12 Thick Hair Hairstyles Medium
Hello, gorgeous! As a beauty editor and Pinterest trend expert, I know the magic of a perfect haircut, especially for those blessed with a luscious, thick mane. Medium-length hair offers incredible versatility, and when paired with significant volume, the styling possibilities are endless. Forget boring, weighty styles—we’re diving into 12 high-energy, visually stunning looks that celebrate your hair’s natural abundance while keeping you effortlessly on-trend. Get ready to fall in love with these must-try, aesthetic-driven hairstyles designed to tame, enhance, and elevate your thick, medium locks!
The Luxe Layered Lob
The Lob, or long bob, is eternally chic, and when adapted for thick hair with strategic layering, it becomes an absolute masterpiece. This cut helps to remove bulk and add stunning movement, preventing a ‘helmet-like’ appearance while maintaining a polished silhouette. It’s a fantastic option for those seeking a sophisticated yet manageable style that can easily transition from day to night. This trend is everywhere on social media because it beautifully frames the face and offers a lighter feel without sacrificing length, making it ideal for oval and heart-shaped faces.
Effortless Shag with Curtain Bangs
Embrace a rock-and-roll vibe with the modern shag cut, elevated by the ever-popular curtain bangs. This style is a dream for thick hair, as its choppy layers and feathered ends work to distribute weight beautifully, creating an airy, lived-in texture. The curtain bangs perfectly frame the face, adding a softness that complements the edginess of the shag. This look is trending for its cool, undone aesthetic and its ability to flatter various face shapes, particularly those with strong jawlines or high foreheads, by softening features and adding playful movement. Styling with a texturizing spray enhances its effortless appeal.
Blunt Cut with Inner Layers
For those who adore the crisp, fashion-forward look of a blunt cut but fear the bulk, the secret lies in inner layers. This sophisticated technique maintains the strong, clean lines of a blunt medium-length cut while subtly removing weight from underneath, allowing for fluidity and movement. The result is a sleek, polished style that still boasts impressive volume without appearing heavy. This look is a favorite among minimalist fashionistas and is particularly flattering for square or round face shapes, as the strong lines help to elongate and define. A smooth blow-dry is key to showcasing its refined structure.
Voluminous Hollywood Waves
Channel your inner silver screen siren with a head full of glamorous Hollywood waves. Thick, medium-length hair is the ideal canvas for this show-stopping style, providing the necessary body and hold to create those iconic, cascading curls. This look exudes old-world charm and undeniable sophistication, perfect for special occasions or when you simply want to feel incredibly luxurious. It’s a timeless trend that never fades, often seen on red carpets, and perfectly suits those with oval or long face shapes by adding width and softness. Use a large barrel curling iron and brush out the curls for that signature, soft wave.
The Textured Pixie-Bob
Blurring the lines between a bob and a pixie, the textured pixie-bob is a dynamic and edgy choice for thick, medium hair. This cut typically features a shorter back and sides that gradually lengthen towards the front, often with playful layers and texture throughout. It’s a fantastic way to embrace a shorter length while retaining some versatility and the ability to style with volume. This style is surging in popularity due to its bold statement and relatively low maintenance, making it perfect for those with strong facial features or a desire for a chic, modern transformation. Texturizing products are essential to enhance its playful, piecey quality.
Sleek & Straight A-Line
For a sharp, contemporary look that commands attention, the sleek and straight A-line cut is unbeatable for thick, medium hair. This style features hair that is shorter in the back and gradually lengthens towards the front, creating a dramatic angle. When worn pin-straight, it showcases the precision of the cut and the luxurious thickness of your hair. This aesthetic is trending for its minimalist elegance and empowering silhouette, making it a favorite for power professionals and fashion-forward individuals alike. It particularly suits round and square face shapes, adding length and creating a sophisticated frame. Regular trims are key to maintaining its pristine edge.
