Hair that sits between the collarbone and shoulders tends to flip out against coat collars and takes a while to dry, but the right layers sort out most of that. Medium layered haircuts take weight out of thick hair, add lift to fine hair, and give waves room to form, and most need a trim only every 6 to 10 weeks.
1. The Classic Medium Layer Cut
Classic medium layers land between the collarbone and shoulders, with the shortest layer at the chin. I pull sections out at 45 degrees and point cut the ends so everything blends. Fine to thick hair and oval, round and heart faces suit it. Blow-dry over a medium round brush and turn the ends under. Most medium layered haircuts start from this shape. Trim every 8 weeks.
2. Butterfly Cut for Medium Hair
A medium butterfly cut layers short pieces at the cheekbones over longer layers that finish at the collarbone. I cut the top by pulling the hair forward to the face, then blend it into the back. Medium to thick hair and oval or heart faces suit it. Use a large round brush and roll the front away from the face. Among hairstyles for medium length hair with layers, this one keeps its volume for two days. Trim every 8 weeks.
3. Shag for Medium Hair
A medium shag puts razor-cut layers at the crown and around the face, plus a fringe, with the length at the shoulders. Wavy and curly hair of medium density and oval or long faces suit it. Scrunch in sea salt spray or curl cream and let it air-dry. It is one of the medium layered haircuts that improves on day two. Trim every 6–8 weeks.
4. Wolf Cut for Medium Hair
A medium wolf cut sets short, choppy crown layers over a tapered, wispy length at the shoulders. I razor the top and leave the back longer. Thick, wavy hair and oval or heart faces suit it. Scrunch in texture spray and diffuse, and skip heavy oils. It is one of the edgier medium layered haircuts. To hold the shape, trim every 6 weeks.
5. The Layered Lob
A layered lob sits between the chin and collarbone, with long internal layers taking out bulk. I leave the perimeter close to blunt so the ends stay full. Fine to medium hair and oval, round and square faces suit it. Wave the mid-lengths with a 1.25-inch iron and keep the ends straight. It is among the most worn medium layered haircuts. Trim every 8–10 weeks.
6. Curtain Bangs With Shoulder-Length Layers
This connects a center-parted fringe to layers that begin at the chin. I point cut the bangs so they flow down into the first layer. Any density and oval, long and square faces suit it. Blow-dry the bangs over a small round brush. These hairstyles for medium length hair with layers need the bangs trimmed every 4 weeks and the whole cut every 8.
7. Side-Swept Bangs With Medium Layers
Here the fringe sweeps across the forehead from a side part. I cut the bangs on a diagonal and blend them into layers at the cheekbone. Medium to thick hair and round, square and heart faces suit it. Dry the bangs across with a flat brush. It is one of the medium layered haircuts that grows out without trouble. Trim every 5–6 weeks.
8. Wispy Bangs With Medium Layers
This pairs a thin, point-cut fringe with layers that start at the jaw. The forehead shows through the bangs. Fine to medium hair and oval or long faces suit it. Dry the bangs flat with a small brush and the lengths with a round brush. A bit of dry shampoo keeps the fringe separated. Trim the bangs every 3–4 weeks.
9. Blunt Bangs With Medium Layers
This pairs a heavy brow-length fringe with soft layers through the back. I keep the bangs thick and the layers light so the cut stays in balance. Straight hair of medium to thick density and oval or oblong faces suit it. Blow-dry the bangs down with a flat brush. It is one of the medium layered haircuts that needs its bangs trimmed regularly, every 3 weeks.
10. Face-Framing Layering
On medium hair, face-framing layers begin at the cheekbone and step down to the collarbone while the back stays full. I cut with the hair pulled forward and point cut the ends. Any density and oval, round and heart faces suit it. Blow-dry the front pieces away from the face. Among hairstyles for medium length hair with layers, this is the one that revives a grown-out cut. Trim every 8 weeks.
11. Ghost Layering
Ghost layers sit under the top section, so medium hair reads one length on the surface. I lift the top away, cut the interior shorter, then let the top drop back over it. Bulk comes out with no visible steps. It suits thick hair and anyone who wants a blunt look. Blow-dry it straight or put in a loose wave. Trim the perimeter every 8–10 weeks.
12. Choppy Layers for Medium Hair
Choppy medium layers are point cut deep into the ends so the hair breaks into pieces. The shortest layer sits at the chin. Medium to thick hair, straight or wavy, and square or oval faces suit it. Twist small sections through a flat iron and finish with texture paste. It is one of the medium layered haircuts that covers uneven growth. Trim every 8 weeks.
