Feathered hair has a somewhat retro-look, similar to the big, flowy hair styles from the 70’s. Farrah Fawcett is the perfect example of feathered hair or the original Charlie’s Angels.
You may want to figure out what type of feathered look you want before you get your hair cut. You can have long hair with feathered layers, or you can go very short. Before you go into a salon, decide if you want that long or short look. Try looking at pictures online of feathered hair to help you decide. Feathered hair from the 70s usually had bangs that were parted down the middle, so if you really want to go for feathered look, have bangs cut in your hair. You can do this look without layered hair, but layered hair does help create the more feathery look around your face. If you don’t want to get your hair cut just to style it, then don’t worry about adding layers.
Make sure as you blow dry your hair that you are maintaining the middle or side part you have created. To achieve the best volume and prepare your hair for the feathered look, use a round brush and pull the hair your surrounding your face through the brush. Have the brush pull your hair away from your face, so that the hair around your face is curled or smoothed backwards.
Basically, draw a part down the middle of your hair, from the top of your forehead to the hairline on your neck. Separate those two sections, pushing your hair in front of your shoulders so that it doesn’t accidentally overlap. Then, divide each section in half, and use a clip to pin each back section. After you have clipped back your hair, you should just have your two front sections of hair down by your face. After you have finished each front section, unclip the back sections of hair and let them fall behind your shoulders. Try to keep your front sections that are already curled in front of your shoulders so that you don’t accidentally grab some of those curls and try to curl them again. You can separate your hair by layers if you want, but it isn’t necessary. Separating it into 4 sections may be easier, and it will keep you from having Shirley Temple curls. You want to avoid these because you don’t want tight ringlets – you want loose waves.
Basically, take a strand of hair, and put the curling iron behind it. When you look in the mirror your hair should be in front of the curling iron. Then, wrap your hair over the top of the curling iron. This will be wrapping your hair away from your face, which will help create that feathered, voluminous look. You don’t want these curls to be ringlets, but you do want them to last a while, so if you need to hold the curling iron on your hair for more than a few seconds, you can do so. You will brush out the curls later so it is okay if they are bouncy. If you have short hair you may have to start farther up with your curls, only 1 inch (2. 5 cm) or so away from your head.
With your bangs, you will want to start near your hairline since your hair is shorter. However, make sure you are curling your hair away from your face. If you wrap your hair in the wrong direction around your curling iron, your hair will loose that feathered look and will just look like ringlets around your face.
Don’t worry about brushing too many of the curls out. The feathered hair look doesn’t rely on curls, except for those that frame your face. Curling your hair just helps to give it volume and texture.
