With a new season comes the perfect excuse to get a whole new hairstyle and fall is no exception- especially if you're heading back to school or college this autumn! If you've been thinking about growing out a short cut, or updating a long hairstyle, why not try a medium-length look? Shoulder-skimming tresses boast all the manageability of a shorter crop as well as all the styling options of longer locks.
Below, you'll find 15 beautiful mid-length hairstyles for your consideration to help you figure out your next hairstyle. All you need to do is scroll down and get inspired!
1. Loose waves
Rocking a loose, wavy hairstyle is the perfect way to keep the summer spirit alive long after the Labor Day sunset fades. Throw in some blended layers and a few sun kissed highlights for good measure, and you've got yourself a perennial surfer girl style! With a chic hat, this 'do works all year round.
Styling tip
When curling your hair, clip each piece up to cool when it comes off the curling iron. This will allow the hair to set properly, resulting in longer lasting waves.
2. Soft mid-length curls
In terms of manageability, shoulder grazing curls are the perfect compromise. There's plenty of length to create updos and braids with, but the hair isn't long enough to make detangling overly unpleasant.
Styling tip
If you're having way more trouble detangling your hair than usual, it might be due to damaged ends which means it's time for a trim... or a whole new haircut!
3. Messy waves with bangs
Textured, wavy hair is always a good look, regardless of the season. You can leave your natural waves to their own devices, amp up the texture with a curling wand or scrunch in some salt spray for a beachy feel.
Styling tip
When air drying bangs, split them in the middle and twist them out to the sides. After that, leave your fringe alone to dry completely, then rake it into position with your fingers.
4. Glamorous side parted curls
With a well defined part and a sleek finish from the top of the head down to about ear level, this curly hairstyle has it all. Essentially a long curly bob styled part sleek, part textured, it's the perfect medium length look for a night out, or anytime you want to feel a little bit glamorous!
Styling tip
Use a tail comb when parting your hair to help you get the sharpest, most accurate line.
5. Karlie Kloss's textured waves
When in search of hairspiration, turning to tastemakers and general beauty mavericks like model Karlie Kloss is always a good idea. The L'Oréal Paris spokesperson can currently be spotted on and off the red carpet with textured, medium-length waves, a happy result of growing out her equally on-trend bob last year.
Styling tip
Enhance a wavy texture by scrunching some matte, flexible hold product through the lengths and ends of your hair.
6. Eva Longoria's shoulder-skimming layers
If your hair is a feeling a little flat, adding some layers will add body and movement, leaving you with a smooth, blowout-ready look like Eva Longoria's! It's a polished style, but this cut can be worn with loose waves, curls, or a piecey finish when you want to switch it up a bit.
Styling tip
Keep your locks well conditioned to encourage optimum shine, and always apply a heat protectant before blow-drying!
7. Wavy bob
Even the best laid plans of beauty fanatics and organised pinterest users go awry, and sometimes you can wind up in the chair not knowing exactly which haircut you want. As long as you're actualy prepared to ready to get a new 'do, we think a long, wavy bob is a great failsafe option for most people. Your stylist can tailor it to flatter your face shape, and work with your hair texture to make post-cut styling as easy as possible.
Styling tip
When curling the hair on each side of your face, roll the iron outward to get the most flattering finish.
8. Layered sideswept hair
Flipping all of your hair over to one side, especially when there are layers involved, will add volume and rejuvenate your whole look. It's a really easy way to lift the hair at the root while altering the way the hair frames your face.
Styling tip
Apply a volume enhancing mousse before blow-drying for the best results. Scrunch it evenly through damp hair, taking care not to over-apply. An egg-sized amount is usually enough, but you may need more depending on how thick your hair is.
9. Julianne Moore's sleek side parted lob
Oscar winner Julianne Moore has one of the most famous manes in Hollywood which makes her the perfect source of hairspiration! We love her sleek lob, complete with a well-defined side part, and not a single flyaway to be seen!
Styling tip
Eliminate existing frizz and prevent any more from forming by completing the look with a high-shine finishing spray. To deal with any persistent flyaways, mist your hands with water and smooth them over the problem area after applying hairspray.
10. Shoulder-grazing layers with bangs
Layered hair and cute bangs combined create the ultimate recipe for a great mid-length hairstyle! You can add movement through the lengths with a curling iron, or keep it sleek for a more minimalist look. Either way, your tresses will be full of body and your face will be beautifully framed!
Styling tip
Apply a smoothing cream to damp hair before blow drying to prevent frizz.
11. Sleek, straight hair
With a polished side part, this sleek hairstyle is about as pulled together as straight hair gets, but it's also the kind of 'do you can wear anywhere. From the boardroom to the club, this style works in pretty much every situation.
Styling tip
To add shine and take care of flyaways once and for all, smooth a really tiny amount of gel over your hair after styling. You don't need much to get the job done so start (REALLY) small and add more as necessary.
12. Tousled side part
For those of you who don't tend to confine the messier hairstyles in your arsenal to the summer months, a tousled, medium-length side part might be right up your alley. It's the perfect look for anyone who likes to wash and go (or blow-dry halfway and run) and it's the ideal length for all sorts of updos and braids.
Styling tip
Optimize your air dry by scrunching some curl enhancing mousse through your hair while it's damp. This will help to bring out any natural movement in your hair.
13. Sideswept curls
For a more high-volume take on Hollywood waves, consider a naturally curly side sweep instead. With a medium-length cut, this hairstyle won't overwhelm the rest of your look, but it won't go unnoticed either.
Styling tip
Create a faux half hawk by twisting and pinning the hair on the 'smaller' side of your part flat against your head. Then, take the lengths of the hair from that side and secure them into a mini-low ponytail, hidden amongst the hair on the other side.
14. Piecey sideswept hair
With a messy, almost piecey texture, this sideswept hairstyle is full of volume and brings its fair share of drama. The full-bodied finish seems totally effortless, and that deep side part creates the perfect frame for a sultry night out makeup look.
Styling tip
This hairstyle looks best with second and third day hair as it tends to have a little more texture. All you need to do is use some dry shampoo to refresh and lift the hair at the root, then scrunch some matte product through the lengths and ends (only a small amount!) to get the pieceiness just right.
15. Jennifer Lopez's vintage bob
Jennifer Lopez recently made the switch from long locks to a shoulder length bob and we couldn't love this look more! Seen here in a glam vintage style, it's a really versatile cut that absolutely anyone can wear!
Styling tip
After styling vintage curls, be generous with the hairspray to give your finished style long lasting hold, and to protect it from frizz and flyaways.
