If you’ve been growing out shorter hair, you may be looking for some style inspiration. Hair that stops at the shoulder is often not short enough to be embraced as a bob or a pixie, yet not long enough to style in high ponytails or longer braids. Still, there are plenty of ways to style medium length hair. First, a good cut will make a difference. Think face-framing layers, opting for bangs or switching up the way you part your hair. We’ve reached to professional hair stylists for ideas, tips and advice on how to style medium length hair. Keep reading for 55 looks inspired by celebrities, which include a variety of hair types, textures and styles.
Meet the Experts
- Adir Abergel is a celebrity hair stylist and a creative director of the hair care brand Virtue.
- Anastasia Stylianou is a hairstylist and texture specialist for red carpet events, editorial, and advertising.
- Andrew Fitzsimons is a celebrity hairstylist and the founder of his own haircare line.
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Old Hollywood Blowout
Tousled and sexy, Zendaya's side-swept part is giving Old Hollywood glamour. To get this look at home, put your hair into rollers and use lots of texture spray, such as Drybar Triple Sec 3-In-1 Finishing Spray.
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Flirty Fringe
Hoyeon's fluffy waves are both edgy and voluminous. Andrew Fitzsimons recommends applying product before using any heat in order to recreate this look. "Apply the Andrew Fitzsimons Model Volume Boosting Wave Spray to towel-dried hair, to help bring natural volume and curls to the hair," he says.
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Wavy Lob
Influencer Maggie Keating rocks a curly, layered lob. Her brunette locks were curled using a medium-width curling iron and looks to have been brushed through with a wide-tooth comb. Just make sure to use a heat-protectant like Mermade Hair Mermade Mist 2.0.
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Face-Framing Strands
Calling all Lizzie McGuire fans! Hillary Duff has never looked better with her bright blonde 'do. We love the layered pieces framing her face. To recreate a similar style, use a flat iron to lightly curl and bend the hair.
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Middle-Parted Coils
A middle part can work with any hair texture—whether you havenaturally curly hairor like to opt forextensions—as seen here on Quinta Brunson.
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Bombshell Curls
Eva Mendes looks like a total bombshell with her large fluffy curls. Her medium-length hair was cut near her collarbones and we love this look on her.
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Braid Out Blonde
Jessica Biel's effortless waves look stunning. If you have straight hair, Fitzsimons recommends starting this look the night before. "Wash your hair and let it air dry, " he says. "Then, proceed to braid your locks into two or three braids, starting at the ear and continuing all the way down to the ends of the hair." Finish by using Andrew Fitzsimons Après Sexe Texture Spray.
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Braided Layers with Beads
Tiffany Battle is one of our favorite influencers to follow for textured hair inspiration. She rocks the beaded braids look with layered, shorter pieces framing her face. "I recommend using a moisturizing serum, such as the Andrew Fitzsimons Fantasy Curls Nourishing Serum," Fitzsimons recommends. "This will help smooth flyaways and also leave locks looking shiny."
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Soft Waves
A sun-kissed brunette color like Sophia Bush's is easy to maintain. If you want to recreate her soft waves, use a large curling iron and brush them out with your fingers to get that effortless look.
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Voluminous Fringe
You can't go wrong with a mid-length fringe—just take a look at Natasha Liu Bordizzo's 'do! To get this style, use a volumizing shampoo and blow dry your hair. "After the blow dry, lightly tease the roots of the hair to give in that extra voluminous look at the top of the head," Fitzsimons says. "Take a large barrel curling wand, about 1.5 inches, and curl pieces of the hair in different directions to give it a piecey, textured look."
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Parted Waves
Go full 1970s like Sydney Sweeney with a middle part and added volume on the length of your hair. For a similar look, use a curling iron and curl towards your face while focusing on the ends.
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Shaped Curly Cut
If you want to embrace your natural texture, Yara Shahidi offers plenty of inspiration. Here, her layers are cut to perfectly frame her face.
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Side Swept Waves
If you have thicker hair similar to Priyanka Chopra, you may want to opt for a side part. This will give you a similar side-swept look as seen here. Use a one-inch curling iron so your strands fall exactly where you want them to.
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Vintage Blowout
Swept layers are trending and if you want to recreate Samara Weaving's look, Fitzsimons has some advice. "On clean and towel-dried hair, apply the Andrew Fitzsimons AF1 Restructuring 10-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner, and proceed to go in with a round brush and blow dryer," he recommends. "Blow dry the hair to give it a voluminous bouncy curl. Finish off with the bangs, flipping up the ends of the hair with the round brush and hair dryer to give it some volume."
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Spiral Curls
Alanna Arrington's layered ringlets look beautiful. It turns out they are also easy to recreate. If you have naturally curly hair, apply It's a 10 Haircare Coily Miracle Curl Cream. To make sure your curls hold, "generously apply the Andrew Fitzsimons Body Volume Blowdry Hold Spray from root to tip on damp hair then dry the hair for a smooth and voluminous base," Fitzsimons recommends. "Section off the hair with hair clips. Next, go in with a thin 0.5-inch barreled curling wand, and proceed to wrap small sections of hair around the wand."
