Medium length is the sweet spot for curls. It is long enough to show off your curl pattern and short enough to keep volume at the roots instead of stretching everything flat. Shoulder-grazing and collarbone-skimming cuts give ringlets, waves, and coils room to bounce without the weight of long hair pulling them down.
Below are 47 curly hairstyles for medium length hair, merged from the best ideas across top-ranking guides and filled in with a few gaps those guides missed. Each one comes with styling steps, product suggestions, time estimates, and honest cost notes so you can walk into the salon knowing exactly what to ask for.
Quick Takeaways
- Layers are the single most useful tool for medium curly hair. They remove bulk, add bounce, and stop the dreaded triangle shape.
- Plopping with a cotton T-shirt for 15 minutes, then diffusing on low heat, gives definition without frizz on wash days.
- Sulfate-free shampoo and a weekly deep-conditioning mask keep curls hydrated, since curly hair dries out faster than straight hair.
- Pineapple your hair (a loose high ponytail on a silk scrunchie) before bed to protect second-day curls.
- Trims every 8 to 12 weeks prevent split ends from traveling up the curl and keep the shape intentional.
1. Asymmetrical Lob
An asymmetrical lob cuts one side a few inches longer than the other, which turns a standard lob into something with real movement. On curly hair, the uneven lengths stop curls from stacking into a uniform wall and give each ringlet its own space. Ask for the longer side to fall near the collarbone and the shorter side to graze the jaw.
Style with curl cream on soaking wet hair, scrunching upward, then diffuse the shorter side first so it sets with extra lift. The whole routine takes about 20 minutes. A salon cut runs $50 to $90 depending on your area.
Try this: Part on the shorter side so the longer side drapes forward and shows off the asymmetry.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $50-$90 salon cut
2. Long Bob
The long bob sits right around the chin to the neck, which sounds short but lets curls spring to their fullest shape. Without extra weight pulling them down, 2C to 3B curls form tight, lively coils that a longer cut would stretch out. Keep the perimeter slightly textured rather than blunt so the ends do not puff into a shelf.
Work a leave-in conditioner through damp hair, then rake a light gel through with your fingers for hold. Air dry or diffuse on low for 12 minutes. This length needs reshaping every 6 to 8 weeks to stay above the shoulders.
Try this: Flip your part to the opposite side every few days to stop roots from going flat in one spot.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $45-$80 salon cut
3. Face-Framing Layers with Tendrils
Two short, curly tendrils left loose in front of the ears soften any medium cut without committing to bangs. They frame the cheekbones and break up the front curtain of curls so your face stays visible. Ask your stylist to cut the tendrils at cheekbone level and blend them into the first layer.
To style, twist each damp tendril around your finger with a dab of curl cream, then let them air dry untouched. The rest of the hair can be diffused normally. Tendrils shrink as they dry, so cut them half an inch longer than you think you want.
Try this: Refresh just the tendrils on day two with a wet fingertip and a pea of gel instead of rewetting everything.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $0 (styling only)
4. Baby Bangs
Baby bangs cut well above the eyebrows make a bold frame for medium curls, and the short length means they dry fast with minimal fuss. They work best on 2B to 3A curls, where the coil is loose enough to sit in separated spirals instead of one solid clump. Keep the rest of the cut at shoulder length to balance the short fringe.
Scrunch a light mousse into the bangs while damp, then finger-coil the two or three front curls so they dry in tidy spirals. Trims every 3 to 4 weeks keep them above the brow line. Budget $10 to $20 for a bang trim between full cuts.
Try this: Dry the bangs first while the hair is wettest. They set the tone for the whole style.
Difficulty: Moderate · Cost: $10-$20 per bang trim
5. Layered Lob
A layered lob adds light, long layers through a shoulder-grazing cut, which is the lowest-risk way to refresh curly hair. The layers take weight off the bottom so top curls can lift, and the lob length keeps styling quick. This cut suits every curl type from loose waves to tight 3C coils.
