How To Upgrade Your Mid-Length Haircut With These 9 Copy-Worthy Styles

Mid-length hair has long been the quiet achiever of the hair world. Between the hype for bobs and the allure of XXL extensions, it often gets overlooked or, worse, unfairly branded as ‘safe’ or ‘boring’. But when you find a hairstyle long enough to pull into a ponytail but short enough to maintain shape and definition, you know you're onto something good. Moreover, if you've been considering going shorter but worry a bob won't suit you, a mid-length cut could be the ideal compromise.

There’s a reason so many of us keep coming back to mid-length hair - it has an enduring appeal that can't be beat. But there is a knack to getting it right, as Neale Rodger, style director at STIL salon, points out. ‘The secret to mid-length hair is to keep things clean and simple. Not too much fuss. Instead, focus on the key features of the desired style for maximum impact. It really is a ‘less is more’ mentality.’

What challenges might you face with mid-length hair?

You might be surprised, but mid-length cuts can be more demanding than they seem. ‘For me, the mid-length has always been the ‘danger zone’,’ Rodger urges. ‘You are somewhat limited with what you can do in this area. Layering can force the hair to flick and turn outwards, while shaping around the front will push all length over the shoulders, losing the feeling of length and creating an older look.’

‘However,’ Neale adds, ‘if a bouncy, flicky style is what you’re after, mid-length is perfect for you.’

So, what should you do instead? ‘Baggy, sliced, grown-out shapes work excellently in a mid-length cut because you can create the effect of layers without actually layering, while maintaining enough weight to control any flicking.’

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Which styles work best for mid-length hair?

The beauty of a mid-length cut is its versatility, with the boundaries typically falling from the shoulder to the middle of the shoulder blade. Depending on where your length lands within that range, your stylist can craft different styles.

‘On the shorter end of this length I would go for something just skimming the shoulders, dropping ever so slightly towards the front and just touching the collar bone. Your stylist might use a deep slicing technique to remove weight at various lengths throughout the cut. This technique will promote movement whilst keeping the perimeter strong, maintain a feeling of length and keep things looking modern,’ Neale explains.

‘On the longer end I would introduce loads of long, baggy layers - internally and around the front. You could even add a grown-out fringe into the mix. This soft perimeter would give you lots of options for future styling, and plenty of styling options for the current shape.’

All the inspiration you need for mid-length cuts