Just because you’re short on time, doesn’t mean you can’t have cute hair! I am always on the hunt for new ways to style my hair up ever since I cut it a medium to short length. It’s just not as easy doing something elaborate when your hair is short. It can be fun to find new ways to wear your hair. Going to a work Holiday party? Don’t wear it the same way you do every day in the office! Going out with friends? I have been racking my brain for new and creative ways to style my medium length hair. No matter how I style my hair, there are some hair products I just cannot live without!
Essential products often accompany quick, stylish looks. NAVY Whirlpool - Argan Oil and Green Tea Powered Styling Foam - I use this baby right when I get out of the shower and my hair is still wet. It helps dramatically reduce frizziness. NAVY Style Navigator Spray - This spray is perfect for giving yourself a little volume at the roots. Ever notice your hair falls flat after curling and straightening? It’s perfect to spray around your roots before you try an updo as well!
Starting with versatile, time-saving techniques, these styles are designed for medium length hair and can be completed in minutes. I’m starting with one of my favorites. This is one of my favorites for short hair. She walks you through step by step and makes it very easy to recreate. No curling needed, no gorgeous waves to start with. Which makes it great for a day or night look. Also great for when you need to make your hair look amazing last minute.
Love this funky hairstyle that even girls with short hair can do! The end result looks super complicated but you can actually do this in 15 minutes. Just simple ponytails with pulling the hair through until the end. This look is great because it works with super short hair to medium length hair. Continue to use it all the way through trying to grow it back out again. Try it on a morning running late to work, or a last-minute event.
You can’t really tell but this up-do is very sleek in the way it is created. Once the lower half of your hair is complete, continue styling the top with a few curls and some added volume. I love this hairstyle because it looks like a professional took awhile to create it. Then twist and pin to the lower part of the head. While most up-dos concentrate on the lower half of the hair, this style starts at the top and works its way down.
Although this style looks very complicated, it really just starts with a normal messy bun at the nape of the neck. Then, create braids from the side of your face that go back to the bun and pin it around. Top knots are all the rage this year in the hair world. This tutorial is great for showing you how to still style your hair into a top knot even if you chopped it all off.
While most hairstyles involve curls and twists and knots, this style is completely different. However, it’s all just about the way you tease and style it. There is nothing I love more than styling my hair in unique and creative ways without taking a million hours to do so. Looking for more hair and beauty inspiration? You’re going to put your hair back into a ponytail and then make a little hole with your fingers right above the elastic. Then flip the hair up and down through that hole. If you have a little bit more length, take the ends and roll them through one more time. Then use bobby pins to secure the roll and any pieces that fall out.
Clip all your hair out of the way except a thin section from your part to your ear. Divide the hair into three sections and begin a dutch braid. Gather the top layers of hair, smooth out any bubbles, and secure with a clear elastic. On your last pass through the elastic, loop the tail around so it’s now above the half bun. This approach creates a neat, professional look suitable for office or events.
Are you looking for some medium length hairstyles to copy? I’ve been on a mission to grow out my hair over the last year from this short hairstyle and it’s going really well. It’s been a lot of fun experimenting with different hairstyles, like creating soft waves with this curling wand or being able to put it in a bun on days I don’t feel like styling it. I’ve learned how to do a top knot and it’s currently my favorite hairstyle. I’ve had a lot of people ask what I’m doing to grow my hair out. One thing I’ve been doing is putting Argan oil on my hair every morning.
Related blog post: If you’re trying to grow out your hair and you feel like it’s taking forever, read my post on how to grow your hair faster. Are you ready to browse through some gorgeous ‘dos? You can dress this hairstyle up or down, wear it curly or straight or even go with an up-do. See why I want to go back to medium length hair?
I love this look of shorter in the back and long layers on the side. Jennifer Aniston is the actress who will always be known for her amazing hair. She is sporting long, straight layers that taper her face perfectly. The beachy highlights and side part make this hairstyle a great choice for everyday. This is one of my favorite looks on Rachel McAdams. It’s longer than a traditional bob, with side swept bangs for a dramatic look. Here’s another tousled look with some gorgeous waves. I love how the hair around the face is a lighter blond than the rest. This style on Taylor Swift is perfect for those of us who have naturally wavy hair. You can just let it do its thing!
Related blog post: If you’ve been thinking about getting bangs, here are 15 hairstyle ideas with bangs for you to look at. I’ve had bangs for the past few years and love them. They’re known to help you look younger if that’s something you’re interested in. Here’s another wavy hair look with side swept bangs on actress Kristen Bell. If you already have some natural wave in your hair, this is a very easy look to achieve.
Not only is this a great cut, but a beautiful caramel color style. Have you thought about blunt bangs before? Jessica Alba knows how to wear ombre right. With subtle waves, a middle part and subtle lightening of the hair, this is one style I definitely want to try. Here’s another shoulder length style with ombre. This hairstyle features a more choppy look. To achieve this, leave the very ends of your hair out of the curling iron so it does not curl under. Pull the curling iron through your hair and stop right before you get to the end, and then curl. I absolutely love this cut and color. I prefer my hair curled and this is perfection.
