Difference Between Step Cut And Layer Cut Hairstyle

SHARE

What is a Step Cut Hairstyle?

Step cutting is basically a term used to describe a haircut that makes the form of cascading. There is a visibly sharp layer between the steps which eventually results in having a number of steps in the hair. Usually, the first layer starts under the ear and the second is at the shoulders for medium length hair so a visible difference can be seen.

Step haircut gives a bounce to your hair and looks fashionable. It works exceptionally well with curly hair as the bulk of the hair stays balanced giving an edgier, more youthful appeal to styling applications. The most preferred step cut technique is a 2-step cut where the shortest layer is above shoulders and the next one few inches below.

What You Need To Know About Step Cut

  • Step cutting usually has 2 to 3 inches gap between each step or level cuts in order to bring texture and variation.
  • Usually, the first layer starts under the ear and the second is at the shoulders for medium length hair so a visible difference can be seen.
  • Step haircut gives a bounce to your hair and looks fashionable.
  • Looks great on people with wavy and thick hair.
  • Straightened hair or lose curls look great in step haircut.
  • Step haircut requires more maintenance than layer haircut.  
  • Step haircut is more classic and is done in a way that it looks extremely glamorous.
  • The most preferred step cut technique is a 2-step cut where the shortest layer is above shoulders and the next one few inches below.
  • A step cut will frame your face more sharply than a layer cut- and works well with oval, square and round face shapes.

What is a Layer Cut Hairstyle?

With Layer cut hairstyle, hair is arranged into layers, with the top layers (those that grow nearer the crown) cut shorter than layers beneath. This allows the tips of the top layers to blend seamlessly with layers beneath. In other words, Layer cutting is done in a way that no gaps are left between the layers. They are all usually blended together in such a way that a prominent demarcation cannot be seen.

Layer cut is perfect for fine or medium hair as the cut adds volume to the hair and gives the illusion of thicker hair strands. This hairstyle is also easier to maintain because as the hair grows out it doesn’t look too uneven.

What You Need To Know About Layer Cut

  • Layer cutting is done in a way that no gaps are left between the layers. They are all usually blended together in such a way that a prominent demarcation cannot be seen.
  • There isn’t any set gap between the layers. It’s more haphazard and the gap between the layers isn’t much.
  • Looks great on people with thin and straight hair.
  • Layer haircut doesn’t give bounce to the hair but adds volume to the hair and gives the illusion of thicker hair strands.
  • Curls or waves through a curling iron or straight hair looks great in layer haircut.
  • Layer haircut requires less maintenance than step haircut.
  • Layer cut is more modern and trendy than step cut.
  • Best layered haircuts include tapered, textured and graduated bobs.
  • Strategically done layer haircut can add better proportions to your face by emphasizing your eyes, lips or cheeks.

Difference Between Step Cut And Layer Cut In Tabular Form

BASIS OF COMPARISON STEP CUT HAIRSTYLE LAYER CUT HAIRSTYLE
Description Step cutting usually has 2 to 3 inches gap between each step or level cuts in order to bring texture and variation.   Hair is usually blended together in such a way that a prominent demarcation cannot be seen.  
Prominent Gaps There is usually 2 to 3 inches gap between each step or level cuts There isn’t any set gap between the layers.
Appeal Looks great on people with wavy and thick hair.   Looks great on people with thin and straight hair.  
Beauty Step haircut gives a bounce to your hair and looks fashionable.   Layer haircut doesn’t give bounce to the hair but adds volume to the hair and gives the illusion of thicker hair strands.  
Hair Straightened hair or lose curls look great in step haircut.   Curls or waves through a curling iron or straight hair looks great in layer haircut.  
Maintenance Step haircut requires more maintenance than layer haircut.     Layer haircut requires less maintenance than step haircut.  
Nature Step haircut is more classic and is done in a way that it looks extremely glamorous.   Layer cut is more modern and trendy than step cut.  
Popularity The most preferred step cut technique is a 2-step cut where the shortest layer is above shoulders and the next one few inches below.   Best layered haircuts include tapered, textured and graduated bobs.  

Care For Layered Hair

  • Getting trims every six weeks or so to avoid split ends.
  • Using hair products designed for your hair texture: Shampoo, rinses and hair treatments that keep hair healthy and shiny.
  • Towel-drying hair rather than blow-drying to avoid dehydrating strands and spray in sea salt spray coating hair from roots to ends to bring out waves.
  • Air-drying hair and scrunching for added volume without heat.
  • Sleeping on wet hair to encourage waves.
  • Removing frizz by applying a quality mousse to lock in moisture.
  • Intensifying shine and volume with hair waxes that won’t weigh hair down.