41 Easy And Stylish Hairstyles For Medium-Length Hair

Styling your hair can be the most frustrating task before you step out of your house. Trying to do the simplest hairstyle can sometimes leave you in tears because it does not look the way you want it to. However, there are plenty of easy hairstyles for medium hair that require little time and effort. Medium is just the perfect length of hair for those with a busy lifestyle wishing to maintain stylish hair looks without too much fuss. Aren’t you feeling relieved? Yes, you must be. After all, you cannot spend all your time on your hair and get late for school or work. Expert hair stylist Jessica Shults, with over 20 years of experience under her belt, tells us, “Medium-length hair is such an ideal length as it can be cut into a stylish shape so minimal styling is needed on a day-to-day basis. It is also long enough to experiment with variations of everyday hairstyles like braids, twists, curls, etc.

In this article, we bring you a list of 25 cute and easy hairstyles for medium hair and give you step-by-step instructions on how to style your mane. Pick your favorites and flaunt your hair in the most stylish way. Check them out below!

Before You Get Started

• Face-framing layers, side-swept hairstyles and bangs or a fringe, high updos, and a middle parting look the best on a round face.
• If you have an oval face, you can go for almost any medium-length hairstyle, except straight or blunt cuts.
• Layered cuts, long curtain or choppy bangs, and a side part look the best on a square face.
• Opt for long layers, lobs, piecey bangs, or a side parting if you have a heart-shaped face.
• Angled layers near the cheeks, choppy bangs, and side-parted hair look the best on an oblong face.

41 Super Easy Everyday Hairstyles For Medium Hair

1. Soft Waves With Piecey Bangs

Dakota Johnson is often seen sporting those piecey bangs and has brought this trend back single-handedly. The bangs cover her forehead and balance out her face perfectly. If you are someone with a comparatively large forehead, this hairstyle is just for you. Get those feminine piecey bangs and style your medium-length hair with soft curls to complement them. The good news is you can sport this hairstyle on pretty much any occasion.

2. Half-Front Hair

Known for her gorgeous blonde tresses, Natalie Dormer has never disappointed us when it comes to hairstyles. She has donned a simple sleek look to a half-shaved ‘do’ and has looked dapper in everything. This particular look is rather sweet and simple with half your hair brought to the front. To achieve this look, make big loose curls and brush your hair to get those waves. Bring half of your hair to the front to complete the look.

3. Puffed Up Pony

This hairdo looks elegant and so well put together. The best part is it takes just a few minutes to do it. Now, to achieve this beautiful look, leave some (about 2 inches from the forehead) of your front hair and make a ponytail with the rest. Now, stretch your crown hair lightly to create volume. Use a texturizing spray on the front hair and tuck it across the side of the crown to complete the look.

4. Middle Parted Waves

Don’t you just love hairstyles that take a few minutes, look super chic, and create an illusion that you put hours into it? This hairstyle does exactly that. To get Zendaya’s super elegant hairstyle, make a middle parting, spritz some hair spray on your crown area, and brush it backwards after smoothening the outside. Now, create subtle waves and slightly curl the ends to complete this stunning look.

5. Sleek Bun

Selena Gomez is easily one of the most loved celebrities in the world. Apart from her amazing music and acting, Selena is known for sporting some elegant hairstyles. This is a graceful hairdo that can easily be achieved even with 3-day-old hair. All you have to do is make a middle part, spritz some hair spray, and pull your hair all the way back into a bun and you’re good to go!

6. Messy Bun

You can create this super-chic effortless look like Gal Gadot in just minutes. Comb your hair and spritz texturizing spray all over. Pull all your hair into a high bun. Stretch your crown hair a bit to create volume and step out!

7. Low Bun With Loose Locks

Sometimes, all you need are some loose strands framing your face to make you look like a gorgeous diva. Jennifer Lawrence looks exquisite in a simple messy low bun. All you need to do is braid your hair and run a straightening rod over your braids or you can go for overnight waves if you want to avoid the heat. Now, do a middle part and leave the hair till your ears and make a bun with the rest for a stunning look.

