Hi, I’m Lena — a salon stylist with over a decade of hands-on experience crafting looks for medium-length hair. In this post I’ve curated 28 inspiring styles that work for shoulder-grazing lengths: from textured lobs and layered cuts to beachy waves, sleek blowouts and quick updos. Medium hair is one of the most versatile lengths — flattering on oval, round and heart-shaped faces and adaptable for fine, thick, straight or wavy textures. I’ll share practical styling tips you can use at home: how to layer for movement, which bangs suit your face, the best heat settings for different textures, and quick product recommendations like lightweight oils, texturizing sprays and heat protectants. Whether you want low-maintenance daily looks or something polished for an event, these images and step-by-step tips will help you find a style that’s both modern and achievable between salon visits.
Long Feathered Layers with Curtain Fringe — Soft Face‑Framing Cut
This soft, feathered long-layer look with a curtain fringe suits fine to medium hair best — it adds movement and the illusion of thickness — but can be adapted for thicker hair with heavier internal texturizing. Styling technique: start with towel-dried hair, apply a root-lifting spray or lightweight mousse, then blow-dry using a 1.5–2 round brush, directing the curtain fringe away from the face to create a soft part. Use the brush to turn ends under or flick them out for a lived-in finish. For more texture, run a 1 curling iron or flat iron through random sections and loosen with fingers. Tools needed: blow dryer, medium round brush, 1 curling/flat iron, sectioning clips and a fine-tooth comb. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift, lightweight smoothing serum, texturizing spray and a light-hold hairspray. Difficulty level: intermediate — 10–15 minutes daily. Maintenance tips: trim every 8–12 weeks to preserve the feathered ends and fringe shape, use weekly deep-conditioning if colored, refresh with dry shampoo between washes and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz.
Textured Medium Shag with Soft Curtain Bangs
This medium-length textured shag with soft curtain bangs suits straight to wavy hair and works well on fine to medium density. Thick hair can wear it if the stylist uses thinning techniques to remove bulk. Ask your stylist for graduated, choppy layers that frame the face and a wispy, slightly parted fringe that blends into the layers. To style: towel-dry then apply a root-lifting mousse and a heat protectant. Blow-dry with a round brush or diffuser to encourage natural movement; alternate wrapping sections around a 1 barrel curling wand or use a flat iron to create loose bends for added texture. Finish by raking in a sea-salt or texturizing spray and a small amount of matte paste at the ends for separation. Tools needed: blow dryer, round brush, 1 curling wand or flat iron, and thinning shears (stylist only). Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, sea-salt/texturizing spray, light-hold hairspray, optional smoothing serum. Difficulty: moderate — daily styling takes 10–15 minutes. Maintenance: trim every 6–8 weeks to maintain shape and bangs, use weekly deep conditioning, and refresh with dry shampoo between washes.
Textured Shoulder-Length Shag with Curtain Bangs
This textured shoulder-length shag with soft curtain bangs suits straight to wavy hair and works well on fine-to-medium density. It adds movement and volume without heavy layering, and can be adapted for thicker hair by reducing bulk through point cutting. To style: start on towel-dried hair with a root-lifting mousse, then blow-dry using your fingers or a medium round brush to create root lift and shape the bangs. Add loose bends through mid-lengths with a 1
Textured Shoulder-Length Shag with Face-Framing Layers
Suitable for fine to medium and even thicker hair, this textured shoulder-length shag with soft face-framing layers adds volume and movement while keeping weight off the ends. To create it, start on towel-dried hair: apply a light volumizing mousse through roots and a heat protectant mid-lengths to ends. Rough-dry with your fingers or a diffuser to enhance natural wave, then use a 1–1.25 curling wand to create alternating, loose bends focused from mid-length to ends. Break up curls with fingers and finish with a sea-salt or texturizing spray for separation. Tools needed: blow dryer, round brush (optional for a smoother finish), 1–1.25 curling wand, wide-tooth comb, sectioning clips. Products: heat protectant, lightweight mousse or root lift, sea-salt/texturizing spray, small amount of matte paste or cream for ends, flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — achievable at home in 20–30 minutes with practice. Maintenance: salon trim every 6–8 weeks to preserve shape, use sulfate-free shampoo, deep condition weekly, and refresh with dry shampoo and texture spray between washes.
