Medium length hair is having a major moment right now. That sweet spot between pixie-short and mermaid-long offers the perfect canvas for versatility and style. It’s the Goldilocks of hair lengths—not too short, not too long, just right.
I’ve been a stylist for over 15 years, and lemme tell you, mid-length cuts are my absolute fave to work with. They frame almost any face shape beautifully. They transition seamlessly from day to night. And they give you enough length to play with without the heavy maintenance of super long locks.
So whether your looking to refresh your current mid-length style or considering chopping off some serious inches, I’ve curated this collection of 18 absolutely adorable medium-length haircuts that are trending right now. These styles range from effortlessly chic to boldly dramatic, with options for every hair type and texture.
The Classic Lob
The lob (long bob) continues to reign supreme in the world of mid-length cuts. It typically falls anywhere from just above the shoulders to just below the collarbone. This timeless cut has staying power for good reason.
What makes the lob special is its incredible versatility. You can wear it sleek and straight for a polished office look, or tousled with beachy waves for weekend vibes. The best part? It suits literally every face shape with minor adjustments to the angle and layering.
For round faces, ask your stylist for a slightly longer lob with subtle layers to elongate. Square faces? Go for soft, wispy ends that soften angular jawlines. If you’ve got a heart-shaped face, a lob with side-swept bangs creates gorgeous balance.
Textured Bob with Curtain Bangs
Take the classic bob up a notch by adding texture and those ultra-trendy curtain bangs. This combo is pure magic for adding movement and dimension to medium hair.
The textured bob sits just below the chin, with layers strategically cut to enhance your natural texture. Paired with soft, face-framing curtain bangs that blend seamlessly into the rest of your cut, its a match made in hair heaven.
This style works exceptionally well for those with fine to medium hair thickness. The textured layers create an illusion of fullness, while the curtain bangs add that cool-girl vibe without the commitment of full-on fringe. Total win-win!
Shaggy Mid-Length Cut
The 70s are calling, and they’re bringing back the shag in the best possible way. Today’s modern shag is all about controlled chaos—perfectly imperfect layers that create volume and movement.
With choppy layers throughout and typically paired with curtain bangs or full fringe, the mid-length shag offers effortless cool-girl vibes. It’s especially flattering on wavy and curly hair textures, as the layers enhance natural curl patterns.
What I love most about the modern shag is how low-maintenance it is. It’s designed to look better slightly messy, which means less styling time in the morning. Just scrunch in some texturizing spray, and your good to go!
Blunt Mid-Length Cut
For the minimalists among us, the blunt mid-length cut delivers serious impact with minimal fuss. This geometric cut features ends that are cut straight across with little to no layering.
The beauty of this style lies in its simplicity and the statement it makes. The clean lines create the appearance of thicker, healthier hair—making it especially popular for those with fine hair textures.
Style it sleek and straight to showcase the precision of the cut, or add some loose waves for a softer look. Either way, the blunt ends give this classic mid-length style a modern, fashion-forward edge that turns heads.
Layered Mid-Length with Side Bangs
Layers are the secret sauce that can transform any mid-length cut from basic to brilliant. Add some side-swept bangs, and you’ve got yourself a universally flattering style that never goes out of fashion.
The layers create movement and volume, while side bangs soften the face and can be strategically cut to highlight your best features. Want to accentuate your eyes? Ask for bangs that hit right at brow level. Looking to downplay a broader forehead? Longer, sweeping bangs are your best friend.
This style works amazingly for most hair types but is particularly stunning on those with slight natural wave. The layers will enhance that texture, giving you that coveted “I woke up like this” effortlessness we all secretly crave.
The Midi Flick
The midi flick is what happens when vintage meets modern in the best possible way. This shoulder-length cut features subtle layers with ends that “flick” outward, channeling major 90s vibes but with a contemporary twist.
What makes this cut so special is the way it moves. The subtle flick creates bounce and personality, giving even the straightest hair some playful attitude. Its especially striking on those with thick, straight hair.
To style, use a round brush while blow-drying to create that signature flick at the ends, or employ a flat iron to bend the ends outward. Finish with a light-hold hairspray to maintain the flick without stiffness. Trust me, this style has people asking “who did your hair?” everywhere you go.
