5 classic mid-length haircut ideas and how to style them for every face shape and hair texture
Bobs this, bobs that – everyone (and I mean everyone) is cutting their hair into a bob as of late. Hi, hello Keira Knightley, Pamela Anderson and Angelina Jolie, who are just some, to name a few, bob-haired celebrities.
But what happens when said bob grows out to an awkward length? Or, what if you’re not a short, chin-length hair girlie and would rather stick to a mid-length style? Well, fear not, for we have rounded up six of the best in-between haircuts and styles to spice up your look.
And trust me, while a mid-length haircut can sometimes seem, well, meh, the following styles are anything but! There’s something for everyone!
Everyone’s clicking on…
Flipped out lob
Three months post-bob chop, and aren’t sure whether to grow it out? The in-between length can somewhat feel like a grey area, but it shouldn’t have to! A lob (aka, long bob) usually sits somewhere between shoulder and collar-bone length and works for almost everyone. “For those with square faces, soft layers around the face soften angular features. And if you have an oval face, you’re lucky because you can rock a lob in almost any form,” Jordanna Cobella previously told Cosmopolitan UK.
A great way to style a lob so that it doesn’t feel flat and, well, meh is with flipped-out ends. This 90s-inspired look is super low-maintenance, and all you need is a blow dryer and a round brush. No cutting required!
Focus on drying the ends out and up to achieve a playful, retro vibe with added volume and shape.
Textured waves or undone curls can be worn with any length of hair, but for those with mid-length tresses, it’s a great way to add volume and definition to a cut that can otherwise feel lacklustre.
To get a wave to hold, it’s all about creating structure at each stage of the process. Start with your prep products to give the hair grip, then use a medium heat setting on your tong or straightener to create a wave. Be sure to let each section cool down before touching. Once the hair is fully cool, gently rake through with fingers or a wide-tooth comb, then mist with a light hairspray to lock in the shape.
The wolf haircut is a hybrid hairstyle that combines elements of the shag and the mullet, but more specifically, “It’s heavily layered, with shorter, choppier pieces around the crown for volume and movement, and longer, softer layers that frame the face yet maintain some length on the ends,” Jordanna previously shared with us.
Because of its layers, the mid-length wolf cut is best suited to wavy/curly hair types. The layering of the cut with natural curls creates the texture of the cut, essentially taking the work out of styling. So, with this look, you can go about your favourite curl routine and be done!
Jordanna recommends using either a diffuser and some curling cream to enhance natural texture and ensure hold.
To put it simply, the curve cut (or C cut) is all about hair that falls into a curved shape with minimal effort; “It’s a modern take on face-framing layers, shaped into a soft curve that makes hair fall naturally and flatter the face,” hairdresser and co-founder of Centred, Kieran Tudor previously told Cosmopolitan UK. Traditionally, the layers start at chin length and curve inward, as perfectly demonstrated by Jennifer above.
To achieve this, first, you’re going to want to have layers added to your cut, but going forward, it’s all about styling. “A bend under with a brush or tong gives a polished curve,” Kieran says. So, with a round brush and your hairdryer, gently dry descending layers inward to cup the face.
For added hold, you can finish with a spritz of hairspray (my favourite is the REDKEN Quick Dry Hairspray) or even add a styling mousse/cream (like the Gisou Honey Infused Styling Cream) to damp hair before drying. This will ensure your style stays all day and doesn’t fall limp after a few hours.
Just like many haircuts – like the curve cut mentioned above – marquise layers are named after their shape; elongated and pointy with face-framing layers. “The ends point inward at the forehead and chin, and have a wider curve around the cheeks,” Mark Hayes, Senior International Creative Director at Mark Hayes, Senior International Creative Director at HOUSE OF SASSOON says says. “This technique creates a soft, sculpted diamond shape around the face, adding movement and dimension.”
Marquise layers, according to Mark, “look best when blow-dried, but when the style has been cut at the right length, it could encourage that beautiful shape around the face without lots of styling.”
In other words (and generally speaking), marquise layers can take some time to style depending on your hair type, texture and the cut and length. The takeaway? Consult your hairstylist before committing! “Blow dry the layers forward with a big round brush and leave the hair in place to cool down to get that exaggerated, rounded, kicked out point. This will open up and frame your features,” Mark says when recommending how to style marquise layers on straighter hair types. My favourite tool for this look is the amika Blowout Babe Thermal Brush.
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