I completely disagree with the notion that shoulder-length hair is just an in-between cut. This medium-length hair, hitting below the chin but not further than the collarbone, strikes the perfect balance between functionality and fashion. It’s a versatile choice that suits nearly every face shape, making it a popular option among many. The appeal of shoulder-length hairstyles lies in their ability to combine the ease of a short cut with the versatility of a long style. With so many options available, you can easily find inspiration for your next look, whether you’re drawn to sleek layers or soft waves.
When considering your next hair appointment, think about how you can customize your shoulder-length cut. You can choose to stack or add bangs, depending on your personal style and preferences. These decisions can transform your look while maintaining the classic charm of shoulder-length hair. I’ve consulted with renowned celebrity stylists like Aaron Grenia, Clyde Elezi, and Stephen Thevenot, who emphasize that this style has incredible staying power in the ever-changing world of hair trends. Whether you want to follow the latest trends or create a timeless look, let these 22 flattering shoulder-length hairstyles serve as your guide to achieving that perfect balance between style and function.
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Blunt Ends
A blunt cut with minimal layers is a great choice for older women seeking a simple, low-maintenance style. The blunt ends create an illusion of thicker hair, while the face-framing layers add definition without being too short or finicky to style. This cut provides a solid baseline for weight distribution, resulting in a uniform, healthy-looking style.
Flippy Long Bob
For those who enjoy styling their hair, a flippy long bob is a fantastic option. The wavy hairstyle, layered to perfection, adds movement and texture. A few well-placed snips midway down the shaft create a flattering A-line length that looks equally stunning with or without the use of hairspray.
Full Bangs
Adding full bangs to a shoulder-cut is a simple yet stylish way to switch up your hairstyle, especially for the spring season. This cut features no layers, allowing the bangs to take center stage and shine. It’s a great choice for those looking to try something new without drastically changing their overall look.
Natural Volume
Older women with compact curls can achieve a voluminous, shaped look by incorporating layers starting mid-way down the hair shaft. These layers add movement and definition, creating a youthful, vibrant appearance. The key is to find the right balance of layers to enhance natural curl patterns without weighing down the hair.
Angled Lob
An angled lob is a great choice for those seeking a modern, voluminous look. By stacking the back slightly shorter, this cut creates an angled appearance that flatters the face and adds visual interest. The angled cut allows for a more pronounced ramp up of volume, giving the style a fresh, contemporary feel.
Airy Texture
For older women who want to catch the wind and feel free, a layer-heavy, shoulder-length cut is a perfect choice. The abundance of layers adds movement and life to the hair, creating an airy texture that flatters naturally flat hair. This cut is perfect for those who want to embrace their natural movement and add a touch of carefree style to their look.
Stacked Layers
Unlike a blunt, angled shoulder cut, a stacked layers style focuses on creating ultra volume in the back through strategic layering. The back and front layers work together to pump up the body all around, resulting in a youthful, vibrant appearance. This cut is perfect for those who want to add volume and movement to their hair without sacrificing length.
Middle Parted Bangs
A haircut featuring middle parted bangs and layers can add extra texture to a style that hits just below the shoulders. Depending on your comfort zone, you can take the bangs as high as cheekbone level or leave them longer to graze the chin. This cut is perfect for those who want to experiment with bangs without committing to a full fringe.
Textured Side-Swept
For older women with wavy hair, a textured side-swept cut can help enhance natural movement and wave. The layers, slightly shorter in the back, create face-framing pieces that add definition and interest. A touch of texturizing spray can help style this cut, adding a modern, effortless vibe.
Side-Swept Bangs
An old-school, shoulder-length cut with side-swept bangs is a timeless look that never goes out of style. The bangs, grazing below the eyebrow down to the chin, frame the face beautifully and add a touch of vintage glamour. This cut is perfect for those who want to embrace a classic style with a modern twist.
Deep Side Part
For older women with thick hair, a deep side part can add unparalleled volume and drama to their look. This style works well with most hair textures, creating a polished, sophisticated appearance. The heavy side part adds visual interest and can be easily styled to suit individual preferences.
Face-Framing
When getting a mid-length cut, face-framing is key to achieving definition without adding short layers that can be difficult to style. Incorporating face-framing highlights to accompany the layers can enhance the overall look, adding depth and dimension to the style. This cut is perfect for those who want to maintain length while still enjoying the benefits of a layered style.
