15 BEST MEDIUM-LENGTH HAIRSTYLES FOR BLACK WOMEN

A mid-length hairstyle is the perfect choice for those who want a balanced, low-risk look. Despite being “mid-length,” these styles are far from dull. Their versatility offers a happy medium between the upkeep of a shorter bob and the commitment of extra-long hair. Mid-length cuts are both stylish and practical, making them an appealing option for many. Take a look at our top 15 mid-length hairstyles below!

SHOULDER LENGTH BOB

Kahlana Barfield Brown’s shoulder-length bob always gives me major hair envy. If you’re looking to recreate her waves, a curling wand is an easy go-to tool. One pro tip I picked up while straightening my own hair is to pin curl it at night after styling. This helps keep the waves intact and looking fresh the next day!

Asymmetrical Lob

The lob, or long bob, is a collarbone-grazing style that works beautifully for all curl types. To give it a more edgy, relaxed vibe, try parting your hair off-centre—this will add extra volume on one side and create a less “polished” finish.

Locs

Hair discrimination against Black women remains an issue in the workplace, particularly for those with locs. However, trailblazers like Ava DuVernay inspire us to embrace and celebrate the hairstyles that are unique to us, reminding us to wear them with pride.

Layered Curls  

If you’re lucky enough to have thick, bouncy curls, a layered cut might be perfect for you. This style is designed to create a softer, more rounded shape and is often done on dry curls to ensure the best result. To enhance your natural curls with added texture, a curling wand is your go-to tool for defining those layers even more.

Curly Puff with Fringe

Yara Shahidi always nails her look. If you’re not ready to wear all your curls down, a puff with fringe is the perfect compromise, offering a stylish way to showcase your curls without going all in.

Curly Fringe

Add a touch of allure to your curly hairstyle by incorporating a fringe. Whether you let a few curls fall softly over your forehead or sweep a fuller set forward, a fringe can instantly create the look of more volume and bounce, enhancing your overall style.

Bold Colored Wig

Regina Hall’s Met Gala look was a whole vibe. It wasn’t just the sleek middle part and silky texture that stood out—the pop of color added an unexpected twist. While achieving shades like pastel pink can be risky for dark roots due to the damage from bleaching, that doesn’t mean you can’t rock the look. A great wig and a boost of confidence are all you need to pull it off without compromising your curls.

Angled Lob

For a chic and sophisticated look, try an inverted lob. This style is cut slightly shorter in the back, allowing for a front that frames your face beautifully. It’s the perfect way to show off your wild locks while adding a touch of elegance to your overall look.

Faux Locs

Protective styles like faux locs offer a great way to switch up your look while giving your hair a much-needed break from daily styling. You can wear them as they are for a sleek, natural vibe, or add colorful hair accessories or highlights to make your locs stand out even more.

Straight Lob

The collarbone-grazing long bob is ideal for straight hair, particularly if your locks lack natural volume. As the ends hit your décolletage, they’ll create a natural flick. To style, use a round brush while blow-drying to curve the hair under your chin, or keep it sleek and straight. Tucking one side behind your ear adds an impression of texture and effortlessly enhances the overall look.

Bantu Knots

Bantu knots serve a dual purpose: they act as a protective style while also stretching coily hair. By twisting wet hair into bantu knots and allowing them to dry, you can achieve stunning beachy waves once you take them down. This technique not only protects your curls but also enhances their natural texture in a stylish way.

Textured Lob

Even the straightest hair can gain texture with the addition of layers. These layers help frame your face, accentuating features like your eyes and cheekbones. For extra volume and texture at the roots, try light backcombing and finish with a spritz of hairspray to hold the style in place.

Hair Wraps

During my journey growing out my Big Chop, wraps became my go-to accessory. Not only did the printed fabrics enhance my wardrobe, but they also helped my hair grow by minimizing manipulation of my 4C coils. While learning to tie a wrap can be tricky, I recommend watching a few tutorials to find a method that suits you best. With a little practice, you’ll be able to style them effortlessly!

straight Side-Parting

A simple way to elevate your hairstyle is by opting for a side parting. Whether it’s your natural part or not, shifting your hair to one side creates a cool, edgier vibe. This is especially effective if you have more hair on one side; parting it on the thicker side can help create balance.

