A compromise between very long and very short, medium length haircuts can be easily pulled back into a stylish updo, or worn down in a flattering face-framing way. Medium haircuts are usually around shoulder-length, give or take an inch and with the right products, can be great for straight, wavy, and curly hair. Easier to care for than long hair and flattering for most face shapes, they’re a great choice for someone who wants to look polished for work and playful for fun. Usually, all you’ll need to do to make the work-to-play transition is add some pomade or wax, tousle, and go!
Versatility is the number one advantage of a mid-length hair cut. Straightening your curly hair or curling your straight hair will give you an instant change without much effort. Layers, bangs, and complementary color enhancements add depth and uniqueness to a medium length cut. You also have the flexibility of wearing it up or accessorizing with headbands, clips, or funky pins.
Medium cuts still need some attention and care, especially at the ends to keep them looking healthy. Infrequent trims and a good conditioner will do the trick. To help make your medium length style stand out, you can use pomade or waxes to add some definition to the ends and shine to your hair.
There are plenty of mid-length styles to choose from. Here are a few ideas:
Surfer-girl shag: An easy cut, this is a mid-length (around the chin or shoulders) style with choppy, haphazard layers. Stylists often use a razor to add texture to the ends and the hair is commonly worn in loose waves or curls. The best products are those that include some sort of sea salt to help form waves and a bit of shine.
Chin-length bob or pageboy bob: Made famous by Vogue Editor, Anna Wintour, the longer variation of the bob comes closer to the chin or shoulders and has a more square shape than the typical rounded bob. This keeps the cut looking youthful and modern, as well as making it easier to style. Equally stylish worn in waves, curls, or straightened, the longer bobs are a great choice for women who want to keep some length to their hair.
Once you’ve figured out the cut, there’s the choice of all-one-length or blended layers? Choppy ends or blunt edges? Sky’s the limit but make sure to keep your hair’s natural texture in mind when deciding whether to go with a blunt bob, which works best on thicker hair, or a surfer style.
Going Short? Answer These 3 Questions First.
For those of you looking for an effortless hairstyle with an edge, short hair could be a good option, especially if you’re a “wash-and-go” kind of girl. Short hairstyles have come a long way from the dull shapes from the past and if cut well, can be just as sexy as longer locks. Just think of all the daring celebs who’ve “made the cut” over the last few years. Still, if you’re wondering whether you can pull off a shorter hair cut, ask yourself these questions:
“What kind of hair texture do I have?”
Fine and straight or coarse and curly? Something in between? Most textures can pull off short cuts without much work; you just need to choose a hairstyle that works with your hair, not against it. With the right short haircut, fine hair can be given new life and volume; pixie cuts look great with this texture. Bob haircuts work great with thicker, wavy hair. Curly hair can really stand out with the right short haircut but can be hard to manage too.
“Will I be able to maintain my hair cut?”
Shorter haircuts always look great – at least at first. They require a lot more upkeep to maintain shape and texture, so if you’re not prone to visiting the salon on a regular basis, you may want to choose a cut that will grow out well. A crop, which can be layered and textured will grow out without much trouble. A well-shaped bob is a good choice too, as those haircuts soften as they grow out, especially if the edges have been textured.
“What shape is my face?”
Usually, you can consider your face shape to be oval, round/square, heart shaped, or oblong (which just means that it is much longer than it is wide). Depending on your shape, a short haircut could be very flattering, and either prominent or more delicate facial features work too! Oval and heart shaped faces work especially well with shorter hair but it isn’t as flattering on round or square shaped faces as it tends to make them look wider.
So now you’ve decided to go for it, you’ve got to have that short haircut but don’t know which to choose? “Short” can range from the uber-short pixie cut, the tight crop, or the bob haircut, which still has some length to it. Pixie cuts flatter a heart shaped face while a shorter bob cut can make an oval face stand out beautifully. If you still want the flexibility to pin your hair back or aren’t ready to go boyishly short, a bob haircut could be for you as it’s still daringly short but sexy and feminine.