Hair that sits between the collarbone and shoulders is long enough to braid or twist into low buns, yet short enough to blow-dry with a round brush in about ten minutes. That range is why cute medium length hairstyles hold up so well on a rushed work morning. Below are cuts and quick updos, with trim timing for each.
1. Flipped-End Butterfly Cut
A medium butterfly cut layers short pieces at the cheekbones over longer layers through the back. I pull the hair forward to cut the top layers, then blend them down into the collarbone length. Medium to thick hair and oval or heart faces suit it. Dry it with a large round brush and turn the ends out. Among the cute medium length hairstyles, this one keeps its volume for two days. Trim every 8 weeks.
2. Shoulder-Length Layers With Curtain Bangs
Shoulder-length layers with curtain bangs frame the face from the brow down to the cheekbones. I cut the bangs on a center part, longest at the outer edges, and point cut the layers to match them. Oval, oblong and square faces suit it, as does fine to thick hair. Dry the bangs over a small round brush. Of the cute hairstyles for medium hair, this is the one I cut most often. Trim the bangs every 4 weeks.
3. Medium Shag With a Fringe
A medium shag pairs a full fringe with razor-cut choppy layers at the crown and around the face. The length falls at the collarbone. Wavy and curly hair of medium density suits it, and it works on oval and long faces. Let it air-dry with a sea salt spray or curl cream. It is one of the cute medium length hairstyles that improves on day two. Trim every 6 to 8 weeks.
4. The Medium Wolf Cut
A medium wolf cut puts shaggy volume at the crown over a tapered, wispy length at the shoulders. I razor the top short and keep the back longer. Thick, wavy hair suits it best, along with oval or heart faces. Use texture spray and a diffuser, then scrunch. Leave heavy oils out of it. Clients who want a cute cut with no blow-dry do well with this one. Trim every 6 to 8 weeks.
5. Flipped Ends, 90s Style
Flipped ends take a shoulder-length cut with long layers and turn the bottom two inches outward. I leave the perimeter a little blunt so the flip stays put. Straight and slightly wavy hair of medium to thick density suits it, and it works on round and oval faces. Roll the ends out over a round brush as you dry, then set with hairspray. A trim every 8 weeks keeps the ends crisp.
6. Soft-Wave Collarbone Lob
A collarbone lob gets a slight forward angle and light internal layers. Add soft waves with a 1.25-inch iron and you have one of the most requested cute medium length hairstyles. Fine to medium hair and oval, round and square faces suit it. Keep the ends straight for a current finish and use a light texture spray. Trim every 8 to 10 weeks.
7. Medium Layers With Wispy Bangs
Wispy bangs get point cut and thinned until the forehead shows through. On shoulder-length hair, they go with layers that start at the chin. Fine to medium hair and oval or long faces suit it, and the bangs soften a high forehead. Dry the bangs flat with a small brush. Dry shampoo keeps them separated. Trim the bangs every 3 to 4 weeks.
8. The Bottleneck Bang
Bottleneck bangs sit short and narrow at the center, then widen and lengthen past the cheekbones. I point cut them so they melt into face-framing layers. Oval, heart and long faces suit them, as does medium to thick straight or wavy hair. Dry the bangs over a small round brush, working from the center out. Of the cute hairstyles for medium hair, these grow out especially well. Trim every 4 to 5 weeks.
9. Half-Up With a Ribbon
A half-up with a ribbon knots a satin ribbon over a small ponytail at the crown. Section back from the temples, tie with a clear elastic and finish the ribbon in a bow. Every density works, and face-framing layers make it look best. Loosely curl the length with a 1-inch iron. It is one of the cute medium length hairstyles that takes less than three minutes.
10. Big-Bow Low Ponytail
A big-bow low ponytail clips a fabric or velvet bow over the elastic at the nape. Brush the hair back with a smoothing cream and tie the ponytail before adding the bow. Straight or wavy medium hair of any density suits it. Curl the ends of the ponytail with a round brush. It is one of the cute hairstyles for medium hair that works for the office and holidays. Pull two face-framing pieces loose.
11. Low Braided Pigtails
Low braided pigtails split the hair at the center and braid each side behind the ears. On medium hair the braids fall just past the shoulders. Medium to thick hair of any texture suits it. Pancake the braids for width and tie them with small elastics or ribbons. It is one of the cute medium length hairstyles for weekends. Sleep in them and you get waves the next day.
12. The Bubble Pigtails
Bubble pigtails start as two low ponytails with clear elastics added every two inches down each one. Pull every section out into a bubble. Medium hair gives you two or three bubbles per side. Medium to thick hair suits it. For festivals and the gym, it is one of the cute hairstyles for medium hair I suggest. A light gel at the part keeps it clean.
