The Most Popular Medium Haircut Inspiration For 2025 We must warn you, these cuts will have you dialing your stylist immediately. By Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon is a Digital Editor and has been on the Southern Living team since 2017. She helps run the brand's social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok, where she's happily behind the scenes. When she's not ruffling feathers with an etiquette poll via Instagram Stories, she's writing content for the website and assisting in various print projects like gift guides and home stories. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on September 18, 2025 Close Credit: @chrisgreenehair Even if you love your current haircut, there's something about the change of a season that makes you wonder, "Should I go for it and chop it off?" or occasionally, " Should I try bangs?" Unless you've done your research about what haircut will flatter your face shape and are emotionally prepared for a drastic change, a major haircut is probably not the best idea. If you're itching for something new but don't want to make a dramatic alteration, these medium-length haircuts are just right. Whether you opt for some casual fringe, minimal layers, or keep it simple with a timeless lob, medium-length haircuts are the easiest, most universal looks. Have a medium-length cut already, but want to spruce it up? Try an asymmetrical style or test out subtle babylights. These medium haircuts are easy to maintain and will flatter any face shape. If you're unsure what to tell your stylist but you want something fresh, these 28 medium-length haircuts are the way to go. 01 of 28 Blunt Lob Credit: Getty Images If you like the look of a bob, but don't want to commit to that short of a length, the long bob with a blunt cut is a great option. It's sassy but still offers a medium length. 02 of 28 Classic Shag Credit: @styled_by_carolynn/Instagram If you're worried that a medium-length haircut will make it look like you have less hair, the shag haircut is for you. The all-over layers create instant texture and volum,e so you won't even miss the length. 03 of 28 Wispy Layers Credit: @ninezeroone/Instagram Layers help create a wispy texture for thin hair, which in turn creates volume and dimension. This cut starts with airy, face-framing bangs and is finished with long layers. 04 of 28 Blunt Layers Credit: @hairbylindal Blunt layers combined with a medium cut are a great fit to help thick hair look even thicker. The combination also helps hair keep volume, so it's not weighed down by the length. 05 of 28 Long Layers Credit: @veronica_nunez/Instagram Long layers on a medium-length cut are low-maintenance but ensure there's still plenty of movement and volume. This cut looks great with a side part. 06 of 28 Sleek And Straight Credit: @chrisgreenehair This smooth cut is simple, yet beautiful on its own without any fuss. Strands fall at the same length creating a sleek look that wows. 07 of 28 Wavy Layers And Caramel Ribbons Credit: @petermenezes/Instagram Warm ribbon highlights look beautiful on wavy or curly hair, and a few layers add even more texture. Hairstylist Peter Menezes is a master in warm highlights, as proven with this look. 08 of 28 Modern Shag Credit: @ashleenormanhair/Instagram A modern shag with parted fringe is much more laid-back than the original cut. Paired with feathery layers and cool-toned highlights, this look by hairstylist Ashlee Norman is the definition of cool girl chic. 09 of 28 Curly Cut With Baby Bangs Credit: @bobbymackhair/Instagram With naturally curly hair, baby bangs will never fall flat. Short, choppy bangs are equal parts sweet and edgy. With this look, hairstylist Bobby Mack is an expert at using color to add dimension to any cut. “With dimensional hair color, it’s essential to understand that curly hair lays completely different than straight hair,” he writes. “Therefore the color placement needs to be customized to the haircut and head shape.” 10 of 28 The Classic Lob Credit: @styled_by_carolynn/Instagram The lob is a universally flattering, manageable cut for any hair type and face shape. Long enough to put in a ponytail, short enough to style easily, the lob can't be denied. The saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” might as well be about the lob. Light layers and volumizing products helped bring this look to another level. 11 of 28 Full Fringe And Piecey Layers Credit: @mizzchoi/Instagram Straight across fringe that tapers on the ends isn't as harsh as one-length bangs, especially when paired with wavy layers. This look by hairstylist Cherin Choi is a take on the new shag, the haircut of the moment. 12 of 28 Deep Side Part Credit: @jaye_edwards/Instagram If you want to bring on the drama, toss it over to a deep side part for ultimate volume. Sunny highlights add definition to curls. This look by hairstylist Jaye Edwards is so warm and flattering. 13 of 28 Smooth Flipped-Under Ends Credit: @ashleyantoinebeauty/Instagram A blunt cut with flipped-under ends (like this look by stylist Ashley Antoine) adds instant Old Hollywood glamor to any day. Use a frizz-fighting oil or mousse to achieve smoother-than-glass results. To achieve this look, you can opt to blow dry your hair under with a round brush, use a 2-inch curling iron, or even roll your hair under in hot rollers. 