25 shoulder-length hairstyles that are far from boring
Shoulder-length hairstyles or medium-length hairstyles are all the craze, perhaps because that is a hard stage of hair growth to style. If you're umm-ing and ahh-ing over what to get for your next hair cut, there's a surefire winner when it comes to hair length. A medium-length hairstyles chop will not only get rid of any split ends or heat damaged lengths, but it also looks great on absolutely everyone, helping to frame the face and highlight the collar bone for an ultra flattering finish.
Whether you're correcting a DIY lockdown job, or slowly getting your confidence up to a full on bob, shoulder-length hair deserves to be celebrated and worn in a way that accentuates its beauty.
While shoulder length hair will undoubtedly look healthier than longer styles, it's still a good idea to use a nourishing hair mask once a week and a heat protectant spray on the ends every time you plan on using heat tools like hair dryers and straighteners. Doing so will prevent split ends from forming and keep your mid-length hair looking its best, plus for those wanting to grow their hair longer, this will stop breakage.
There are so many ways to wear halfway hair too and it's proven to be as versatile as it is flattering. Updos will appreciate having just the right amount of hair to work with, waves and curls are less likely to be weighed down or finish in that dreaded awkward kink, while bangs, fringes and layers are mid-length hair's best bud. And that's not all.
How to style shoulder-length thick hair?
We asked Antonio Corral Calero Global Ambassador for Moroccanoil and he says: “Most people with mid-length thick hair don’t want additional volume. The secret is always a combination of the products used, I like to combine a hair oil [try the Moroccanoil Treatment Light 100ml Special Edition, £34.85, Flannels] and the Moroccanoil Smoothing Lotion, £29.95, Look Fantastic. I would use one pump of each and apply to damp hair. Normally, I like to air dry the hair, standing it up straight, helping with my fingers to bring it from root to ends. I dry 50% then I take a paddle brush and I straighten the hair to finish and dry it.” Editorial Artist Louis Byrne agrees and adds: “Usually you want to control and add shine to the hair, but when this hair sits on the shoulders it can often look and feel triangular. I would always also use an oil through damp hair as this helps to give a healthy shine and will replenish. My current favourite is L'Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Anti-deposit Protector Concentrated Hair Oil, £23.40, Look Fantastic as the consistency is really unique-non sticky, and smells gorgeous.”
Louis adds: “You want to reduce some of the width and volume from where the hair sits on the shoulders. The latest tool I’m using is the L’Oreal Professionnel Steampod 3.0 Steam Hair Straightener & Styling Tool, £195.76, Look Fantastic; a styler that steams your hair whilst styling. Thick hair can often look coarse so you want to add shine while the heat will allow you to control and shape, the steam helps the hair to look moisturised a real high-end finish.”
As for a top tip, Antonio says: “If at the beginning you dry it with the paddle brush or with your fingers, and then paddle brush it straight, you will avoid any volume and the hair will have form and shape.”
From the cool-girl cut to mermaid lengths.
How to style shoulder-length medium hair?
“For this hair it all depends on what look you’d want to obtain, as this type of hair is very versatile – I would use a hair oil and volumising mist to create a bit of texture and grit but without giving you tonnes of volume. I dry 50% and then take a heated hairbrush which allows you to straighten the hair without pulling too much or creating too much tension.”
“For a lived in French or boho girl, I love again adding oil to freshly washed damp hair, through the mid to ends and then allow you hair to air dry, twist the front away from the face for extra shaping. Once the hair has air dried, assess it and then create some extra texture to your style, with either adding a beach bounce or kinks, elevated bouncy ends via a hot tool, or some extra products.” says Louis.
As for a top tip, Antonio says: “Using the heated brush with a volumising mist with a light oil gives a very natural look without being too over styled – it’s more casual than that ‘just out of the salon’ hair.”
Here's how it's done…
How to style shoulder-length thin hair?
When it comes to thin hair, Anthony believes that the secret lies with the layering a special coclatil of products including a root boost, a volumising mouse and an oil. "Combine them together and you will obtain good grit, volume and texture but the combination will prevent the hair from getting oily.
Louis says: “I would always blow-dry in a volumiser into the root and mid-lengths. Turn your head upside down as this will give you maximum lift; dry your root first this will support your finished style. Once dry, a blast of dry shampoo is always a good plumper — spray onto a brush and brush it through the hair, rather than directly on the roots.”
Louis also suggests that a strong parting is everything. “A strong parting is always a great way to elevate thinner shoulder length hair- whether it’s side or central make sure it looks intentional to add a bit of drama.” Louis then adds: “And finally don’t overwork the hair, once you’ve styled, the more you touch it the quicker it becomes tired. Always try to use a brush rather than your fingers and just rock it.”
The shoulder-grazing length we want in on.
