Long hair with heart-shaped layers is shaping up as one of the major trends for European spring. The key? More movement, volume and an effect that frames the face without sacrificing length.
There are cuts that completely change a look and others that achieve something even better: renovating it without it looking like a drastic change. That is precisely what the new cut unveiled by Gigi Hadid proposes, and it is already beginning to be seen as one of the major trends for the upcoming European season.
If a few weeks ago Amal Clooney demonstrated that it was possible to update long hair with a flared cut that added movement without sacrificing length, now the model confirms that long layers are back in the spotlight. This time, with a heart-shaped silhouette that recaptures the spirit of the unforgettable Rachel Green, the character played by Jennifer Aniston in Friends, but adapted to a much softer and more contemporary aesthetic.
The Return of Layers, in a Much More Sophisticated Version
For years, the famous “Rachel” was one of the most requested cuts in hair salons. Its defined layers and the volume around the face defined a large part of late-90s aesthetics.
The 2026 version preserves that idea of movement, but updates it. The layers are no longer short or excessively stepped: they start below the chin, fall progressively, and keep the length of the hair intact. The result is a look that is more natural, light, and elegant.
What the heart-shaped cut worn by Gigi Hadid looks like
The person responsible for Gigi Hadid’s hair makeover is her trusted stylist, Dimitris Giannetos, who defines this cut as a refreshed version of the classic “C” cut.
The secret lies in the so-called “love layers”, which sketch a silhouette similar to a heart around the face. According to the stylist, the volume concentrates at the top of the hair, while the initial layers begin just below the chin and continue down to the ends. This creates a look that is broader at the top and more streamlined toward the bottom.
Besides adding movement, this arrangement creates a face framing effect, that is, a contour that follows the features and yields the optical illusion of a slimmer face.
The Ideal Cut for Refreshing Long Hair Without Losing Length
One of the great virtues of this trend is that it allows changing the look of long hair without needing to shorten it.
The longer layers relieve the weight, add texture, and give the hair more dynamism whether worn straight or with soft waves. They also help the brushing achieve more volume and make the movement look much more natural.
It’s the same concept Amal Clooney had already shown with her bell-shaped cut: updating the length through the shape, not by how many centimeters are cut.
Why it flatters almost all hair types
Another strength of the cut is its versatility. It works especially well with a middle part, as worn by Gigi Hadid, since it enhances the symmetry of the layers and highlights the heart shape.
On color-treated hair or highlights, the different lengths also generate more dimension and make the various tones appear with greater depth.
To style it, Giannetos recommends working the hair with a large round brush during the brushing, securing each strand with bobby pins until it cools down and, when finished, gently loosening the style with your fingers to preserve the movement. The result is a look with volume, texture and a sophisticated air, even when the hair dries naturally.
In short, this new generation of layers recovers the best of a 90s classic, but adapts it to the present: more fluidity, less rigidity, and a cut designed for those who want to refresh their image without saying goodbye to long hair.
