Are you looking to freshen up your look with a medium-length haircut with layers? Whether you’re a busy mom looking for a low-maintenance style or someone with wavy hair trying to add definition, there’s a layered cut out there for you. From curtain bangs to asymmetrical layers, medium-length haircuts can give your locks the movement, texture, and personality they need. But how do you know which style will suit your face shape, especially if you have a round face or are over 50? In this article, we’ll explore 23 stylish and practical medium-length haircuts with layers that work for every hair type—whether straight, wavy, or curly. Ready to find your next hairstyle?
The Classic Layered Lob
A classic layered lob is a timeless cut that hits just below the shoulders, adding soft layers to create volume and movement. This style is perfect for those who want a chic, modern look without going too short. It suits all face shapes, but it’s especially flattering for those with round faces as the layers elongate the face. Ideal for straight or slightly wavy hair, this look works well for those who prefer low-maintenance styling.
For care, use a lightweight texturizing spray like Ouai Texturizing Hair Spray to give your layers some lift without weighing them down.
Shoulder-Length Layers with Bangs
If you’re looking for something more youthful, shoulder-length layers with bangs is a great choice. The layers create body and movement while the bangs frame the face, making it ideal for those with round faces. The bangs can be cut straight across for a bold look or side-swept for a softer feel. This cut works best with straight or slightly wavy hair and is perfect for moms who want an effortless, yet stylish option.
To keep this look fresh, use Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Shampoo to maintain volume and keep your layers light and bouncy.
Textured Shaggy Layers
The textured shaggy layers cut is ideal for those looking to embrace a more undone, natural look. With its tousled layers and slightly messy finish, this cut works well for both straight and wavy hair. It’s perfect for individuals who want a low-effort style that still looks trendy. This style suits all face shapes but can be particularly flattering for those with medium-length hair and a round face, as it adds a slimming effect.
For styling, use Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray to enhance the texture and give your hair a beachy, windswept look.
Medium-Length Layers with Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs have made a huge comeback and pair beautifully with medium-length layered hair. This cut is great for creating a soft, face-framing effect. The layers add volume and movement while the curtain bangs effortlessly blend into the rest of the hair. It’s a good option for those with round faces as it helps to elongate and balance the face shape. Whether you have straight or wavy hair, this look is versatile and easy to maintain.
For care, try Moroccanoil Treatment to keep your layers smooth and your bangs in place without frizz.
Soft Waves with Subtle Layers
For a more laid-back look, soft waves with subtle layers offer a gentle way to add shape to your medium-length hair. This cut works particularly well for individuals with natural wavy hair or those who enjoy curling their hair. The layers enhance the waves and create a fuller appearance. It’s a great style for moms looking for something easy yet polished, or for women with medium-length hair who want to keep it simple.
To keep your waves soft and touchable, use Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray for a light hold.
Choppy Layered Cut with Face-Framing
A choppy layered cut with face-framing layers is an edgy and modern take on the classic medium-length cut. This style involves uneven, jagged layers that give the hair a textured and voluminous appearance, perfect for adding dimension. It’s particularly flattering for round faces as the face-framing layers create the illusion of length. This cut works well on both straight and wavy hair, making it versatile for various hair textures.
For maintaining the choppy texture, apply Redken Rough Paste 12 to define and hold the layers in place without making the hair stiff.
Medium-Length Feathered Layers
The feathered layers technique gives medium-length hair a light and airy finish. This cut is perfect for those looking for a more voluminous style that still has movement. Feathered layers create softness and are especially flattering for round faces, as they help to elongate and slim the face. Ideal for straight or wavy hair, this cut is timeless and elegant, making it a favorite among women over 50.
To maintain the feathered look, use Garnier Fructis Style Flexible Control Anti-Humidity Hairspray for light hold and frizz control.
