38 Medium Length Hairstyles and Haircuts for 2023

When it comes to finding the perfect hairstyles for women, sometimes we feel a little bit like Goldilocks. One option is too short, another's too long, and we’re always searching for one that’s just right. These medium-length hairstyles and haircuts are right in the sweet spot between short and long hair.With enough length to add curls, body, or be pulled up in a ponytail, but not so much that the weight drags down your locks, each of these medium haircuts is darn near perfect.

Medium Length Hairstyles Trend for 2023

Wispy bangs and texture are probably the biggest trends for medium-length hairstyles in 2023. Both of them have grown from the previous years’ mid-length hair tendencies and have gained up-to-date outstanding features.Still, you should be careful with the bangs trend since this type of bangs doesn’t flatter all face shapes. As for the texture, you’ve got enough field for experiments here. Try various textures of your mid-length haircuts to find your perfect one.

What Is Considered Medium-Length Hair?

Medium-length hairstyles are typically associated with shoulder length. Some consider the length that goes from the shoulder to the armpit, which is about 12-18 inches for straight hair and up to 24 inches for curly strands, a medium length.Still, the notion is rather vague, so you can count all the hairstyles for women from this gallery as medium-length hairstyles.

Medium Length Hairstyles

Whether you have naturally curly hair or straight hair, or you're searching for a mid-length haircut to compliment your face shape or natural texture, you're sure to find a stunning medium-length hairstyle option here that will have you heading to the salon.Our team has done our best to make a full and diverse medium hair guide and gallery. Hope you’ll enjoy it and find some hair inspiration below:

Shoulder Length Hair with Layers

@salonbugattiThese shoulder-length cut strands fall artfully thanks to lots of soft layers that seamlessly transit from one to the next. This wavy hairstyle has a lot of movement and bounce and can be worn with loose messy waves like you see in the picture, or blown out smooth for a more glamorous vibe. Just look how much you can benefit from this low-maintenance layered style!

Volume and Side Bangs

@hai.stylistThis slightly shorter mid-length option also features a lot of messy layers, and it incorporates sideswiped long bangs to give shape and definition to the form of the model's face. To get this kind of volume, you'll want to blow dry your hair with a large round brush and use a volumizing hair product.

Straight Blunt Lob

@keunenamericaThe long bob, or the lob, is a favorite straight hair cut because it is flattering on every face shape. Here the model has her blonde hair tresses in a blunt style. The hair falls in A-shape creating an edgy look that she compliments by keeping it super smooth.To achieve a similar angled bob look, use straightening hair products, a smoothing serum, and a little hair oil on wet hair before blow-drying it with a flat paddle brush. Finish off by running a smoothing iron over your classic bob haircut to lock in the lines.

Choppy Layers

@citrine.salonThis cute layered bob haircut is somewhere in between the low-maintenance beach waves and a chic medium haircut with soft waves, extra volume, and long layers. This casual but smart medium hairstyle can be achieved with a touch of texturizing product and a flat iron only if your hairstylist gives you the necessary choppy bangs and feathered layers beforehand.

Shoulder Length Haircut with Face Framing Layers

@hair.by.gabby.gOne trick of the trade that stylists will often use is to cut too many layers around your face to enhance and balance out your face shape. This can create an alluring cut that doesn't sacrifice any length in the back. It's one of the most popular hairstyles. The photo demonstrates that the layers and thick curtain bangs are a real game-changer.

Waves and a Side Part

@reyhairstylistOne of the easiest ways to transform your medium hairstyles is by changing up how you part your hair. Here we see a traditional layered long bob, but the model has added some hair texture and parted her hair on the side. The side part both adds volume and creates a charming silhouette to a shoulder-length cut with soft waves.

Shoulder Length Hair with Messy Waves

Instagram:@romeufelipeThere isn't any specific definition for medium-length hairstyles and shoulder-length haircuts, but this mid-length haircut definitely qualifies. Much like the style above, the deep side part and carefree waves give this classic cut extra volume and a unique personality just like the woman wearing it.

Long Front Layers

@addictedtobalayageYour stylist can work with you to determine how to frame your face with your layered hair effortlessly. Here, she’s opted for long layers in the front to give some weight to her thin hair type and hit right at her jawline which draws attention away from her high forehead and to the lovely lines of her face instead.

Blonde High Volume Layers

Instagram:timpascoe_hairAnother style that sports long layers in front to create movement and lift away the weight that might otherwise weigh hair down, this trendy cut is perfect for someone with thin or fine hair. To make this carefree bouncy medium hair look your own, try blow-drying with a large round brush lifting from the roots as you go. Thick hair also needs those choppy bangs, and face-framing layers in natural hair color for a lighter, finer hair look.Hair Hack: Blow-dry in 1/2 the time using Blow-dry accelerator on damp hair and style as usual.