Textured Tousled Lob with Face‑Framing Layers
This textured tousled lob is a versatile, shoulder‑length cut with soft face‑framing layers and a subtle middle part — ideal for straight to wavy hair and medium to thick textures. In the salon we create movement using point‑cutting or a razor to remove bulk and add feathered layers around the face for natural swing. Styling technique: start with towel‑dried hair, apply heat protectant and a volumizing mousse at the roots, then blow‑dry with a round brush to lift the crown. Use a 1–1.25 curling wand to add loose, alternating waves through the mid‑lengths, leaving ends slightly straighter for a lived‑in finish; break up curls with fingers. Tools needed: blow dryer, round brush, 1–1.25 curling wand, sectioning clips and a wide‑tooth comb. Products required: heat protectant, root lifter or lightweight mousse, salt or texturizing spray, light serum for ends and a flexible‑hold hairspray. Difficulty level: moderate (15–25 minutes daily). Maintenance tips: trim every 6–8 weeks, use weekly deep conditioning, refresh with dry shampoo between washes and re‑shape waves with a quick heat pass when needed.
Textured Layered Blonde Lob with Tousled Waves
This shoulder‑skimming, layered lob is ideal for fine to medium hair seeking instant volume and movement; it also works on thicker hair when weight is removed with long layers. The salon cut features face‑framing layers and blunt ends for structure, finished with a soft, tousled wave for a lived‑in look. Styling technique: work with towel‑dried hair, apply a heat protectant and a root‑lifting mousse, then blow‑dry using a medium round brush to lift roots and smooth the ends. Create loose bends with a 1 curling wand or flat iron, alternating directions and leaving the ends out for a modern, undone texture. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, medium round brush, 1 curling wand or flat iron, sectioning clips, wide‑tooth comb. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift, sea‑salt or texturizing spray, lightweight smoothing serum for ends, light‑hold hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — the cut requires a trained stylist; daily styling takes 10–15 minutes. Maintenance: trims every 6–8 weeks, purple shampoo/toner routine for blonde upkeep, weekly deep conditioning, and dry shampoo to extend second‑day texture.
Medium Layered Lob with Face‑Framing Layers and Soft Blowout Volume
This shoulder-grazing layered lob suits straight to softly wavy hair and works best on fine-to-medium densities; thicker hair benefits from long layers to reduce bulk. Technique: start with a precision salon cut that includes subtle face-framing layers and a slightly off-center part. For styling, towel-dry and apply a heat protectant and a lightweight volumizing mousse at the roots. Blow-dry in sections using a large round brush (1.5–2) and a concentrator nozzle, rolling the ends under for that inward curve. Use a flat iron or medium barrel curling iron to refine the ends and smooth any frizz. Tools needed: professional hair dryer with nozzle, large round brush, sectioning clips, flat iron or 1–1.25 curling iron, tail comb. Products required: heat protectant, root-lift mousse or spray, smoothing serum or cream, light-hold hairspray and shine spray. Difficulty: easy–moderate; the cut is best done in-salon, styling can be learned quickly. Maintenance: trims every 6–8 weeks, weekly deep-conditioning masks for shine, dry shampoo between washes, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to preserve shape.
Voluminous Face‑Framing Layered Medium Cut with Feathered Ends
This mid-length layered cut suits fine to medium-thick hair and works well on straight to gently wavy textures; it’s less practical for very tight curls without additional straightening. The salon technique uses long, graduated face‑framing layers and point‑cutting at the ends to create soft feathered movement and natural volume. Styling is achieved by blow‑drying in sections with a large 2” round brush to lift roots and roll the ends under, finishing with a quick pass of a flat iron to define pieces if needed. Tools: professional blow dryer, large round brush, sectioning clips, flat iron (optional), thinning shears for weight removal. Products: lightweight volumizing mousse or root‑lift spray on damp hair, heat protectant, small amount of smoothing serum or cream for shine, medium‑hold hairspray to set. Difficulty: moderate — requires a trained stylist for the initial cut; daily styling takes 10–15 minutes. Maintenance: trim every 8–12 weeks to preserve shape, use a hydrating mask weekly, avoid heavy oils at the roots, refresh volume with dry shampoo between washes, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz and preserve styled shape.