Apply curl foam to soaking wet hair with the praying-hands method, scrunch, then diffuse upside down for 10 minutes. The routine takes 15 to 20 minutes from shower to done. Expect a salon cut to cost $50 to $85.
Try this: Ask for layers that start at the chin, not the crown, to keep the top from going too wide.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $50-$85 salon cut
If your curls run fine and thin, our curly hairstyles for thin fine hair has lightweight product picks that keep layers bouncy.
6. Transition Bob
The transition bob is designed for the awkward grow-out phase between a chin bob and a shoulder cut. Strategic layering and a deep side part add shape exactly where growing curls tend to look shapeless. It turns a phase most people dread into a style with intention.
Sweep damp hair into a deep side part, apply curl cream, and diffuse the heavier side for extra root lift. The deep part creates instant volume that distracts from uneven lengths. Plan a shaping trim every 8 weeks while it grows out.
Try this: Use two bobby pins to pin back the shorter-growing side for a neat, deliberate look.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $40-$70 per shaping trim
7. Angled Lob
An angled lob keeps the back slightly shorter and lets the front fall longer toward the collarbone, which gives curls a built-in diagonal line. The angle pulls the eye downward and stops medium curls from widening at the sides. It flatters round and square face shapes especially well.
Style with a curl-defining gel on wet hair, then diffuse each side forward over the shoulders so the front lengths dry in their angled position. Drying takes about 15 minutes. A salon cut costs $55 to $95.
Try this: Tuck the shorter back section behind one ear to emphasize the angle on days you want a sharper look.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $55-$95 salon cut
8. Curly Shag
The curly shag stacks short, choppy layers through the crown with longer lengths toward the back, and natural curls make the cut look even cooler. Face-framing layers and bangs soften the choppiness so it reads modern rather than messy. This is one of the best cuts for 2C to 3B curls that need built-in volume.
Scrunch curl cream into damp hair and define a few crown pieces with your fingers. Diffuse upside down for 10 minutes, then shake the roots once dry. Trims every 8 to 10 weeks keep the top layers from growing heavy.
Try this: Twist two or three crown pieces around your finger while damp for extra-separated texture up top.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $50-$90 salon cut
Shag lovers can go shorter too. Our short shag haircuts for curly hair covers the chin-length versions of this cut.
9. Retro Curls with Bangs
Retro curls with bangs pull from 60s and 70s shapes: framed layering, a curtained fringe, and small, bouncy curls all over. The look suits medium length because the shorter bangs balance the fullness of the layers. It reads playful rather than costume when the layers stay soft.
Set damp hair in two-strand twists or use a small-barrel curling wand on dry hair for uniform ringlets. Use a heat protectant before any hot tool, and keep the wand at 350°F or below. Styling takes 25 to 35 minutes; a salon cut and style runs $60 to $100.
Try this: Part the bangs down the middle and let them fall to each side for the true curtain effect.
Difficulty: Moderate · Cost: $60-$100 salon cut and style
10. Collarbone Bob
A collarbone bob ends right at the collarbone, a length that lets curls do their thing without dragging. Add wispy bangs and the cut turns into a full, face-framing shape that suits 2B to 3B textures. The neck-grazing length also keeps hair off the neck in warm weather.
Diffuse with the head tilted to each side to build width at the cheekbones. A dime-sized amount of anti-frizz serum on dry ends keeps the perimeter neat. Trims every 8 weeks hold the collarbone line; each visit costs $45 to $80.
Try this: Scrunch the bangs with the same product as the rest so the textures match instead of looking like two different haircuts.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $45-$80 per trim
11. Airy Volume
Airy volume is about looser curl patterns: shaggy-style layers that feel a little vintage, plus optional curtain bangs for face framing. The layers are cut long enough to keep the silhouette soft, so 2A to 2C waves look full without turning into a triangle. It is a wash-and-go friendly cut.
Scrunch a golf-ball of mousse into damp hair and diffuse on medium heat for 12 minutes, lifting sections at the roots. Air drying works too but takes 1 to 2 hours. A salon cut costs $50 to $85.