Deep Side Part with Defined Curls
Unleash the full potential of your thick, medium hair with a deep side part and beautifully defined curls. This style is all about creating dramatic volume and playful bounce, allowing your natural texture to shine. The deep side part adds an element of old-school glamour and instantly elevates any look, providing a flattering asymmetrical frame. This trend is a timeless choice that has seen a resurgence on runways and social media, celebrated for its ability to create a sense of effortless luxury and movement. It’s especially flattering for square or heart-shaped faces, softening angles and adding a touch of romance. Use a curl-enhancing cream to maximize definition.
Half-Up Bouffant with Loose Waves
Combine retro charm with modern romance in the half-up bouffant adorned with loose, flowing waves. This style is an excellent way to manage thick hair while showcasing its volume and length. The bouffant at the crown adds instant lift and sophistication, reminiscent of 60s glamour, while the remaining hair is styled into soft, touchable waves. This look is a perennial favorite for weddings and elegant events, but its relaxed wave component makes it suitable for everyday chic as well. It’s incredibly flattering for almost all face shapes, adding height and elegance, and a great way to keep hair off the face without sacrificing style. A light-hold hairspray will keep the bouffant intact.
The Face-Framing Feathered Cut
This exquisite cut is all about strategically layered strands that gently frame the face, creating a soft, flattering effect. For thick, medium-length hair, feathered layers expertly reduce bulk while adding beautiful texture and movement around the perimeter. It’s a timeless style that has seen a recent revival thanks to its ability to soften strong features and add a romantic touch. This look is particularly versatile, suiting nearly all face shapes by drawing attention to the eyes and cheekbones. Style with a round brush to create a bouncy, outward flick, enhancing the feathery effect and giving an airy finish to thick hair.
Braided Half-Crown with Volume
For those days when you want an elegant yet manageable style, the braided half-crown with added volume is a perfect choice for thick, medium hair. This look involves taking two sections of hair from the temples, braiding them, and then securing them at the back, creating a beautiful ‘crown’ effect. The trick for thick hair is to ensure plenty of volume is maintained at the crown and through the remaining length, which can be left loose or gently waved. It’s a Pinterest darling for its bohemian-chic vibe and romantic aesthetic, suitable for both casual outings and more formal events. This style beautifully complements round and oval faces, adding vertical interest and softening the hairline.
Modern French Twist with Textured Ends
Reinvent the classic French twist by embracing its modern, less formal cousin, featuring artfully textured ends. This sophisticated updo is surprisingly achievable for thick, medium-length hair and is an elegant solution for keeping hair off your neck while still showcasing its body. Instead of a rigid, tightly wound twist, this version allows for soft, wispy pieces to escape and for the ends to be styled with a touch of texture, adding a contemporary, romantic flair. It’s a staple for events and work alike, offering a timeless appeal with a fresh update. This look is particularly flattering for those with longer necks or high cheekbones, as it elegantly frames the face. Secure with pins and finish with a light-hold spray for lasting elegance.
Undone Waves with a Centre Part
The ‘undone wave’ trend continues to reign supreme for its effortless cool, and it’s particularly stunning on thick, medium-length hair. This style celebrates your hair’s natural body by creating soft, lived-in waves that look perfectly imperfect. A clean centre part adds a contemporary edge and balances the casual texture of the waves, creating a chic contrast. This aesthetic is a social media favorite, embodying a relaxed yet stylish vibe that works for virtually any occasion. It flatters most face shapes by creating a symmetrical frame and adding width. Achieve this look with a flat iron or curling wand, leaving the ends straight, then breaking up the waves with your fingers for that coveted ‘I woke up like this’ appeal.
There you have it—12 incredible medium-length hairstyles specifically curated for your beautiful, thick hair! From sophisticated lobs to edgy shags and glamorous waves, these looks prove that volume is an asset to be celebrated. Each style offers a unique blend of trend-forward aesthetics, easy maintenance tips, and flattering silhouettes designed to make you feel confident and chic. So go ahead, screenshot your favorites, talk to your stylist, and get ready to rock your best hair yet. Your thick hair isn’t just a blessing; it’s a statement, and these styles are here to help you make it!
