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BRAIDS & CORNROWS

11 Hairstyles For Medium Length Hair Curly You’ll Want to Re-Create Immediately

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11 Hairstyles For Medium Length Hair Curly You’ll Want to Re-Create Immediately

Curly hair has this way of turning heads without even trying, and when it hits that medium length — somewhere between your shoulders and collarbone — it becomes ridiculously versatile. You get enough length to play with braids, half-up styles, and volume, but it’s still short enough to bounce and move with every step. If you’ve been scrolling for hours trying to find the right cut or style for your curls, consider this your stopping point. Below are eleven gorgeous ideas that work beautifully with medium length hair curly textures, whether you’re natural, using a diffuser, or setting your curls with a wand.

Curly Lob with Highlights

Curly Lob with Highlights

A curly lob is basically the little black dress of curly hairstyles — it just works. Adding highlights, whether warm caramel or buttery blonde, gives each curl extra dimension so your texture actually looks intentional instead of flat. This cut suits pretty much every face shape and works with fine to thick curls alike. Ask your colorist for face-framing pieces if you want extra brightness around your features.

Stunning Traditional Saree Hairstyles

Stunning Traditional Saree Hairstyles

Curly hair and sarees are a gorgeous combination, especially when you let your curls do a soft half-up style with a low bun or a loose side braid. This look feels elegant without requiring you to fight your natural texture into submission. It suits medium length curls perfectly since there’s enough hair for volume but not so much that the bun feels bulky. A few gold pins or a strand of jasmine flowers take it from pretty to stunning.

Blonde Curls with a Deep Side Part

Blonde Curls with a Deep Side Part

There’s something about a deep side part that instantly makes curls look more polished and grown-up. Going blonde, whether full color or subtle balayage, adds warmth and makes each individual curl pattern pop. This style flatters oval and heart face shapes especially well because the deep part softens a wider forehead. Keep your ends healthy with regular gloss treatments since blonde curls are more prone to dryness.

Curls with Lots of Volume

Curls with Lots of Volume

If you’ve ever wanted your curls to look like they’re straight out of a shampoo commercial, this is the style to chase. Volume comes from a combination of the right cut — usually layered — plus diffusing upside down and avoiding heavy products that weigh curls down. This works best on medium to thick curly hair, though fine curls can get there too with a volumizing mousse. It’s a bold, confident look that never goes unnoticed.

Gorgeous Long Hairstyles for Women Over 50

Gorgeous Long Hairstyles for Women Over 50

Curly hair genuinely gets better with age, and medium length curls on women over 50 can look incredibly soft and flattering. Face-framing layers around the front help lift and brighten the complexion, while keeping the back at a uniform length prevents the style from looking too busy. This length also tends to be easier to manage day to day than very long curls. A curl-defining cream and a light hold gel keep things looking fresh without feeling stiff.

Cascading Curly Wavy Hair

Cascading Curly Wavy Hair

This is for anyone whose curls sit somewhere between wavy and curly and want a style that celebrates that in-between texture. Cascading layers let the waves and curls flow naturally instead of forcing uniform ringlets throughout. It’s a low-maintenance option that looks effortless on second or third day hair. A light sea salt spray can enhance the wave pattern without making it crunchy.

Stunning Short Hair Styles for Older Women with Thin Hair

Stunning Short Hair Styles for Older Women with Thin Hair

While this list is centered on medium length hair curly styles, it’s worth mentioning that a slightly shorter curly cut just above the shoulders can be a lifesaver for thinner hair as we age. Shorter layers create the illusion of thickness because there’s less weight pulling the curls down. Older women with fine, thin curls often find this length gives them more bounce and body than longer styles do. A root-lifting spray applied before diffusing makes a noticeable difference here.

Youthful Side-Parted Naturally Curly Hair

Youthful Side-Parted Naturally Curly Hair

Sometimes the best hairstyle is just letting your curls be curls, styled simply with a side part. This look works with any curl pattern, from loose S-waves to tighter coils, and it feels fresh and youthful no matter your age. The key is a good leave-in conditioner and minimal touching once your curls dry, since over-handling causes frizz. It’s proof that natural curly hair needs way less effort than people think.

Lovely Curly Layered Hair

Lovely Curly Layered Hair

Layers are basically a curly girl’s best friend because they remove bulk and let each curl move independently instead of clumping into one heavy mass. This style suits medium length curls of any thickness and can be customized with shorter face-framing layers or longer, subtler ones throughout. It also makes styling faster since layered curls tend to air-dry into shape more easily. Ask your stylist to cut curl by curl, dry, for the most accurate shaping.

Flattering Women Hairstyles for Round Face Shapes

Flattering Women Hairstyles for Round Face Shapes

Round face shapes look especially good with curls that have height at the crown and length that extends past the chin, both of which are easy to achieve with medium length curly hair. Side-swept bangs or face-framing layers also help elongate the face rather than widening it. Avoiding a blunt, chin-length cut is key here since that can emphasize roundness. A diffused blowout with a deep side part is an easy everyday go-to.

Embracing Versatility and Comfort

Embracing Versatility and Comfort

At the end of the day, one of the best things about medium length hair curly styles is how adaptable they are to your mood and your schedule. You can wear your curls loose and full one day, slick them into a low bun the next, and throw them into two braids when you’re rushing out the door. This length hits a sweet spot where styling feels comfortable rather than like a chore. That kind of flexibility is honestly what makes curly hair at this length so worth embracing.

Whatever direction you choose from this list, the real secret to great curly hair is working with your texture instead of against it. A good cut, the right products for your curl type, and a little patience go a long way. Any of these eleven hairstyles for medium length hair curly you’ll want to re-create immediately can become your new go-to look — it just depends on how much time, color, and styling effort you’re up for.