Side Swept Afro

If you’re searching for a style that’s perfect for a special occasion or want to highlight your cheekbones, Kia Marie’s side-swept fro is an excellent choice. This look beautifully frames the face and adds an elegant touch to any outfit, making it a standout option for any event.

CONCLUSION

The journey to finding the perfect hairstyle for natural hair is a personal one. It’s about discovering what makes you feel confident and beautiful. Whether you opt for a classic look like the Afro or a trendy style like the locs, the key is to embrace your natural texture and experiment with different styles. So, go ahead and explore the 15 hairstyles we’ve presented in this article. With a little creativity and care, you can rock your natural hair with style and confidence.

30 BEST SHAGGY HAIRCUTS FOR WOMEN

Today, it’s rare to see women choosing one-length hairstyles. Shag haircuts, on the other hand, offer a more modern, edgy, and defined look while being easy to maintain. These cuts are incredibly versatile, allowing you to tailor them to your personal style, hair texture, and lifestyle. With options ranging from tousled layers and face-framing bangs to fun, choppy ends, there’s a shag for everyone. Get inspired for your next bold hair transformation and embrace the carefree, effortlessly cool vibes of this trendy cut.

Straight Shag With Bangs

Who says a shag has to be, well, shaggy? Heidi Klum’s sleek shag proves it can be polished and edgy, with a full fringe that skims right above her eyes for a bold, modern look.

Center-Parted Long Curly Shag

Iman’s luscious locks flow gracefully past her décolletage, made even more striking with a touch of shine spray for added brilliance.

Disheveled Shag with Bangs

A shoulder-length layered haircut gets an instant refresh with the addition of babylights. These delicate caramel highlights are created using a fine coloring technique designed to replicate the natural sun-kissed look your hair achieves after sun exposure.

Long Shag with Flipped Tips

A long shag haircut that feathers down the back and flips out around the neckline and shoulders is a perfect choice for showcasing wavy hair. The two-tone color enhances the defined layers, adding depth and dimension to this chic, effortless style.

Voluminous Curly Shag

Tracee Ellis Ross’s hair is pure va-va-voom, with her bold curls taking center stage in this stunning afro-meets-shag combo. To keep those curls defined and frizz-free, be sure to invest in a high-quality moisturizer and finishing product.

Medium Curly Shag With Bangs

Zendaya is known for being a hair chameleon, but one of our favorite looks on her is this curly shag. It’s full of volume, with thick bangs that frame her face beautifully. Subtle chestnut highlights accentuate the shorter layers near the front, adding depth and dimension. “I’ve seen some amazing curly hair shags that are very soft and wispy,” says Bennett.

Bob with Messy Front Layers

A shaggy sliced bob is the perfect blend of a traditional bob and a shag cut, making it ideal for women with super-fine hair. Blonde highlights on a light brown base add depth and richness, giving limp or overworked hair a much-needed boost of dimension and texture.

Natural Shag

Logan Browning’s long curly style may not be a classic shag, but the short layers throughout give it a choppy, slightly A-frame shape that channels the essence of a shag haircut. This twist on the traditional style adds dimension and movement to her curls.

Shag with Long Bangs

Elevate the classic mid-length shag by adding layered ash blonde highlights. This technique works especially well on thin to medium-textured hair, as thick hair can appear bulky with too many layers. For a sassy, chic vibe, style it with soft waves.

Sleek Haircut with Shaggy Ends

Elongate your neckline by styling your medium-length straight hair to gently dip inward toward your collarbone. The intentionally razored shaggy ends add texture and a touch of whimsy to your cut, creating a playful yet sophisticated look.

Modern Shag

If you’re seeking a modern twist on the shag cut without the traditional bangs, look to Jasmine Tookes for inspiration. She styles her medium-length hair with soft bends and tucks it behind her ear for a chic and effortless look.

Step Haircut

Medium to long feathered cuts offer plenty of bounce and body, thanks to the razor technique used to create fine-textured layers. Feminine and flattering, these styles look stunning when tousled, allowing their natural fluffiness and movement to shine through.

Shaggy Pixie

Joan Smalls teaches us how to rock a shaggy pixie with flair. Her side-swept bangs are piecey and textured, adding a retro, mod vibe to the overall look. This style perfectly balances edge and elegance.