Textured Mid-Length Shag with Curtain Bangs & Feathered Ends
This mid-length shag with soft, curtain bangs and feathered ends suits straight, wavy and slightly curly textures—best on medium to thick hair for natural volume and movement. The cut is created with layered sections through the crown and long face-framing layers, finished with texturizing shears to soften bulk and create those wispy ends. Styling technique: towel-dry, apply a root-lifting mousse, then blow-dry with a medium round brush to lift the roots and flick the ends outward; use a 1–1.25 curling wand or flat iron to accentuate the outer flips and add subtle bends to the layers. Tools needed: blow dryer, medium round brush, sectioning clips, 1–1.25 curling wand or flat iron, texturizing/thinning shears. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lifter, lightweight styling cream or pomade for piece definition, sea-salt or texturizing spray for grit, and a light-hold hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — achievable at home with practice or quick in-salon styling. Maintenance: trim every 6–8 weeks to keep shape, deep-condition weekly, refresh texture spray between washes, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz.
Textured Wavy Shoulder-Length Bob with Curtain Bangs
This shoulder‑grazing, textured wavy bob with soft curtain bangs is ideal for natural wavy or loosely curly hair and works well on straight hair with heat styling. The cut uses graduated, face‑framing layers and slightly blunt ends to keep volume at the crown while allowing movement through the mid-lengths. In the salon we cut on dry or damp hair to customize the layer placement to the clients curl pattern, using point‑cutting and a razor for soft texture. At home, style on damp hair: apply a curl‑enhancing mousse or sea‑salt spray, add a heat protectant, then diffuse on low/medium heat while scrunching with fingers. For straighter hair or to refine pieces, use a 1 curling wand to create loose bends and separate with fingers. Tools: shears/razor (salon), diffuser, curling wand, wide‑tooth comb and clips. Products: curl cream or mousse, light styling oil/serum, heat protectant and flexible hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — precise layered cutting requires a stylist, daily styling typically takes 10–20 minutes. Maintenance: trims every 6–8 weeks, curtain bangs refreshed every 4–6 weeks, weekly deep condition, sleep on satin and avoid heavy products that weigh texture down.
Textured Layered Lob with Side-Swept Fringe
Perfect for fine-to-medium straight or wavy hair, this textured layered lob with side-swept fringe adds volume and movement while remaining low-maintenance. The cut uses long, face-framing layers and softened ends (point-cut or light razor work) to create separation and natural swing. To style: start on towel-dried hair, apply a root-lifting mousse and a heat protectant, then blow-dry with a round brush for root lift and a slight bend at the ends. For lived-in texture, use a 1–1.25 inch curling wand or flat iron to add alternating loose bends, then finger-tousle. Finish with a sea-salt or texturizing spray for grit and a light-hold hairspray to set. Tools: blow dryer with nozzle, medium round brush, curling wand or flat iron, sectioning clips, wide-tooth comb. Products: volumizing mousse/root lift, thermal protectant, texturizing/sea-salt spray, light-hold hairspray, optional smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty: moderate — doable at home with practice but best first cut by a stylist. Maintenance: trim every 8–10 weeks, deep-condition weekly if dry, refresh with dry shampoo between washes, and revive shape quickly with heat plus texturizer.
Textured Medium-Length Layered Shag with Feathered Bangs
This soft, layered medium-length shag with feathered face-framing bangs suits fine to medium-thick hair, adding volume and natural movement. The cut uses disconnected long layers through the crown and ends with a wispy fringe to soften the face. Styling technique: start on towel-dried hair with a volumizing mousse at the roots and a heat protectant through the lengths. Blow-dry with a round brush and concentrator nozzle, lifting at the roots for body and rolling ends under or out to emphasize layers. For added texture, use a 1–1.25 curling wand to create loose alternating bends through mids and ends, then finger-comb. Finish with a texturizing spray and a light-hold hairspray to set. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, medium round brush, 1–1.25 curling wand or flat iron, sectioning clips, wide-tooth comb. Products required: volumizing mousse/root lift, heat protectant, light smoothing cream, texturizing spray, light-hold hairspray. Difficulty level: moderate — the cut requires salon precision but daily styling takes 10–20 minutes. Maintenance tips: trim every 6–8 weeks, deep-condition weekly, refresh with dry shampoo, and sleep on silk to reduce frizz.
