15 Stunning Medium-Length Hairstyles for Natural Hair (2024)

15 Stunning Medium-Length Hairstyles for Natural Hair (1)

I have had every hairstyle imaginable. Well, at least, it feels like it. I have relaxed my hair, big chopped, braided it up, dyed it blonde, and been natural. I say all of that to say that Black hair is as versatile as it is beautiful. Since big chopping for the second time, my hair has now grown into a medium length that has allowed me to try a variety of hairstyles.

My favorite hair looks of the moment are cornrows, wash-and-gos, and an afro puff I spent an entire weekend perfecting. The good news about medium hair is that whether you're still going to see your stylist every six weeks to get your new growth in check or have put your hot tools down for good, there is an option for you. Just be sure to condition and moisturize your coils as you try the 15 styles on this list.

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Twist Outs

Twist outs are a staple style in the natural hair community, and JJ's beautiful hair reminds us that going grey isn't something to dread, but to embrace.

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Shoulder Length Bob

15 Stunning Medium-Length Hairstyles for Natural Hair (2)

Kahlana Barfield Brown's shoulder length bob has always given me hair envy. A curling wand offers a simple way to get the waves you desire. A pro tip I learned when I was straightening my hair was to pin curl my newly straightened style at night to keep my waves intact.

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Locs

15 Stunning Medium-Length Hairstyles for Natural Hair (3)

Hair discrimination for Black women is still alive and well in the workplace, especially for brown beauties with locs. But icons like Ava Duvernay remind us to wear hairstyles unique to us with pride.

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Curly Puff with Fringe

15 Stunning Medium-Length Hairstyles for Natural Hair (4)

Yara Shahidi always gets it right. If you're not up for wearing all of your curls out, opting for a puff with fringe is the perfect middle ground.

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Faux Hawk

15 Stunning Medium-Length Hairstyles for Natural Hair (5)

Mirian Njoh's faux hawk might look like it requires the help of an expert stylist, but with a rattail comb, a little edge control, and a few hair ties, you'll be able to create this look on your own in no time.

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Bold Colored Wig

15 Stunning Medium-Length Hairstyles for Natural Hair (6)

Regina Hall's Met Gala look was a mood. Not just because of the middle part and silky texture; the pop of color added an element of surprise. For dark roots, there can be a risk of damaging your curls when trying to achieve colors like a pastel pink by bleaching. But that doesn't mean we can't give these looks a spin—all you need is a good wig and a side of confidence.

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Faux Locs

15 Stunning Medium-Length Hairstyles for Natural Hair (7)

Protective styles like faux locs not only allow you to change up your look, but they can give your mane a break from daily manipulation. Feel free to rock them on their own, or add colorful hair accessories or highlights to make your locs pop even more.

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Bantu Knots

15 Stunning Medium-Length Hairstyles for Natural Hair (8)

Bantu knots have a dual function, as they can serve both as a protective style and to stretch coily hair. Putting wet hair into bantu knots and then taking them down when dry can also create a beautiful, beach-wave look.

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Hair Wraps

15 Stunning Medium-Length Hairstyles for Natural Hair (9)

When I was growing out my Big Chop, wraps became my go-to. I loved how the printed fabrics elevated my wardrobe, but the real perk was that they helped my hair to grow because I was manipulating my 4C coils less. Learning to tie a wrap can be a challenge, but my advice is to watch a few tutorials, then find a way that works for you.

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Side Swept Afro

15 Stunning Medium-Length Hairstyles for Natural Hair (10)

If you're looking for a style to wear for a special occasion or want to show off your cheekbones, Kia Marie's side-swept fro is an excellent place to start.

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Cornrows

15 Stunning Medium-Length Hairstyles for Natural Hair (11)

You can never go wrong with cornrows. They're simple, go with anything, and don't require too much styling time. Follow Kelly Rowland's lead and add a pop of color to your lips to complete the look.

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Afro Puffs

15 Stunning Medium-Length Hairstyles for Natural Hair (12)

Storm Reid's afro puffs add a fresh spin to a ‘90s classic. Complete with perfectly laid edges, minimal starburst earrings, and a pop of blue eyeliner, her look makes an everyday statement and couldn't be easier to recreate.

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Faux Fringe Bang with Hair Wrap

15 Stunning Medium-Length Hairstyles for Natural Hair (13)

When wrapping your hair, you don't have to cover your entire head. Create a faux fringe bang and secure your tresses with an elastic band to recreate this look.

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Curly Afro

15 Stunning Medium-Length Hairstyles for Natural Hair (14)

Ebonee Davis's signature fro is major hair goals. When letting your curls do their thing naturally, finding the right products is key. I enjoy using a creme styler like Deva Curls Super Stretch to add moisture and define my curls.

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Sleek Puff

15 Stunning Medium-Length Hairstyles for Natural Hair (15)

Okay, so remember that puff I mentioned? Here it is in all of its glory. This updo is an option for all hair types whether you're relaxed, natural, or sporting a protective style or locs. To create my sleek puff with volume, I traded the traditional elastic hair tie for an elastic headband.

14 Secrets to Styling Naturally Curly Hair

15 Stunning Medium-Length Hairstyles for Natural Hair (2024)

FAQs

What hairstyle makes me look younger? ›

Loose waves are more younger-looking, while straight hair can be aging. Play around with face-framing layers to give your hair some softness and movement. Layers can also make your hair appear to be more luscious and healthy. Parra recommends asking your stylist for perimeter layers that are cut in a straight line.

