Medium-length haircuts truly are the happy medium of hairstyles. Not too long, and not too short, this Goldilocks length looks spectacular with blunt and layered styles alike, and helps making thinning or fine hair look thicker — another bonus if you’ve noticed your hair shedding over the years. The trick when it comes to making a medium haircut work for you is considering the shape of your hairstyle and what suits you best. For some that means face-framing layers, while for others that means an abundance of curls and waves.
No matter how you prefer to wear your hair, one of these medium haircuts may prove to be a chic and sophisticated style that will freshen up your look pronto this spring and summer.
Lob With Layers
The lob continues to be one of our favorite haircuts because it offers enough length to skim the collarbone, but also lends itself to a variety of styling options. This pick features layering toward the front of the face and more subtle layering in the back, all designed to give your hair a voluminous lift and movement. It looks flattering on so many, thanks to its length and its versatility.
Lob With Blunt Ends
On the other side of the spectrum from the layered lob you have the lob with blunt ends. This style is great for thinning hair because its even baseline gives the illusion of fuller hair. If you feel the chicness of this style is sometimes minimized by the flatness it can create at your scalp, try experimenting with root-lifting sprays and styling your crown with a round brush while blow drying your hair.
Curly Shag
When actress Natasha Lyonne wears her medium-length hair in a shag, which features tons of layering, and lets her curls shine through, she look youthful and carefree. This retro haircut is the very definition of playful, and the addition of curls or waves helps create volume and width to your hair.
Shoulder-Length Haircut With Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs have proven to be so much more than a retro trend: they’re recognized for their potential to add oomph to any style, as well as face-framing layers that emphasize your eyes and other beautiful facial features. They look particularly cohesive with shoulder-length hair and suit this style well.
Shoulder-Length Hair With Face-Framing Layers
You may not be a big fan of bangs or curtain bangs, but still want to feel like your hair is helping to emphasize your features. Consider a shoulder-length haircut with long face-framing layers like this fabulous haircut on Ciara, with the shortest layer beginning just below your cheekbone or along your jawline. Layers give youthful movement to this haircut.
Medium Haircut With Wispy Bangs
If, instead of dreading bangs you would like to embrace them, try pairing wispy bangs with your medium haircut. Blunt bangs can give a squarish look to your face, which can appear harsh and overemphasize fine lines and wrinkles. But wispier, airier bangs have a softening effect and can instead appear youthful and playful.
Wolf Haircut
In addition to being the haircut with the best name imaginable, the wolf haircut is one that provides hair with tons of volume. This cut combines a ‘70s shag with an ‘80s mullet and features a longer back and shorter layers around the sides and front. If you have curls or waves, it’s an excellent hairstyle for bringing out and honoring texture.