Try this: Clip the roots with two duckbill clips while drying for lift that survives the whole day.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $50-$85 salon cut
12. Textured Shoulder Cut
The textured shoulder cut lands between wavy and full-on curly, which makes it the go-to for in-between textures. Point-cutting through the ends creates piecey definition without obvious layers. It is a true wash-and-go cut: product, scrunch, done.
On wash day, rake leave-in through wet hair, scrunch with a microfiber towel, and either plop for 15 minutes or diffuse for 10. The texture holds for 2 to 3 days with a morning water mist. Trims every 10 weeks keep the ends crisp; $40 to $75.
Try this: Sleep on a satin pillowcase to cut morning frizz on the textured ends in half.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $40-$75 per trim
For more bob-length curly options, browse our layered bob haircuts for curly hair collection.
13. Shaggy Medium Cut
Curls love layering, and the shaggy medium cut takes that further with piecey bangs and lots of movement through the mid-lengths. The piecey fringe blends into the top layers so there is no hard line at the forehead. It suits thick 3A to 3C hair that needs weight removed.
Work curl-defining cream through damp hair and finger-define the crown pieces. Diffuse upside down for 10 to 12 minutes. A salon cut runs $55 to $95, and trims every 8 to 10 weeks keep the shag intentional.
Try this: Separate the bangs into three or four twists while damp so they dry piecey instead of solid.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $55-$95 salon cut
14. Full Curly Bangs
Tightly wound ringlets can absolutely wear full bangs, despite what old advice says. A full curly fringe on medium hair frames the cheekbones and can be pinned back or blended into the sides for variety. Cut the bangs dry and curly, since wet curls shrink up to 2 inches.
Style bangs separately from the rest: scrunch curl cream in, then finger-coil any stubborn pieces. They dry in about 10 minutes with a diffuser. Bang trims every 3 to 4 weeks cost $10 to $20.
Try this: Never cut curly bangs straight across while wet. Dry-cut only, curl by curl.
Difficulty: Moderate · Cost: $10-$20 per bang trim
15. Layered Medium Cut
The layered medium cut is the workhorse of curly hair: shoulder length with layers placed to reduce bulk in thick hair. It lets curls reach their most voluminous potential without the bottom spreading into a triangle. Every curl type from 2C to 4A benefits from this cut.
Plop damp hair in a cotton T-shirt for 15 minutes, then diffuse on low heat for 12 to 15 minutes. Use a sulfate-free shampoo and deep-condition weekly, since layered ends dry out faster. Salon cuts run $50 to $85.
Try this: Ask for internal layers (cut from underneath) rather than surface layers if your hair is very thick.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $50-$85 salon cut
16. Thick Lob
The thick lob keeps all your density instead of thinning it out, with layered ends that enhance each ringlet. It suits women who love big hair and do not want layers to reduce their volume. The length sits just past the shoulders so the weight keeps the top from puffing.
Apply a rich curl cream to soaking wet hair in sections, then scrunch and diffuse. Thick hair takes 20 to 25 minutes to dry fully, so budget the time. Deep-condition every wash day to keep dense curls soft. Cuts cost $55 to $90.
Try this: Dry in four clipped sections instead of all at once. Thick hair dries more evenly that way.
Difficulty: Moderate · Cost: $55-$90 salon cut
17. Side-Swept Shoulder Cut
A deep side part swept across the forehead gives medium curls a vintage feel with very little effort. The cut itself stays simple: lightly layered, shoulder length, healthy thick ends. Sweeping everything to one side builds instant volume at the part.
On damp hair, create the side part with a tail comb, apply curl cream, and diffuse the swept side last so it stays smooth. Pin the part with a clip for 10 minutes while it cools. A salon cut costs $45 to $80.
Try this: Switch which side you sweep to every week so the roots do not train flat in one direction.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $45-$80 salon cut
18. Tousled Long Layers
For those not ready to chop, a cut landing just below the shoulders with tousled long layers keeps length while adding movement. Sweep the face-framing layers to one side for an easy, undone style. This works best on 2B to 3A curls that fall naturally into waves.
