hi!
So I'm not really sure what to do just yet. I have very thick, wavy, shoulder length (16.5ish) hair and I kind of want layers, because my hair seems pretty boring right now (to me) as just all one length. (no offense to anyone whose hair is all one length; I'm just talking about my specific case) I want to spice it up a little, but I'm not really sure if I should. If i got layers, I would get super long ones, like, nothing that was too short.
And alot of people here seem kind of anti-layer-ish, so I was wondering about your opinion/past experiences. So  here's the questions:
Have you gotten layers recently?
Did you regret it?
If I'm trying to grow my hair out to mid-backish, do you think it would be harder to grow out and maybe I would regret it?

           Thanks! :)

Layers can be good for thick hair if you don't want to grow your hair longer than shoulder length.  If you plan to grow your hair longer, you would want to think long and hard about putting layers in your hair at this point.

Layers will make it much more difficult to do the typical long hair styles such as buns and braids.  And when you decide you don't like the layers, it can take years to get all your hair back to one length.

I usually suggest to people they should wait at least 2 weeks before doing anything drastic such as putting in layers, cutting off significant length, or coloring your hair.  Then if you still want to take the action after the 2 weeks, wait at least one more week before doing it.

You have to do what you think is right for you.  Layers may be the right decision, but think about it real hard before doing it.  It will grow back if you decide it is wrong, so it is not a permanent change.

okay, thanks  for the advice, BB. I'll think about it some more. But what about really long layers? Ones that could still fit into a bun and pony no problem? Like, I was thinking that they'll keep my hair from getting too boring, but if I dont like them then it wont take too long to grow them out.

I had my hair layered three times. At shoulder length, and BSL length. With layers starting at my chin or lower. I hated it with a passion. Those annoying short strands that would fall out of updos or stick out of braids drove me crazy. I have very thick hair as well and at shoulder length I couldn't get my hair into a bun. I'm amazed you can.  :o I still have strands that come out even though my hair is all one length, that's normal. But I don't have that constant battle to fight every stray into a ponytail. Besides everyone these days has layered hair, I like being different.  8-)

*nods head* True, true.  
I think maybe I'll wait till my hair gets longer and decide then.

Tanai: But yes, I probably would be annoyed by the hair constantly coming out of my updos and such. At shoulder length you couldn't get it into a bun? Was that when you had layers? Because my hair is completely all one length, and right now I'm able to get it into a bun with no clips at all. I mean, if you can do a ponyail, you're able to do a bun right? Admittedly, the bun isnt too big, but I'm workin on it.  ::) ;D Thanks!

                               -Jilayne :)

The other ladies have pretty much covered it. If you're bent on layers, be prepared to use a million bobby pins and tons of styling product every single time you make an updo because the ends will stick out everywhere no matter where they are on your hair.

Another thing to keep in mind is that layered hair is less healthy because layers are always cut at an angle, which exposes more of the hair's cortex than a blunt cut, and causes the ends to dry out faster.
   Stylists also like using a razor to cut layers, which is extremely damaging.

My hair is past shoulder length now and I'm NOT able to get it into a bun.  Ponytails are only possible with styling products and this despite the layers only being at the bottom.  If I had more layers, I image I'd have even fewer updo options.  So you may want to take into consideration whether you want to be able to put your hair up or if you're happy to have one shape and always wear it down.  My layers are only for supporting curls when I do retro/vintage "sets" curly/wavy styles.  I'm no good at it though so I'll probably drop the layers and get one length and practice rolls instead.

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At shoulder length you couldn't get it into a bun? Was that when you had layers? Because my hair is completely all one length, and right now I'm able to get it into a bun with no clips at all. I mean, if you can do a ponyail, you're able to do a bun right?

Actually it didn't matter whether my hair was layered or not. The coil of my bun is so thick that I couldn't get the tail to stay properly tucked underneath and no matter how I pinned it it wouldn't stay.  :P I actually couldn't get it to stay until my hair was 26". *shrug*  ::) Such is my hair.  ;D

Thanks, ladies.  :)I don't think I'll be getting any layers anytime soon now, after I've heard the other side of things.

Tanai: Oh wow. That sucks. BUt I think I do buns differently than you do. I just make a ponytail, then I coil that around and put another elastic in to hold the bun. I've been doing that for dance classes since as long as I can remember. Is that what you do?

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BUt I think I do buns differently than you do. I just make a ponytail, then I coil that around and put another elastic in to hold the bun. I've been doing that for dance classes since as long as I can remember. Is that what you do?

I used to do that when I was younger with a scrunchy as the second tie. Now that my hair is as long as it is I can't get it to stay that way, so I'm forced to pin my buns.  :P