Layered Medium-Length Cut with Face-Framing Curtain Bangs and Feathered Ends
This mid-length layered style with long, face-framing curtain bangs and feathered ends suits fine to medium hair best, and can be adapted for thicker hair by removing bulk. Achieve the soft lift and outward flick with a salon-style blowout: towel-dry, apply a lightweight volumizing mousse at the roots and a heat-protectant spray through lengths. Section hair and use a 1.5–2 round brush and a blow dryer with a concentrator nozzle to lift at the crown and wrap ends under or out for the feathered finish. Use a flat iron sparingly to smooth bangs and refine the bend at the ends. Tools needed: hair dryer, medium round brush, sectioning clips, fine-tooth comb, and flat iron. Recommended products: volumizing mousse, thermal protectant, light serum or shine spray for ends, and a flexible-hold hairspray; dry shampoo between washes. Difficulty: intermediate — about 15–25 minutes styling time. Maintenance: trim layers every 6–8 weeks and bangs every 4–6 weeks, deep-condition weekly, avoid heavy creams that weigh hair down, and refresh lift with dry shampoo or a root-lift spray.
Textured Wavy Lob — Medium-Length Soft Waves with Face-Framing Layers
This shoulder-grazing textured wavy lob suits fine to medium hair and can be adapted for thicker hair with weight-removed layers. The cut relies on long, subtle layers and blunt-ish ends to create fullness while allowing natural movement. To style: towel-dry and apply a lightweight heat protectant and a volumizing mousse at the roots and through the mid-lengths. Blow-dry with a round brush for root lift, then section hair and use a 1–1.25 inch curling wand to wrap mid-shafts, leaving the ends out for a lived-in finish; alternate curl directions for a natural, piecey look. Finger-comb once cooled, mist with sea-salt or texturizing spray, and lock with a flexible-hold hairspray. Tools needed: blow dryer, medium round brush, curling wand, sectioning clips, wide-tooth comb. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing/sea-salt spray, light hairspray, and a small smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty: easy–medium; about 20–30 minutes. Maintenance tips: trim every 6–8 weeks to maintain shape, use dry shampoo between washes, deep-condition weekly, and refresh waves with a light spritz and quick heat touch-up on day two.
Voluminous Shoulder-Length Lob with Soft, Face‑Framing Waves
This shoulder-length lob showcases soft, face‑framing waves and natural root lift for a modern, wearable finish. Hair type suitability: ideal for straight to wavy hair and fine to medium-thick densities; heaviertextures benefit from interior thinning and very curly hair should be lightly smoothed before styling. Styling technique: towel-dry, apply a root-lifting mousse, blow-dry with a medium round brush lifting at the crown, then create loose S-shaped waves with a 1–1.25 curling iron or wand, alternating directions and leaving the ends slightly out for movement; finish by finger‑combing and a cool-air set. Tools needed: blow dryer, medium round brush, 1–1.25 curling iron or wand, sectioning clips and a wide-tooth comb. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root spray, light-hold hairspray, texturizing spray or dry finish spray and a small amount of smoothing serum for shine. Difficulty level: moderate — typically 20–30 minutes. Maintenance tips: trim every 8–10 weeks, use a sulfate-free shampoo, refresh with dry shampoo or texturizer between washes, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz and preserve shape.
Textured Shoulder-Length Shag with Soft Curtain Bangs
This shoulder-length textured shag with soft curtain bangs suits straight to wavy hair and adapts well for fine, medium and thicker densities. The cut is built on long, face-framing layers and subtle graduation through the ends to create movement without bulk. Styling technique: blow-dry with a round brush or diffuser to encourage natural wave, then define loose, lived-in waves with a 1 curling wand, alternating directions and brushing out lightly with fingers for a tousled finish. Tools needed: blow dryer with concentrator, medium round brush, 1 curling wand (or flat iron), cutting shears/thinning shears for the cut. Products required: lightweight volumizing mousse at the roots, heat protectant, sea-salt or texture spray for grit, light-hold hairspray, and a small amount of smoothing serum or hair oil for ends. Difficulty level: easy–moderate — styling is forgiving and quick once you master wand technique. Maintenance tips: trim bangs and shape every 6–8 weeks, full refresh every 10–12 weeks, use dry shampoo between washes to keep texture, and avoid heavy creams that weigh layers down.