Scrunch sea-salt spray into damp hair for texture, then air dry or diffuse for 10 minutes. Tousled layers look better slightly imperfect, so do not over-style. Trims every 10 to 12 weeks cost $45 to $75.
Try this: Twist two random front pieces away from your face while damp for extra face-framing waves.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $45-$75 per trim
19. Sunkissed Curly Bangs
This shaggy curly cut pairs thick, full bangs with natural-looking highlights for a refreshed feel. The thicker fringe adds depth around the face, and the highlights catch light as the curls move. Keep the base color close to your natural shade so grow-out stays soft.
Ask your colorist for balayage highlights 2 to 3 shades lighter than your base, focused around the bangs and face. Style bangs with curl cream and a diffuser on low. Color plus cut runs $120 to $200; glosses every 8 weeks keep it fresh.
Try this: Use a purple-tinted conditioner once a month if the highlights lean brassy.
Difficulty: Moderate · Cost: $120-$200 cut and color
20. Balayage Layers
Bright golden blonde balayage painted through layered curls gives a sunlit effect that flat color cannot match. The hand-painted technique places lightness where curls bend and catch light, so each layer looks dimensional. A heavy side part shows off the color placement.
Color-treated curls need extra moisture: deep-condition weekly and use a sulfate-free shampoo to protect the color. Diffuse on low heat after styling with curl cream. Balayage on medium curls costs $130 to $220 and needs a refresh every 10 to 12 weeks.
Try this: Ask for the lightest pieces around your face. They brighten your whole look with less overall bleach.
Difficulty: Moderate · Cost: $130-$220 cut and color
21. Layered Curls
When curls start looking tired, fresh layers are always the move. All-over layering gives each curl extra bounce and removes the dead weight that stretches spirals flat. It is the simplest refresh for any medium curly cut that has grown out.
After the cut, define curls with a light gel on soaking wet hair using the raking method. Diffuse for 12 minutes or plop for 20. A layering refresh costs $40 to $70 and instantly makes old curls look new.
Try this: Book a curl-by-curl dry cut. It shapes each ringlet where it actually falls.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $40-$70 salon cut
22. Heavy Side Part
A heavy side part only adds more volume to curls, and it lets you keep the cut itself simple. Shifting most of the hair to one side creates a deep cascade that medium length supports well. It suits 2C to 3C curls that hold their shape.
Part wet hair far to one side, apply mousse at the roots of the heavy side, and diffuse upside down for root lift. The style takes 15 minutes and costs nothing beyond product. Re-part on the opposite side monthly to avoid a trained-flat part line.
Try this: Tuck the lighter side behind your ear with a decorative pin for a polished finish.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $0 (styling only)
23. Ultra-Layered Volume
Even at shoulder length, asking for short layers all over is a smart move for volume. Shorter layers throughout give the hair shape and body that one-length cuts cannot. Different blonde or caramel shades through the layers accentuate each curl further.
Scrunch curl mousse into damp hair section by section, then diffuse with the head flipped forward for 12 minutes. Flip back up and arrange the top layer by hand. Cuts cost $55 to $90; trims every 8 weeks keep short layers crisp.
Try this: Diffuse to 80 percent dry, then let the last 20 percent air dry for softer, less frizzy volume.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $55-$90 salon cut
24. Pretty Pin Details
Curly hair is fun to accessorize. Give shoulder-length curls a middle part and pin back each side with a row of pretty bobby pins for easy style and extra volume at the crown. The pins keep hair off the face while the back stays full.
Style curls as usual with cream and a diffuser, then place 3 to 4 pins per side in a neat row above each ear. Gold or pearl pins dress it up for evenings; plain black pins disappear for daytime. The whole look takes 20 minutes including drying.
Try this: Cross two pins in an X on each side. They grip curly hair far better than a single pin.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $3-$8 for a pack of pins
If you like playing with accessories, our hairstyles for medium length hair guide has more pinned and half-up ideas.
