14 Easy Hairstyles For Medium Length Hair You’ll Want to Re-Create Immediately

14 Easy Hairstyles For Medium Length Hair You’ll Want to Re-Create Immediately

Medium length hair is honestly the sweet spot. It’s long enough to braid, curl, or twist up, but short enough that it doesn’t take forever to dry or style. If you’ve been stuck doing the same half-up ponytail every single day, you’re in the right place.

I pulled together 14 easy hairstyles for medium length hair that work for pretty much any occasion, from lazy Sunday errands to a last-minute dinner date. None of these require professional-level skills, so grab your brush and let’s get into it.

Soft Waves with Side Part for Medium-Length Hair

This one is a classic for a reason. A deep side part instantly adds a bit of drama and asymmetry to your face, while soft waves keep everything feeling relaxed rather than overly done. It works beautifully on medium length hair because the waves have just enough length to cascade nicely without getting weighed down.

This style suits pretty much every face shape, but it’s especially flattering on square and heart-shaped faces since the side part softens angular features. Fine and medium hair textures both hold these waves well. Grab a one-inch curling wand, alternate the direction of your curls for a more natural look, and finish with a light-hold texturizing spray.

Maintenance-wise, this is about as low-effort as it gets. You can stretch the waves out over two or three days with a bit of dry shampoo at the roots.

Soft Waves for Medium-Length Hair on Round Faces

If you’ve got a round face, you already know the struggle of finding styles that don’t add extra width to your cheeks. Soft waves that start below the chin are your best friend here. Keeping the volume lower and the curl pattern loose helps elongate the face instead of widening it.

This look works particularly well with a slight side part rather than a middle part, since it creates subtle asymmetry. Medium to thick hair holds the wave pattern longer, but fine hair can absolutely pull this off with a texturizing mousse for extra grip.

For styling, curl away from your face rather than toward it. This small trick makes a bigger difference than you’d think, and it opens up the whole look.

Relaxed Vertical Roll on Dirty Blonde Medium-Length Hair

This is one of those retro-inspired looks that feels fresh again. A vertical roll is basically a soft, rolled section of hair pinned along one side, giving off a vintage pin-up vibe without looking costume-y. On dirty blonde medium-length hair, the dimensional color makes the roll pop even more since you get subtle shifts between the darker roots and lighter ends.

It’s a great pick for anyone who wants something a little more polished for a party or photo, but doesn’t want to commit to a full updo. Wavy or straight hair both work, though slightly textured hair holds the roll shape a bit better.

To create it, section off the front pieces, backcomb slightly at the root for lift, then roll the hair inward and pin it in place. Finish with a strong-hold hairspray so it lasts through the night.

Elegant Updo with Medium Length

People assume you need long hair for a good updo, but medium length hair actually works great for this because it stays neater and doesn’t get too heavy or slip out of pins. This style is perfect for weddings, work events, or any time you want to look put together without much fuss.

A low bun with a few loose face-framing pieces feels romantic and soft, while a sleeker high bun leans more polished and modern. Both options flatter oval and heart-shaped faces especially well, since they show off the jawline and neck.

Use a small amount of texturizing spray before pinning to give your hair some grip, since freshly washed hair tends to be too slippery for updos. This style holds all day and honestly gets better as your hair settles.

Curtain Bangs with Loose Layers

Curtain bangs have been everywhere lately, and it’s not hard to see why. They frame the face beautifully and soften harsher features, which makes them a great match for square or long face shapes. Paired with loose layers throughout medium length hair, this look feels effortless but still intentional.

This style works with straight, wavy, or curly textures since curtain bangs are pretty forgiving once you get the length and cut right. A round brush and blow dryer will help train the bangs to swoop naturally to each side.

Maintenance is moderate since you’ll want a trim every six to eight weeks to keep the shape from growing out awkwardly, but the day-to-day styling is minimal.

Textured Lob with Choppy Ends

A textured lob is basically a long bob with attitude. Choppy, uneven ends give it movement and keep it from looking too stiff or blunt. This is a great option for thick hair since the layering removes some bulk, but it also works on fine hair by creating the illusion of more density.

This cut suits nearly every face shape, though it’s particularly great for oval and round faces since the length usually hits right around the collarbone. A sea salt spray scrunched through damp hair gives you that lived-in, beachy texture without much effort.

It’s low maintenance day-to-day, though the choppy layers do benefit from regular trims to keep the shape sharp.

Half-Up Braided Crown

This one feels a little bohemian and a little romantic at the same time. Two small braids are pulled back from the front and pinned together at the crown, leaving the rest of your hair down and loose. It’s a great in-between option when you don’t want a full updo but still want your hair off your face.