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The Rachel
"The Rachel" is one of the most iconic hairstyle of the 1990s thanks to Jennifer Aniston. More recently, she has been sporting an updated version of the cut, which includes face-framing layers. Get the look by using a volumizing spray and styling cream.
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Air-Dried Shag
Shanina Shaik loose curls and side part look gorgeous on medium-length hair. It is also a great example of a shag cut on curly hair. "The shagis making a huge comeback with many celebrities," Abergel says. "The modern-day shag has an effortless, rock-and-roll feel to it.It’s all about the cut when it comes to achieving the perfect shag. Ask your stylist to give you a modern shag with tons of texture to frame your face softly."
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1960s Lob
Emma Roberts opted for a 1960s-inspired updo to style her straight lob. Here, her strands are pinned up in a half-up, half-down look with some waves added throughout the length.
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Casual Blowout
If you have finer hair, you'll love Jamie Chung's 'do. To recreate her look, style your hair using Color Wow Style on Steroids Color-Safe Texturizing Spray. Use a hair straightener to create slight bends and movement throughout the length.
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Side Swooped Bangs
Layers on layers are timeless, as seen here on Helena Christensen. "While blow drying the hair, wrap the hair around the brush, and hold the hair in that position while blow drying," Fitzsimons recommends. "Continue to twirl the hair around the brush to give it a curl effect and finish with a cold shot to set it in place." If may also want to try heated rollers.
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Naturally Wavy
We love Liu Wen's naturally wavy hair. To recreate the look, apply Paul Mitchell Extra-Body Boost Root Lifter. You may also use a small curling iron if needed and wrap your hair in different directions for some additional volume.
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Curtain Bangs
Rachel McAdams mid-length layered cut perfectly highlights her balayage. Blow dry your face-framing layers away from your face using Olaplex Volumizing Blow Dry Spray to recreate this look.
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Diffused Curls
If you have naturally curly and textured hair like Logan Browning, product application and preparation are key. Fitzsimons suggests using a curl-defining shampoo and conditioner before applying a cream such as Andrew Fitzsimons Fantasy Curls Anti Frizz Curl-Defining Treatment Cream. To dry your hair, "use a diffuser attachment and the cool setting, on a blow dryer’s lowest speed to cool-blast the hair, in a scrunching motion, to help set the products in place."
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Beachy Waves
Kristin Cavallari's hairstyle and color reminds us of a warm day at the beach. "To obtain this volume, it's important to first blow out the hair, and go in with the Andrew Fitzsimons Discreet AF Dry Shampoo at the roots to give volume and bounce at the roots," Fitzsimons says. "Section the hair off, starting at the bottom and then working the way to the top of the head. Go in with a large barrel curling wand and curl the hair section by section, in opposite directions." Finish the look by combing through your locks.
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Slicked and Swooped
Laura Harrier's mid-length hair was slicked back and the ends were curled outwards for a vintage and timeless look. Use around brushto replicate this style by curling the ends away from the face as you blow-dry your hair.
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Classic Bob
"This textured shoulder-length bob is flattering for almost everyone and it will always be in style," Abergel says. "Breaking down the texture on a shoulder-length bob makes it modern."
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Straight Side Part
Olivia Munn's caramel highlights and medium-length hair looks great parted to the side. Recreate the look by using texturizing spray, a blow dryer, and straightening iron. Blow dry your hair while focusing on the roots. Then, use a straightener and heat protectant like The Frontal Queen Smooth Moves Flat Iron Spray in order to smooth potential flyaways.
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1960s Bob Cut
Menger Zhang's 1960s-inspired bob is all about soft and round edges. Her bangs and ends were curled to frame her face just under her brows and her chin.
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Choppy Shag
This choppy shag with face-framing layers is reminiscent of 1970s rock and roll. Use a texturizing spray to add volume and movement to your final look.
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Wispy Bangs
January Jones looks chic and casual with her wavy mane and wispy bangs. Her choppy ends add movement to her overall look for a style that can be worn everyday.
Byrdie Tip
Consider your hair texture when deciding whether you want a cut that's blunt or one with texture. Blunt cuts work well with fine hair since they add structure and fullness while those with thick tresses may want to opt for a textured style to remove weight and create movement.
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Slicked Back Blowout
We love Winnie Harlow's nod to Old Hollywood though her hairstyle as pictured here. "Blow dry the hair straight," Fitzsimons recommends. "Part your hair to your desire with a brush then section the hair so that you're able to start from the bottom of the hair to the top. I recommend using 1 to 1 ½ inch heat rollers for this look. Apply throughout your hair and let it sit for 20 minutes."
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Side-Swept Fringe
Jennifer Garner's rich chestnut hair looks great when worn in wavy layers and a side-swept fringe. Keep the layers at varying length to add some movement and texture.