Layered Shoulder-Length Shag with Soft Face-Framing Fringe
A modern, textured shoulder-length shag with soft face-framing fringe that adds movement and framing for oval, heart and long faces. Best on medium to thick hair for built-in volume; fine hair can achieve a similar look with strategic thinning and texturizing, while very curly hair will need smoothing or larger-scale layering. To style: towel-dry, apply a root-lifting mousse and heat protectant, then blow-dry with a 1½ round brush to lift the roots and smooth the lengths while turning the ends under slightly. Use a 1 flat iron or large-barrel curling iron to add subtle bends and break up uniform lines. Finish by tousling with a light texturizing spray or dry shampoo and smoothing ends with a drop of lightweight serum. Tools: blow dryer with concentrator, medium round brush, flat iron/curling iron, sectioning clips, wide-tooth comb. Products: root-boost mousse, heat protectant, light serum, texturizing spray, flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — cutting requires layered graduation and precise face-framing. Maintenance: trims every 6–8 weeks, weekly deep-conditioning for ends, avoid heavy conditioners at the root, refresh texture with dry shampoo between washes.
Layered Shoulder-Length Blowout with Face‑Framing Curtain Layers
This soft, voluminous shoulder-length cut is built on long, graduated layers and curtain-style face-framing pieces — ideal for medium to thick hair and for fine hair when boosted with a volumizing cut or extensions. The salon technique uses angled slicing and point-cutting to remove weight and create feathered ends that flip away from the face. To style, apply a lightweight volumizing mousse at damp roots and a heat protectant through the lengths. Blow-dry with a 2
Medium Layered Cut with Face‑Framing Bangs and Feathered Blowout
Soft layered medium-length cut with face-framing bangs and flipped ends that creates natural movement and volume. Suitable for straight to wavy textures and for fine hair looking for lift or medium/thick hair seeking shape. To style, towel-dry hair, apply a heat protectant and a lightweight volumizing mousse at roots. Section hair and blow-dry using a large round brush (1.5–2) and a nozzle to direct airflow; lift at the roots and roll the brush outwards on the mid-lengths and ends to create the feathered flip. Use a 1 curling iron or flat iron to shape a few outer layers for extra flicks and to tame flyaways. Tools needed: blow dryer with concentrator, large round brush, clips, 1 iron, wide-tooth comb. Products required: smoothing shampoo and conditioner, heat protectant, root-lifting spray or mousse, light-hold hairspray, and a small amount of shine serum or texturizing spray. Difficulty: intermediate — basic blowout and iron skills needed; allow 20–30 minutes. Maintenance: trim every 6–8 weeks, refresh bangs every 3–4 weeks, use weekly deep-conditioning and dry shampoo between washes to retain shape.
Textured Shoulder-Length Bob with Side-Swept Bangs
This textured shoulder-length bob with long, side-swept bangs suits fine to medium hair best, and can be adapted for thicker hair by adding internal thinning and longer layers. The salon cut focuses on soft, face-framing layers and a blunt-ish perimeter to keep weight and shape. To style: towel-dry, apply a lightweight volumizing mousse at roots and a heat protectant through the lengths. Blow-dry using a round brush to lift the crown and smooth the bangs, then create loose, natural waves with a 1 curling wand or flat iron—alternate directions and leave the ends slightly straighter for a lived-in look. Finish by raking in a sea-salt or texturizing spray and a pea-sized amount of lightweight cream or pomade on the ends for definition; set with a medium-hold hairspray. Tools needed: blow dryer, round brush, 1 curling wand or flat iron, comb, and clips. Difficulty: easy–medium—requires a professional cut, but daily styling is quick. Maintenance: trim every 6–8 weeks to maintain shape, use weekly deep-conditioning for shine, refresh with dry shampoo between washes, and reshape bangs every 3–4 weeks.
