Even the most fashionable among us often use step cut and layer cut interchangeably. But there is a difference between step cut and layer cut. So let’s wade into Step Cut vs Layer Cut.
There are times when you walk into a salon without any reference for a haircut. You might not be aware of hairstyles that would suit you or you don’t know about the different types of haircuts. In order to avoid getting a bad haircut, it is always beneficial to do some research.
Two of the most popular hairstyles are the Layer cut and the Step cut. Many people tend to get confused by the names and some believe they are the same thing. However, that is not the case. Both of these haircuts differ in many ways and are perfect for anyone with medium or long hair.
Comparison Table: Step Cut vs Layer Cut
| Criteria | Step Cut Hairstyle | Layer Cut Hairstyle |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Step-cut hairstyles usually have two to three inches of gap between each step or level of cards in order to bring a variation of texture. | In the layer cut hairstyle, the hair is usually blended together in a way to remove any lines of demarcation. |
| Length of gaps | There are two to three inches of gap between each level or step cut. | There are no gaps between the layers. |
| Thickness of hair | The step-cut hairstyle tends to look great on people who have wavy or thick hair. | The layer cut hairstyle is said to look great on people with straight and thin hair. |
| In terms of beauty | This haircut helps to and some bounce to your hair while making a new look fashionable. | This haircut does not add any kind of bounce to the hair because the volume of the head is increased and the hair strands look slightly thicker. |
| Straight hair or curls | The step-cut hairstyle looks great with straight hair or loose curls. | The layered hairstyle looks great with curls or waves. |
| Maintenance | A step-cut hairstyle requires more maintenance than a layered haircut. | On the other hand, the layered haircut requires less maintenance when compared to the step haircut. |
| Nature | The step haircut will give you a classic yet glamorous look. | The layered haircut will give you a trendy yet modern look. |
| Popularity | One of the most popular techniques includes the two-step haircut with the short layer above the long layer. | Haircut includes textured or graduated bobs. |
About Step Cut
The step-cut hairstyle is one of the most popular haircuts. The cutting is done in a certain way where the steps for cuts of the hair are very much noticeable. This haircut looks very pretty on people who have wavy or thick hair. The gaps or the spacing between each layer are made in such a way that it is visible and not blended.
Based on the individual preference, the haircut involves two or three layers of steps. People normally like the two-step layer where the smaller layer is placed above the longer there. Once the haircut is done, the hair will look very bouncy and lively. This haircut will perfectly highlight your face and bring a lot of attention to it. It looks gorgeous when it is styled with light calls or straightened hair.
About Layer Cut
Layer cuts are also very famous and highly trendy. This haircut is done in a way that does not involve any visible steps. All the layers are blended in such a way that it is no longer visible. The hairdresser tends to subtly and multiple variations of length which results in a seamless look. The top layers in this haircut are usually cut shorter than the lower layers. This technique leads to an illusion where the volume and length of the hair seem changed.
People with thin and long hair mostly look for this hairstyle as it adds more volume and thickness. There are two techniques involved while going for a layered haircut. These techniques are the sliding haircut and the blended evaluation.
In the sliding haircut, the hair is divided into 4 parts and the back section is cut at a 20-degree angle. Whereas in the blended evaluation, the top section of the hair is cut at a 90-degree angle and the sides sections of the hair are cut at 180 degrees.
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Difference Between Step Cut and Layer Cut
1) Description
Step-cut hairstyles usually have two to three inches of gap between each step or level of cards in order to bring a variation of texture. On the other hand, In the layer cut hairstyle, the hair is usually blended together in a way to remove any lines of demarcation.
2) Length of gaps
There are two to three inches of gap between each level or step cut. There are no gaps between the layers.
3) The thickness of hair
The step-cut hairstyle tends to look great on people who have wavy or thick hair. The layer cut hairstyle is said to look great on people with straight and thin hair.
4) In terms of beauty
This haircut helps to and some bounce to your hair while making a new look fashionable. This haircut does not add any kind of bounce to the hair because the volume of the head is increased and the hair strands look slightly thicker.
5) Straight hair or curls
The step-cut hairstyle looks great with straight hair or loose curls. The layered hairstyle looks great with curls or waves.
6) Maintenance
A step-cut hairstyle requires more maintenance than a layered haircut. On the other hand, the layered haircut requires less maintenance when compared to the step haircut.
7) Nature
The step haircut will give you a classic yet glamorous look. Whereas, the layered haircut will give you a trendy yet modern look.
8) Popularity
One of the most popular techniques includes the two-step haircut with the short layer above the long layer. Layered haircuts include textured or graduated bobs.
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Summary
The key difference between the Layer cut and the Step cut is that: A layer cut has layers of hair that are blended really well to make it less noticeable. A step cut on the other hand has layers that are highly noticeable. You can see the ‘steps’ in the haircut, unlike the layer cut.
The Step cut hairstyle is done in a way that seems like the hair is cut at varying lengths. Each step has a gap between them. The Layer haircut involves layers of hair being cut in a subtle way such that it is blended well.
Naomi is an educator with 2 decades of experience working with children of all ages. She is a keen observer of the magic and importance of Maths in our daily lives. Follow me on Linkedin