25. Curly Bob with Caramel Highlights
Adding highlights to a curly bob gives each curl dimension that one flat color cannot. Caramel ribbons through a medium brown base catch light on every bend of the curl. The bob length keeps the color placement tight and intentional rather than scattered.
Ask for highlights 2 shades lighter than your base, painted on the outer curls rather than foiled throughout. Protect color with sulfate-free shampoo and a weekly mask. Highlights on medium curls cost $90 to $160 and need toning every 8 to 10 weeks.
Try this: Request a gloss at the same appointment. It seals the color and adds shine to the curls.
Difficulty: Moderate · Cost: $90-$160 cut and color
26. Shoulder Cut with Side Part
A shoulder-grazing cut with a classic side part and light layers is the reliable everyday option. The layers add fullness through the sides while the side part keeps volume at the crown. It suits 2B to 3B curls and most face shapes.
Style with curl cream on damp hair, part to your preferred side, and diffuse for 10 to 12 minutes. The routine takes 15 minutes start to finish. Salon cuts run $45 to $80.
Try this: Let the part sit slightly off-center rather than deep. It looks natural and needs no pinning.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $45-$80 salon cut
27. Flirty Wispy Bangs
Wispy bangs add a light, playful touch to layers of ringlets without the commitment of a full fringe. The separated strands blend into the surrounding curls, so grow-out stays graceful. They suit 2C to 3A textures where curls separate naturally.
Separate the bangs while the hair is still wet, twisting each strand around your finger with a dab of cream. They dry in under 10 minutes. Trims every 4 weeks keep them wispy; $10 to $15 per visit.
Try this: Keep a tiny spray bottle in your bag. A quick mist revives wispy bangs midday.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $10-$15 per bang trim
28. Deep Side Part
Layers keep curly hairstyles from taking on a triangle shape, and a deep side part multiplies the effect. Add a few bobby pins along the part to lift the roots and you have an easy style that looks deliberate. The deep part works on any medium cut with layers.
Part soaking wet hair far to one side and clip the roots along the part while diffusing. Remove the clips once fully dry for lifted roots that hold. The styling adds 5 minutes to your normal routine and costs nothing.
Try this: Place the pins in a slight zigzag along the part for grip that does not show.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $0 (styling only)
29. Medium-Length Shag
There are no rules about keeping tighter curls short, so let them grow into a medium shag. A shag with bangs highlights thick, shoulder-length curls and removes the weight that pulls 3B to 3C coils flat. The bangs connect the top layers to the fringe in one flowing shape.
Scrunch gel into soaking wet hair and diffuse upside down for 12 to 15 minutes. Shake the roots once dry and let the layers fall where they want. Cuts cost $55 to $95.
Try this: Ask for the bangs to be cut dry so the stylist sees exactly where each curl lands.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $55-$95 salon cut
30. Soft Pinned-Back Curls
Layering the ends gives curly hair a softer look with no harsh edges, and pinning one side back adds polish. A small three-strand braid pinned behind the ear keeps curls off the face while the rest stays full. Shoulder length gives you enough hair to braid and enough left over for volume.
Style curls as usual, then braid a 1-inch section from the temple back and pin it behind the ear. The whole addition takes 3 minutes. It works on 2A to 3B textures and suits second-day hair well.
Try this: Braid the section loosely. A tight braid pulls against the curl pattern and looks stiff.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $0 (styling only)
31. Blunt Shag
Go bold by cutting curls into a blunt shag: a strong perimeter line with choppy layers and curly bangs on top. The blunt edge gives the shag structure, while the bangs complete the edgy look. It suits 2C to 3B curls with enough density to hold the line.
Style with a strong-hold gel on wet hair and diffuse for 12 minutes. The blunt perimeter needs trimming every 6 to 8 weeks to stay sharp. Cuts run $55 to $95.
Try this: Straighten just the bangs with a flat iron for contrast against the curly lengths on occasion. Use heat protectant first.