Shag Cut
The shag cut is a classic style that is making a big comeback. With its layers and bangs, this look offers a fun shagginess that can really enhance your appearance. It should always graze the shoulders and have layers that start just below eye level, creating a flattering frame for the face.
Growing Out Bob
The growing out bob is perfect for those who want something longer than a traditional bob but shorter than their beloved lob. This style features a transition length that is largely singular, giving you the best of both worlds while maintaining a chic look.
Side-Swept Shoulder Cut
For a touch of elegance, consider the side-swept shoulder cut. Adding side-swept bangs to your usual shoulder cut is a classic choice that makes the style more interesting and adds a bit of flair to your overall look.
Relaxed Face Framing
If you love the feeling of bangs but don’t want to commit fully, try relaxed face framing. This style gives you the effect of side-swept bangs without the commitment, featuring a collarbone-grazing cut that perfectly complements a short hairstyle.
Voluminous Curly Cut
For those with curls, a voluminous curly cut can truly own the show. By incorporating plenty of layers, this style adds extra body and volume to your curls. You can even work in subtle bangs to enhance the shag-inspired shape, making your curls pop.
Textured Medium Cut
While middle parts have become quite trendy, a textured medium cut with side parts will never go out of style. This approach provides extra volume and is perfect for those looking for a timeless yet fashionable hairstyle.
Modern Shag Cut
A modern shag cut is ideal for women seeking a simple shoulder cut that makes a huge statement. With just a few layers and wispy bangs, this style requires minimal styling time while still looking effortlessly chic. Aim for layers that start midway down your hair shaft for the best results.
Angled Balayage Bob
If you’re looking to mix things up, an angled balayage bob is an excellent choice. This style allows you to teeter between short and medium cuts while keeping all the volume at the same time. Ask for “money piece” highlights around the face for an eye-catching finishing touch.
Curtained Lob Cut
The curtained lob cut is another trendy option that features curtain bangs, which always come back around in fashion. This style was made famous by Brigitte Bardot and works beautifully on any length, especially on shorter styles.
A-Line Lob Cut
An A-line lob cut offers a subtle way to try the trend by having the back shorter than the front without being stacked. Understanding the difference between stacked and A-line bobs can help you choose the right style that suits your preferences while still looking stylish.
Haircuts for Your Face Shape
Diamond-Shaped Face: “Wet” and Wavy Lob
For a diamond-shaped face, a wet-look style like the one worn by Jennifer Lopez is a great choice. This chin-length hairstyle helps to soften the sharp angles of your face, making it look more balanced and flattering. According to Grenia, this style is perfect for enhancing your features while keeping the overall look stylish.
Oval-Shaped Face: Blunt with Center Part
If you have an oval face shape, the world is truly your oyster! You can choose from a variety of styles, including a shag, bob, or a lob. A blunt lob that is all the same length and parted down the center, like the one Kim Kardashian sports, can look particularly chic and modern. Thevenot encourages experimenting with these styles to find what feels best for you.
Round-Shaped Face: Long Layers
For those with a round face, going for longer styles with soft layers is the most flattering option. A shoulder-length cut or slightly longer can help to elongate the face, as noted by Grenia. Adding a side-swept bang can provide structure and softness, cutting some of the roundness out of your features while maintaining a fresh look.
Square-Shaped Face: Tousled and Textured
If you have a square-shaped face, consider opting for a soft, tousled ‘do that adds both texture and softness. Thevenot suggests a face-framing look with a middle part to accentuate your cheekbones, similar to styles worn by Jennifer Aniston. Avoiding blunt lines will help prevent over-accentuating hard angles, creating a more harmonious appearance.
Triangle-Shaped Face: Flipped-Out Ends
For an inverted triangular-shaped face, like that of Laura Harrier, aim for a haircut that creates facial balance. A cut that builds weight around the jawline will help to widen the look at the jawline while still highlighting your cheekbones, as advised by Grenia. This approach will enhance your natural features beautifully.
Heart-Shaped Face: Wavy Shag
If you have a heart-shaped face, consider a shoulder-length haircut that can emphasize your cheekbones. Elezi suggests incorporating soft layers towards the bottom or even long, side-swept bangs to give your hair some width. Thevenot emphasizes that creating a fuller bottom will give your heart-shaped face a more balanced appearance, making it look harmonious and stylish.