• Pulling your hair out looking to spice up your style? Try layers and highlights.pulling hair image by Photoeyes from Fotolia.com
  
  Layering and highlights are popular hairstyling options. While it's acceptable to use these styling elements independently, combining them gives much more personality and dimension to the hair. If you've never done this, or if you've tried a layered highlighted style but are looking for a change, get a few ideas of different styles before you go to your salon. This way you'll be able to tell your hairdresser exactly what you want.
  
  

Framing

• Framing refers to soft layers cut around the face. Usually the ends of the layers are curled softly inward, but they may be curled outward if you want a slightly funkier take on the style. This style looks best on medium-length hair. It was made famous by Jennifer Aniston, whose take on framing became known as The Rachel.
  
  Because framing looks so natural and elegant, highlights are kept subtle with this style. The width of the highlighted strands is kept small, and the highlights often are just a shade or two lighter than the rest of the hair.
  
  

Bob

• Bobs look good on virtually any face type and are "classic." They're a good option if you want to keep your hair low-maintenance. One option for this style is to layer the hair and then part it on one side. Bangs are sideswept over one eye. The highlights are placed throughout the hair rather thickly, since the part and sideswept bangs give extra volume and will shift naturally over the course of the day. Halle Berry has sported this style in the past.
  
  

Fringe

• The fringe hairstyle is a wilder version of the bob. The layers are cut shorter and thus don't require quite as much styling. The main feature of this style is that the stylist uses a razor to create choppy, pointed layers. In this style, because of the way the layers are cut, only the tips of the hair are highlighted. This draws attention to the edges of the layers. For this style, you can sweep bangs over to one side or opt to have no bangs at all.
  
  

Shag

• The shag is the best bet if you want a short layered cut that is no-fuss. The stylist cuts soft layers only about 2 to 4 inches from the scalp that do not have distinct edges. With this hairstyle, use peekaboo highlights. Peekaboo highlights are highlights placed on layers of hair underneath the top layer. They are visible as you move and shift.
  
  

Chunks

• If you're looking for something bold, cut your hair about chin length, angling the hair sharply downward and applying layers throughout. Then add chunks. Chunks are highlights that are extremely wide--1/2 inch to two inches. They are very noticeable.