13. Razor-Cut Layers for Medium Hair
Razor-cut medium layers have soft, tapered ends with more movement than scissor-cut layers. I slide the razor down each section from mid-length. Medium to thick straight or wavy hair suits it, but frizz-prone curls do not. Add a smoothing serum, then air-dry or blow-dry. Ask for a new blade every time. Trim every 8 weeks so the ends never look thin.
14. Feathered Layers for Medium Hair
Feathered medium layers sweep back and away from the face, a 1970s shape. I razor the front sections so the ends feather. Straight to wavy hair of medium density and oval or heart faces suit it. Blow-dry each section back over a round brush and set with hairspray. Among hairstyles for medium length hair with layers, this one is made for a big blowout. Trim every 6–8 weeks.
15. V-Cut Layers for Medium Hair
Medium V-cut layers bring the back of a collarbone-length cut to a soft point. I cut the perimeter diagonally from each side to the center and layer the top. Weight comes out of the sides. Thick, straight or wavy hair suits it. Wear it sleek to show the shape. It is one of the medium layered haircuts that looks best from the back. Trim every 8 weeks.
16. U-Cut Rounded Layers
Rounded U-cut layers curve the back of medium hair into a soft line rather than a point. For movement, I pair the curved perimeter with long interior layers. Medium to thick hair that sits heavy at the ends suits it. Paddle brush it dry and finish the ends with a light oil. It is one of the medium layered haircuts that grows out cleanly. Trim every 10 weeks.
17. The Concave Layered Cut
A concave layered cut runs shorter at the back and longer toward the face, curving from nape to collarbone. I graduate the back and keep long layers in front. Fine to medium straight hair and oval or round faces suit it. Blow-dry smooth with a paddle brush. It is one of the medium layered haircuts that builds shape at the back. Trim every 6–8 weeks.
18. Flipped Layers for Medium Hair
Flipped medium layers turn the ends out at the shoulders. I leave the perimeter slightly blunt so the flip holds and layer from the chin down. Straight and slightly wavy hair of medium to thick density and round or oval faces suit it. Blow-dry with a round brush rolled outward at the ends, then set with hairspray. To keep the ends crisp, trim every 8 weeks.
19. Blowout-Ready Layers
Blowout layers are cut for a big round-brush finish: shortest layer at the chin, longer layers down to the collarbone. Medium to thick hair and oval or square faces suit it. Blow-dry over a large round brush, then set in Velcro rollers for 10 minutes. Among hairstyles for medium length hair with layers, this one lasts three days. Trim every 8 weeks.
20. Octopus Cut for Medium Hair
A medium octopus cut stacks short crown layers over thin, longer layers that finish at the shoulders. I razor the crown and point cut the lengths. Medium to thick straight or wavy hair suits it. Blow-dry the crown with a round brush and keep the ends piecey. It is one of the bolder medium layered haircuts. Trim every 6 weeks.
21. Hush Cut for Medium Hair
A medium hush cut is a Korean layered style with wispy layers around the face and neck. I razor lightly so the hair reads airy. Fine to medium straight hair and oval or round faces suit it. Air-dry it or blow-dry with a round brush, then add a lightweight serum. Among hairstyles for medium length hair with layers, it is one that needs almost no styling. Trim every 8 weeks.
22. Medium Layers on Fine Hair
On fine hair, medium layers stay few and long so the ends keep their fullness. I start the shortest layer at the chin and hold the perimeter blunt. Point cut lightly rather than razoring. Work volumizing mousse into the roots and blow-dry upside down. It is one of the safest medium layered haircuts for low density. Trim every 6–8 weeks.
23. Medium Layers on Thick Hair
On thick hair, medium layers take out weight so the cut does not balloon into a triangle. I slide cut and use texturizing shears through the interior while keeping the perimeter strong. Oval and square faces suit it. Blow-dry with smoothing cream. These medium layered haircuts noticeably shorten drying time. Trim every 8 weeks and debulk every second visit.
24. Medium Layers on Curly Hair
On curly hair, I cut medium layers dry, curl by curl, so the shape stays round. Shorter pieces around the face and at the crown let the curls stack. 3A to 3C curls of medium to thick density suit it. Work curl cream and gel into soaking-wet hair and diffuse. On day two, refresh with water. Trim every 10–12 weeks.
25. Medium Layers on Wavy Hair
On wavy hair, medium layers let the wave pattern show rather than fall flat. I keep the back layers longer and cut shorter ones from the cheekbones down. 2A to 2C waves of any density suit it. Scrunch in a light mousse and air-dry. Among hairstyles for medium length hair with layers, this one needs no heat. Trim every 8–10 weeks.
Medium hair flips out against coat collars unless the layers are cut to the bend, which I do dry so I can see it. FYI, that is the whole fix. The oval face haircuts guide covers the other face shapes if you want more.