8. Side-Parted Low Bun

Even a small change in your hair can make a huge impact on your overall appearance. Kate Winslet’s side part low bun does that. This is a fairly easy-to-do updo but the trick is to make the front lock look neat. To achieve this look, apply a texturizing product and make a side part. Take some hair apart from the front where the parting starts and make a low bun at the back. Divide the front hair into two parts, twist one and tuck at the back, and curl the other one nicely and that’s it!

9. Side-Parted Hair With Curled Ends

Angelina Jolie has always carried out each look with elegance and grace. She carries out this simple look by creating a side part with the ends of her hair curled in. This is a hairdo you can sport when you are looking for something simple yet eye-catching. For this look, apply volumizing mousse, bring your hair to the front, and use large barrel curlers to create those beautiful curls at the end.

10. Blunt Lob With Side Bangs

Emma Stone looks ravishing in her blunt lob with the side bangs adding an extra edge to the look. For this look, get a shoulder-length blunt lob with side bangs and then nicely comb your hair, do a side part, and spritz some setting spray to keep everything in place.

11. Crown Braided Bun

A creative amalgamation of two classic hairstyles, Emily Blunt looks absolutely ethereal in this braided coif. To create this high fashion look, start by creating a side part and making Dutch braids on both sides. When you reach the nape, secure the braids with bobby pins, and make a low bun. Finish your look with a setting spray to keep everything in place. On the other hand, Ashley, a YouTuber shared her experience on how to make an effortless Dutch braid hairstyle when one wants to leave their hair open. She went for a middle-part, two-sided braid while leaving behind half of her hair open. She said, “I love doing this hairstyle when I go to a beach or lake or something. I like my hair to be down and this hairstyle keeps my hair out of my face (i).”

12. Side Braid

Elizabeth Olsen looks stunning with this simple braid. Just sweep all your hair to one side, leaving a few face-framing strands. Do the simple three-part braid and tie the braid halfway through the hair. You need no styling tools or products for this hairdo. All you need is a hair-tie and you are sorted!

13. Elegant Updo With Curled Bangs

Who says that curly-haired women can’t have bangs? Julia Roberts looks chic as always with her curly updo and bangs falling on her rosy cheeks. Curly hair management may be a bit tough but they surely look gorgeous! This hairstyle is one of the best updos for medium hair, as it highlights your features beautifully without requiring much maintenance. For this look, you would need to have mid-length bangs and a claw clip. Take all your hair except the bangs at the front, twist it, and place the claw clip over the twist, leaving the ends of the curls free to fall freely around. Set your bangs at the front and you’re done!

14. Messy Side Fishtail

Kristen Stewart looks mysterious and elegant in this simple hairstyle. The messy touch to this hairstyle adds to its impact. This hairstyle is easy to do as well as manage. To achieve this look, sweep your hair to one side and start making a fishtail braid as you always do. Leave some strands at the front to frame your face.

15. Curled Out Layers

Who would have thought that a simple blowout would make such a huge difference! Medium-length hair is considered the most versatile and rightly so. There are so many variations of a single hairstyle that you can pull off with this length. Lisa Kudrow has simply curled her hair outwards and it looks gorgeous. Apply some volumizing mousse and curl the ends of your hair outwards with no apparent parting to create this elegant look!

16. Braided Headband

Emma Watson may have sported this look at a red carpet event, but you can easily pull this look off at work. All you need to do is make two thin braids on either side of your head and pin them across the top of your head. Tie the rest of your hair in a low bun and pull out some hair from the front to frame your face. And, you’re done! Took you about 5 minutes to do and you look professional as well!

17. Retro Ponytail

A full-on beehive, reminiscent of the 60s, can be a little too elaborate for you to pull off when you are short on time. So, here’s a simple hairstyle for medium hair that requires less than five minutes but still takes inspiration from that gorgeous look. Just part your hair down the middle, tease down some hair at the crown of your head, and tie all your hair in a mid-level ponytail to achieve this simple and chic look.