Difficulty: Moderate · Cost: $55-$95 salon cut
32. Layered Curly Bob
The layered curly bob keeps the back shorter and the front slightly longer for a flattering asymmetry. Layers gently frame the face, bringing out the cheekbones and eyes while the curls cascade with movement. It suits oval and heart face shapes well.
Style with curl cream and scrunch upward, then diffuse each side forward. The cut takes 15 minutes to style and holds for 2 to 3 days with pineappled nights. Salon cuts cost $50 to $85.
Try this: Ask the stylist to cut it dry. Dry cutting shows exactly how each curl will sit at this length.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $50-$85 salon cut
33. Balayage Lob
Highlight your curls with a balayage technique through a lob for an eye-catching but casual result. The messy, undone texture of a curly lob pairs well with hand-painted lightness. It suits anyone who wants color without the maintenance of foils.
Ask for balayage in a shade 2 to 3 levels lighter than your base, concentrated through the mid-lengths and ends. Style with curl cream and diffuse. Balayage on a lob costs $120 to $200 and grows out softly, so touch-ups can wait 12 weeks.
Try this: Skip the toner refresh at 6 weeks if you like how the color warms up. It fades gracefully.
Difficulty: Moderate · Cost: $120-$200 cut and color
34. Sun-Kissed Highlights
Sun-kissed hair on medium curls means light blonde highlights through the lengths with darker blonde or brown at the roots. The contrast mimics how hair lightens naturally in summer. It suits 2B to 3A curls where the wave pattern shows off the color shifts.
Choose a light blonde for the highlights and keep roots 2 shades darker for depth. Use color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo and a weekly mask. Partial highlights cost $80 to $140; full sun-kissed color runs $120 to $180.
Try this: Ask for a root shadow. It blurs the grow-out line so you can stretch appointments to 12 weeks.
Difficulty: Moderate · Cost: $80-$180 cut and color
35. Cascade Waves
Cascade waves fall in long, flowing layers that highlight both your curls and your face. They are great for busy schedules because the layered shape holds its style for days. Pair with balayage, dark brown roots melting into ash blonde ends, for extra movement.
Create the waves with a 1.25-inch curling wand on dry hair, wrapping away from the face. Apply heat protectant first and keep the iron at 350°F. Styling takes 20 minutes; the cut and color costs $130 to $210.
Try this: Alternate the direction of every other wave. It stops the style from looking too uniform.
Difficulty: Moderate · Cost: $130-$210 cut and color
36. Classic Curly Bob
The classic curly bob is all about texture: a rounded shape with uniform, defined curls and no fussy layers. Where there is more texture, the style looks even more interesting. It suits 3A to 3C curls that form consistent ringlets.
Rake curl cream through wet hair, then finger-coil any pieces that need encouragement. Diffuse on low for 12 minutes. The rounded shape needs trimming every 6 to 8 weeks at $45 to $80 to keep its line.
Try this: Dry the underneath layers first. They take longest and set the shape for everything above.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $45-$80 per trim
37. Dark Brown Curly Hair
Rich, dark brown color makes medium curls look denser and glossier without any lightening. The deep shade adds visual weight that suits fine or thin curls especially well. Keep the cut simple, shoulder length with light layers, and let the color do the talking.
A single-process dark brown gloss costs $60 to $100 and needs refreshing every 6 to 8 weeks as it fades. Style with curl cream and a shine serum on the ends. Use cool water for the final rinse to lock in the color.
Try this: Ask for a demi-permanent formula. It fades gradually instead of leaving a harsh line.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $60-$100 color
38. Romantic Ringlets
Romantic ringlets are soft, separated spirals worn loose at medium length. The look suits weddings, date nights, and anywhere you want polish without stiffness. It works on 3A to 3B curls, natural or enhanced with a wand.
To create them, wrap 1-inch damp sections around your finger with curl cream, then diffuse without touching. For extra uniformity, touch up a few pieces with a 1-inch curling wand and heat protectant. Styling takes 25 to 30 minutes.