French Bob
Oui oui! The French bob embodies that effortless Parisian chic we all aspire to. Typically falling between the chin and the jawline, this mid-length style is characterized by its blunt cut and optional (but highly recommended) fringe.
What distinguishes the French bob from other bob variations is its deliberate slightly undone quality. It’s supposed to look like you haven’t tried too hard—even though we know better. The French are masters of the “perfectly imperfect” aesthetic.
This style works beautifully on straight to wavy hair textures and pairs exceptionally well with natural, lived-in color. For maximum French-girl vibes, air-dry when possible and finish with a tiny bit of texturizing paste just on the ends.
Mid-Length Curly Shag
Curly girls, this ones for you! The mid-length curly shag celebrates and enhances your natural texture while providing shape and movement that works with your curls, not against them.
The key to this cut is strategic layering that removes weight without creating the dreaded triangle effect. Shorter layers around the crown create volume up top, while longer layers throughout maintain length and prevent poofiness.
What I absolutely adore about this style is how it grows out beautifully. Even as it gets longer, the shape maintains its integrity, meaning fewer trips to the salon for maintenance cuts. Just make sure your stylist is experienced with curly hair—not all of us are trained in the specific techniques required for curly cuts!
A-Line Lob
The A-line lob features hair that’s slightly shorter in the back and gradually gets longer toward the front. This subtle angle creates visual interest and beautiful movement, making it one of the most requested mid-length cuts in my salon.
What makes the A-line so flattering is how it frames the face and neck. The longer pieces in front elongate the face, while the shorter back keeps the style from feeling heavy or overwhelming. Its a genius cut for those wanting to appear slimmer or elongate a round face.
This style can be worn with or without layers, though I often recommend minimal layering just to enhance movement. It works beautifully on straight, wavy, and even curly textures, making it one of the most versatile mid-length options on this list.
Mid-Length with Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs continue to dominate hair trends, and paired with a mid-length cut, they create a beautiful, face-framing effect that’s both flattering and relatively low-maintenance.
Unlike traditional straight-across bangs, curtain bangs are parted in the middle and sweep to either side, like curtains framing a window. The longest pieces blend seamlessly into the rest of your mid-length cut, creating a soft, cohesive look.
The beauty of this style is its grow-out phase—as your bangs get longer, they simply become face-framing layers. This makes them perfect for commitment-phobes or anyone who’s bang-curious but scared of the upkeep. I’ve converted many anti-bang clients with this gateway style!
Mid-Length Choppy Layers
For those who want maximum texture and movement, choppy layers through mid-length hair create incredible dimension and visual interest. This isn’t your mothers subtle layering—these are distinct, piece-y layers designed to stand out.
The choppy effect works best when the layers are concentrated from the chin downward, preserving some weight at the top for balance. The result is a tousled, lived-in look that appears effortlessly cool even with minimal styling.
This cut is especially transformative for those with thick hair who need help managing their volume. The layers remove bulk in all the right places while maintaining the overall mid-length silhouette. Its literally life-changing for my clients with super thick hair!
Wolf Cut
The wolf cut has exploded in popularity thanks to TikTok, and it’s easy to see why. This hybrid between a shag and a mullet offers edgy vibes while remaining surprisingly wearable for everyday life.
Characterized by heavy layers on top that gradually transition to longer, less layered ends, the wolf cut creates a beautiful cascade effect. The choppy crown layers provide volume up top, while maintaining length through the back creates that signature wolf-like silhouette.
What’s amazing about this cut is how it works with your natural texture rather than fighting against it. Got natural waves or curls? They’ll be enhanced and defined by the layered structure. Straight hair? The cut creates natural-looking texture and movement without hours of styling.
Collarbone Cut
Sometimes the simplest styles make the biggest impact. The collarbone cut is exactly what it sounds like—hair that hits right at your collarbone, typically cut with minimal layering for a clean, classic look.
This length is particularly flattering because it draws attention to the décolletage area in a subtle, elegant way. It’s long enough to pull back into a ponytail but short enough to style quickly, making it ideal for busy professionals who still want a polished appearance.
I often recommend this length to clients transitioning from long to shorter styles. It removes damaged ends and creates a healthier-looking finish without the shock factor of a dramatic chop. Its the perfect “dipping your toe in” length before committing to something shorter.
Italian Bob
The Italian bob (sometimes called the “Bottega bob” after the luxury fashion brand) is a sophisticated take on the classic bob that typically falls between the chin and shoulders. What distinguishes it is the soft, rounded shape and subtle layers that create movement.
Unlike more geometric bobs, the Italian bob has a certain softness and fluidity to it. The ends are slightly textured rather than bluntly cut, creating a lived-in look that’s both elegant and effortless—very much embodying that coveted Italian style aesthetic.
This cut works beautifully on most hair textures but is especially stunning on those with natural wave or curl. The subtle shaping enhances natural texture while maintaining a polished overall appearance. Bellissima!
U-Shaped Mid-Length Cut
The U-shaped cut features a gentle curve at the back, with the middle section slightly longer than the sides. This subtle shaping creates beautiful movement and prevents the dreaded “shelf” effect that can happen with one-length cuts.
What I love about this shape is how it distributes weight through mid-length hair. The subtle U creates dimension without obvious layering, making it perfect for those who want movement without losing overall thickness or volume.
This cut is especially flattering when worn with loose waves or curls, as the varying lengths create a cascading effect. Even on straight hair, the U-shape catches the light beautifully, creating subtle dimension that plain one-length cuts often lack.
Mid-Length with Internal Layers
For those who want the movement and volume that layers provide without sacrificing length or thickness at the ends, internal layers are your secret weapon. These are layers cut beneath the top section of hair, invisible when hair is worn down but providing crucial movement and body.
The genius of internal layers is that they remove bulk from thick hair while maintaining a strong perimeter line. The result is hair that moves beautifully but still appears thick and healthy at the ends—truly the best of both worlds.
This technique works on virtually all hair textures and is particularly magical for those with naturally wavy patterns. The internal layers allow waves to form more naturally, reducing that triangle effect that can happen with one-length wavy hair.
Rounded Mid-Length Cut
The rounded mid-length cut features a subtle C-curve shape that’s shorter at the back and gradually becomes longer around the face. This shape creates beautiful movement and frames the face in an incredibly flattering way.
What makes this cut special is how it moves—the rounded shape allows hair to swing and bounce naturally, creating that commercial-worthy hair flip we all secretly want. It’s slightly retro with a modern twist, channeling 90s supermodel vibes in the best possible way.
This shape works beautifully on straight to wavy hair and pairs perfectly with face-framing highlights to enhance the dimensional effect. For maximum impact, blow dry with a round brush, turning ends under slightly to emphasize the rounded shape.
Midi with Invisible Layers
Last but certainly not least, the midi with invisible layers creates movement and dimension without obvious layering. This technique involves point-cutting and texturizing the ends to remove weight without creating distinct layer lines.
The result is hair that moves beautifully and has incredible dimension while maintaining a solid perimeter line. It’s perfect for those who want the benefits of layers without the obvious look of layered hair.
This cut works on all hair textures but is especially transformative for fine hair, as it creates the illusion of thickness and movement without removing too much weight. Its my go-to recommendation for clients who say “I want layers but not layers,” which happens more often than you’d think!
Final Thoughts
Mid-length hair truly offers the best of both worlds—the versatility of longer styles with the manageability of shorter cuts. These 18 options showcase just how diverse and customizable medium hair can be.
Remember that the perfect mid-length cut for you depends on your hair texture, face shape, lifestyle, and personal style. Always bring reference photos to your stylist, but be open to their professional suggestions for adaptations that might work better for your specific hair type.
And perhaps the best thing about mid-length cuts? If you don’t love it, you haven’t committed to something drastically short, and it’ll grow out relatively quickly. That’s what I call a win-win situation for anyone considering a hair change!
Sandra is an experienced blogger and the voice behind many engaging stories on Curl Moods. With a passion for lifestyle, wellness, and authentic storytelling, she brings warmth and insight to every post. Her writing reflects a deep understanding of her readers’ moods and moments.