Sorry, fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty, but I have a confession: Taylor Jewel is my complex, charismatic queen. And perhaps more importantly, I’m all in on her haircut for this third season as my fall inspiration. Her blonde, layered cut is on-trend and easy to style, with flattering volume and movement. A perfect picture to bring to your next hair appointment, should you be looking for a seasonal hairstyle switch-up. Forget our sweet everygirl Belly Conklin for a second, and sidle up to Taylor Jewel and her season three glow-up.
While most of the conversations about The Summer I Turned Pretty revolve around romantic tensions and our very many thoughts on Lola Tung’s Belly, it’s Taylor’s new look for the second season that’s been my main obsession. In the first series, Taylor—played by Rain Spencer—sported some unremarkable straight hair, and went into the second season with a butterfly cut and fluttering bangs. In what’s meant to be the final instalment of the show, the characterful blonde has upped her on-screen style again, with expertly crafted layers and shortened lengths.
IRL too, Spencer has kept up her effortless layers, usually in tousled waves with small face-framing pieces. (As fiercely loyal to the cut as Taylor is to Belly). For more glamorous events, Spencer adds glossing products and more of a sleek curl, as well as some height to the crown.
Breaking down Taylor’s haircut in The Summer I Turned Pretty
Taylor’s hair is halfway between a wolf cut and a butterfly cut, and acts as a narrative marker for the character’s personal evolution; now more mature, and with more personality. Of course, IRL, a change of look also usually brings with it a certain personal, emotional transformation.
"In addition to boosting confidence and self-esteem, a change of hair and look can help us to combat stress, feel emotionally renewed, leave worries behind, and mark new beginnings,” says Jorge Garay of the Spain-based salon A Coruña. “A return from vacation can be a good time to make the decision to change our look drastically.” So Taylor’s change of cut makes a lot of sense for where she’s at in TSITP. And with the trends we should have on our radar for the imminent fall, it’s just one of the many layered haircut styles to keep in mind—from shags to the wolf and the butterfly, marquise layers, curtain bangs, and expert crafted shapes that suit curly hair textures
Which layered haircut looks best for your face?
Hairstylist and colorist Jorge Garay says there’s a tried and tested method for choosing a layered haircut that best suits our physiognomy.
The first step would be to analyze the general shape of the face: is it more elongated, wider, or does it have very sharp angles? From there, the proportions between the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline come into play. If the forehead is wide, compensate with volume at the bottom; if the face is long, balance it with volume on the sides; and if it is wide, cuts that visually lengthen it, such as vertical layers or descending lines, will help.
You should also consider the type of hair that you have, including texture and natural volume, as well as the hairline, since styling that area in one way or another can completely change the perception of your visage. In this sense, a set of bangs can shorten an elongated face, while a looser, more casual finish can soften square features.
All of that said, as a guide for your next hair appointment, here’s the expert’s handbook to get your next layered haircut totally right. Taylor would encourage it.
Butterfly cut: “A long, tapered bob that characterizes this cut is perfect for this type of face, as it visually lengthens the face and softens the jawline,” says Garay.
Mid-length hair: “With long layers, it helps to stylize the jaw area and adds definition and movement without adding unnecessary volume,” he advises.
Consider a tousled pixie. As Garay explains: “A short and textured cuts with layers will highlight the balanced features of an oval face.”
Go for a bob with undone waves: “Soft, chin-length layers frame the jaw and balance a wider forehead.”
You might opt for a shag cut: “With lots of layers and movement to give volume in the temple area,” says Garay. “Avoid long, straight manes.”