Textured Shoulder-Length Blonde Lob with Face-Framing Layers
This textured shoulder-length lob (long bob) with soft face‑framing layers works best on straight to naturally wavy hair and adapts well for fine, medium and thicker textures — layers add movement for fine hair and remove weight for thicker hair. Cut technique: establish a blunt shoulder-length baseline, then use point-cutting and light razor/texturizing to create feathered ends and long face‑framing pieces. Styling technique: apply a root-lift mousse to damp hair, blow-dry with a round brush to create volume at the crown, then loose-wrap 1
Long Layered Blowout with Face‑Framing Layers — Voluminous Copper Style
This long, layered blowout with feathered, face‑framing layers works best on medium to thick straight or slightly wavy hair. The cut is created by removing bulk through long layers starting at chin level and soft point‑cutting at the ends to produce the flipped, airy movement. To style: towel‑dry, apply a pea‑size heat protectant and a lightweight volumizing mousse at the roots, then rough‑dry until about 80% dry. Section hair and use a 1–1½ ceramic round brush with a nozzle‑equipped dryer to lift the roots and roll the mid‑lengths and ends outward; finish with a quick pass of a flat iron on the tips for extra polish. Tools: professional hairdryer, 1–1½ round brush, flat iron, sectioning clips. Products: heat protectant, root‑lift mousse, smoothing serum for ends, light flexible hairspray and dry shampoo for second‑day volume. Difficulty: moderate — requires basic blowout technique but is achievable at home with practice. Maintenance: trim every 8–12 weeks, deep‑condition weekly, use color‑safe sulfate‑free products for copper tones, limit daily heat and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce friction.
Long Layered Cut with Face‑Framing Layers and Soft Side‑Swept Bangs
This long layered cut with face‑framing layers and soft side‑swept bangs best suits straight to wavy hair and medium to thick densities — it removes bulk, adds movement and frames the face without sacrificing length. The salon technique uses long interior layers with point cutting at the ends and a subtle graduation around the face; bangs are cut on a slight angle for a natural sweep. To style, towel‑dry then apply a root‑lift mousse and heat protectant, blow‑dry with a large round brush (1.5–2) lifting at the roots and rolling the brush outward at the ends for feathered movement. Finish with a flat iron for a polished bend or a 1 curling iron for loose waves and set lightly with flexible hold hairspray. Tools: professional cutting shears, thinning shears, hairdryer with nozzle, round brush, flat iron/curling iron and sectioning clips. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift, smoothing serum, light hairspray and dry shampoo. Difficulty: moderate — salon precision recommended for the initial cut; at‑home styling is straightforward. Maintenance: trims every 8–12 weeks, weekly deep conditioning, avoid heavy oils at the root, and use silk pillowcases to preserve the shape.
Medium Layered Shag with Curtain Bangs and Feathered Ends
This medium-length layered shag with soft curtain bangs and feathered ends suits fine to medium hair and naturally wavy textures best — it also gives the illusion of volume for straighter hair when styled. The cut is achieved with graduated layers through the crown and face-framing pieces, finished with point-cutting or light razor texturizing to create natural movement. For styling, apply a root-lifting mousse to damp hair and a heat protectant, then blow-dry using a medium round brush to lift the roots and flick the ends away from the face. Use a 1
Textured Shoulder-Length Shag with Side-Swept Curtain Bangs
Salon-friendly textured shoulder-length shag that flatters fine to medium-thick hair and enhances natural waves with long, face-framing layers and a soft side-swept curtain fringe. To style, start on towel-dried hair with a lightweight leave-in conditioner and heat protectant. Blow-dry using a medium round brush for smooth volume or a diffuser to amplify natural texture, lifting at the roots and rotating the ends under to create movement. Add loose, alternating bends through the mid-lengths and ends with a 1 curling wand for a lived-in finish. Scrunch in a sea-salt or texturizing spray, work a pea-sized amount of matte paste or pomade through ends to piece layers apart, and set lightly with a flexible-hold hairspray. Tools needed: blow dryer, round brush or diffuser, 1 curling wand, wide-tooth comb. Products required: heat protectant, lightweight leave-in, sea-salt/texturizing spray, matte paste, dry shampoo. Difficulty level: easy–medium (about 20–30 minutes with basic heat skills). Maintenance tips: trim every 6–8 weeks to keep shape, use a weekly hydrating mask, refresh second-day texture with dry shampoo and texturizer, and avoid heavy oils at the root to preserve lift.
