Layered Cut VS Feather Cut VS Step Cut: What Are The Differences Among Them?
A layered cut, a feather cut, and a step cut are three different hairstyles that are popular among beauty enthusiasts, which can provide you with a voluminous and textured appearance.
You may have heard of these three hairstyles before, but you are still confused about them.
The following blog will explain the differences among them in detail, which can help you better distinguish them.
What’s more, this blog will also introduce the benefits and drawbacks of a layered cut, a feather cut, and a step cut to you clearly and systematically.
Then you will learn how to make a choice among them, and save money and energy.
1. What is A Layered Cut?
A layered cut refers to a hairstyle that cuts your hair into different lengths relative to each other, which can add dimension, volume, and texture to your natural hair.
Just like its name, a layered cut typically cuts the upper layers shorter than the lower layers, and it can make the end of the upper layers blend with the lower layers naturally and seamlessly.
What’s more, a layered cut can create an illusion of various lengths, and make your hair more voluminous.
Generally speaking, a layered cut is versatile in hairstyles, and it can suit all hair types and lengths.
Note:
Hair types not only refer to the curl types but also refer to the hair thickness, for hair type is classified by hair texture.
According to Oxford Dictionary, texture means the way a surface, substance, or piece of cloth feels when you touch it, so both curl types and hair thickness can be described as hair types.
If you are looking for a fuller and voluminous appearance, a layered cut is a suitable choice for you.
2. What is A Feather Cut?
A feather cut refers to a hairstyle that cuts your hair at an angle, which can create a feather-like, gradually disheveled, and light effect.
Just like its name, a feather cut can give you a feathery texture that mimics the layering of bird feathers, which adds texture, softness, and grace to your natural hair.
Honestly speaking, the main advantage of a feather cut is adding volume and bounce to your hair, which can reach a wonderful balance between bounce and ease.
If you are looking for a light, airy, and textured appearance, a feather cut is a nice choice for you to try.
3. What is A Step Cut?
A step cut refers to a hairstyle that cuts your hair into different lengths with distinct and noticeable steps or levels, and there is enough space between each layer along the length of the hair.
Just like its name, a step cut usually cuts the hair in a cascading pattern, which mimics the appearance of steps or terraces.
A step cut typically has two or more defined and visible steps, which can add bounce, volume, and body to your natural hair.
Generally speaking, a step cut works well on medium to long hair lengths, and it can not suit all hair thicknesses.
Besides, it is especially suitable for wavy or curly hair, for it can add movement to the hair.
If you are looking for a flowy, voluminous, and chic appearance without too much effort, it is a suitable choice for you to choose a step cut.
4. The benefits and drawbacks of a layered cut:
(1)The benefits of a layer cut:
①It can add volume and dimension to the hair.
First and foremost, a layered cut can add volume and dimension to your natural hair, which can provide you with a fuller, dimensional, and voluminous appearance.
②It can suit all hair types and lengths.
Secondly, a layered cut can suit all hair types and hair lengths.
For example, no matter whether you have straight, wavy, or curly hair, a layered cut can complement your hair texture and make it more vibrant.
What’s more, it can enhance movement in fine hair or reduce the heaviness and bulkiness in thick hair.
③It is versatile in hairstyles.
A layered cut is versatile in hairstyles, including updos, braids, and so on.
That is to say, you can restyle your hair according to your demands and preferences without too much time and effort.
④It can frame almost all face types.
Generally speaking, a layered cut can achieve a balance for facial features and flatteringly frame almost all face types.
(2)The drawbacks of a layered cut:
①It requires frequent trims.
To tell the truth, a layered cut requires frequent trims to keep a polished and voluminous appearance, which will take up a lot of your time to maintain your hair.
Usually, you need to trim your hair every 6-8 weeks.
②It takes a long time for your hair to regrow.
Just as it has been mentioned before, a layered cut will cut your hair into different lengths relative to each other.
In consequence, it will take a long time for your hair to regrow.
Besides, the hair regrowth is also uneven, which means the shorter layers will appear abrupt and unkempt compared to the longer ones.
③It makes your hair thinner and more fragile.
The different lengths of a layered cut make the ends of your hair look thinner and more fragile.
5. The benefits and drawbacks of a feather cut:
(1)The benefits of a feather cut:
①It can add volume and movement to your hair.
First of all, a feather cut can add volume, dimension, and texture to your natural hair, providing you with a fuller, more dimensional, and more textured appearance.
What’s more, it can also enhance the movement, bounce, and softness of the hair.
②It can highlight facial features.
Secondly, a feather cut can accentuate your facial features, including eyes, jaw, and cheekbones.
A feather cut is especially suitable for an oval face shape, which can soften the face features and doesn’t make the jawline look elongated.
③It is low maintenance.
As a feather cut can add volume and movement to your hair, it requires less maintenance than a layered cut, which means you don’t need to spend too much time on styles and upkeep.
(2)The drawbacks of a feather cut:
①It can not suit all face shapes.
A feather cut is not suitable for a round or square face shape, because it highlights the face features and will make the face look rounder and fuller.
②It can not suit all hair types.
A feather cut can not suit all hair types.
For instance, it doesn’t look well on curly or thick hair.
As a feather cut can add volume, dimension, and movement to the hair, it will make curly or thick hair less manageable.
Besides, a feather cut will also make the fine hair flatter and thinner.
6. The benefits and drawbacks of a step cut:
(1)The benefits of a step cut:
①It can add volume and body to the hair.
First and foremost, a step cut can add volume and body to your natural hair, providing you with a structured, textured, and dramatic appearance.
②It can add bounce and movement without thinning the hair too much.
Generally speaking, a step cut can enhance the bounce and movement of your hair without thinning out the hair excessively.
