20 Curled Hairstyles For Medium Hair Ideas You Need to Try Right Now

20 Curled Hairstyles For Medium Hair Ideas You Need to Try Right Now

Medium length hair might just be the best canvas for curls. It’s long enough to hold a bend and show off movement, but short enough that you’re not fighting a ton of weight every time you pick up a curling iron. If you’ve been stuck in a rut with the same flat iron routine, this list should give you plenty to work with.

Below are 20 curled hairstyles for medium hair that range from soft and barely-there to full glam. Pick whichever one matches your mood, your hair texture, and how much time you actually want to spend in front of a mirror.

Medium Loosely Curled Hairstyle with Highlights

This one is all about soft, undone curls paired with dimensional highlights that catch the light as your hair moves. The loose curl pattern keeps things looking relaxed rather than done-up, which makes it great for everyday wear or a casual night out. It works beautifully on medium thickness hair and looks especially good with a side part that lets the highlighted pieces frame your face. Touch it up every few weeks with a gloss treatment to keep the color looking fresh, and you’ll get a low maintenance style that still feels special.

Voluminous Blowout Curls

Think old-school glamour with a modern twist. This style uses a round brush blowout followed by large barrel curls to create serious volume at the crown. It’s a favorite for round and oval face shapes since the height balances out the width of the face. Maintenance is moderate because you’ll need a good heat protectant and some patience, but the payoff is hair that looks like you just left the salon.

Beachy Waves with Side Part

Beach waves never really go out of style, and on medium hair they look effortlessly cool. A side part adds a little asymmetry and softens the whole look, especially if you have a square or angular face shape. Texturizing spray is your best friend here since it adds grit without weighing the waves down. This is a wash-and-go kind of style once you get the technique down.

Tight Ringlet Curls

If you want something with more definition and drama, tight ringlets are the way to go. This style suits fine to medium hair that needs a little help holding curl, since smaller barrel sizes create tighter, longer-lasting spirals. It pairs nicely with blunt ends for contrast between the sleek bottom line and the springy texture up top. Just be ready to use a curl-defining cream to keep frizz at bay, especially in humid weather.

Curly Lob with Curtain Bangs

The curly lob has been everywhere lately, and adding curtain bangs to the mix makes it even more flattering. The bangs soften the forehead and work well for heart-shaped or long faces, while the curls give the whole cut extra body. This is a great option if you have wavy or naturally curly hair already, since you can enhance your texture rather than fight it. A light curl cream scrunched through damp hair usually does the trick.

Half-Up Curled Style

Sometimes you want your hair out of your face but still want to show off some curl pattern. A half-up style with soft curls through the ends does exactly that. It’s incredibly versatile, working for everything from office days to weekend brunch. Thick and medium hair types both handle this well, and you can dress it up with a small braid along the crown for extra interest.

Glossy Spiral Curls

These curls have a wet-look shine and a tighter spiral shape that feels a little more polished than beachy waves. A glossing serum applied before curling helps amplify the shine, and this look tends to photograph really well for events. Medium to thick hair holds the spiral shape longest, so if your hair is on the finer side you might need a stronger hold hairspray to keep things intact through the night.

Curled Shag with Feathered Layers

The shag haircut is having a moment, and curling it brings out all those feathered layers in the best way. This style suits people with medium to thick hair who want built-in texture without much daily effort. The choppy layers create natural-looking movement even before you add heat, so a quick curl with a wand just enhances what’s already there. It’s a low maintenance cut that still looks intentional.

Face-Framing Curls with Middle Part

Sometimes the simplest tweak makes the biggest difference. Curling just the face-framing pieces while leaving the rest of your hair straight creates a soft, flattering effect around a middle part. This works well for anyone who wants a subtle change without committing to curling their entire head. It’s also a quick style for busy mornings since you’re only working with a few sections.

Voluminous Curly Ponytail

A curled ponytail with extra volume at the crown feels polished but not fussy. Curl your hair first, then pull it back into a ponytail and gently pull pieces loose around the hairline for softness. This look is great for medium thickness hair that needs a boost, and it holds up well through a long day whether you’re at work or out with friends. A bit of dry shampoo at the roots beforehand helps create texture for the ponytail to grip.

