23 Medium Length Hair Ideas
Let’s be honest—medium length hair is the ultimate sweet spot. It’s like the Goldilocks of hairstyles: not too short, not too long, just right. \
You can style it a million different ways, it doesn’t take forever to wash and dry, and you still have enough length to play with braids, curls, and updos. Honestly, what’s not to love?
If you’re stuck in a rut with your shoulder-length locks, don’t worry.
I’ve rounded up 23 medium length hair ideas that will inspire your next salon visit—or your next at-home YouTube tutorial attempt (no judgment, we’ve all been there). Ready? Let’s get into it.
1. The Classic Lob (Long Bob)
The lob is basically the Beyoncé of medium-length hairstyles—timeless, chic, and always flawless.
You can wear it blunt and sleek for a modern vibe or add soft waves for that effortless “I woke up like this” look.
2. Curtain Bangs with Shoulder-Length Layers
Curtain bangs are having a major moment. Paired with medium layers, they frame your face beautifully.
Ever wondered why celebs love them? Because they make cheekbones pop and add instant style without being high-maintenance.
3. Textured Waves
If your hair has natural body, let it shine. Medium-length textured waves scream cool-girl chic.
Just spritz some sea salt spray, scrunch, and go. (Yes, it’s that easy.)
4. Straight and Sleek with a Middle Part
A pin-straight lob with a center part is bold, modern, and perfect for when you want to look like you mean business.
Just grab your flat iron, heat protectant, and channel your inner runway model.
5. The Layered Shag
Think messy, edgy, and full of personality. A shag cut with lots of layers looks amazing at medium length.
Add curtain bangs, and suddenly you’re giving major ‘70s rockstar vibes.
6. Beachy Lob
This style says, “I spent the day at the beach,” even if you haven’t seen sand in months.
Loose, undone waves with soft texture give you that effortless, sunkissed look—minus the sunburn.
7. The Blunt Bob with a Twist
Blunt ends look super sharp at shoulder length. Want to soften it up? Add subtle waves or curl just the ends.
It’s polished without being too “corporate meeting at 9 AM.”
8. Half-Up, Half-Down Bun
The half-bun isn’t just for lazy days at home—it’s actually chic when styled right.
It keeps your hair out of your face but still shows off your length. IMO, it’s one of the most versatile medium-length looks.
9. The Voluminous Blowout
Channel your inner ‘90s supermodel with a big, bouncy blowout. A round brush, a little mousse, and suddenly you look like you belong in a hair commercial.
Ever tried this before a night out? Instant confidence booster.
10. Braided Crown
Perfect for festivals, weddings, or anytime you want to feel like a boho goddess.
Medium hair is long enough for cute braids but short enough to avoid tangly disasters. Win-win.
11. Side-Swept Glam Waves
Think red carpet glamour. A deep side part with cascading waves gives serious Old Hollywood vibes.
Pair it with bold lipstick, and you’re unstoppable.
12. Messy Bun with Loose Strands
Not all buns need to be sleek. A slightly messy, undone bun at medium length looks relaxed and stylish.
Bonus: it takes about 30 seconds, and people will still ask, “How did you do your hair like that?”
13. French Girl Bob
Effortless, chic, and slightly undone—the French bob is shorter than a lob but still sits in the medium range.
Add a fringe, and voilà, instant Parisian charm.
14. Shoulder-Length Curls
Curly hair at medium length is basically perfection. It has shape, volume, and bounce without weighing you down.
Just make sure you keep those curls hydrated for maximum definition.
15. Sleek Low Ponytail
Medium hair makes the low ponytail elegant and fuss-free.
Wrap a small section of hair around the hair tie for that polished, Instagram-worthy finish.
16. Feathered Ends
A throwback to the ‘70s, feathered ends look amazing with shoulder-length cuts.
They add movement and softness without too much styling effort.
17. Bold Highlights
Want to make your medium cut pop? Add chunky highlights or balayage.
Whether it’s caramel, blonde, or something bolder like copper, the contrast adds dimension.
18. The Wolf Cut
Yes, TikTok made it famous. The wolf cut is basically a modern shag with extra volume and layers.
On medium hair, it’s edgy without looking too wild.
19. Sleek Angled Lob
Shorter in the back, longer in the front—this cut gives instant sophistication. It frames the face beautifully and looks great straight or wavy.
20. Low, Loose Braids
Braids don’t have to be complicated. A simple low side braid or two loose braids look adorable with medium hair. Effortless? Yes. Boring? Never.
21. The Midi Afro
If you rock natural curls, a midi afro is gorgeous at medium length. It gives fullness and volume while being easy to maintain.
Plus, it’s bold and unapologetically stylish.
22. Flipped Ends
Straight hair with flipped-out ends gives a fun retro twist. It’s playful, polished, and only takes a few minutes with a flat iron.
23. The Polished Chignon
Medium-length hair is just long enough for a chic chignon.
Perfect for weddings, job interviews, or whenever you want to look like you have your life together—even if you don’t. 😉
Styling Tips for Medium Length Hair
Now that you’ve got 23 fresh ideas, let’s talk about how to make the most of your medium-length cut:
- Use the right products. A good texturizing spray, heat protectant, and lightweight serum will take you far.
- Switch up your part. Middle, side, deep side—changing your part instantly changes your vibe.
- Play with accessories. Clips, headbands, and scarves are your best friends.
- Don’t overthink it. Sometimes the “undone” look is the best look.
Why Medium Length Hair Rocks
Let’s face it—medium length hair is the MVP. It’s versatile, low-maintenance, and stylish. You can go sleek and polished one day, then messy and casual the next. Plus, it grows out gracefully, so you don’t need to rush to the salon every 4 weeks.
And honestly? Medium hair just feels fun. You can experiment without the full commitment of long hair or the restrictions of a pixie. It’s basically the best of both worlds.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it—23 medium length hair ideas to keep things exciting. Whether you’re into blunt bobs, textured waves, or full-on retro vibes, there’s something here for you.
The real secret? Confidence. Your hair can be flawless, but if you don’t own the look, it won’t shine. So pick a style, rock it with confidence, and remember: worst case, it’s just hair—it grows back. 🙂