As for a top tip, Antonio says: “Use hot rollers give mobility, movement and manageability bounce. You can divide into different thickness of sections in the hot rollers and you’ll get a beautiful style without damaging the hair too much. Air dry about 80% and then add the hot rollers, use a big size so you don’t look like ‘Shirley Temple’ then leave it and brush it and you will have zero damage to your hair because it heats it gently and give lots of bounce.”
To show you just how much variety there is for this particular length, we've rounded up all the best shoulder-length hairstyles from our favourite celebs. With hair extensions and the world's finest hair stylists available at the click of their fingers, we know mid-length hair was a conscious choice for these women (and we can easily see why)…
Christina House/Getty ImagesShoulder-length Italian bob
Will the bob hold as much power over 2026 as it did in 2025? It seems likely, so best to have a strong contender like the Italian bob – seen here on Zendaya – on your moodboard.
Neilson Barnard/Getty ImagesShoulder-length textured hair
Embracing cloud-like volume, Willow Smith’s airy shoulder-length hair is effortlessly glam.
Neilson Barnard/Getty ImagesShoulder-length Hollywood curls
You’ll remember these romantic Hollywood curls from our summer hair trends, but they work just as well for the rest of the year too.
Kevin Mazur/Getty ImagesCurly shoulder-length hair
Sabrina Carpenter has been embracing her natural curls all year long and this half up-do is the perfect way of styling them at night.
Gareth Cattermole/Getty ImagesSlicked back shoulder-length hair
Up the drama – and show off bold makeup – by slicking your shoulder-length hair back like Florence Pugh.
Jeff KravitzSide clips on shoulder-length hair
Sydney Sweeney’s shoulder-length cut is complemented by a slick middle parting and side clips for that preppy girl vibe.
Bruce GlikasBrushed out shoulder-length waves
For a sophisticated look make a defined bends to your lob like Kaya Gerber.
Karwai TangCropped wet bob
Looking for something more on the edgy side. Opt for a slick-back middle parted wet look to amp up your cropped wet bob like Kourtney Kardashian
Amy SussmanShoulder-length tousled waves
These tousled waves with loose bangs on Miley Cyrus are the very i-woke-up-like-this-core and we love it.
Joseph OkpakoShoulder-length strip bangs
The hot-girl strip bangs will elevate any up-do and are a great alternative to style medium length hair that you want to tie-up like Jourdan Dunn's.
Emma McIntyreShoulder-length bed hair
This shoulder-length bed hair like style on Barbie Ferreira's reigns supreme.
RB/Bauer-GriffinBraided High Bun Shoulder-length hairstyles
If you're a braided up babes, you can still rock a braided up up-to, even with shoulder-legth braids. Do a high praid ponytail, wrap it around into a bun and voila. This red hair on
Frazer HarrisonFlicked shoulder-length bob with curtain bangs
These curtain bangs and flicked shoulder-length cut on Jenna Ortega is chic and grown-up yet still modern.
Axelle/Bauer-GriffinBraided shoulder-length bun
Braids goddess braids folded up for that shoulder-length cut, wrapped in a bun. One thing about Marsai Martin, is that her hair card will never decline.
Frazer HarrisonRoot lift shoulder-length waves
This auburn root lift style with a delicate hairband from Zendaya is making us rush to Claire's accessories to stock up on hairbands and ribbons. How cute.
Dave KotinskyShoulder-length curls
Space buns on curly hair is a match made in heaven, just ask Justine Skye.
Johnny NunezShoulder-length water waves
Wet looking water waves are and always will be elite. Lizzo never disappoints when it comes to hair.
Getty ImagesShoulder-length hairstyles with ombre ends
The best thing about mid-length hair is that undone hair looks amazing. Show off your colour with choppy layered lengths like Rose Byrne.
Getty ImagesShoulder-length hairstyle with bangs
A soft, curtain fringe and volume through the crown like Linda Cardellini will give some sixties oompf to mid-length locks.
Getty ImagesSleek short to mid length hairstyle
Suki Waterhouse's smoothed, side-parted strands create a butter-wouldn’t-melt sort of innocence when secured with a pretty clip.
Rex FeaturesShoulder length hairstyles
Emma Stone's effortless tousled hair is made even better with this cute front plait.
Rex FeaturesShoulder-length hairstyle for wavy hair
Pam & Tommy star, Lily James makes us want these pretty waves. Use a barrel tong to make an s-shape on your lengths and hold in place with hairspray.
Getty ImagesShoulder-length hairstyle
Cara's wavy lob is a gorgeous shoulder-hitting cut which is so on trend right now.
Getty ImagesUpdo for medium length hair
Margot Robbie's 'hun' is the perfect up-meets-down hairstyle.
Getty ImagesShoulder-length hairstyles with bangs
Mid-length hair suits a fringe incredibly well. And just check out that cool ombre effect!