Money Pieces

@glamourbyambarThe “Money Piece” Face framing highlights brighten up the face and draw more attention to your beautiful facial features in a much louder and more outstanding manner than blonde highlights. It is one of the biggest hair trends in 2023, especially in such bright colors like yellow.

Medium Length Haircut with Blunt Edges

@mediumhairstylesThis blonde bob shoulder-length haircut shows the contrast between relaxed soft wavy hair and an edgy and blunt cut at the ends. Remember that hairstyles for women are meant to emphasize their natural beauty and highlight their inner self. Thus, if you feel like this low-maintenance blonde hair medium-length hairstyle reflects your personality, wait no more and get it.

Short Side Swept Bangs

@michelle.bodlovicThis lob has a few layers near the bottom to lighten up her tresses, but the real interest lies in the cute, side swept bangs. Not only do they offer a little bit of glamor, but they also help to balance out her high forehead to create a flattering look.

V-Cut

@gina_chareeSimilar to the taper cut, but in a much longer and a bit more extreme, the V cut has your straight hair shorter in front and longer in back. If you have a V cut and you sweep your medium-length hair off your shoulders and behind you, the layers will form a precise V that comes to a point in the center of your back.

Medium Length Haircut with Center Part

Instagram: reneelalondehairThis face-framing lob looks beautiful on her round face with the simple center part. The model is very symmetrical, and the center part highlights her features. Her smooth straight hair strands have lots of body, and she achieved that look by blow-drying with volumizing products and a large, round brush.

Inverted Lob

@danadoeshair01This is one of our favorite hairstyles of 2023, The inverted Lob is essentially the opposite of a V cut. Here, your soft layers will be longer in front and get gradually shorter in the back. This cut is popular because it will still allow you to pull your hair up into a ponytail on hot days, but it takes some of the weight off the back of your neck making it a cooler option for hot summer months.

Natural Curly

InstagramclaytonhawkinsWomen with coarse black hair can play up their luscious texture with a medium length cut. This afro pulls in some copper-colored highlights to add dimension to the model's perfectly styled curls. We suggest a Hair diffuser. They are wonderful for drying and enhancing naturally curly mid-length and long hair by removing excess water without causing frizz, excess damage, and supporting hair health.

Shoulder Length Bob

@hairbyjannyyThis medium hairstyle has a few styles mixed together. It has enough length to fall into the medium haircuts category, but it's a bit short to classify as a lob. It's inverted, has delightful face-framing layers, and she wears it super smooth for a dazzling blunt look.

Line Bob

@mxfoxyroxyfullamoxyThis line bob medium haircut falls a little longer than the style above but has several similar elements that we also love. Here, you can see that her layered hair is cut very precisely, creating beautiful lines of movement that carry through the style.

Blown Out Layers

@deilestockholmTo create big, bouncy, long layers with gently curled ends as you see here, you'll need to spend some quality time with your hair dryer. Start by applying a volumizing product and something to give you some hold to damp hair.Then, separate your mid-length hair into sections and start drying it using a big, round brush from the bottom up. Focus on pulling the brush from root to tip and make sure every layer is completely dry before moving on.

Graduated Lob

@bobhaircutcommThis trendy, stacked long bob is a great option for naturally straight hair, naturally wavy hair, or naturally curly hair. In this neck-length bob cut, the front layers fall longer than those in the back, which creates delightful lines and a nice contrast.You can add gentle waves like the model did by using a curling iron, or a smoothing iron with rounded edges.

Center Parted Waves

@nicolemariesalonThis longer cut with blonde highlights changes up what we traditionally see in wavy cuts. Where more women would opt to add volume at their roots, celebrity hair inspiration Rachel Bilson saves the volume for the lower half of her tresses. This frames her face in a really unique way that's part of her stunning signature style.

Short Textured Layers

@hollygirldoeshairThis low-maintenance medium-length hair cut features short, textured, choppy, shaggy layers that are played up with illuminating highlights. The result is a hip cut with lots of volume and charm.It’s easier to deal with medium-length haircuts like this if you have naturally wavy or curly hair. Wispy bangs, long bangs, side bangs, and curtain bangs are integral elements of such medium hairstyles.

Shag Cut

@bruna.alvesaThis shag cut incorporates lots of different-length feathered layers, and the stylist may have used a dry-cutting technique to create the perfect choppy effect. Brown or blond highlights will give more depth to the hair color of this layered style, and the long bangs will frame all possible face shapes in a flattering way.

Blunt Fringe Bangs

Just like changing how you part your hair will change up your style, so will adding bangs. Here, Hollywood darling Emma Stone showcases her gorgeous medium length haircut with a thick, blunt fringe that is equal parts sexy and perfect.

Shag with Bangs

@espacowicksThis medium-length hair look is a bit reminiscent of the 1980s hairband shag cuts, but with a decidedly trendy, modern feel. With the right highlights and lowlights, and her amazing styling technique, this model has made this old-school medium hairstyle into something that's very right now.

Layered Bob with Bangs

@thedappergirlThis long, layered medium bob has perfect bangs cut in to give it a unique shape. You can wear them blunt across your forehead, or sweep them to the side to change up your tresses without actually changing a thing.

Asymmetrical Bob with Sideswept Bangs

This choppy asymmetrical bob is longer in the front and shorter in the back and includes cute school-girl style bangs to complete the look. This blonde bob with side bangs is the embodiment of the best medium-length hairstyles of the 00s.

Layers with Piecey Bangs

@michaelminuccihairSimple, unpretentious, but charming and versatile - this medium haircut with feathered layers and long bangs is among those timeless hairstyles for women that prefer safe and sound blonde hair solutions. The model wears rather long hair but you can try rocking similar straight hair styles for medium hair and short hair as well.

Naturally Curly Hair Layers

Instagram:angelbella_phyliciaGals with naturally curly hair can pull off a medium length style with the right products. Use a curl-defining serum or mousse on wet hair and then let it air dry or give it more shape and volume by blow drying with a diffuser. If you have a few unruly strands, run a curling iron over them, or try pinning them back to add a little structure to your style.

Shiny Layers and Side Swept Bangs

@styled_by_selenaAdding bounce to your layered long bob can take a smooth, classic style up a notch for a dramatic night on the town (or the red carpet). Complete with side swept bangs, this blowout is basically made for the Hollywood high life.

Chunky Twist Out

@vibeandbeautyAn excellent way to give your ebony curls shape and definition beyond a traditional afro is with a chunky twist out. We suggest using a Curl Defining Cream it helps by sealing hair cuticle to prevent frizz and conditions curls at the same time.

Curtain Bangs

@frenchpharmacieThis medium cut with curtain bangs has so many fabulous things going for it as a complement for medium-length hairstyles for women. The blunt edges and thick hair bangs create exquisite lines, and the pop of color gives it a showy finish. It's so good; you might not even care that you can't see out of one eye when you wear it.

Razor Cut

@indoladachBlowdrying your hair to flip up and out is very 1990s, but that’s not to say you can’t pull it off today. It’s too soon to call this long layers medium hairstyle retro, but if you want to give this classic a try, use a large round brush or just do the flip with your smoothing iron.

Ombre Bob

@justinedealYou might believe that, when it comes to medium-length haircuts, a bob is a bob. This model shows us that isn't so. By adding dramatic ombre hair color to her style, she takes the classic cut up a notch into bombshell territory.

Feathered Shag

@rachelwstylistFeathered layers and outward bouncy curls may seem more pin-up era than today, but Salma Hayek proves us wrong. Her long layered bob is perfectly styled and looks as ravishing as she does.

Shoulder Length Hair with Blunt Bangs

@styled_by_selenaBlunt, single-length cuts that are complimented by blunt bangs have such an effortless quality about them. They're a cross between sexy and sublime, and with the right hair texture, are the perfect medium length haircut.

Modern Shag

@yukistylistLow-maintenance hairstyles like this shag are cute all on their own, but it can also be the perfect transition look if you're growing your hair out from a short crop into a longer style. You won't sacrifice your length to get this shape, and it's as delightful to look at as it is trendy.

FAQ: Medium Length Hairstyles

Which cut is best for shoulder-length hair?

Typically, mid-length haircuts and shoulder-length hairstyles often require well-shaped layers in order to create a sophisticated, smooth flow in your medium hair. Thus, textured shags with swooping layers and wispy bangs are the most popular solutions with a dynamic effect. As for the classics, a long bob in all its variations is always a good mid-length hair idea.

Is shoulder-length hair good for round faces?

Stylists say that med length and longer hair are the best for round face shapes. The statement is easy to prove since shoulder-length hairstyles and medium haircuts visually elongate your face shape, which is exactly what round faces need for balancing out the look.Moreover, keeping your medium hair below the chin will draw attention away from the jawline. When choosing the best medium-length cut for a round face, consider the one with texturized edges, face-framing lawyers, and bangs.

Does shoulder-length hair make you look older?

Well, actually, it depends not so much on the length of your hair but on how you style it. And here is why: many people believe that long straight hair makes you look older, but it’s applicable only until you keep those tresses pin-straight, putting your face front and center.Same stuff with short hair and mid-length styles. Only texturized hairstyles with a lot of movement, volume, layers, and dimension, maybe with blonde highlights or something similar will advantage your look, balance your face, and divert attention away from wrinkles and age spots.

Is a shoulder-length haircut good for every hair type and texture?

Shure. The only point is that you need to find the one that looks best with your hair type and texture.At some point or another, most of us have had medium hair. It's easy to manage, it allows for numerous styling options, and it's just the perfect length - neither too short nor too long. For every hair type, color, and texture, there are medium hair variations that work magic.