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Wavy Shag With Curtain Bangs
Here, Jenna Ortega's hair is styled in a classic shag. Loose waves add some body for a more casual style, while her bangs were slightly parted in order to frame her face.
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Tight Coils
Zendaya celebrated her textured hair by opting for tighter coils and lots of volume. "I’ve always been a huge fan of embracing your natural texture. Bangs look so chic, worn curly and natural," Abergel says. In order to recreate and maintain this look, try to pay special attention to your curly hair routine. "If you're a natural babe and you just want your curls to look effortless and healthy like Zendaya’s, I recommend paying extra attention to yourcurly hair routine," Stylianou recommends. "Invest in amicrofiber towel, asilk pillowcase, and oiling and treating your hair regularly."
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Face-Framing Lob
Barbara Palvin's glossy lob comes with face-framing layers for added structure.If you have thinner hair, achieve fullness and body by flipping your ends towards the inside.
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Middle Part Lob
Andrew Fitzsimons styled Lucy Hale's hair using the bend method and we're obsessed. Grab your flat iron and lightly bend small chunks of hair for a similar look.
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Deep Side Part
Constance Wu shows us waves and a pinned back strand can take choppy layers from edgy to romantic. Opt for a deep side part and pin back a few strands with your favoritehair accessory.
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Wet-Look Waves
Normani opted for wet-look hair, which was styled in waves and a side part. Use a gel and cream product combo to give your strands both a similar wet finish and some definition.
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Subtle Swoops
Kirsten Dunst's hairstyle is an excellent choice for those on the shorter end of medium-length hair. Her ends were subtly curled for a bouncy and elongated final result.
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Timeless Elegance
Aja Naomi King's hairstyle is timeless, elegant and romantic. Curl your ends and add movement to the strands framing your face to recreate this look.
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Hollywood Side Part
Here, Emma Watson wears a deep side part tucked behind one ear, while the length of her hair was styled to cascade on a single shoulder. This glamorous look can be worn up or down depending on your final makeup look and outfit.
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Dimensional Layers
Shay Mitchell has experimented with several hairstyles over the years. Here, she is wearing layers of varying length throughout her hair in order to add some dimension.
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Brow-Grazing Bangs
Sydney Sweeney's longwispy bangsare a direct nod to 1960s mod style. Here elongated bangs were cut under the brows. If you have finer hair, this look can be worn as is, swept to the side or blended into longer layers.
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Asymmetrical Bob Cut
Can't decide on length? Thandiwe Newton opted for anasymmetric bob for an avant-garde look. Try using a sea salt spray for similar waves.
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Straight Layers with Blunt Bangs
This layered and choppy look with bangs is pure rock and roll.
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Curls with Fringe
This look modernizes a classic medium-length mane by adding feathery layers and afull-on fringe. Use hair cream to ensure your strands remain moisturized after adding any heat.
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Pinned-Back with a Side Part
This hairstyle is great if you are looking for a casual way to style your locks even past hair day. Here, Chanel Iman wears straight hair pinned back while her edges were slicked back as well.
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Side Swept Volume
Miranda Kerr's look is one of our favorites. She wears highlights framing her face and on her ends for some added dimension.
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Tight Natural Curls
Actress Parisa Fitz-Henley soft layers help add some shape and dimension to her natural coils. Stylianou recommends usingOlaplextreatments to maintain moisture in your hair and ensure the health of your curls. "Do this on a weekly basis [and] leave overnight to get maximum effects," she says.
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Wavy Layers
Adriana Lima's wavy style looks both chic and effortless. If you have thicker hair, layers are a great way to remove weight and add some shape to shorter strands.
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Tousled With Length
We love Taraji P. Henson's mermaid-inspired style. "This length looks great on anyone. It’s lower maintenance, fresh, and youthful," Abergel says.
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Subtle Waves
If you want to add an edge to your medium-length hair, this is an example of a subtle layers. The model's layered and wispy ends pair works well with waves. Her highlights add some additional dimension to the look.
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Retro Waves
Laura Harrier's hairstyle is a nod to old Hollywood glamour."Ask your stylist to always addOlapexwhen lightening your hair to avoid breakage," Stylianou recommends for the integrity of this looks. "Another top tip to keep hair looking clean and not brassy is to use a toning mask."
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Bouncy Blowout
Bouncy blowouts like Khloe Kardashian's can be recreated at home. "Use a round brush to dry the hair, and go section by section," Fitzsimons says. "Wrap the section of hair around the round brush and pull the brush down the hair, but do not let it drop. Keep the hair wrapped around the brush and roll the brush back up to the top and continue the pulling motion, drying the hair from underneath for added volume. After a few brushes, hold the ends of the hair wrapped around the brush, and focus the hair dryer on the ends of the hair for a wispy look."
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Face-Framing Layers with Highlights
These gorgeous face-framing layers are enhanced by the model's dimensional chocolate and caramel highlights.