Curled Hair with Money Piece Highlights

Money piece highlights framing the face look incredible with a curl pattern that shows them off. The curls create movement that makes the lightened pieces pop against your natural color. This combination suits most hair textures and works particularly well on brunettes wanting a bright, low-maintenance color option since money pieces grow out more gracefully than an all-over color. Just keep using a purple or blue toning shampoo to prevent brassiness.

Romantic Curls with Deep Side Part

For a more elegant, date-night appropriate look, try romantic curls swept to one side with a deep part. The asymmetry adds interest and the cascading curls feel soft and feminine. This look flatters most face shapes since the deep part shifts the visual balance of your features. Finish with a shine spray to give the curls that soft, glowy finish instead of a crunchy hold.

Curled Bob with Blunt Ends

Curling a bob might sound tricky, but it actually creates a really fun, bouncy silhouette. The blunt ends keep the shape structured while the curls add life and movement throughout. This style works especially well on medium density hair and gives off a retro vibe without looking costume-y. A medium barrel curling iron and a strong-hold mousse will help the curls last through the day.

Tousled Curls with Natural Texture

Not every curled style needs to look perfectly formed. Tousled curls that mimic your natural texture give off an effortless, lived-in vibe that’s perfect for casual days. This works great if you already have some natural wave and just want to enhance it rather than create something entirely new. A texturizing spray and some finger scrunching while diffusing is really all you need here.

Curled Hairstyle with Balayage

Balayage and curls are a match made in heaven since the hand-painted color naturally follows the movement of your curls, creating dimension that a flat iron just can’t replicate. This works on nearly any hair color base, though it looks especially striking on darker hair with warm caramel or honey tones woven through. Maintenance is fairly easy since balayage grows out softly, making this a good pick if you don’t love frequent salon visits.

Curled Pixie-Bob Hybrid

For those with shorter medium lengths, a curled pixie-bob hybrid gives you texture and personality in a compact package. This style suits fine hair surprisingly well since the shorter length makes curls appear fuller and more defined. A small curling wand works best here, and you can finish with a texturizing paste for a slightly edgier, undone look.

Curled Hair with Wispy Bangs

Wispy bangs paired with soft curls create a really flattering frame around the face, especially for those with a longer face shape. The bangs break up the forehead while the curls add softness throughout the rest of the style. This combo works on most hair textures, though those with naturally curly hair might find the bangs curl up a bit more than expected, so a light styling cream helps control the shape.

Voluminous Curls with Lowlights

While highlights tend to get all the attention, lowlights deserve some credit too, especially when paired with big, voluminous curls. The deeper tones add depth and make the curl pattern look even more dimensional as it catches shadows and light differently throughout. This works beautifully on medium to thick hair and suits anyone wanting a richer, more grounded color look rather than something bright and sun-kissed.

Curled Updo with Loose Tendrils

When you need something a little more formal, a curled updo with a few loose curled tendrils around the face strikes the right balance between polished and soft. This is a great option for weddings, parties, or any occasion where you want your hair up but not severe. Medium length hair works well for this since it’s long enough to twist and pin but not so long that the updo becomes bulky.

Curled Hair with Face-Framing Highlights and Layers

Rounding out the list, this style combines soft layers, face-framing highlights, and loose curls for a look that feels put together without trying too hard. The layers give the curls somewhere to fall naturally, while the highlights add brightness right where people’s eyes land first. It’s a versatile choice that works for nearly any hair length, texture, or face shape, making it a solid go-to if you’re not sure where else to start.

With so many curled hairstyles for medium hair to choose from, there’s really no reason to stick with the same routine week after week. Whether you gravitate toward loose beachy waves or tight glossy ringlets, the right curl can completely change the personality of your hair without requiring a trip to the salon. Try a few of these out, see what your hair responds to best, and keep the ones that make you want to show off your curls a little more often.