30 Hair Styles For Medium Length 2020 Ideas You Need to Try Next

30 Hair Styles For Medium Length 2020 Ideas You Need to Try Next

Medium length hair is honestly the sweet spot. It’s long enough to braid, curl, or twist into something fancy, but short enough that you’re not stuck blow-drying for half an hour every morning. If you’ve been staring at your reflection wondering what to do next, you’re in the right place. Here are 30 medium length hairstyle ideas worth trying, whether you want something low maintenance for everyday wear or a look that turns heads at a wedding.

Elegant Updo with Medium Length

This one proves you don’t need waist-length hair to pull off a sophisticated updo. Twist sections up toward the crown, pin them loosely, and let a few pieces fall around your face for softness. It works beautifully for weddings, date nights, or any time you want to look put together without much fuss. Fine to thick hair both hold this style well, and a bit of texturizing spray helps the pins grip better.

Soft Waves with Curtain Bangs

Curtain bangs have stuck around for a reason, and pairing them with loose waves gives your whole face a softer look. This suits pretty much every face shape since the bangs part naturally and frame your cheekbones. Grab a one-inch curling wand and alternate the direction of your curls for a more natural, undone finish. Maintenance is fairly easy, just a trim every six to eight weeks to keep the bangs in shape.

Textured Lob with Balayage

The lob (long bob) never really goes out of style, and adding balayage gives it dimension that a flat color just can’t match. This cut sits somewhere between the chin and shoulders, which flatters round and oval faces especially well. Ask your colorist for a sun-kissed effect that’s lighter at the ends and blends into your natural root color. It grows out gracefully too, so you’re not rushing back to the salon every month.

Half-Up Braided Crown

This is such a pretty option when you want your hair down but out of your face. Two small braids meet at the back of your head and get pinned to create a crown effect, while the rest of your hair flows loose. It works on straight or wavy medium hair and looks especially romantic with a bit of loose texture. No heat required if your hair already has natural wave to it.

Shaggy Layers with Wispy Bangs

Shag cuts had a huge comeback and they’re not going anywhere. Choppy, feathered layers throughout give the whole style movement, and wispy bangs soften the front. This is a great pick if your hair tends to look flat or lifeless, since the layering adds instant volume at the crown. Medium to thick hair textures respond especially well to this cut, though a good texturizing paste helps thinner strands look fuller too.

Sleek Middle Part

Sometimes simple really is better. A sleek, straight middle part with medium length hair looks polished and a little edgy at the same time. This suits longer face shapes particularly well since the part elongates things even more, so if you have a round or square face you might want a slight side part instead. A flat iron and a light shine serum are really all you need here.

Beachy Waves with Highlights

Think loose, tousled waves that look like you just came back from a weekend at the coast. Pair this texture with subtle highlights around the face for extra brightness. It’s low commitment as far as color goes since highlights blend in as they grow out. Sea salt spray applied to damp hair before air-drying gives you that effortless texture without much work.

Chin-Length Bob with Blunt Ends

A classic bob with sharp, blunt ends feels fresh again, especially in a length that hits right at the chin. This is a confident cut that photographs beautifully and works well with straight or slightly wavy hair. Round faces benefit from the sharp lines since they add definition, while the blunt ends give off a modern, almost editorial vibe. Keep it glossy with a smoothing serum for the best effect.

Loose Fishtail Braid

The fishtail braid looks intricate but honestly isn’t that hard once you get the hang of it. On medium hair it sits at a nice length that doesn’t feel too skimpy, and pulling a few pieces loose from the braid gives it a relaxed, undone quality. This works for casual days out or dressed up with some hairspray for hold. Wavy hair textures make the braid look even more textured and interesting.

Voluminous Blowout

There’s something so satisfying about a big, bouncy blowout on medium length hair. Round brush your hair away from your face at the roots for lift, then curl the ends under slightly. This style tends to suit oval and heart-shaped faces best since the volume balances out narrower chins. It does take a bit more time in the morning, but the payoff is worth it for special occasions.

Face-Framing Layers

If your hair feels heavy or one-dimensional, face-framing layers might be exactly what you need. These shorter pieces around your cheekbones add softness and can even make your face look slimmer. This cut works on nearly every texture, from stick-straight to naturally curly. Ask your stylist to keep the layers long enough that they blend rather than creating a choppy, disconnected look.

Low Ponytail with a Wrap

A low ponytail feels basic until you wrap a small section of hair around the elastic to hide it, and suddenly it looks intentional and chic. This is a five-minute style that works for the office, errands, or dinner out. Sleek it down with a boar bristle brush for a polished finish, or leave a bit of texture for something more relaxed. Medium length hair is actually ideal for this since the ponytail doesn’t get too heavy or too thin.

Curly Shag

Curly hair deserves love too, and a shag cut brings out natural texture in the best way. Layers cut throughout the length let each curl bounce and define itself rather than weighing the whole head down. This suits medium to thick curl patterns particularly well, adding shape without bulk. A curl cream applied to soaking wet hair, then air-dried or diffused, keeps frizz down while the curls stay springy.

Side-Swept Waves

Sweeping all your waves to one side creates a soft, glamorous look that’s perfect for evenings out. This flatters basically every face shape since you can adjust which side you sweep depending on your features. Use a curling iron to create loose waves, then brush them gently to one side and secure with a few bobby pins near your ear. Finish with a light-hold hairspray so it stays put without feeling stiff.