Ombré Shag

Complete with dramatic curtain bangs, this whimsical cut truly shines with a complementary color job. The ombré effect transitions smoothly from the client’s natural brunette at the roots to a soft beige blonde at the tips, making it easy to grow out while maintaining a stylish appearance.

Medium Cut with Jagged Waves

Free spirits will absolutely adore the grungy haircut. By chopping into mid-length hair and incorporating some boho flicks, you can effortlessly embrace a fresh new look. This cut can be styled by hand, allowing you to create fun waves in seconds for a carefree vibe.

’70s Shag

The secret to achieving a ’70s-inspired shag haircut, as seen on Lady Gaga, is to keep styling minimal. Steer clear of gels that can make your hair stiff; instead, use styling creams with medium hold for a more natural, effortless look.

Short And Sleek Shag

While most shag haircuts are often associated with wavy or curly hair, this ultra-smooth style demonstrates that those with straight hair can also rock a shag. The sleek finish adds a modern twist to the classic cut, showcasing its versatility.

Long Shag With Soft Waves

Longer hair can still be beautifully shaped, as seen with actress Natasha Lyonne. Her dyed red locks strike a perfect balance between shaggy and elegant, showcasing the versatility of longer-length hairstyles.

Clavi-Cut with Curtain Bangs

Frame your face and enhance your look with soft curtain bangs. Layering thick hair not only adds a whimsical touch but also makes styling much easier, giving your hair movement and shape.

Undercut Long Shag

For a bold, statement-making look, a shag haircut with a side shave is the way to go. Take inspiration from Jennifer Hudson and ask your stylist for an undercut. To style the rest of your hair, use a texture spray to create a tousled, defined finish.

Wavy Midi Shag with Side Bangs

Naturally wavy hair and a mid-length shag are the perfect pairing. Enhance your waves and define the wispy ends with a lightweight mousse for a soft, textured look. If you have a diamond-shaped face, try styling your shaggy bangs to one side to balance your features.

Lob Shag

Alexa Chung is the ultimate poster child for the lob shag, so it’s no surprise her effortlessly wavy lob has become an iconic look. Her style perfectly blends chic and casual, making it a standout choice.

Haircut with Thin Feathered Layers

A silver-blonde, shoulder-length shag with feathered ends is a true nod to the 1970s, when this style was a favorite among housewives and busy women. The tousled, choppy crown adds texture, while the longer, sleek layers that graze the shoulders create the illusion of added length and volume, making it an ideal choice for women with fine hair.

Shag With Baby Bangs

If you’re up for the maintenance, baby bangs are a great addition to a shag haircut, as Emma Watson demonstrates. Be prepared to visit the salon every four to six weeks to maintain the short length and keep the look fresh.

Textured Shullet

For a celebrity-inspired haircut reminiscent of Heather Locklear, an ash-blonde layered cut like this one is perfect. Ideal for women with thick, straight hair, the cut can be styled with a middle or off-center part. The slicing technique tames volume and keeps the hair looking sleek and polished.

Blown Out Shag

While a shag is usually all about texture, Rihanna’s blown-out shag in buttery blonde brings a fresh and sleek twist to the style, giving us all the feels with its smooth, voluminous finish.

Feathered Face-Framing Cut

Your shag will look vibrant and shiny with long layers in the back that subtly flip up at the ends. Wispy bangs frame the face, while copper highlights provide a glossy sheen. This medium-length haircut is versatile too, easily pulled back into a ponytail while maintaining visual interest around the face.

Wavy Shag With Soft Fringe

There’s a compelling argument for Lily Collins being the ultimate queen of fringe. In this look, her wispy, choppy bangs beautifully complement a loosely waved shag, creating a effortlessly chic style.

Platinum Shag

This blonde shag features blunt ends that graze just above the shoulders, while soft layers throughout the cut introduce texture and movement, giving the style a modern edge.

Wet Look Shag

We’re loving Ashley Graham’s wet-look bob, which showcases an asymmetrical design due to the unique parting of her hair. This stylish take adds an edgy twist to the classic bob, creating a striking and contemporary look.

CONCLUSION

In the realm of hairstyles, shaggy cuts offer a unique blend of edgy and chic. They’re versatile, flattering, and can suit a wide range of hair types and textures. The key to a great shaggy cut is finding a stylist who understands your hair and can tailor the style to your specific needs. With the right care and styling, a shaggy haircut can be a fun, fashionable, and low-maintenance choice.