25 Hairstyles for Medium Length Hair

Medium length hair offers the perfect balance between versatility and manageability.

Not too short to limit your styling options but not long enough to weigh you down, this length gives you the best of both worlds.

With the right techniques, you can transform your medium locks for any occasion, from casual everyday looks to formal events.

Your shoulder-grazing strands provide the perfect canvas for endless styling possibilities.

Discover these 25 hairstyles specifically designed to maximize your medium length hair’s potential, giving you fresh inspiration for your daily styling routine.

1: Textured Lob with Curtain Bangs

Pair your medium length cut with face-framing curtain bangs and tousled texture.

This effortless style flatters most face shapes while adding movement and dimension to your hair.

The swept-open bangs soften your features while the textured ends create a modern, lived-in look that works for both casual and professional settings.

2: Half-Up Top Knot

Pull the top section of your hair into a small, messy bun while leaving the rest down.

This quick style keeps hair off your face while maintaining length and movement.

The contrast between the sleek top section and flowing bottom creates visual interest without requiring extensive styling time or heat damage.

3: Sleek Middle Part

Create a polished look by straightening your medium length hair with a center part.

This timeless style showcases your hair’s shine and health while framing your features symmetrically.

The middle part creates balance and harmony, working especially well with oval and heart-shaped faces while requiring minimal styling products.

4: Twisted Crown Braid

Create a romantic look by braiding a small section of hair across your crown like a headband.

This feminine style works perfectly with medium length hair by leaving most strands free.

The braided crown adds dimension and interest to an otherwise simple hairstyle, making it ideal for special occasions without requiring extensive braiding skills.

5: Beach Waves with Side Part

Enhance your medium length hair with tousled beach waves and a deep side part.

This effortless style adds volume and texture while creating a casual, lived-in appearance.

The side part adds height at the crown while the waves create movement throughout your hair, working beautifully for both day and evening events.

6: Slicked-Back Wet Look

Create a runway-inspired style by applying gel to your medium hair and combing it straight back from your forehead.

This bold look makes a statement while showcasing your features.

The sleek texture creates a sophisticated, editorial vibe that pairs perfectly with evening wear or adds unexpected edge to casual outfits.

7: Vintage-Inspired Curls

Channel old Hollywood with soft, structured curls that fall just above your shoulders.

This timeless style transforms medium hair into a glamorous look perfect for special events.

The defined curls add volume and bounce while the medium length prevents the style from appearing too “done” or dated, creating the perfect vintage-modern balance.

8: Messy Low Ponytail

Gather your medium length hair into a textured, slightly disheveled low ponytail with face-framing pieces left out.

This effortless style works for any occasion, from workouts to weddings.

The intentionally imperfect finish creates a modern, relaxed vibe while the strategic loose pieces soften your features and prevent the look from feeling too severe.

9: Sleek High Ponytail

Create a polished look by gathering your medium hair into a smooth, high ponytail.

This versatile style elongates your face and neck while showcasing your features.

The elevated placement lifts your facial features while the medium length creates a ponytail with perfect proportion—not too short or too long for a balanced silhouette.

10: Twisted Side Bun

Sweep your medium hair to one side and twist it into a low, slightly undone bun.

This asymmetrical style creates interest while keeping hair off your neck.

The side placement adds a romantic, slightly bohemian quality while the twisted texture creates dimension that makes fine hair appear fuller.

11: Face-Framing Layers

Ask your stylist for layers that specifically frame your face, starting at your chin and blending into your medium length.

This cut creates movement while highlighting your best features.

The graduated effect draws attention to your eyes and cheekbones while removing weight that can drag down medium hair, creating a lighter, more flattering shape.

12: Braided Side Twist

Create a simple yet effective style by French braiding or twisting one side of your hair back from your temple.

This half-up look works beautifully for medium lengths.

The asymmetrical styling creates visual interest while keeping hair off your face on one side, perfect for showing off earrings or highlighting your profile.