Shoulder-Length Layered Cut with Soft Waves and Full Fringe
This shoulder‑length layered cut with a full blunt fringe and soft, face‑framing waves suits fine to medium hair best — it adds volume and movement — and can work on thicker hair if the stylist removes bulk with internal thinning. Styling starts with a precision layered cut: long interior layers to create body and a straight-across fringe cut to brow level (adjust length for face shape). To style, towel dry, apply a root‑lifting mousse and heat protectant, then blow‑dry with a medium round brush to lift the roots and shape the fringe. Create loose S‑waves with a 1” curling iron or a flat iron, alternating directions for a natural finish, and finish by tousling with a lightweight texturizing spray. Tools: blow dryer, 1
Voluminous Layered Shoulder-Length Shag with Face-Framing Waves
A voluminous, layered shoulder-length shag with soft face‑framing layers designed to add movement and lift. Ideal for medium to thick hair and natural waves; fine hair benefits from texturizing and root‑lifting to mimic fullness, while very curly hair can adapt with longer layers and a diffuser. To style, towel‑dry and apply a lightweight volumizing mousse at the roots, then blow‑dry with a large round brush (1.5–2) using the nozzle for focused airflow to create bend and lift. Set the ends with velcro rollers or a 1 curling iron to soften layers, finger‑comb for separation, and finish with a sea‑salt spray for texture and a light flexible hairspray for hold. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, large round brush, 1 curling iron or flat iron, sectioning clips, and a paddle comb. Products required: heat protectant, volumizer or mousse, texturizing spray, flexible hairspray, and a small amount of shine serum for ends. Difficulty is moderate — 20–30 minutes from damp hair. Maintenance: trims every 6–8 weeks to preserve shape, use a clarifying wash monthly, and dry shampoo between washes to sustain lift.
Textured Tousled Bob with Soft Curtain Bangs
This chin‑length textured bob with soft curtain bangs suits straight to wavy hair and fine to medium densities. The cut uses short internal layers and point‑cut ends to create natural movement and a slightly rounded silhouette that keeps volume at the crown without bulk. Styling technique: work a heat protectant and a lightweight volumizing mousse or sea‑salt spray through towel‑dried hair, blow‑dry with a round brush or diffuser for lift, then define loose bends with a 1” curling wand or large flat iron, alternating directions and leaving ends a bit straighter for a modern, undone look. Tools needed: professional shears/razor for the initial cut, round brush, hairdryer with nozzle, 1” curling wand, clips and a wide‑tooth comb. Products required: gentle shampoo/conditioner, heat protectant, mousse or texture spray, light finishing spray, and a touch of styling cream or pomade for piecey ends. Difficulty level: easy–intermediate — quick once you learn the bend pattern. Maintenance tips: trim every 6–8 weeks, bangs every 4–6 weeks, use weekly deep conditioning if heat‑styled, refresh texture with dry shampoo or a quick re‑curl of select pieces.
Medium-length hair offers unbeatable flexibility — you can swing from undone waves to refined styles without sacrificing manageability. My pro advice: book a tailored cut that accounts for your hair density and face shape, and ask your stylist to show how layers and face-framing pieces will move as your hair grows. Maintain health with trims every 8–12 weeks, use a heat protectant before styling, and add a weekly deep-conditioning mask if you use hot tools often. For styling at home, invest in a quality dryer with a nozzle, a medium barrel curling iron, and a soft-bristle round brush to create volume and smoothness. Choose lightweight finishing products — texturizing spray for undone looks, smoothing serum for sleek days, and a flexible-hold hairspray for updos. If you’re unsure which of the 28 styles fits you best, bring photos to your stylist and request a mini consultation — small adjustments will make a big difference in how the cut works for your lifestyle and hair texture.