Layered Bob with Tousled Ends
The layered bob with tousled ends is a great option for those who want a medium-length cut that’s playful yet polished. The layers in this style are shorter at the back and longer in the front, with tousled ends that give a carefree vibe. This cut suits round faces by adding angles and definition. It works especially well on straight hair but can also look great on wavy hair with a bit of styling.
For achieving the tousled look, use Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray to add volume and texture without stiffness.
Asymmetrical Layers for Medium Hair
For those wanting a more avant-garde style, asymmetrical layers are a bold choice. This cut involves uneven layers, with one side of the hair being longer than the other, giving the style a unique and eye-catching shape. It’s perfect for individuals with round faces as it creates angles that help balance the face. This style works best on straight or slightly wavy hair, and it adds a modern touch to any look.
For care, use Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum to smooth out the hair and maintain the sleekness of the asymmetrical cut.
Medium-Length Cut with Blunt Layers
A medium-length cut with blunt layers offers a sleek and clean finish. The blunt layers create sharp edges that give the hair a structured appearance, making it a great choice for those who prefer a minimalist look. This style is especially suitable for straight hair but can also work for those with wavy hair who want a more polished appearance. It’s also an excellent choice for those with round faces as the sharp lines help create contrast.
To keep the blunt ends sharp, use Aveda Smooth Infusion Glossing Straightener for a smooth, glossy finish.
Wavy Layers with Highlights
If you’re someone who loves texture and depth, wavy layers with highlights are the perfect choice. This cut features soft, flowing layers that enhance the natural movement of wavy hair, while the highlights add dimension and brightness to the look. This style is ideal for medium-length hair and is great for moms who want a fun, low-maintenance look. It’s particularly flattering for round faces as the waves and layers elongate the face.
For keeping the highlights vibrant, use John Frieda Sheer Blonde Highlight Activating Shampoo or a color-protecting shampoo based on your hair color.
Layered Hair with Side-Swept Bangs
For a more classic and romantic look, layered hair with side-swept bangs offers a soft, face-framing effect. The layers add movement, while the side-swept bangs help balance out round faces. This style works well with both straight and wavy hair, making it a versatile option for various hair types. Side-swept bangs are also trending, making this a stylish yet timeless choice.
To style the bangs, use Bed Head by TIGI Manipulator Matte Wax to give your bangs a soft hold and shape without looking stiff.
Modern Layered Hair with Flicked Ends
The modern layered cut with flicked ends is perfect for those who want something trendy but polished. The flicked ends create a playful, upward motion at the bottom of the hair, adding a touch of flair. This cut works well for medium-length hair and is particularly flattering for those with round faces as the layers create vertical lines that slim the face. It’s a great style for anyone looking for a mix of fun and sophistication.
For flicking the ends, use Hot Tools Professional Curling Iron to create the upward flip and finish with Kenra Volume Spray for a long-lasting hold.
Shaggy Layers with Wispy Bangs
For a more laid-back and boho vibe, shaggy layers with wispy bangs offer an effortlessly cool look. The layers create volume and texture, while the wispy bangs add a soft, feminine touch. This style is particularly great for medium-length wavy hair, but it can work for straight hair as well. It’s an ideal cut for those with round faces, as the shaggy layers add height and definition.
To maintain the wispy texture, use Ouai Wave Spray for a natural, lived-in look.
Medium-Length Hair with Deep Layers
For those looking to add serious dimension and movement to their hair, medium-length hair with deep layers is the way to go. The deep layers create a voluminous look, making the hair appear fuller and more textured. This cut works well for both wavy and straight hair, and it’s especially flattering for round faces, as the layers help to elongate the face. It’s a great option for anyone wanting a modern, bold look.
For styling, use L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT High Lift Creation Spray to give your deep layers some extra lift and hold.
Inverted Bob with Layered Strands
An inverted bob with layered strands is a contemporary style that adds angles and depth to medium-length hair. The back is shorter, gradually lengthening towards the front, with layered strands creating texture and movement. This cut is great for straight or wavy hair and is particularly flattering for round faces as it adds sharpness and elongates the face. It’s a trendy yet timeless look that works well for professional settings.
