Neither too long nor too short—medium hair is the perfect length to experiment with different updos that can go from simple to stylish in just a few minutes. From low buns to fuss-free ponytails, our easy hairstyles for medium hair will be your go-to guide, especially on lazy days. Feeling a little lazier than usual? Try the half-and-half updo for medium-length hair—yes, it’s that easy peasy.
Here are 6 easy hair updos for one of the most versatile hair lengths:
1. Low chignon bun
A simple yet chic updo for shoulder-length hair, the low-hanging chignon bun requires no professional skills and works even for those with thin hair. Part your hair from the middle using a fine-toothed comb, brush the hair with a boar bristle brush and loosen the strands from the temple. Using an elastic hair tie, gather your hair into a loose but clean bun. Secure flyaways from the bun using bobby pins. This is a perfect summer hairstyle to beat the heat as well.
Apply a drop of smoothing anti-frizz serum and gently run your fingers through the fluttering stands around the temple for a carefree romantic look.
2. Deep side parting with S waves
An easy-to-achieve formal hairstyle for medium hair, deep side-parting adds volume to the crown and takes less than 5 minutes to finish. In a hairstyle that flatters oval faces by accentuating the sharp jawline, make sure to part your hair on a side that brings out your best features. Part your hair using a rat tail comb, brush out the strands and lightly scrunch them before using a heating tool. Use a flat iron instead of a traditional curler to make soft waves that work along the natural textures of your hair.
3. Half and half
When it comes to medium-length half-up-half-down hairstyles, there are a ton of easy options that look great on different face types. Styles like a top knot, space buns, and half ponies look great on women with medium hair. Half and half updos for medium hair are a lifesaver on days your hair is extra oily. Just style your hair like you always do, neatly pull up half your hair, and brush it outwards and upwards. Tie it in a loose knot or pony and secure it with pins.
To add soft waves on the other open half of your hair, use a texturizing spray and lightly crimp the strand with your hands. This hack gives you the best beach waves without any tools.
4. Side braids
Once upon a time, layers were the go-to haircut for medium hair. But how do you style layers? A graceful updo hairstyle for medium-length layers is the side braid. Not only does this easy look create volume, but it also makes the layered strands inventively stand out with a deep parting.
Start by nourishing your strands with a non-sticky volumizing mousse before parting and loosely braiding your layers.
5. High ponytail
A slick high ponytail is a fuss-free, easy updo for medium hair. Grab all your hair and gather it into a pony at the top of the crown. Secure flyaways with a fine-toothed comb sprayed with setting spray.
If you have time on your hands, add texture to your ponytail by curling the tied strands using a traditional curling iron to take your hairstyle game up a notch. This one is also a great way to make your thin hair look thicker.
6. Bun and bangs
Looking for cute updos with bangs for medium hair? Take cues from the queen herself—Selena Gomez. An easy updo for medium hair, style your shaggy face-framing bangs with a neat bun at the crown. If the bangs are cut well, you need nothing but a flat iron to style them in soft S waves. To get that ’70s retro-chic vibe, blow dry your hair to add volume and then style it. Set your look with a spritz of hair setting spray and you’re done.
This medium hair updo looks best on women with round faces.
The secret behind great medium length updo hairstyles is a good haircut. Medium-length hair varies in shapes like rounded, layers, and boxy. Find a cut best suited to your face type and play with styles that are jaw-droppingly gorgeous.