7 Hairstyles For Medium Length Hair Ideas You Need to Try Right Now
7 Hairstyles For Medium Length Hair Ideas You Need to Try Right Now
Medium length hair might just be the most versatile length there is. Long enough to braid, short enough to dry quickly, and forgiving enough to hide a bad hair day under a bit of texture. If you’ve been stuck doing the same half-up bun for months, it’s time to shake things up.
I’ve pulled together seven of my favorite medium-length looks below, ranging from lazy-morning waves to something you’d actually wear to a wedding. None of these require a ton of skill either, so don’t worry if you’re not exactly a pro with a curling iron.
Soft Waves with Side Part for Medium-Length Hair
There’s a reason soft waves show up on every hairstylist’s list of go-to looks. They’re romantic without trying too hard, and the side part adds a little asymmetry that keeps the whole style from looking flat.
This works beautifully on medium hair because the waves have enough length to actually move, but they won’t weigh your hair down the way they might on longer strands. Fine and medium hair textures both take to this style well, since the waves create the illusion of extra volume.
To get the look, work a lightweight mousse through damp hair, then use a one-inch curling wand to wrap sections away from your face. Brush the curls out gently once they’ve cooled, and finish with a shine spray instead of anything too heavy. Maintenance is low, which makes it a solid pick for anyone who wants a polished look without a daily styling routine.
Relaxed Vertical Roll on Dirty Blonde Medium-Length Hair
This one has a bit of a retro feel to it, but in a way that reads modern rather than costume-y. The vertical roll sits along one side of the head, creating soft dimension near the crown while the rest of the hair falls loose and tousled.
Dirty blonde shades really make this style pop, since the mix of lighter and darker tones catches the light differently as the roll curves. It’s a great option for anyone with medium-thick hair who wants something that feels a little more done up without going full updo.
To create it, section off the top layer near your part, roll it inward toward your scalp, and pin it in place before letting the rest of your hair fall naturally. A few loose face-framing pieces pulled out afterward soften the whole thing. This style holds up well through a night out, though you’ll want a strong-hold pin to keep the roll from slipping by the end of the evening.
Elegant Updo with Medium Length
Updos on medium hair get a bad reputation for being tricky, but that’s mostly because people assume they need long hair to pull them off. Honestly, medium length can be easier to work with since there’s less bulk to fight against.
This particular updo gathers the hair low at the nape, with soft pieces twisted and pinned to create texture rather than a slick, tight bun. It suits pretty much any face shape, and it’s an especially good option for thick or wavy hair that tends to add natural volume to the twists.
Start by teasing the crown slightly for lift, then gather your hair into a low ponytail before twisting sections around the base and securing with bobby pins. A texturizing spray beforehand helps the pieces grip and stay in place. This is one of those styles that works just as well for a wedding as it does for a random Tuesday when you want to feel a little fancy.
Soft Waves for Medium-Length Hair on Round Faces
Round faces tend to look their best with styles that add length and angles, and soft waves do exactly that. The key here is keeping the waves looser near the crown and slightly more defined toward the ends, which draws the eye downward instead of widening the face.
A deep side part pairs especially well with this look, since it breaks up the roundness and adds a bit of asymmetry. This style works for straight or wavy natural textures, and it’s forgiving if your waves don’t come out perfectly uniform.
Curl small sections with a wand, alternating the direction of the curl for a more natural finish, then run your fingers through once everything’s cooled to loosen the pattern. Avoid brushing the waves out completely, since that can flatten them and pull the shape too close to the face. A light-hold hairspray keeps things soft rather than stiff, which matters for this particular face shape.
Curtain Bangs with Loose Layers
Curtain bangs have stuck around for a reason, and pairing them with soft layers on medium length hair might be one of the most flattering combinations out there. The bangs part naturally down the middle and frame the face, while the layers underneath keep everything from looking too heavy.
This look suits nearly every face shape, but it’s particularly great for anyone with a longer or more angular face who wants some visual width up top. Wavy and straight hair textures both work here, though wavy hair tends to blend the bangs into the rest of the style more seamlessly.
Style your bangs with a round brush while blow-drying, curving them away from your face on each side. The layers can be left mostly natural or given loose waves for extra texture. Upkeep involves a trim every six to eight weeks to keep the bangs from growing into your eyes, but otherwise it’s a pretty low-maintenance style day to day.
Textured Lob with Choppy Ends
A textured lob is basically the little black dress of medium length hairstyles. It’s simple, it goes with everything, and it somehow manages to look intentional even on days when you’ve barely touched a brush.
The choppy ends give it an edge that a blunt cut just doesn’t have, and it works particularly well for fine to medium hair that could use the appearance of extra thickness. Straight hair gets a nice textured finish from this cut, while wavy hair leans into the choppiness even more.
To style it, use a texturizing spray on dry hair and scrunch sections lightly with your hands rather than reaching for a brush. A flat iron can add subtle bends without full curls if you want a bit more shape. This cut holds its look well between salon visits, making it a favorite for people who don’t want to fuss with their hair every single morning.
Half-Up Braided Crown
This style takes the classic half-up look and adds a small braided element along the crown, which turns something simple into a hairstyle that actually feels finished. It’s an easy way to keep hair out of your face while still looking put together.
Medium length hair is honestly ideal for this, since there’s enough length to create a proper braid without it looking skimpy, but not so much that the braid becomes unwieldy. It works well on straight, wavy, or curly hair, and it’s especially nice for anyone growing out bangs who needs a way to manage shorter face-framing pieces.
Section off a piece of hair near your part, braid it loosely toward the back, and pin it at the crown before letting the rest of your hair fall naturally or in loose waves. A bit of dry shampoo at the roots beforehand gives the braid something to grip. This is a great in-between style for days when you don’t want a full updo but need something more polished than hair down.
Final Thoughts
Medium length hair really does give you the best of both worlds, and these seven hairstyles for medium length hair only scratch the surface of what’s possible. Whether you’re drawn to soft waves, a structured updo, or something with a bit of braided detail, there’s likely a version of these looks that fits your texture and face shape.
Try a few out, tweak the styling steps to match your hair’s natural tendencies, and don’t be afraid to mix elements from different looks. That’s usually how you land on a signature style anyway.