the middle of my hair is not growing

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.

42 FLATTERING SHORT HAIRSTYLES FOR LONG FACES IN 2024

The goal for every face shape is to achieve a more balanced, oval look. For those with long faces, the key is to create the illusion of width. Explore these short hairstyles designed to enhance and flatter longer faces perfectly.

SHORT BOB WITH LONG SIDE-SWEPT FRINGE

This short hairstyle showcases a long, disconnected section on one side paired with a sweeping, long fringe.

SHORT PIXIE WITH BANGS

This pixie cut features longer front layers that function as a fringe, covering the forehead and creating the illusion of a shorter, wider face.

LONG TOP + SHORT SIDES

This haircut has short sides with layered longer pieces on top that cascade over the shorter sides, adding movement and an edgy vibe.

UNDONE TEXTURE

This look is perfect for those who crave an edgier, tousled style and appreciate textured hair. It’s a sassy yet highly stylish cut that makes a bold statement.

EDGY YET PROFESSIONAL

I would describe this look as both edgy and professional. After she chose to embrace her natural gray, we opted for a style that adds a touch of fun while remaining polished.

SHORT ROUNDED CUT WITH SIDE BANGS FOR OVER 60

Pushing hair away from the face helps to open it up and prevents it from appearing narrower. This hairstyle not only creates volume on the sides of the face, making it look wider, but also features a fringe that covers the forehead, contributing to a shorter and wider appearance. Additionally, it’s an excellent choice for women over 60, as it can help conceal wrinkles.

LAYERED & TEXTURED

This look is full of movement and highly versatile, allowing it to be worn forward or styled to either side. With plenty of hair and natural waves, I layered it extensively and added texture to reduce bulk. It can be worn sleek and smooth or with her natural wave for a more relaxed feel.

TAILORED BOB

This tailored bob features strategic color placement and is known for its clean, sleek appearance. I love how it accentuates her features with its precise cutting and thoughtful coloring. Keeping the length above her shoulders draws attention upward, creating the illusion of a shorter face. A side part further enhances the balance of her overall look.

MODERN & EDGY

This haircut is modern and edgy, perfect for a woman who feels her hair is overshadowing her style. I transformed her long, abundant locks into a short, sassy cut that’s both manageable and versatile, ready to rock any occasion with confidence.

GRADUATED TEXTURIZED A-LINE BOB

This look features a graduated, textured A-line bob. I enjoy creating this style because it combines a sassy, professional edge with the versatility to be dressed up or down. It’s a technically challenging haircut that allows me to highlight and enhance a client’s natural beauty and features.

SHORT CHOPPY THIN CUT

A short, choppy cut is a flattering choice that adds balance to the face. The framing and layering help reduce the appearance of length, creating a more balanced look.

SHORT HAIR WITH FRINGE AND LAYERS

Here’s another super short hairstyle that complements a long face shape, thanks to the fringe. The layering in this cut enhances the roundness of the head, giving the face a rounder appearance. The curved perimeter also contributes to a softer, more rounded face shape.

CLASSIC TEXTURED INVERTED BOB

This haircut is a textured, short inverted bob. I’ve added an edgy twist to this classic cut by removing excess weight and texturizing it. I love this style for its versatility—it can be adapted in various ways to highlight your personal style.

HAIRSTYLE WITH TEXTURE

Adding texture, especially with ends that point outward, helps make a hairstyle more flattering for longer face shapes.

UPDATED A-LINE

I would describe this look as a modern take on the classic short A-line bob. I love the angled transition from back to front and the textured interior layers. The bangs add a fresh, youthful touch to the style.

SHORT HAIRSTYLE WITH VOLUME AND FRINGE

The side part, fringe, and volume on the sides of the face all contribute to making this hairstyle particularly flattering for longer face shapes.

SHORT HAIRSTYLE WITH CURLS

The glamorous curls on this bob add significant volume to the sides of the face, making it an ideal short cut for a longer face shape.

SHORT BOB HAIRSTYLE WITH VOLUME

This bob features more volume on the sides than on top, and its silhouette helps create a rounder appearance for the face.

SHORT ASYMMETRICAL BOB HAIRSTYLE

This very short asymmetric bob is flattering for elongated face shapes, thanks to the fringe that covers the forehead. The horizontal coverage helps make the face appear shorter and wider.

SHORT HAIR WITH SWEPT FRINGE AND PINK ENDS

Here’s another hairstyle that suits longer face shapes, with curled-up ends adding volume. The side part and fringe further contribute to making the face look shorter and wider.

NECK-LENGTH TEXTURED CUT WITH FRINGE

Adding texture to your hair creates width and helps it expand. This hairstyle works best for longer face shapes with medium-textured and medium-density hair.

NATURAL WAVY HAIRSTYLE WITH TEXTURE

Naturally wavy texture can also enhance the width of the sides of the face, making it appear broader.

SHORT WITH CHOPPY FRINGE

This hairstyle falls just below the chin and above the shoulders, featuring a full and choppy fringe.

SHORT WITH LONG FRINGE AND CURLS

A long fringe combined with curls makes this hairstyle especially flattering for a long face shape.