This style flatters basically every face shape and works on straight or wavy medium length hair especially well, since the braids hold their shape better with a bit of natural texture. Adding loose waves underneath gives the whole look extra dimension.

It’s ideal for outdoor events, festivals, or warm weather days when you want your hair out of your face but still down.

Sleek Middle Part with Glossy Finish

Sometimes simple really is better. A sleek, straight style with a middle part and a glossy finish looks expensive without requiring much more than a flat iron and a good shine serum. This is a favorite for anyone with naturally straight or slightly wavy hair, since it doesn’t fight against your natural texture too much.

A middle part tends to suit oval, heart, and long face shapes best, as it creates a nice vertical balance. Fine hair looks especially sleek with this style since there’s less bulk to smooth down.

To get the glass-hair effect, use a flat iron in small sections and finish with a lightweight shine spray rather than anything too heavy or greasy.

Low Ponytail with a Wrapped Section

A low ponytail sounds basic until you add a small wrapped section of hair around the elastic, which instantly makes it look more finished. This is a great everyday style for medium length hair because it’s quick, but the wrapped detail makes it look like you put in more effort than you actually did.

It works for any hair texture and is especially great for thick hair, since a low ponytail sits neatly at the nape without feeling too tight or pulling on your scalp. This style is also gentle on your hairline compared to high, tight ponytails.

Smooth any flyaways with a bit of edge control or hairspray on a toothbrush for a clean finish.

Beachy Waves with a Center Part

If you love that fresh-from-vacation look, this one’s for you. Loose, tousled waves paired with a center part give off an easy, sun-kissed vibe even in the middle of winter. Medium length hair handles this style especially well since the waves have room to move without falling flat.

This look suits round and oval faces nicely, and works particularly well on hair with natural texture, since you’re really just enhancing what’s already there. A texturizing spray applied to damp hair before air drying gives you that undone quality without much heat styling.

It’s a great low-maintenance option for those who want their hair to look good without spending thirty minutes in front of a mirror.

Twisted Half-Up Style

This is a step up from a basic half-up ponytail but still ridiculously easy once you get the hang of it. Instead of just pulling hair back, you twist two sections from each side and pin them together at the back, creating a subtle twisted detail instead of a plain pony.

It works on straight and wavy hair alike, and looks great whether your ends are curled or left natural. This style is particularly nice for medium length hair since the twists have enough length to look substantial without unraveling.

It takes maybe five minutes and holds well through a full day, making it a solid option for work or school.

Face-Framing Layers with Soft Curls

If your hair has always felt a bit shapeless, face-framing layers might be the fix. These layers are cut shorter around the face and blend into the rest of your length, drawing attention to your eyes and cheekbones. Adding soft curls on top enhances the movement even more.

This works particularly well for round, square, and heart-shaped faces, since the shorter pieces soften whatever angles you’re working with. Medium to thick hair textures show off the layering best, though fine hair benefits from it too since it creates the appearance of more volume.

A curling iron with a one-inch barrel is perfect for this look, and you really only need to curl the front layers for the effect to show.

Textured Bob with Root Volume

A textured bob is one of those cuts that manages to look put-together and undone at the same time. Adding root volume through a quick blow dry with a round brush gives the whole style extra lift, which is especially helpful for fine hair that tends to fall flat by midday.

This style suits oval and round faces well, particularly when the bob hits right around the jaw, since it draws the eye upward. Straight and wavy hair textures both work nicely here, though a texturizing spray helps wavy hair hold its shape longer.

It’s a moderate maintenance cut since you’ll want regular trims to maintain the blunt shape, but daily styling only takes a few minutes.

Loose Fishtail Braid

A fishtail braid looks intricate, but it’s honestly easier than a regular braid once you get the rhythm down. Keeping it loose and slightly messy gives it a relaxed, romantic feel that works for both daytime and evening occasions. On medium length hair, this braid falls right around the perfect length to feel substantial without dragging.

This style suits every face shape since the braid itself doesn’t frame the face too tightly. It works best on hair with a bit of texture already, since freshly washed, slippery hair can be trickier to braid neatly.

Pulling a few pieces loose from the braid gives it that undone, effortless look that feels a little more modern than a tight, perfect braid.

Trying even a handful of these styles is a great way to shake up your routine without committing to a haircut or color change. Medium length hair genuinely gives you so much to work with, whether you’re in the mood for something sleek and simple or a little more romantic and textured. Pick whichever one matches your morning energy level and go from there.