Try this: Pin one side back with a jeweled clip for an instant occasion-ready finish.
Difficulty: Moderate · Cost: $0 (styling only)
39. Beachy Waves
Beachy waves bring a relaxed, tousled texture to medium hair that suits every season. The waves are looser than true curls, so 2A to 2C textures get there naturally. Add balayage through the ends for the full sun-and-salt effect.
Scrunch sea-salt spray into damp hair and twist random sections while air drying. For more defined waves, use a large-barrel curling wand on dry hair with heat protectant. The routine takes 15 to 20 minutes.
Try this: Sleep in two loose braids on damp hair for heat-free beachy waves by morning.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $0 (styling only)
40. Glossy Defined Curls
Glossy defined curls are about finish: sleek, frizz-free ringlets with a reflective shine. Achieve them with a curl-enhancing cream or gel to tame frizz, then a light serum to boost radiance. The cut underneath can be any medium layered shape.
Comb product through with a wide-tooth comb on wet hair to distribute evenly and prevent tangles. Diffuse on low, then smooth a pea of serum over the canopy once dry. Never brush dry curls; it breaks the clumps and kills the shine.
Try this: Finish with a cool shot from the dryer. Cool air seals the cuticle and adds visible gloss.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $0 (styling only)
41. Textured Wash-and-Go Curls
Embrace your natural curl pattern with a textured wash-and-go that enhances what you already have. A curl-defining mousse or cream scrunched through damp hair creates volume and texture without complicated techniques. Experiment with product amounts to find your balance of definition and softness.
Wash with sulfate-free shampoo, apply leave-in to soaking wet hair, then scrunch mousse upward and diffuse for 10 minutes. The routine takes 20 minutes and lasts 2 to 4 days with nightly pineappling. No salon visit needed beyond your regular trim.
Try this: Apply products in the shower while hair is dripping wet. Wetter hair clumps better and frizzes less.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $0 (styling only)
42. Side-Swept Bangs
Side-swept bangs add a touch of softness to medium curls, grazing the forehead and blending into the rest of the hair. They suit most face shapes and grow out more gracefully than straight-across bangs. The diagonal line also adds height at the crown.
Style the bangs with curl cream, sweeping them damp across the forehead, then diffuse on low. They take 5 minutes to style and need trimming every 4 to 6 weeks at $10 to $15. Pin them to the side on days you want them out of the way.
Try this: Cut them a touch longer than you want. Curly bangs always spring up shorter than they look wet.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $10-$15 per bang trim
43. Curly Mullet
The curly mullet keeps the top and sides shorter while the back falls to medium length, and curls make the contrast look intentional. Shorter crown layers create volume up top while the longer back shows off your curl pattern. It is the boldest cut on this list.
Scrunch curl cream through damp hair and diffuse the crown first for lift, then the lengths. The cut needs reshaping every 6 to 8 weeks to keep the top-to-back ratio. Salon cuts run $50 to $90.
Try this: Ask for a soft, blended mullet rather than a disconnected one. It grows out much better.
Difficulty: Moderate · Cost: $50-$90 salon cut
44. Two-Strand Twist-Out Curls
A two-strand twist-out is the most reliable way to define 3C to 4A curls at medium length. Twisting damp, conditioned hair in small sections and unraveling them once dry creates uniform, stretched coils with serious definition. It also adds length to shrinkage-prone textures.
Work on damp hair in 1-inch sections: apply leave-in and butter or cream, twist from root to tip, and let dry fully (air dry 4 to 6 hours or sit under a hooded dryer for 45 minutes). Unravel gently and separate for volume. The style lasts 5 to 7 days with nightly pineappling.
Try this: Twist on stretched hair (banded or blow-dried on low) for a twist-out with more length and less shrinkage.
Difficulty: Moderate · Cost: $0 (styling only)
45. Slicked-Back Curls
Slicked-back curls keep the roots smooth and controlled while the lengths stay full and curly. The contrast looks polished for evenings and events. It works on any medium cut with enough length to pull back.