VERSATILE UNDERCUT PIXIE

This versatile undercut pixie is easy to style in various ways, from sleek to textured. The longer, angled fringe flatters her face shape and draws attention to her eyes. The overall look complements her skin tone and personality.

VERSATILE BOB

 This versatile bob offers a variety of styling options. It can be worn sleek and straight or textured with a bit of curl or product. The fringe can be parted to the side for a modern look or straight down the middle for a 70s vibe. With just one cut, you can achieve four different styles.

SHORT HAIRSTYLE WITH FLIP

Flipping hair outward adds width, making this hairstyle ideal for long face shapes with medium-textured and medium-density hair.

TRIANGULAR BOB

This triangular bob features a slight angle forward with minimal layering and plenty of texture for a relaxed look. What I love most about this style is its effortlessly messy vibe, low maintenance, and versatility, making it suitable for a variety of lifestyles and ages.

CHIC FRENCH-INSPIRED BOB

I love this haircut for its versatility. Whether you want a textured or sleek look, this chic French-inspired bob can be styled to match. It’s a super low-maintenance cut that works well with all hair textures, so feel free to experiment with various finishing products.

INDUSTRIAL AND EDGY

I’d describe this look as industrial and edgy, inspired by steel and rust. We applied a styling cream to damp hair for hold and body. This style works well for finer hair or medium textures with a natural curl. After blow-drying smooth, we used a heat protectant spray and added curls, piecing them out with a medium-hold putty to achieve a great natural texture. It’s super easy and perfect for a quick, stylish look!

CARE FREE

This look has a carefree vibe, with the bangs adding a playful touch to the bluntness of the bob. Given the short length of the bob that frames the jaw, we opted for lighter bangs that don’t fully cover the forehead. The angled bangs create a triangle on her brow, which helps to maintain the elongated appearance of her face.

VERSATILE PIXIE HAIRCUT

This pixie haircut features a shaved undercut with short-to-long layers throughout, while maintaining length in the fringe. My favorite aspect of this cut is its ease and versatility in styling. It’s perfect for clients who want to highlight their jawline, neck, and cheekbones. The shaved section makes it very low maintenance, yet the longer fringe adds a feminine touch.

ASYMMETRICAL A-LINE

I’d describe this look as highly versatile, suitable for both daytime and nighttime with minimal maintenance. It’s an A-line bob with an asymmetrical cut, allowing the fuller side to be styled straight, curly, wavy, flipped out, or pieced into an edgy look. The version I created is more of a glamorous evening style, perfect for pairing with statement earrings and dressing up. I used a Sutra Beauty infrared flat iron for the curls and Kevin Murphy styling products to enhance fullness and shine. My favorite aspect of this look is its timeless quality.

CLASSIC & CLEAN FOR OVER 40

I love how classic and clean this look is. The side-swept long bang softens her features and helps balance the length of a long face. For those with a long face, this is a great way to break up the length. Chin-length hair also adds a rounder appearance to the face.

BADASS BLONDE

I’d describe this as a badass blonde look because it perfectly captures her style in this picture. What I love most about it is the versatility in styling. With the length on top, she can go for a sleek, straight look, a bold, lifted style, or add some edgy, curly texture.

SLEEK YET EDGY

This style is a quintessential bob, defined by clean lines and precise angles. It maintains a sleek appearance with a touch of edge. What I love most about the bob is its timeless quality; it’s a true fashion staple that instantly conveys confidence and femininity.

BLUNT BOB WITH PRECISE BANGS

This blunt, chin-length bob with straight, precise bangs is a timeless look. What I love most about it is that it remains stylish and on-trend due to its clean, contemporary lines combined with a classic shape.

SHORT SLEEK BOB WITH FRINGE

The horizontal fringe of this bob highlights the eyes and covers the forehead, creating the illusion of a shorter and wider face.

PHYLLIS

The longer side of this cut adds width to a narrow face, while the shorter side contours closely to create a rounder silhouette. The fringe covers the forehead, contributing to a shorter and wider appearance.

SARAH

This sleek neck-length bob is ideal for long face shapes, offering a sophisticated style that softens features. The subtle layers and inward curve enhance natural volume, giving the hair a fuller appearance. The blend of natural gray and silver highlights adds a modern, elegant touch, perfect for women who embrace graceful aging with ease of styling. Ideal for everyday wear, this hairstyle is low-maintenance and well-suited for a busy lifestyle.

FUN & SASSY

I love this look for its fun and sassy vibe, offering plenty of styling possibilities. This client has been growing out her hair from a short pixie cut, proving that the growing-out phase can be an exciting opportunity to experiment with styles you might not have tried before. This style is perfect for someone in the process of growing their hair, as it allows the top layers to catch up with the perimeter length. It’s also a quick style for straight hair—just a power dry and some wax will add direction and texture. However, if your hair is wavy, this length might require more daily styling to achieve the same effect.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, finding the right hairstyle for an elongated face can be a challenge, but there are countless flattering options to choose from. The key is to find a style that balances your facial features and complements your personal style.

Whether you prefer a pixie cut, a bob, or a lob, there are many short hairstyles that can help to visually shorten your face and enhance your natural beauty. By experimenting with different styles and techniques, you can find the perfect short hairstyle to flatter your elongated face and make you feel confident and beautiful.