Medium-length hair is arguably the most universally flattering hair length of all. Not too short, not too long, it’s perfect for anyone who isn’t ready to take a pixie plunge and would like to retain enough length that they can put their hair into a bun or ponytail. It allows you to continue styling your hair in a number of ways, but it’s also lower maintenance than long hair on those days when you want to keep it loose and play up your layers with a round brush.
If you consider medium-length hairstyles ideal and are searching for new styles that will look amazing on you, consider these eight life-changing medium-length haircuts that are especially gorgeous on women over 50.
Choppy Lob
The lob is a perfect haircut — it extends to the collarbone and is neither too short, nor too long. Adding layers to your lob to make it choppy provides volume and movement.
Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs entered our lexicon a few years ago as a ‘70s retro favorite and never really left. This cut is ideal because it adds width to the forehead area and emphasis on the cheekbones, but rather than sit like traditional bangs, they gradually elongate until they blend into your haircut. If you’re bangs shy (but curious), this is the bangs style for you.
Shag Cut
The modern shag has a more polished finish than the ‘70s shag, but its shape and attitude are similar: it has choppy sides and a choppy bag and often features long bangs that blend into the hair.
Wavy Bob
Is a bob considered “medium length” hair? That depends on how short you keep its ends. A slightly longer bob with waves (either natural or brought on with some help from a curling iron) has volume that boosts your hair’s texture and density, making it look thicker.
Shoulder Length Hair with Layers
Hair that hits the shoulder is long enough to pull back, if that’s important to you, but short enough to maintain rather easily. Add long layers throughout to create movement.
Curled-Under Lob
This lob has ends that are curled under, which makes it look chic and polished. To create this style, ask your stylist to leave your ends blunt (layering can be added on top). Use a large round brush and dryer to curl ends under, one section at a time.
Wolf Cut
The wolf haircut combines the best of two words: The mullet and the shag. The result is a shorter front and longer back with choppy, uneven layers that don’t always blend together. This is a great haircut for anyone who wants something current and fun.
One-Layer Lob
Layering is helpful for creating volume and movement, but if you prefer a look that is sleeker, consider a one-layer lob. The blunt ends on this cut look minimal and clean and you can decide whether to sport yours with or without bangs.
Tapered Ends
If you have extremely thin hair, keeping the ends tapered may not work in your favor because this shape can make hair look finer at the ends. But if you have medium to thick hair and want to concentrate most of your volume by your crown, your stylist can add bulkier layers at top and keep the ends tapered.
Flipped-Out Ends
A nod to the sixties, medium-length hair with flipped-out ends (easily accomplished with a round brush and dryer) looks fun, youthful, and creates a bulkier shape at the bottom of your hair.
Side Bangs
Smartly deal with growing bangs by sweeping them to the side and allowing your hair to highlight your eyes and cheekbones. Side bangs were all the rage in the early aughts and there’s some chatter that they could be coming back, so there’s no better time than now to set a new trend.
