Shoulder-length hair sits in an awkward middle: too long to leave alone on a rushed work morning, too short for some updos to hold past lunch. Many of the simple hairstyles for medium hair I reach for take five minutes or less with a claw clip, a few U-pins or a flat iron, and plenty work on second-day hair.
1. Low Bun With a Twist
For the office or an evening out, shoulder-length hair of any density can go into a low twisted bun, one of the simple hairstyles for medium hair. At the nape, twist the hair, wrap it into a small knot and pin with three or four U-pins. Long internal layers in the cut help the bun sit flatter. Keep two face-framing pieces out. About five minutes is all it needs.
2. Twist Held With a Claw Clip
On a rushed morning, hair at least shoulder length with some layers can go up in a claw clip twist, one of the fastest hairstyles for medium length hair easy enough to do half awake. Twist the hair up the back of the head, fold the ends over and secure with a medium claw clip. Free a few face-framing pieces. Second-day hair with a little dry shampoo holds better.
3. Half-Up Half-Down Clip Style
On day two or three, medium hair of any density and texture can go half-up half-down, which keeps the top section off your face while the length stays down. Section from the temples back, twist once and fasten with a small claw clip or barrette. A 1.25-inch iron through the ends gives a finished look. It is one of the simple hairstyles for medium hair.
4. Half-Up Knot at the Crown
On medium hair of medium to thick density, a half-up top knot gathers the top section into a small knot at the crown, adding height and keeping hair out of your eyes. Section from the temples, twist into a knot and secure with an elastic. The rest stays straight or waved. Three minutes, and second-day hair is fine.
5. Layered Messy Bun
On fine to thick medium hair with layers that let pieces fall out on their own, the messy bun looks right. Spray dry texture spray through the lengths, pull up a high or mid ponytail, wrap it loosely and pin with U-pins. Pull pieces out at the temples and nape. It is one of the most worn hairstyles for medium length hair easy enough to do with no mirror.
6. Wrapped Low Ponytail
For work, straight or wavy medium hair of any density can go into a low ponytail with a wrapped base and look polished in under five minutes. Brush the hair back with smoothing cream, secure at the nape and wrap a small section around the elastic, pinning it underneath. Among simple hairstyles for medium hair, this is my regular recommendation. Light gel tidies flyaways.
7. Short, Bouncy High Pony
On medium to thick hair, a high ponytail comes out short and bouncy rather than long. Brush the hair to the crown, fasten with a spiral elastic and tease the base a little for fullness. Layers in the cut make the ends look fuller. A little hairspray on the hairline finishes it, and it lasts all day.
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8. Workout-Proof Bubble Ponytail
For a workout, medium to thick hair can go into a bubble ponytail, with small clear elastics every two inches down the ponytail and each section pulled out into a bubble. Medium hair gives three or four bubbles. Start from a high or low ponytail and loosen each section with your fingers. It is one of the easy hairstyles for medium hair that holds through sweat.
9. Double Dutch Braids for Medium Hair
For the gym, medium to thick hair as short as the shoulders can go into two Dutch braids, one of the simple hairstyles for medium hair. Part down the middle and braid underhand from the hairline to the ends, adding hair as you go, then secure with small elastics. Light gel smooths flyaways. Sleep in them for heatless waves the next day.
10. French Braid Down the Back
On medium to thick hair, a single French braid down the back keeps everything secure all day. Begin at the crown, braid overhand to the nape and finish in a three-strand braid. Because long layers can poke out, put a light gel on the sections as you braid. Pancaking the edges makes it look fuller. Roughly five minutes.
11. Over-the-Shoulder Side Braid
On second-day waves, medium to thick hair at least to the shoulders looks good in a loose side braid, one of the simple hairstyles for medium hair. Gather the hair to one side, braid loosely and pull the edges out. Leave a few face-framing pieces down. A small clear elastic secures the end.
12. Shoulder-Length Fishtail Braid
On medium to thick hair of any texture, a fishtail braid splits the hair into two sections and crosses small pieces from the outside of each, ending just below the shoulder. Braid over one shoulder, secure and loosen the edges. About five minutes, and it holds all day. Long layers make the braid look fuller.
13. Braided Half-Up for Events
For weddings and events, medium hair of any density can go into a braided half-up: a small section from each temple is braided, and the two are pinned together at the back of the head while the rest stays down. Curl the length with a 1.25-inch iron to finish. It is one of the hairstyles for medium length hair easy enough to do yourself.
14. Twisted Half-Up for Slippery Hair
On fine to medium hair too slippery for braids, a twisted half-up does the same job with two twists. Take a section from each temple, twist it back away from the face and pin both at the back with a small clip. Two minutes. It is one of the simple hairstyles for medium hair that keeps the front out of your face.
15. Low Chignon at the Nape
For weddings, work and events, medium to thick hair at least to the shoulders can go into a low chignon, a smooth roll at the nape. Twist the hair upward, tuck the ends in and pin with U-pins. Leave a few face-framing pieces out and curl them, then set with flexible hairspray. Long internal layers in the cut stop the roll from looking bulky.
16. Festival Space Buns
For concerts and festivals, medium to thick hair can go into space buns, two small buns on either side of the crown. Part down the middle, make two high ponytails, twist each into a bun and pin. On medium hair the buns come out small and neat. Pull a few pieces out at the hairline. It is one of the more playful easy hairstyles for medium hair.
17. Low Pigtails Behind the Ears
On day three, straight or wavy hair of any density can go into low pigtails, two ponytails behind the ears. Part down the middle and secure each side with an elastic, wrapping a small section around each one for a cleaner look. Curl the ends with a 1-inch iron for a softer finish. It is one of the simple hairstyles for medium hair.
18. Low Ponytail With a Scarf
For brunch or work, medium hair of any density can be dressed up with a silk scarf tied around a low ponytail, which covers the elastic and adds color. Secure the ponytail, fold a small scarf into a strip and tie it around the base with the ends hanging. It is among the easiest hairstyles for medium length hair easy to make look deliberate.
19. Wide Padded Headband
On medium hair of any density and texture, a wide padded headband pushes the hair back and adds height at the crown. Place it an inch behind the hairline and pull the hair behind it slightly forward. It hides second-day roots and hairline frizz. At ten seconds, it is one of the simple hairstyles for medium hair.
20. Collarbone Lob Tucked Back
On fine to medium straight hair and oval or heart-shaped faces, a collarbone lob tucked behind the ears is the simplest way to wear medium hair. I cut it blunt with a slight bend at the ends so it falls forward neatly. Blow-dry smooth or air-dry with a smoothing cream. Tuck one side only for a deeper side-part look. Trim every 8 weeks.
21. Beach Waves From a Flat Iron
On fine to medium straight hair, flat iron beach waves are one of the simple hairstyles for medium hair that look like more effort than they took. Work in one-inch sections: give the flat iron a half turn, glide down and stop an inch from the ends, switching direction each time. A dry texture spray and a good shake finish them. Two days of wear is typical.
22. No-Heat Braid Waves
On fine to thick straight hair, heatless braid waves skip hot tools altogether. Braid slightly damp medium hair into two braids before bed and take them out in the morning. Break the waves apart with your fingers and a light oil. It is one of the hairstyles for medium length hair easy to prepare the night before. The waves last two days.
23. Flat-Iron Bent Waves
On medium straight hair of any density, bent waves give a single bend per section and sit flatter than curls. Clamp a flat iron at mid-length, bend the hair over it and release. Finish with a light texture spray. It is one of the most worn simple hairstyles for medium hair at the moment, and it takes about ten minutes.
24. Sleek Blowout on a Blunt Cut
On fine to thick straight or wavy hair with a blunt medium cut, a sleek straight blowout suits best. Blow-dry with a paddle brush, then flat-iron in one-inch sections and finish with shine serum. I cut the perimeter blunt so the ends look full. With dry shampoo it lasts two to three days. A center part gives a cleaner line. Trim every 8 weeks.
25. Voluminous Round-Brush Blowout
On medium to thick straight hair, a bouncy round-brush blowout gives volume at the crown and curl at the ends. I cut layers from the chin down so the blowout holds. Dry each section with a large round brush and set with velcro rollers while it cools. It lasts three to four days. Trim every 8 weeks.
Shoulder-length hair sits in an awkward middle: too long to leave alone on a rushed morning and too short to braid, so I pin it and call it done. IMO, one clip and a side part is a whole look. For the face-shape angle, the oval face haircuts guide lays it out.