If you’ve never visited thesmallthingsblog.com for hair tutorials, you are missing out. She has some of the best of the best videos and step-by-step pictures for medium length hair. I remember mimicking Nicole Kidman’s curly do from the 90s and although that’s still my favorite look on her, she can definitely pull off a medium length, sleek and straight bob like this one. Actress Gabrielle Union looks stunning and always has great hair. Whether Cameron Diaz’s hair is long, short, medium, straight or curly - she always looks great. The before and after photos on this site really show you the dramatic change just a few inches can do, plus a good color. This model went from long and stringy, to medium length and wavy. Straight and blunt bangs - a look that not everyone can pull off. But if you can, go for it! This medium length hairstyle has very short layers throughout the top, giving her hair tons of volume. What do you think of this bold look?
Little Miss Momma not only has gorgeous hair, but a striking personality to match! I love this cut and color on her. Hillary Scott from the group Lady Antebellum looks fabulous with her medium length cut and blond highlights. Last but not least, another stunning transformation from long hair to medium length hair. She looks absolutely adorable! So what do you think? Are you a pinner like myself? Great! Be sure to follow my Hairstyles board for daily outfit inspiration.
Are you looking to change things up with your hair styles? Sometimes with long hair we get into a rut or we just don’t know various styles for long hair. Not to mention with quarantine there’s lots of people who now have hair longer than they expected! There’s so many styles you can do with long hair. Far more than wearing it down. Sharing styles for long hair is one of my passions in life. I love the versatility of my long hair and I’ve learned hundreds of hair styles, most of which are gentle and safe to protect hair and help it grow better and healthier!
It’s easy and fun to learn new styles for your long hair so let’s dive in. Hairstyles For Long Hair At Work. Work is so uncertain right now, but even if what you’re doing is zoom meetings, you can still have sleek and professional hair. French Twist Bun creates a little cinnamon bun peeking out from a French twist. It’s worth mastering. Flexi Braided Chignon is elegant and understated but lovely. You’ll need a hair slide of some kind, such as this. French Twist or Slide (variation for longer hair) - If your hair is a bit long for a French twist try the French slide variation. For the twist you’ll want a comb or swerve and for the slide a flexi or hair stick is best! Romantic French Twist adds a braid and it just looks so lovely and different. Logroll has an elegant and timeless look to it. It can also be done braided. I like a hairstick for holding this, but you could also put a flexi over the top of the roll or a hair fork through the top.
Casual and Simple Styles For Long Hair include Messy Bun for Long Hair, Pineapple Braid, Celtic Bun, Braided Pinless, Cute Styles For Long Hair, Top knot, Maki, Vintage, Seashell Bun. Fancy Styles For Long Hair show off with Flower Bun, JJJ Fan Bun, Pull Through Braid, and Nautilus, a no-pin bun. These styles are designed to be quick and impressive, ideal for a busy day or a special event.
The author emphasizes practical tips: patience with new techniques, keeping a small toolkit of scrunchies, clips, pins, and the right styling products to maintain control and texture. The goal is simple: fast, reliable looks that keep hair out of the face while still appearing polished and put-together. For context, the hair type discussed includes medium length, with variations from straight to wavy to curly, and the guidance covers both everyday office wear and more formal occasions.
Medium Length Hair Styling Tutorial (Products + Blow Dry Method)
Practical quick styles for medium length hair
Half-up, half-down is a signature style that hides grease while remaining flattering on multiple hair types. Split the bottom half of your hair from the top half, creating a straight part, then secure the top section with a clip or scrunchie. Distinct parting and clean edges help the look stay chic, whether you’re at work or out with friends.
The knotless low bun has become a favorite for its neat appearance and comfort. Gather hair at the nape, twist, and wrap toward the crown, finishing with a secure coil. The top knot is another reliable option, especially for frizz control and keeping hair off the skin during hot days or long events. A tall topknot can be both casual and polished depending on the finishing touches.
For a faster, accessory-free approach, twist your hair into a shell shape, tucking the end into the coil. If you prefer a braid, a simple plait down the back is quick and timeless. A Dutch braid or a loose French braid can be started near the crown and finished with the tail tucked into a bun for a more intricate appearance without excessive effort.
When time is truly tight, a sleek ponytail with a hidden twist or a small hole-and-pull technique above the elastic can yield a sophisticated finish in seconds. Add a decorative clip to elevate the style momentarily without spending more time on it. A basic ponytail can be transformed into something more interesting by minimal braiding, looping, or curling the ends to frame the face.
Finally, keep a routine of lightweight leave-in products to reduce frizz and maintain shine. A little argan oil or conditioning serum can seal the ends and prevent flyaways, ensuring any quick style still looks intentional and polished.
| Style | Time | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half-up, half-down | 5 min | Everyday, casual | Great for most hair types |
| Knotless low bun | 6-8 min | Work, events | Tidy and long-lasting |
| Top knot | 4-6 min | Hot days, travel | Highly versatile |
| Shell twist | 3-5 min | Quick office look | Minimal hardware |
These approaches are designed to be adaptable. You can adjust the level of complexity by adding or removing braids, curls, or volume at the roots. The core principle is to use simple shapes-ponytails, buns, braids-and finish with a small accessory or a touch of product to secure hold and tame flyaways. The goal remains to achieve a polished appearance in minutes, whether you’re getting ready for work, a party, or a night out with friends.