14 of 28 Curly Highlights Credit: @jaye_edwards/Instagram Hairstylist Jaye Edwards used three different shades of highlights to add tons of dimension to this curly cut. Diffuse to play up the natural texture of your hair. 15 of 28 Asymmetrical Shoulder Length @charlieandcosalons/Instagram. An asymmetrical cut is flattering for all face shapes, and it's a small update with a big impact. This look utilizes coppery ribbon highlights to add movement and shine. 16 of 28 Low-Maintenance Cut Credit: @nikkilee901/Instagram Minimal layers mean minimal work on your part, and with an easy thick wave, you can go from day to night. Stylist Nikki Lee perfected this laidback long lob with a warm color update. 17 of 28 Grow-Out Glam Credit: @ashleenormanhair/Instagram If you’re growing out your gray and are unsure how to approach the process, try this stunning cut that hairstylist Ashlee Norman dubbed the “Silver Butterfly.” Her client "was looking for the perfect cut that would help visually blend her line of demarcation while growing out her natural Silver. We were happy with how transformative the results were without any color work.” 18 of 28 Deep Side Part Credit: @mizzchoi/Instagram Even though Gen Z claimed the deep side part was dead in favor of the middle part, millennials have held onto their beloved side parts for good reason. It’s the quickest way to add immediate volume. With this look by stylist Cherin Coi, dainty babylights add just a touch of sun to create movement. 19 of 28 Sunkissed Curly Bangs Credit: @jaye_edwards/Instagram Stylist Jaye Edwards accentuates natural curls with sunny highlights in this look. The shoulder-length cut is low-maintenance, but bangs add so much personality and a retro vibe. 20 of 28 Bronde Ombré With Face-Framing Layers Credit: @jaye_edwards/Instagram Sometimes, the impact of a style can be so much more about the color than the cut! This simple lob by stylist Jaye Edwards with a few face-framing layers is turned all the way up with an ombré balayage hair color job that adds so much movement. 21 of 28 Barely-There Layers Credit: @chrisjones_hair/Instagram “The best part about this haircut is that it can easily be worn straight or wavy,” writes hairstylist Chris Jones. “Layers are great for removing weight and building shape, but too many layers can be a problem.” So be sure you’re equipped to style your layers before asking for this cut. 22 of 28 Bronde Balayage And Piecey Layers Credit: @mizzchoi/Instagram With this cut and color, a delicate balayage technique, and light layers throughout the hair make it an easy look to grow out if you want to go natural with your color. 23 of 28 Shaggy Lob Credit: @chrisjones_hair/Instagram This is a great look if you don’t want to commit to a full shag but want the essence of the effortless cut. “A great haircut when you’re bored of the one length-ish look,” writes stylist Chris Jones. “Face framing layers starting around the nose so you can style them like curtain bangs OR curl them with the rest of the hair. Soft square layers throughout so it flows as one haircut.” 24 of 28 Cut For Flattering Highlights Credit: @bobbymackhair/Instagram Sometimes hair color impacts an overall look more than the actual cut, which is exactly the case here. “To be able to visualize the color placement, I precut her hair into the new shape. While creating the new color, I made sure to focus on the placement to flatter her new cut, skin tone and face shape!” writes hairstylist Bobby Mack. 25 of 28 Shaggy Cut With Face-Framing Highlights Credit: @charlieandcosalons/Instagram This feathery look is proof that cut and color should work in perfect harmony to achieve the best results. The highlights are only a couple of shades lighter than the base color, with the brightest color at the front for an easy growout. 26 of 28 Blunt Ends With Soft Texture Credit: @chrisjones_hair/Instagram Stylist Chris Jones created this gorgeous lob to be easily worn straight or wavy. Soft, almost imperceptible layers throughout the cut add dimension and texture without any difficult styling commitments for the client, while blunt ends make the overall look appear thicker. 27 of 28 Asymmetrical Lob Credit: @justinandersoncolor/Instagram If you can't decide what exact length you want your hair to be, choose this asymmetrical cut. It hits at the shoulder on one side while remaining slightly longer on the other side. 28 of 28 Volume Three Ways Credit: @bobbymackhair/Instagram Hairstylist Bobby Mack used a three-part approach to create this look with volume for days: “1.) Tone Change: Notice that adding some warmth created a brighter and bolder blonde which flatters her skin tone and eyes! 2.) Length Change: Letting go of a few inches when they no longer serve the overall look can actually make the hair look more voluminous! 3.) Height Styling: Adding height with a full volume blowout, velcro rollers and the appropriate curling iron will create the perfect effortless and playful movement we all love.” Frequently Asked Questions What is the best length for a medium haircut? A medium-length haircut is typically any length that ends between the shoulders and the chest. Medium-length haircuts can suit any hair type and face shape and are easily personalizable. Not too long and not too short, medium haircuts can be styled easily. Who should get a medium-length haircut? A medium haircut is a low-maintenance haircut perfect for both those looking to grow out their short hair gracefully and seamlessly, as well as for those wanting to get major style without going too short. Explore more: Style Hair Medium Hairstyles Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit