Hairstyles for medium hair: 25 cute, easy ideas
25 cute hairstyles for medium hair, from a one-minute claw clip twist to braids and low buns, plus the best haircuts for shoulder-length hair.
The short answer
Medium hair (chin to just past the shoulders) is the most versatile length. Fastest styles: claw clip twist, half-up clip, low ponytail with face pieces, tucked behind the ears. 25 ideas across down, half-up, up and braided looks. Best cuts: lob, medium layers, shag and one-length with curtain bangs.
- A large claw clip is the most useful tool for medium hair.
Medium hair, roughly chin to just past the shoulders, is the most versatile length: long enough to tie up, short enough to style in minutes. The best medium hairstyles play to that: a bouncy blowout, a half-up claw clip, a low bun with face-framing pieces. Below are 25 cute hairstyles for medium hair, from two-minute everyday looks to evening, plus the cuts that make medium length look its best.
Quick everyday styles
| Style | Time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Claw clip twist | 1 min | Twist hair up at the back of the head and secure with a claw clip |
| Half-up claw clip | 2 min | Take the top section back and clip it |
| Low ponytail with face pieces | 3 min | Smooth back, tie low, pull out two front strands |
| Tucked behind the ears | 1 min | Center part, tuck both sides, gold huggies |
| Messy low bun | 4 min | Twist and pin at the nape, loosen with fingers |
| Two mini clips at the temples | 1 min | Sweep sides back with small clips |
| Headband | 1 min | A padded or silk headband with a smooth part |
| Flat-iron bends | 8 min | Bend mid-lengths with a flat iron, leave ends straight |
Medium hair holds clips well; a large claw clip is the most useful tool you can own.
25 cute hairstyles for medium hair
Down
- Bouncy round-brush blowout with flipped-under ends.
- Soft beach waves with a flat iron.
- Sleek straight with a deep side part.
- Curtain bangs blown away from the face. See curtain bangs.
- Air-dried natural waves with mousse.
- Defined curls diffused; see curly hair.
- Tucked behind one ear with a statement earring.
Half-up
- Half-up claw clip.
- Half-up mini bun.
- Half-up twist with a pearl clip.
- Two small braids at the front pinned back.
- Half-up ponytail with a ribbon.
Up
- Claw clip French twist.
- Sleek low bun.
- Messy high bun.
- Low ponytail wrapped with a strand of hair.
- Bubble ponytail.
- Twisted low chignon for events.
- Scarf-tied low ponytail.
Braids
- Two Dutch braids.
- Side French braid into a low bun.
- Braided crown.
- Fishtail over one shoulder.
- Waterfall braid over waves.
- Braided headband.
Step-by-step braids are in our braid hairstyles guide.
Best haircuts for medium hair
- Lob (long bob): collarbone length, blunt or softly layered.
- Medium layered cut: layers from the chin for bounce. See layered haircuts.
- Shag: for wavy and curly hair. See shag haircut.
- One-length with curtain bangs: the easiest to grow out.
Thinking of going longer or shorter? See long and short hairstyles.
Read next: Hair Extensions: Every Type Compared · Anti-Aging Skin Care: What Works, Ranked
Questions people ask about this
What are cute hairstyles for medium hair?
A half-up claw clip, a bouncy blowout, soft beach waves, a sleek low bun, a low ponytail with face-framing pieces and two Dutch braids.
What is considered medium-length hair?
Roughly from the chin to just past the shoulders, including lobs and shoulder-length cuts.
What is the best haircut for medium hair?
A lob, a medium layered cut or a shag for wavy hair. Layers starting at the chin add bounce; a blunt lob makes fine hair look thicker.
How do you style medium hair quickly?
Twist it up with a claw clip, do a half-up clip, tuck it behind your ears with earrings, or add a headband. Each takes a minute or two.
