Feathered hair is often associated with the 1970s and 1980s. The flared-out style feels like a perfect match for bellbottoms and disco shirts! It was made famous by Farrah Fawcett and other celebrities of the era until the mid-1980s, when back-combing and teasing took hold.
Layered, uneven haircuts have reemerged in recent years, reviving the feather cut. Learn how the style is different this time around.
What Is a Feather Cut?
Long, cascading locks fan out with tiered layers and a textured effect. Stylists create feathering with a razor comb for the edges, while angling multiple layers away from the face. Back in the 1970s, layering started toward the top of the hair and increased around the face to add texture and volume. Today’s feather cut has a subtler but similar goal.
Consider feathering your hair in varying degrees. If you have bangs, feathering adds a breezy, textured, fringe-like appearance that frames the top of your face with more volume. Bangs should swing or be angled away from your face in a more subdued 1970s fashion.
Going beyond bangs, a feather cut involves layers to add volume, movement and airiness to the feather effect. It’s more natural-looking and less sleek than layers on their own.
Updating the Feather Cut
Back in the 1970s, both men and women wore feathered hair to the shoulders, if not longer. Today, you have more options:
- Longer feather cuts feature a V-formation, with each layer textured by a razor.
- Shorter feather cuts add the razor effect to a blunt edge and have fewer layers, ultimately enhancing the texture of a short bob.
- Medium feather cuts often resemble a longer bob with more layers and texture.
Styling and Maintaining a Feather Cut
While the razor effect adds texture, your styling routine can enhance this aspect:
- Use a round brush and blow dryer to curve each layer outward. Without a blow dryer, you risk having your hair appear frizzy.
- Add your products first, preferably a protectant for blow drying and a volumizing or thickening solution applied from tip to root.
- Blow dry your hair, consider applying a texturizer to further enhance the results and go over each layer with a curling iron.
- You can apply hairspray with a longer-lasting hold at the end of your routine.
- Schedule a maintenance cut every six to 12 weeks to control split ends and have the style continue to frame your face.
Ready to try an updated feather cut? Make your hair appointment with Catherine & Company today!