain bang," Cleveland tells us exclusively. "In my opinion, it's the quickest and easiest way to add softness around the face without committing to a full cut!"

This look is pretty self-explanatory: Curtain bangs fall like two curtains, framing the upper sides of your face. Some people have curtain bangs long enough to tuck behind the ears, while others have those that graze the brows. You can cut and style your own curtain bangs at home if you don't want to head into the salon, but getting a professional to do it for you will increase your chances of ending up with curtain bangs that you love. This flattering look suits all face shapes, but keep in mind if you're a fringe newbie that bangs tend to require more upkeep and maintenance than longer layers. 

Okay, so we've established that curtain bangs are the move for those who love a fringe but don't want to commit to other layers. However, Michelle Cleveland advises that pairing curtain bangs with face-framing pieces gives you the best of both worlds. "By combining these two cuts, it completely softens and frames the entire face for a softer more youthful look," she reveals in our exclusive chat. 

The combination of curtain bangs and face-framing layers will give your hair the ultimate lightness, so this feathery look is great for those seeking an airy quality. It's up to you whether you go for longer bangs that cascade naturally into your layers so you can't tell where one ends and the other begins or if you want a slightly harsher definition between your bangs and your layers. If you do want to clearly separate the two, ask your stylist for shorter curtain bangs, and wear them straight so the borders are clear. 

Face-framing layers tend to be associated with longer hair, but there are a few short styles that feature these flattering pieces, too. One such cut is the bixie, a hybrid between the edgy pixie and the slightly longer bob cut. It tends to feature the choppy texture and volume that comes with a pixie while giving more length — and thus more room for styling. "This cut combines the length of a traditional bob with the softness that comes from face-framing layers," Michelle Cleveland shares exclusively with Glam. Celebrities to look to for bixie inspiration include Halle Berry, Demi Lovato, and Florence Pugh.  

The key to pulling off a bixie at any age is knowing how to style it properly. Decide whether you'll primarily be wearing it straight, wavy, or curly since this will affect where your stylist cuts your layers. If your hair is curly or you'll be curling it, you might want to opt for a slightly longer cut with longer layers that fall around your face, as they'll bounce up with the curl. Likewise, straight hair can be cut shorter. However, the spirit of the bixie is fun and free, so don't be afraid to experiment with both your layers and your styling. 

Naturally, face-framing layers are cropped around the face, but you could opt for the longest variation of this cut by trimming yours at the level of your chin. For those who have always been fans of long hair or are new to the entire concept of layers, this is a safe way to segue into the trend. As Michelle Cleveland explains exclusively to Glam, "This is a timeless look that creates an effortless, soft effect around the face." 

The only real rule to this style is that you have layers that begin at the lower point of the face. Other than that, you're free to keep the rest of your hair as long or short as you like — though do note that the more variation you have between your layers and the rest of your hair, the more powerful the effect will be. It's up to you whether you go for straight, wavy, or curly styling, but Cleveland points out that these pieces look particularly elegant with a curl. "Another added bonus to this look is when you curl these layered pieces up, it creates a full bodied glamorous appearance," she says. The other benefit of longer layers is that they're low-maintenance, as opposed to shorter layers that require more frequent visits to the salon to keep under control.