③It can suit various face shapes.
A step cut is suitable for various face shapes, especially for the long or oval face shape by adding width and balance.
④It is low maintenance.
A step cut requires less maintenance, which means you can have a stylish and structured appearance without too much effort and energy.
(2)The drawbacks of a step cut:
①It can not suit all hair types.
Honestly speaking, a step cut is suitable for wavy or curly hair, for it can enhance bounce and movement to the hair and make it more manageable.
Besides, a step cut doesn’t work well on thin hair.
②It can not suit all hair lengths.
Usually, a step cut is only suitable for medium to long hair lengths.
③It requires frequent trims.
A step cut requires frequent trims to maintain a defined and textured appearance.
7. The similarities between a layered cut and a feather cut:
(1)Add volume and movement.
Firstly, both a layered cut and a feather cut can add volume and movement to your natural hair, providing you with a voluminous, bouncy, and textured appearance.
(2)Suit medium to long hair lengths.
Another main similarity between a layered cut and a feather cut is that they suit medium to long hair lengths.
(3)Frame your face shape.
Last but not least, both a layered cut and a feather cut can frame your face shape when done properly.
Therefore, you can turn to the hairstylist for help and customization when you don’t know which one to pick.
8. The differences between a layered cut and a feather cut:
(1)Hair types.
First of all, the primary and essential difference between a layered cut and a feather cut is the hair type.
A layered cut can suit almost all hair types, while a feather cut is not suitable for thick or curly hair.
Besides, a feather cut will also make the thin hair look flatter and thinner.
(2)Hair lengths.
Secondly, a layered cut can suit all hair lengths, while a feather cut is suitable for medium to long hair lengths.
(3)Face shapes.
Just as it has been mentioned, a layered cut can suit all face shapes.
However, a feather cut is only suitable for oval or heart-shaped faces.
As a feather cut can highlight the face features, it is not suitable for a round or square face shape, which will make the face look rounder and fuller.
(4)Maintenance.
Last but not least, the maintenance between a layered cut and a feather cut is also different.
A layered cut requires frequent trims to maintain a polished appearance, which means you should trim your hair every 6-8 weeks.
On the contrary, a feather cut is low maintenance, and you don’t need to spend too much time maintaining it.
9. The similarities between a layered cut and a step cut:
(1)Add volume and movement.
First of all, both a layered cut and a step cut can add volume and movement to your natural hair.
(2)Suit medium to long hair lengths.
Secondly, they are suitable for medium to long hair lengths.
10. The differences between a layered cut and a step cut:
(1)Hair types.
First and foremost, a layered cut can suit all hair types, while a step cut is suitable for wavy or curly hair.
(2)Hair lengths.
Secondly, a layered cut can suit all hair lengths, while a step cut works well on medium to long hair lengths.
(3)Face shapes.
Just as it has been mentioned, a layered cut can suit almost all face shapes.
However, a step cut looks well on long or oval face shapes by adding width and balance.
(4)Maintenance.
Compared to a layered cut, a step cut requires more maintenance than it.
The following is a chart that can help you better distinguish the differences among a layered cut, a feather cut, and a step cut.
| Feature | A layered cut | A feather cut | A step cut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair types | It suits all hair types. | It doesn’t suit thick, curly, or thin hair. | It is suitable for wavy or curly hair. |
| Hair lengths | It suits all hair lengths. | It suits medium to long hair lengths. | It suits medium to long hair lengths. |
| Face shapes | It suits all face shapes. | It is especially suitable for oval or heart-shaped faces. | It is suitable for long or oval face shapes. |
| Maintenance | It requires more maintenance than a feather cut, but less than a step cut. | It requires the least maintenance. | It requires the most maintenance. |
11. How to choose among a layered cut, a feather cut, and a step cut?
(1)Hair textures.
First and foremost, the primary and essential element for you to consider is the hair texture.
A layered cut is suitable for all hair types, while a step cut especially works well on wavy or curly hair.
A feather cut is not suitable for thick or curly hair, for it will make the hair less manageable by adding dimension, volume, and movement to it.
Besides, a feather cut will also make the fine hair look flatter and thinner.
Therefore, you should take your hair type into consideration before making a choice among a layered cut, a feather cut, and a step cut.
(2)Hair lengths.
Secondly, a layered cut can suit all hair lengths, while a feather cut and a step cut are only suitable for medium to long hair lengths.
All in all, when you choose a new hairstyle, hair length is another important factor that you should consider.
(3)Face shapes.
Just as it has been mentioned before, a layered cut can suit almost all face shapes well.
However, a feather cut is especially suitable for oval or heart-shaped faces.
A feather cut will make the round or square face look rounder and fuller by highlighting the face features.
A step cut looks well on a long or oval face shape by adding width and balance.
Face shape is another important factor that you should take into account before choosing a new look.
(4)Maintenance.
A feather cut requires the least maintenance among them.
Compared to a step cut, a layered cut requires less maintenance.
If you don’t have enough time to maintain your haircut, maybe a feather cut is the best choice for you.
(5)Your personal demands and individual preferences.
Last but not least, when you make a choice among a layered cut, a feather cut, and a step cut, you should also consider your personal demands and individual preferences.
Conclusion:
After reading this blog, you must have a more comprehensive and systematic understanding of a layered cut, a feather cut, and a step cut.
In conclusion, when you make a choice among them, you should take the hair types, hair lengths, face shapes, maintenance, and your demands and preferences into account.
It’s my pleasure if this blog can really address your concerns and problems about a layered cut, a feather cut, and a step cut.
If you have any questions about human hair wigs, please feel free to leave a comment here, and I will respond to you as soon as possible.
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