13. The Space Buns
Space buns are a pair of high buns on either side of a center part. Make two high ponytails, twist each one into a bun and tie it with an elastic. On medium hair the buns come out small and tight. Medium to thick hair suits it. Pulling out face-framing pieces softens the look. A light hold spray handles flyaways. Allow about five minutes.
14. Space Buns Half-Up
Space buns half-up take only the top half into two small buns and leave the rest down. Part at the center, section back from the temples and twist each side into a mini bun. Fine to thick hair suits it. Loosely curl the length. With a little dry shampoo, it is one of the cute medium length hairstyles that works on second-day hair.
15. Half-Up With Mini Claw Clips
A half-up with mini claw clips twists two front sections back and fastens each with a small claw clip. Hair stays off the face and the length stays down. Fine to medium hair and clients with face-framing layers suit it. Clips in your hair color read softer; bright ones read playful. It takes less than two minutes.
16. Pearl-Clip Twisted Half-Up
A pearl-clip twisted half-up takes a section from each temple, twists it back and joins the pair with a pearl barrette at the crown. Fine to thick hair and oval or heart faces suit it. Curl the length with a 1-inch iron. For weddings and dinners, it is one of the cute hairstyles for medium hair I suggest. Small bobby pins under the clip add hold.
17. Headband From a Silk Scarf
A headband from a silk scarf folds a square scarf into a thin band and knots it at the nape beneath the hair. Medium hair stays off the face and second-day roots stay hidden. Any hair type and density can wear it. Leave the length down in loose waves or put it in a low ponytail. For travel and hot days, it is one of the cute medium length hairstyles I recommend.
18. Bangs With a Knotted Headband
A knotted headband set two inches back from the hairline lets curtain or wispy bangs fall forward. Oval and oblong faces suit it, since it adds height without width. Wear the length in loose waves or a smooth blowout. Fine to thick hair works. It is one of the cute hairstyles for medium hair that covers for an overdue blow-dry.
19. The Milkmaid Braids
Milkmaid braids braid two sections and pin them over the top of the head. On medium hair the braids meet at the crown. Medium to thick hair at least shoulder length suits it. Pancake the braids for width and fasten them with U-pins in a matching color. For summer weddings, it is one of the cute medium length hairstyles I suggest. A mist of hairspray holds the flyaways.
20. Low Buns From Dutch Braids
Low buns from Dutch braids braid underhand from the hairline to the nape on each side, then twist the ends into two small buns. Medium to thick hair suits it. A light gel keeps the parts clean. It is one of the cute hairstyles for medium hair that lasts all day and holds through workouts. Allow about ten minutes. Undo them at night for loose waves.
21. The Braided Headband
A braided headband takes a section from behind one ear and braids it over the top of the head, then pins it behind the other ear. The face stays clear and the length stays down. Medium to thick hair suits it, and it works well while bangs grow out. Pancake the braid for width. It is one of the cute medium length hairstyles that takes around five minutes.
22. Pinned-Back Braided Bangs
Pinned-back braided bangs braid the fringe sideways along the hairline and fasten it above the ear. The bangs need to be at least cheekbone length. Round and heart faces suit it, since it opens up the forehead. A light gel on the bangs before braiding helps. For clients growing out a fringe, it is one of the cute hairstyles for medium hair I suggest.
23. Face-Framing Messy Low Bun
A messy low bun on medium hair needs layers, which fall loose at the temples and nape. Spray dry texture spray through the lengths, gather a low ponytail, wrap it loosely and pin. Pull face-framing pieces free. Fine to thick hair suits it. For second-day hair, it is one of the cute medium length hairstyles I reach for. A light hold spray keeps the bun in shape.
24. Curtain Bangs With a High Ponytail
Curtain bangs with a high ponytail leave the bangs down to frame the face. Brush the length up to the crown and fasten it with a spiral elastic. On medium hair the ponytail comes out short and bouncy. Medium to thick hair and oval or long faces suit it. Curl the ends of the ponytail. For the gym and errands, it is one of the cute hairstyles for medium hair I suggest.
25. Top Knot Half-Up
A top knot half-up pulls the top section into a small knot at the crown. It adds height, which suits round faces. Section back from the temples, twist into a knot and fasten it. Medium to thick hair suits it. The length can stay straight or waved. It is one of the cute medium length hairstyles that takes three minutes and works on day two or three.
Hair between the collarbone and shoulders braids and twists without the weight of long hair, so I pin it half-up and call it cute. FYI, a couple of curls at the temples sells it. The oval face haircuts guide has the face-shape breakdown if you want it.