Wolf Cut

The wolf cut blends shag layers with a bit more edge, and it’s become a favorite for anyone wanting a lower maintenance, textured look. Heavy layering at the crown combined with choppier ends gives it a lived-in, rock-and-roll quality. Wavy and curly hair types especially benefit since the cut enhances natural texture. It pairs really well with curtain bangs if you want to soften the overall effect a bit.

Twisted Half-Up Style

This is a step up from a basic half-up ponytail. Instead of just pulling your hair back, twist two sections from each side and pin them together at the back. It adds a bit more polish while keeping the style quick to do. Straight hair looks sleek this way, while wavy or curly hair adds nice texture to the twists themselves.

Glossy Straight Style

Sometimes you just want your hair pin-straight and shiny, no fuss involved. A flat iron combined with a smoothing cream gives medium length hair that glass-like finish that looks expensive. This works particularly well if your hair naturally has some frizz, since straightening it out shows off the healthy shine underneath. Oval and heart-shaped faces suit this style especially well, though a soft side part can help balance rounder faces too.

French Braid Pigtails

Don’t write these off as just for kids. Two neat French braids on medium length hair actually look really cute and put-together for adults too, especially with a slightly messy, pulled-apart finish. This is a fantastic option for workouts or hot summer days when you want your hair off your neck. Loosen the braids slightly after finishing for a more grown-up, relaxed vibe.

Deep Side Part with Volume

Switching your part from the middle to a deep side can honestly change the whole shape of your face. Combined with a bit of volume at the roots, this style works wonders for round or square faces looking for more angles. Backcomb slightly at the crown before smoothing over the top layer for a natural lift that lasts all day. It’s a subtle change that makes a bigger difference than you’d expect.

Butterfly Cut

The butterfly cut layers hair so the shortest pieces sit near the crown and gradually lengthen toward the ends, creating serious movement and volume. It photographs incredibly well and adds body to hair that tends to fall flat. Medium to thick hair textures show off the layering best, though thinner hair can still pull it off with the right blow-dry technique. This cut pairs beautifully with soft curls or waves.

Bubble Ponytail

A bubble ponytail turns a regular ponytail into something way more playful and eye-catching. Section your ponytail with small elastics every couple of inches, then gently pull the hair between each section to create that bubble effect. This works great for medium length hair since you get several distinct bubbles without the tail feeling stringy. It’s a fun choice for a night out or even just to switch things up on a regular day.

Piecey Bangs with Layers

Instead of a full, blunt fringe, piecey bangs are separated into thin, textured sections that feel more relaxed and easier to grow out. Paired with layers throughout the rest of the hair, this look has a lot of movement and works on straight or wavy textures alike. A texturizing spray on damp bangs before drying them with a small round brush gives that piecey definition. It’s a softer alternative if you’re bang-curious but not ready for something too structured.

Low Bun with Face-Framing Pieces

A relaxed low bun at the nape of your neck feels effortless but still elegant, especially when you pull a couple of pieces loose around your face. This suits medium length hair really well since there’s enough hair to twist into a substantial bun without it looking skimpy. It’s a great option for the office or for keeping hair out of your face during a busy day. Texturizing spray beforehand helps the bun hold without feeling too slick.

Voluminous Curls

Big, bouncy curls all over give medium length hair a real presence. Use a curling wand in one-inch sections, alternating curl direction, then brush through gently with your fingers to loosen everything into one big volume of curls. This tends to suit longer and oval face shapes especially well since the fullness balances things out. It’s a fantastic choice for holidays, parties, or any occasion where you want your hair to make a statement.

Twisted Space Buns

Space buns feel youthful and fun, and twisting the hair before wrapping it into the buns gives a slightly more grown-up, textured version of the trend. Medium length hair creates buns that are substantial without being too small or too heavy. This works for festivals, casual weekends, or just when you want a change from your usual routine. Loose, wavy hair texture makes the buns look even more relaxed and lived-in.

Center-Part Waves with Highlights

Pairing a crisp center part with soft waves and subtle highlights creates a look that feels both classic and current. The straight part at the top contrasts nicely with the movement of the waves below, and highlights add extra dimension when the light catches your hair. This flatters most face shapes, though it’s especially nice on longer or oval faces. A light-hold mousse before waving keeps the style from getting too flat by the end of the day.

Choppy Bob with Undercut

For something a bit more daring, a choppy bob with a hidden undercut underneath adds an unexpected edge. From the front it looks like a regular textured bob, but the undercut peeks through when you tuck your hair behind your ear or pull it up. This works best on straight to wavy hair and suits anyone wanting a lower maintenance style with a bit of personality. It’s a great choice if you’re bored of your usual cut but not ready for anything too drastic.

Soft Curls with a Deep Side Part

Combining soft, romantic curls with a deep side part gives this style a slightly vintage, glamorous feel. The asymmetry of the deep part balances the fullness of the curls nicely, and it works well for both everyday wear and special occasions. Heart and square face shapes tend to look especially good with this combination since it softens stronger jawlines. A light hairspray keeps the curls bouncy without weighing them down.

Wet-Look Slick Back

For a bold, modern look, the wet-look slick back takes medium length hair and pulls it straight back using a strong gel or pomade. It’s dramatic, low-maintenance once applied, and works surprisingly well for a night out or a fashion-forward event. This style suits those with strong facial features since there’s nothing to soften the face, letting your bone structure take center stage. Just make sure to use a good shine product rather than anything too crunchy or stiff.

If there’s one thing this list proves, it’s that medium length hair might be the most versatile length out there. You can go sleek and polished one day and wild, curly, and textured the next without ever needing scissors. Try a few of these looks, see what feels most like you, and don’t be afraid to tweak them to fit your own hair texture and face shape. That’s really the fun part of having medium length hair in the first place.