18. Pulled Back

There’s a huge misconception out there that the more effort you put into styling your hair, the better it looks. But the truth is that the hairstyles that take less than 5 minutes to do are the ones that look the best. For instance, take this pulled back look sported by Marion Cotillard. She started off by spritzing on some sea salt spray and parting her hair down the middle. Then, all she did was pull all her front hair back and pin it at the center to achieve this super simple yet elegant hair look.

19. Vintage Curls

Let’s face it, we all have those moments when we want to chop all our hair off and just be done with it. To tide through those times, just do what Kate Hudson did and go for some huge curls to create a faux bob. Apply some texturizing spray to your semi-dry hair and put it in some jumbo rollers overnight to create this stunning hair look.

20. Wrap Around Ponytail

When you feel like you’re stuck in a rut with your hair, repeating the same boring hairstyle over and over again, you can just add a simple twist to it to completely transform its look. For example, you can add a chic little twist to your same ol’ ponytail by wrapping a section of hair around its base to hide the hair elastic from view.

21. Soft Curls With Bangs

Who didn’t fall in love with Rachel McAdams after watching The Notebook? Her vintage A-line dresses and soft curls look in that movie won millions of hearts around the world. If you want to recreate her iconic Alison look, get your hair cut in some side swept bangs and curl the lower half of your hair with a big barreled curler. Finish off the look by pinning back your front section of hair.

22. Laid Back

Who hasn’t thought about simply rolling out of bed and heading out without even running a brush through your hair? (I think about doing this pretty much everyday) Well, to put in minimum effort to do up your hair, simply run a straightening iron a few times through your hair, then flip your hair forward and brush it to give it some volume and bounce.

23. Ballerina Bun

I’m sure at some point in your childhood you dreamt about becoming a beautiful ballerina. Regardless of whether you fulfilled that dream or not, there’s nothing stopping you from looking like one. All you need to do is tie your hair in a high ponytail. Then, place a hair donut at the end of your ponytail and start rolling it upwards towards the base to roll your hair into a bun. Don’t forget to use some bobby pins and hairspray to set this gorgeous updo in place!

Fun Fact

The ballerina bun first appeared in the Italian Renaissance courts (where ballet originated) during the 15th century. Since then, it’s been the standard hairstyle for ballerinas.

24. Messy Pony

Can’t find your hair brush again and need to head out in the next 2 minutes? Girl, I’ve got you covered. Just spritz on some texturizing spray all over your hair, brush back your hair with your fingers, and tie it into a ponytail at the back of your head. And, you’re done! Wasn’t that easy peasy lemon squeezy? And we have more ponytail hairstyles for you, in case you are looking for ways to add a twist to this style.

25. French Twist

Nothing says elegant and mature quite like a classic French twist. Now, this may seem like too elaborate a hairstyle to do everyday, but once you get the hang of it, it really is not. And the best part is that it is easiest to do on medium length hair! Start by applying a volumizing product to your hair. Gather your hair at the back, and roll it to make an elongated bun. Secure the bun to your head with bobby pins and hairspray.

Trivia

A French twist is a common hair styling technique that was popular from the late 1950s through the early 1970s.

26. Amped Up

If there’s one person I can think of when asked who’s the most gorgeous woman on the planet right now, it has to be Margot Robbie. So, of course, we need to take some hair inspiration from her. To achieve her sexy messy hair look, prep your hair with some volumizing mousse and texturizing spray. Tease some hair at the top and front of your head. Part your hair on one side and fluff it up with your hands to finish off the look.

27. Sleek

Wanna look like a total badass who doesn’t take any shit from anyone? Well, you could go for a drastic personality change, but I have a better idea. Straight hair has the unique ability to make you look like you’re in total control of your life and mental stability. All you need to give off that illusion is to straighten your hair until it is absolutely poker straight, pin back half your hair and slick down any flyaways with some smoothening serum.

