Medium-length hair often gets a bad rap as being a bit boring. Anything that’s mid-length is known for being, well, mid. We’re here to shake up that notion because it’s entirely false. Medium-length hairstyles can be daring and bold, it’s all in how you style them. For the best medium-length hairstyles for your hair type, scroll below!
Medium-Length Hairstyles for Straight Hair
Slicked-Back Strands
The wet look has seen a resurgence this year with a variety of iterations. Those with straight strands can pull off this style best, given they don’t have to really do much. All you’ll need is some combination of oil, serum, gel, styling cream, sculpting mousse, and conditioner to create this look.
Sleek Straight Hair
If a slicked-back look isn’t your jam, you can always opt for a sleek straight hairstyle. Because your tresses are already straight, a quick flat iron session will help you achieve this look. Finish it off with your favorite frizz control spray to ensure it stays in place all day.
Flipped Ends
A nod to the ’90s, we’ve seen a flurry of medium-length hairstyles with ends that are either flipped in or out. Both are in style and super easy to recreate, so the choice is yours. Again, because your hair is already straight, it won’t require too much effort to recreate this style.
Low Messy Bun
For days when you want your tresses away from your face, try a low messy bun. This low maintenance style will add a bit of texture and volume to your medium-length strands, especially if your hair is on the finer side. Best part? You can wear it for literally any occasion.
Medium-Length Hairstyles for Wavy Hair
Undone Waves
Put your natural texture on full display with some undone waves. Depending on how wavy your strands already are, you may not need to take a curling iron to them. But if you’d like a more defined wave, be our guest. All you really need to create this style is scrunch some wave foam or sea salt spray into your strands, diffuse on low or no heat, and you’re ready to go.
Half-Up Bun
With those stunning waves of yours, you don’t have to do too much styling with this look. Section half of your hair up into a bun, then let the rest fall naturally. You can spruce it up a bit with some wave spray and a curly iron, or go for the au natural look. If you have fine hair, make sure you’re not tying too much hair up — this will keep a balance of volume on each level.
Shoulder-Length Cut & Deep Side Part
This is the ultimate duo for anyone with wavy hair, no matter their pattern. A shoulder-length ‘do really lends itself to highlighting your natural texture and a deep side part creates an extra bit of volume. It can feel a little bit ’80s at times, but retro is in.
Modern Shag
The shag is adored by celebrities, influencers, and basically everyone on the planet. Your hair type lends itself to this undone look, so you won’t need to style it as often as someone who has straight or curly hair. Think of yourself as Goldilocks, your hair type is just right for the modern shag.
Medium-Length Hairstyles for Curly Hair
Curly Wolf Cut
Somewhat of a cross between a shag and a choppy mullet is the wolf cut. With the resurgence of retro trends, we’ve seen a number of stars dabble with this medium-length hairstyle. And though it has often been showcased on straight hair, it lends itself well to your hair type as they can make your ringlets appear even more voluminous.
Curly Lob
For curls that have lost a little oomph, go with a curly lob haircut to give them back their bounce. This medium-length hairstyle will allow your ringlets to have an extra bit of body and volume so that they don’t appear stretched out, which tends to happen for longer styles.
Old Hollywood Glamour
Give ’em the ol’ razzle-dazzle with this medium-length hairstyle that’s a total blast from the past. Who doesn’t want to live out their Golden Age of Hollywood fantasy with some glamour curls? And if you need a tutorial, we’ve got you covered.
One Side Pinned Back
We love a good side-pinned style for those with curly, medium-length hair. Not only does it get some of your hair out of your face, but it also adds a touch of elegance to the look. So if you’re rushing from the office to date night, be sure to keep some spare bobby pins or hair clips in your purse to create this hairstyle.
Medium-Length Hairstyles for Natural Hair
Pineapple Updo
Yes, this pulls your hair up so it doesn’t quite show off its length, but it does put your coils on full display. Prevent frizz, flat curls, and so much more with this hairstyle. You can even sleep in it without ruining the ‘do, which is a standard we think more hairstyles should adhere to.
Shoulder-Length Boho Locs
How stunning is this medium-length hairstyle? We are big fans of boho locs, especially as a protective hairstyle during the summer months. They’re so fun and free, and will make you feel the same. You can go a bit longer with the faux locs, though there’s something about a shoulder-length cut that feels so right.
Classic Twist-Out
We couldn’t resist suggesting the classic twist-out as one of the best medium-length hairstyles for natural hair. It works for every occasion and will allow your spiraled ringlets to really shine. Don’t forget to use our tutorial on how to get the perfect twist-out here.
Brushed-Out Afro
Is it just us, or is there something so ethereal about a brushed-out afro? While having it nice and tight tends to be the preferred option for this medium-length hairstyle, we love the brushed-out look. There’s a freedom that comes without the need to keep your coils perfect all day.
Medium-Length Hairstyles for Thin Hair
Blunt Lob
Blunt cuts tend to be best for those with thinner hair, as they’ll tend to help you fake thickness better than most. We’re always keen to recommend the lob, as it’s a great in-between medium-length hairstyle.
Ghost Layers
For an extra boost of volume, opt for ghost layers. Created by celebrity stylist Ramon Garcia, this cutting technique adds movement and texture to fine hair utilizing subtle layers. You can ask for ghost layers on any haircut, though we’re partial to a shoulder-length chop.
Asymmetrical Lob
This style is making quite the comeback and we’re so here for it. Why it ever went “out of style,” we’ll never understand. For those with thin hair, an asymmetrical medium-length hairstyle is another chop that can gives the illusion of a fuller mane. And the asymmetry doesn’t need to be too drastic for that to happen.
Face-Framing Layers
Finish off your medium-length hairstyle with some face-framing layers to really seal the deal. They’ll give more movement and body to finer hair, though be sure not to go too heavy with the layering. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing.
Medium-Length Hairstyles for Thick Hair
Choppy Ends
Whichever medium-length hairstyle you choose for your thick hair, make sure to ask for some choppy ends. This will break up your thick tresses so they don’t appear (or feel) as heavy.
Layered Midi Cut
Break up some of your thickness with a layered midi cut. It’s almost like a shag, but doesn’t completely veer into that territory. If you’ve been curious about trying the shag but don’t want to commit, the layered midi is the best way to try before you chop.
Bouncy Blowout
To give more volume and movement to your thick hair, get a blowout. This style is all the rage right now and it will look incredible with your thick tresses. If you’re not sure which type of blowout is right for you, find out here.
Cool-Girl Lob
Aimee Song definitely made the lob cooler with her take on the medium-length hairstyle. To this day, we still reference her lob for our own version of the chop. With soft layers and grown-out highlights, this lob will expertly thin out your thick hair.