Does medium length hair make you look younger? ›

Medium-Length Cut with Long Layers

Hemple says long layers always give off a youthful appearance. She adds that off-center or side parts that "fall naturally in place can make the eyes seem wider to give you a more youthful appearance."

Which hairstyle is best for medium length hair? ›

Top 10 Hairstyles For Men l Haircuts For Medium Length Hair
  • The Textured Quiff.
  • The Undercut.
  • The Messy Waves.
  • The Modern Pompadour.
  • The Shaggy Crop.
  • The Blunt Cut.
  • The Side-Swept Fringe.
  • The Curly Medium Cut.
Jan 23, 2024

How can I look attractive in hairstyles? ›

Start with a good haircut

Regular haircuts aren't just for removing dead ends — they can also make your hair appear thicker and full of life. A good haircut also provides a good foundation for executing any hairstyle you desire.

What style is best for natural hair? ›

10 Styles
  1. Cornrows. Cornrows are a popular and versatile protective hairstyle that can be worn on all hair types and lengths. ...
  2. Top Knot. The top knot bun is one of the easiest protective styles to achieve and can be styled in so many different ways. ...
  3. Bantu Knots. ...
  4. Box Braids. ...
  5. Crochet Braids. ...
  6. Senegalese Twists. ...
  7. Pineapple. ...
  8. Wig.

What are the four haircut mistakes that instantly make you look older? ›

Jack Miles and Rosie Myers have decades of experience cutting and styling hair. Between them, they have said four types of layers can age someone. These are layers that are too short, layers that are too long, layers that are too uniform, and having too many layers.

What color hair makes a 60 year old woman look younger? ›

Brighten up! Ten out of ten colorists agree, shades that are warm-toned read more youthful than cool-toned hair colors. Spicy copper reds, rich caramel brunettes, and soft honey blondes will warm up your complexion for younger-looking skin (hold the retinol).

What is the most flattering hair length for over 50? ›

One of the most versatile and universally flattering hair lengths for women over 50 is shoulder-length. This medium length allows you to experiment with different styles while still maintaining a youthful appearance.

Do bangs make you look younger or older? ›

The idea that bangs make you look like a child or too old is a common hair myth. The reality is that there are so many ways to style bangs. Each and every one of these styles brings a youthful energy to your look in a different way. Bangs can be chic, sweet, sultry — it's all in how you style them.

What is a good hair length for a 60 year old woman? ›

What is a good hair length for women over 60? While the answer to this is very individual, short haircuts are very popular with women over 60, from cropped pixie cuts to longer bobs. There are no rules, though, and plenty of women choose to keep their locks long.

What hairstyle suits an older woman? ›

Choose a cut that flatters your face and fits your personality and lifestyle. What is the most popular haircut for mature women? The pixie cut and the bob are both very popular with mature women. Pixie cuts have lots of sass, while the bob is incredibly versatile and adds youthful volume to mature hair.

Which hairstyle suits me? ›

Face Shape
  • Oval: Blunt.
  • Round: Side swept.
  • Square: Wispy fringe.
  • Diamond: Side-swept fringe.
  • Rectangle: Side-swept with feathered fringe.
  • Heart: Blunt and narrow.
Jul 31, 2023

What are the most popular hairstyles right now? ›

Long bobs are one of the most asked-for lengths, while short hairstyles overall are leading the pack. What is the most popular short haircut for 2024? While this is dependent on your texture and thickness, bobs continue to be the most requested length.

What is a butterfly cut haircut? ›

A butterfly haircut combines short layers with long layers to give your hair dimension, movement, and body. The short, wispy layers hit around the chin to frame your face, highlight your features, and even contour a round face shape.

What hairstyle do guys find most attractive? ›

Let's have a look:
  • The Sleek Ponytail. Guys love a sleek ponytail. ...
  • Bangs. Dudes don't care too much for bangs. ...
  • The Bob. The bob is an elegant and glamorous look that most guys really like. ...
  • The Chignon. Classy. ...
  • The Shag. This is a powerful one. ...
  • The Wavy Curly Combination. ...
  • The Curls. ...
  • The Pixie.

How do you decide what hairstyle looks best on you? ›

Compliment Your Features. As well as thinking about the best hairstyle for your face shape, there are many other features to consider. Things like your eye colour, height, neck length and build could all be complimented with the right hairstyle, so it's worth thinking about all of these things too.

What is the most attractive hair type? ›

A general observation across experiments was that straight hair was perceived as younger, healthier, and more attractive than wavy hair and darker shades (medium copper and brown) were perceived more positively than blonde hair.

What is the rarest natural hair style? ›

Type 1A is the rarest hair type in the world. It's very straight and fine and is found commonly among women of Asian descent.

What hair is the hardest to style? ›

Straight hair is the least susceptible to damage, easy to manage and grow out, but most difficult to style.

Which hair part makes you look younger? ›

The Center Part

"The middle part is one of the most fashionable hair trends," Bergamy tells us. "It gives a more youthful look without looking childish." It tends to work best on faces that are more or less symmetrical, but can also help elongate shorter, wider face shapes.

What hair length makes you look older? ›

Mitch Stone, stylist to the stars, warns, "once hair has passes your ribs, it is officially making you look older." Trimming a few inches off your locks is an easy fix for this common hairstyle mistake, taking years off your appearance and revitalizing your look.

Do you look younger with darker or lighter hair? ›

Does light or dark hair make you look younger? There's no defined hair color that is more youthful. However, consider going for a more multi-dimensional hair color with lighter and darker pieces overall. Typically, a safe bet is to ask for balayage highlights that are around two shades lighter than your natural hue.

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