28. The Half Updo

If you need a hairstyle that will work for you throughout the day at work and can also be sported at the fancy party you need to go to in the evening, then this half updo will suit your needs perfectly. To create the half updo, you need to add volume at the crown. So, backcomb the hair at the crown of your head and spritz on some hairspray. Then, smooth the top out, and use bobby pins at the base of the puff. Set your hair with medium hold hairspray to finish off the look.

29. Elegant Waves

If you can’t decide how to style your hair for that really important business meeting that you’ve been preparing for for weeks, here is your answer. Apply a shine-boosting product and a heat protectant to your hair, and using a straightening iron, curl your hair gently. Part your hair on one side, set with a hairspray, and you’re ready!

30. Beachy Waves

Admit it. You’ve always been jealous of people who have perfect beachy waves because you can never seem to get them to look as perfect as theirs. Well, the trick is to use sea salt spray on your hair while it is still damp and keep scrunching it as it dries. What you end up with are luscious, voluminous, and heat-free waves just as beautiful as Mila Kunis’ wavy tresses.

31. Pin Straight

Honestly, it seems like everyone and their grandmother is in love with Emma Stone these days. And why wouldn’t they be? Her impeccable sense of style and amazing sense of humor make her the sweetheart of everyone’s dreams. If you want to look just a little bit like her, bust out your straightening iron, smoothen out your hair, and get your hair cut in some cutesy side swept bangs.

32. Pouf

Now here’s another classic hairstyle that everyone has probably sported at least once. We’re talking about the classic pouf look, of course! If you are not in the mood for anything elaborate, or if you are running short on time, a puff can really save the day. A little bit of backcombing, a couple of bobby pins, a spritz of hairspray, and you’re done!

33. Romantic Curls

The perfect way to achieve that soft angelic look that you’re aiming for on your date night is by going for these loose curls. Curl the lower half of your hair with a big 2 inch curling iron, part it on one side and spritz on some hairspray to get this super pretty hair look.

34. Ponytail With Side Swept Bangs

You’re probably wondering why there’s another ponytail style on this list. Easy. It’s because it’s a versatile style that can be styled in a number of ways.If you want to recreate Reese Witherspoon’s adorable ponytail with side swept bangs look, here’s what you need to do. Use a large barrel curler to style your hair into loose waves. Brush out your bangs and secure the rest of your hair into a pony. A little bit of texture can really amp up this otherwise simple style. So, before you pull your hair back into a pony, make sure that you use a texturizing product on your hair.

35. Simple Waves

Wavy hair never really goes out of style, does it? This hairstyle is an effortless way to look fab and works brilliantly on medium length hair. You can use your styling tools, or you can go heat-free. Using a large barrel curler or a hair straightener can give you instant waves. But, you can also roll up your hair into a bun while it is still damp, and enjoy your heat-free waves once your hair dries.

36. Pulled Back Bangs

You know when you first get your bangs cut and they look so cute? But then they start growing out and get into that weird in-between phase where they are too long to be bangs but too short to be styled with the rest of your hair. Well, you can opt for headbands and clips to keep them off your face. Or you can try this simple trick. Just brush your bangs back and spray a strong hold spray on them. This will keep them in place all day, and you’ll have a great hairdo to sport.

37. Instant Waves

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably too lazy to use a curling iron to create those perfect waves with individual sections of hair. In that case, here’s a little hack of a style that will get your wavy hair just as gorgeous as Blake Lively’s. Divide your hair into four sections and twist each section right till the end. Run a straightener over each twisted section and separate your locks to reveal your perfect waves. Pin back some sections of hair from the sides and set with a medium hold hairspray to complete the look.

38. Wispy Bun

Now, here’s a cute everyday look that is oh-so-easy to style and perfectly suited for a casual day in with friends. And the best part? It works really well for second-day hair! To get this style, fingercomb your hair and tie it into a ponytail at the back of your head. Add volume to the ponytail by backcombing it, then wrap it around its base to create a bun. Secure this bun to your head with some bobby pins and pull out some wisps of hair around your face to finish off the look.