13: Bubble Ponytail

Update a basic ponytail by adding small elastics every inch or two down its length, then gently pulling each section for a bubble effect.

This eye-catching style maximizes medium hair’s length.

The segmented design creates the illusion of longer, fuller hair while adding a playful, fashion-forward element to an otherwise simple ponytail.

14: Smooth Blowout with Volume

Create a polished look with a rounded brush blowout that adds volume at the roots and soft movement through the ends.

This classic style never fails to flatter medium length hair.

The added height at the crown creates flattering proportions while the smooth finish showcases your hair’s health and shine for a professional, put-together appearance.

15: Half-Up Braided Crown

Combine two trendy styles by creating a braided crown with just the top half of your hair.

This romantic style works perfectly with medium lengths by leaving most hair flowing free.

The braided detail adds visual interest and texture while the loose bottom section maintains movement and versatility, creating the perfect balance.

16: Messy French Twist

Create an undone version of the classic French twist by loosely gathering your medium length hair and twisting it upward.

Secure with pins while allowing pieces to fall naturally.

The intentionally imperfect finish creates a modern update to this timeless style, making it appropriate for both casual and formal settings.

17: Double Dutch Braids

Create two Dutch braids (reverse French braids) starting at your hairline and working back.

This playful style works particularly well with medium length hair.

The inside-out braiding technique creates dimension and visual interest while keeping hair completely controlled—perfect for workouts or active days.

18: S-Wave Pattern

Create defined, S-shaped waves with a flat iron for a structured yet relaxed look.

This technique adds body and movement to medium length hair without tight curls.

The uniform wave pattern creates a polished finish while the medium length showcases the waves perfectly without weighing them down or losing their shape.

19: Twisted Halo Braid

Create a romantic style by twisting two sections from behind your ears and pinning them across the top of your head.

This crown-like style works beautifully with medium lengths.

The twisted texture adds interest and dimension while the halo placement creates height and draws attention upward for a flattering, feminine effect.

20: Flipped Ends

Channel retro vibes with slightly flipped-out ends on your medium cut. This subtle detail adds personality and bounce to an otherwise simple style.

The outward flip creates movement and volume at your ends while the medium length prevents the style from appearing too dated or exaggerated.

21: Side-Swept Romantic Waves

Create loose, flowing waves and sweep them dramatically to one side for a romantic, slightly formal look.

This asymmetrical style adds instant glamour to medium length hair.

The side-swept direction creates volume and movement while the soft waves add feminine texture perfect for special occasions or evening events.

22: Textured Shag with Bangs

Embrace layers and texture with a modern shag cut featuring curtain or full bangs.

This style adds volume and movement to medium hair while removing weight.

The varied layers create dimension throughout while the bangs add face-framing interest, working particularly well for those wanting to add volume to fine hair.

23: Twisted Space Buns

Divide your medium hair down the middle and twist each side into a fun, slightly messy bun.

Position them high on your head for a playful, festival-ready look.

The dual bun placement creates balance while the medium length provides enough hair to create substantial buns without extensions or excessive volume.

24: Sleek Angled Bob

Ask your stylist for a precisely cut angled bob that’s slightly longer in front.

This geometric cut creates a sharp, fashion-forward shape that showcases medium length beautifully.

The angled line creates movement and direction while the medium length balances the precision with wearability for a sophisticated yet practical style.

25: Twisted Rope Braid Ponytail

Create visual interest by dividing your ponytail into two sections and twisting them together in a rope braid.

This technique adds texture to a simple ponytail for medium hair.

The twisted pattern creates dimension and prevents your ponytail from appearing flat or ordinary, while requiring less skill than more complex braiding techniques.

Conclusion

Medium length hair offers incredible versatility, from casual everyday styles to formal up-dos.

Experiment with these options to discover which styles best complement your hair texture, face shape, and personal style preferences.