For maintaining the sleek lines of the inverted bob, use TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shine Serum to smooth the hair and control frizz.
Textured Medium-Length Layers for Thick Hair
If you have thick hair, the textured medium-length layers cut is ideal for thinning out your hair while maintaining volume. The textured layers help reduce bulk and give the hair a light, airy feel. This cut works beautifully on wavy or straight hair and is great for individuals with round faces, as it adds dimension and structure without overwhelming the face. It’s also a practical choice for busy moms who want to manage their thick hair more easily.
To keep your thick hair manageable, use Kerastase Discipline Fluidissime Anti-Frizz Spray to tame flyaways and enhance the texture of your layers.
Shoulder-Length Hair with Layered Curls
For those with curly hair, shoulder-length hair with layered curls can add a beautiful shape and bounce to your locks. The layers give the curls more definition and prevent the hair from becoming too heavy. This cut is perfect for enhancing natural curls while still keeping the style manageable. It’s a fantastic option for round faces as the layers add height and balance. Whether you’re a mom on the go or someone with naturally curly hair, this style is both practical and chic.
To maintain healthy curls, use DevaCurl SuperCream Coconut Curl Styler to define and moisturize your layers.
Medium-Length Layers with Ombre Effect
For a more dramatic look, medium-length layers with an ombre effect offer a beautiful gradient of color that starts darker at the roots and fades into a lighter shade. This cut works perfectly for both straight and wavy hair, adding depth and interest to your layers. The ombre effect is ideal for those who want to make a statement while keeping their hairstyle low maintenance. It’s particularly flattering for round faces, as the color contrast draws attention to the layers.
For color maintenance, use Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner to keep your ombre effect looking fresh and your hair healthy.
Layered Hair with Soft Curls
Layered hair with soft curls is the perfect choice for those looking to add romantic movement to their medium-length hair. The soft curls enhance the layers, giving the hair a voluminous and elegant appearance. This style works well for those with natural curls or for those who enjoy styling their hair with heat tools. It’s a great option for round faces, as the soft curls and layers help to elongate the face.
To style soft curls, use Dyson Airwrap to create smooth, voluminous curls and finish with Oribe Curl Gloss for shine and definition.
Voluminous Layers with Side Part
For a sophisticated and full-bodied look, voluminous layers with a side part are an excellent choice. The side part adds drama, while the layers give the hair extra body and lift. This cut is perfect for round faces, as the side part creates an asymmetrical effect that balances the face shape. It works well with both straight and wavy hair, making it a versatile option for many women.
To add volume and keep your style in place, use Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Volumizing Spray Mousse.
Medium Layers with Peekaboo Highlights
For a fun and bold look, medium layers with peekaboo highlights offer a pop of color that hides underneath the top layers of the hair. This style allows you to experiment with color while keeping the overall look professional and polished. The peekaboo highlights can be subtle or bold, depending on your preference, and they add a playful element to medium-length hair. This look is especially flattering for those with round faces, as the layers create movement.
For color protection, use Pureology Hydrate Shampoo to keep your peekaboo highlights vibrant.
Sleek Medium-Length Layers for Straight Hair
If you prefer a polished, clean look, sleek medium-length layers for straight hair is the perfect style. The layers are subtle but add just enough movement to give the hair a sleek, sophisticated appearance. This style works well for those with naturally straight hair and is ideal for round faces as the straight layers help elongate the face shape.
To maintain a sleek and glossy look, use John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Serum to keep your hair smooth and shiny.
Conclusion
With so many beautiful options for medium-length haircuts with layers, it’s easy to find a style that suits your hair type and face shape. Whether you have straight, wavy, or curly hair, layers can add the movement, volume, and texture you need to freshen up your look. From classic lobs to edgy asymmetrical layers, these cuts offer versatility and style. Now that you’ve explored all the possibilities, which one will you choose for your next salon visit? Share your thoughts and favorite styles in the comments!
