How to Pull Off an A-Line Haircut

When you head to the salon, do you always stick to the same hairstyle? Well, it might just be time to break out of your comfort zone and try a new haircut. One of the trendiest looks right now is the A-line haircut. And whether you’re in favor of short, medium, or long haircuts, an A-line style could be the perfect fit for you. In fact, we have a feeling this is one hairstyle trend you’re definitely going to want to try for yourself as it can be super-flattering on lots of different hair types and textures. That’s why it’s no surprise that plenty of your fave celebs have been sporting short and long A-line haircuts as of late.

Ready to take a new hairstyle for a spin? Keep reading to learn all about A-line haircuts, including what they look like, who they work best on, and how to style them.

WHAT IS AN A-LINE HAIRCUT?

Not sure what an A-line haircut actually looks like? The answer is simpler than you were likely expecting. An A-line haircut is one that is longer in the front and shorter in the back. You usually see this technique used to create the all too popular A-line bob haircut. You don’t want the change in lengths to be super-dramatic—about an inch longer in the front than the back is all that’s necessary to qualify your cut as A-line. That being said, if you have very long hair and want to keep a lot of your length, then you may want to consider chopping off more in the back for a more noticeable look. Really, the best part is that you can customize your A-line style to make it work for you.

WHO LOOKS BEST WITH AN A-LINE HAIRCUT?

The good news is, just about anyone can pull off an A-line cut! Whether you want a long or short A-line haircut, have straight or curly hair, or have fine or thick hair, this look is a great way to change things up. Your stylist will be able to determine how to give you an A-line cut that flatters you and your hair best. If you have an appointment at the salon, bring some inspiration photos with you (perhaps via a dedicated Pinterest board?) so that your stylist can get a sense of how you want your locks to look.

ARE A-LINE BOBS STILL IN STYLE?

Now, you’ve determined an A-line cut will look simply amazing on you, but you need to decide if a short A-line haircut is the right choice. We mentioned the popularity of A-line bobs earlier, and you might be wondering if they’re still stylish. While it’s true angled bobs had a major moment a few years ago, they are in fact still in style. Nowadays, the look is slightly subtler with less sharp angling and is often paired with soft waves, but we don’t expect to see A-line bobs dropping out of favor anytime soon.

HOW DO YOU STYLE AN A-LINE HAIRCUT?

One of the best things about A-line cuts is that there are so many different ways you can style them. Below, we’re sharing one smooth and sleek style and one lived-in look so you can switch things up as you please.

For a smooth A-line hairstyle…start in the shower with a smoothing system of shampoo and conditioner, like the L’Oréal Paris EverSleek Keratin Caring Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverSleek Keratin Caring Conditioner. Once you hop out of the shower, gently blot your hair and wring out excess moisture with a cotton T-shirt.

Before reaching for your blow-dryer, apply a heat protectant, like the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BLOW DRY IT Quick Dry Primer Spray. Blow-dry your hair with a round brush to create some volume and keep everything looking smooth. Finish with a spritz of the L’Oréal Paris Precious Oil Satin Hairspray.

For a textured A-line hairstyle…ditch the heat tools in favor of your natural texture. Post-shower, apply a hair pomade or paste to dry strands. Take a dime-sized amount of the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty and rub it between your palms before working it throughout your mane. Gently scrunch to define your layers and create a piecey look. Don’t worry about perfection—the goal of this style is a perfectly messy mane! Add more product as needed.

Next up: Thinking your hair could really use some layers added into the mix? Here are The 40 Best Layered Haircuts to consider.