On damp hair, brush gel through the roots with a boar-bristle brush, smoothing everything back from the forehead. Leave the mid-lengths and ends curly with just cream. Secure with two pins behind each ear. Styling takes 15 minutes.
Try this: Use a strong-hold gel on the roots and a light cream on the lengths. Different zones need different products.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $0 (styling only)
46. Half-Up Pineapple Puff
The half-up pineapple gathers the top half of your curls into a loose, high puff while the bottom half flows free. It lifts hair off the face and shows off the curl pattern in two zones at once. Medium length is ideal: enough hair for a full puff without it flopping.
Gather the top section loosely with a silk scrunchie, letting curls spill over the band. Leave the bottom curls styled as usual. The style takes 5 minutes and refreshes well on day two or three with a water mist.
Try this: Place the puff slightly forward on the crown. It reads playful rather than severe.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $5-$10 for silk scrunchies
47. Curly Low Bun with Face-Framing Curls
A low curly bun with a few loose curls left out around the face is the easiest polished style for medium hair. Gather curls at the nape, twist loosely, and pin. The face-framing pieces keep it soft instead of severe.
Pull dry, day-two curls back loosely and secure with 4 to 6 bobby pins, leaving two front pieces out. Mist the front pieces with water and scrunch to revive them. The whole style takes 10 minutes and holds through an evening out.
Try this: Wrap a small section of hair around the bun base and pin it to hide the hair tie.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $0 (styling only)
Quick Comparison
| Style | Best For | Upkeep | Style Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curly Shag | 2C to 3B curls needing volume | Trim every 8 to 10 weeks | 20 minutes |
| Layered Lob | All curl types, low-risk refresh | Trim every 8 to 12 weeks | 15 to 20 minutes |
| Angled Lob | Round or square face shapes | Trim every 8 weeks | 15 minutes |
| Full Curly Bangs | Tight ringlets, bold framing | Bang trim every 3 to 4 weeks | 10 minutes |
| Two-Strand Twist-Out | 3C to 4A coils, max definition | Redone weekly | 45 to 60 minutes set time |
| Balayage Layers | Dimension without high maintenance | Color refresh every 10 to 12 weeks | 15 minutes |
| Textured Wash-and-Go | Natural pattern, minimal effort | Trim every 8 to 12 weeks | 20 minutes |
| Curly Low Bun | Occasions, second-day hair | None beyond regular trims | 10 minutes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is medium length good for curly hair?
Yes. Medium length helps create volume and define curls while staying versatile enough to style many ways. Longer lengths can weigh curls down and stretch the pattern flat, while very short cuts limit styling options.
How often should I trim medium-length curly hair?
Every 8 to 12 weeks. Curly hair tends to be drier than straight hair, so regular trims prevent split ends from traveling up the curl shaft. Bangs need more frequent trims, every 3 to 4 weeks.
How do I prevent frizz in medium-length curly hair?
Never brush curls dry, since it breaks up curl clumps and creates frizz. Dry with a microfiber towel or cotton T-shirt instead of terry cloth, deep-condition weekly, use a leave-in conditioner, and avoid touching your hair while it dries.
Can I get bangs with medium-length curly hair?
Yes. Full curly bangs, wispy bangs, side-swept bangs, and curtain bangs all work with medium curls. Have them cut dry, curl by curl, since wet curls shrink significantly as they dry.
What is the best way to dry medium curly hair?
Plopping then diffusing gives the best balance of definition and volume. Wrap wet hair in a cotton T-shirt for 10 to 15 minutes to absorb water, then diffuse on low heat and low speed. Finish with a cool shot to set the curls.
Final Thoughts
Medium-length curls reward a good cut more than any product ever will. Pick the idea that matches your curl type and your maintenance budget, bring the styling notes to your appointment, and give the cut two weeks before judging it. Curls settle, and so will you.
For more on this topic, see shoulder length hairstyles for thin fine hair.