39. Updo With A Headband

Your bangs can get really annoying on hot summer days when you have a ton of work to do. This simple bun and headband style sported by Olivia Wilde can be a real savior in this situation. Start off by applying a bit of volumizing mousse to your hair. Then, flip your hair forward and brush it down. Now, gently brush your hair back, place a headband as close to your hairline as possible and push it back so that you no longer have your hair falling on your face. Gather your hair into a simple bun and secure it to your head with some bobby pins.

40. Side Bun

In the mood to look a little fancy and posh at work/school today? Then, here’s a style that you’ll absolutely love! Just part your hair on one side and start tying it into a low side ponytail. At the last twist of your hair elastic, loop your hair through only 3/4th of the way so that you end up with a looped bun. Fan out this looped bun and pin it to your head with some bobby pins. The great thing about this style is that it can only be done with medium length hair because long or short hair creates loop buns that are not the right size to perfect this look.

41. Shaggy Honey Blonde Lob

Emilia Clarke looks absolutely gorgeous in this lob hairstyle with deep honey-blonde highlights. The wavy texture and honey-golden shade add dimension to her face and vibrance to her complexion. This is one of the best medium-length hairstyles for those wanting a stylish yet manageable look. Add volume to your style using texturizing spray and a curling wand to achieve those loose waves. Tousle your tresses if you are going for a messy look that further enhances the volume and appeal of this hairstyle. Don’t forget to spritz on some hairspray to secure your wavy locks. You can also try this hairstyle with slightly longer hair, but opt for a layered cut to achieve a stunning voluminous look.

Infographic: Hair Accessories For Medium-Length Hair

We are sure you may be excited to try out all the easy and stylish hairstyles listed above. But, let us not stop just yet. Medium-length hair is versatile, and you can accessorize it in numerous ways! Check out the infographic below to style your hair for an effortless day look with quirky accessories. Keep scrolling.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I get my medium hairstyle trimmed?

Your hair type, length, and hairstyle all influence how frequently you should see your hairstylist. Opt for a groom and trim session for your hair about once every 4 to 6 weeks.

Can medium hair be colored?

Yes, keep your skin tone and desired color shade in mind and talk to a professional stylist about your vision. You can either go for a dramatic color change, highlight a few strands, or cover your grays with a suitable hair dye.

Are there any health risks associated with wearing hairstyles for medium hair?

Make sure you don’t tie your hair too tightly in protective hairstyles or ponytails to prevent hair loss. Also, keep in mind that some of the hair products you use can contain harmful ingredients. Use heat styling equipment sparingly because their overuse can damage your hair.

What products are best for maintaining medium-length hair?

To keep medium-length hair looking healthy and fresh, use good-quality shampoos and conditioners designed for your hair type. Additionally, consider using leave-in conditioners or hair oils for moisture and shine boost. Lastly, use heat protectants if you style with heat tools.

How can I style medium hair for different occasions?

For casual outings, loose waves or a simple ponytail can work well. For formal events, consider elegant updos or sleek straight styles. You can also accessorize with headbands or clips to enhance your look for special occasions.

Illustration:

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Jessica ShultsLicensed Hairstylist

   

Jessica is an expert hairstylist with over 20 years of experience. She specializes in all areas of hair color and is exceptionally skilled at balayage and best-in-class gray blending techniques. After two decades of hairstyling, she launched Twisted Scissors Salon, a full-service hair salon.

Read full bio of Jessica Shults

Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda

Subhrojyoti MukherjeeAssociate Editor

Subhrojyoti is an associate editor at StyleCraze with four years of experience. He has a master’s degree in English from Presidency University, Kolkata, and has also done a post-graduate certificate course in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University, Kolkata.

Read full bio of Subhrojyoti Mukherjee

Aparna HarryBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Aparna Harry is a beauty and lifestyle content writer with over three years of experience in writing for different genres. She has a master’s degree in English Literature from The English And Foreign Languages University and a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Mysore.

Read full bio of Aparna Harry