Curls at collarbone or shoulder length spring up an inch or two as they dry, and too much weight at the ends builds them into a triangle. That’s why most of these medium length curly hairstyles are cut dry and matched to your density, with styling as simple as cream, gel and a diffuser or air-drying.
1. Shoulder Length Curly Shag, Short at the Crown
I cut this shoulder length curly shag dry and curl by curl, watching where each spring lands before I take the next one. The crown gets short layers for lift, and those layers grow longer toward the shoulders while the ends keep their weight. Crown height lengthens a round or square face, and medium to thick density holds the shape up. Diffuse on low heat over a curl cream. A trim every eight weeks keeps it sharp.
2. Collarbone Curly Cut With Long Layers Inside
I cut the perimeter of this collarbone cut on dry hair, then slide long layers through the interior so the curls stack instead of building into a triangle. Of all the medium length curly hairstyles I do, this is the one I recommend most. It works for medium density and for oval, round and heart shaped faces. On soaking wet hair, apply a leave-in and a gel, scrunch, and diffuse. A trim every ten weeks keeps it sharp.
3. Curly Lob With a Curtain Fringe
I cut curtain bangs on a curly lob dry, stretching each curl to full length first so the fringe settles at the cheekbone once it springs back. The lob runs one length to the collarbone, and the bangs stay longer at the sides so they melt into the face framing. Oval and long faces wear them well. Give the bangs a quick small round brush pass at the root while diffusing. The bangs need a trim every five weeks.
4. Medium Curly Cut for Fine Curls
I cut only two long layers, both below the chin, with a blunt perimeter when doing medium curly haircuts on fine, low density hair, because the weight has to stay at the ends. Working on dry hair stops me from taking too much. Low density on an oval or heart shaped face suits it best. Swap cream for a lightweight mousse, diffuse upside down for lift at the root, and leave oils out. A trim every eight weeks keeps the ends full.
5. Layered Cut for Thick Curly Hair
I cut long layers through the interior of thick curly hair on dry hair and point cut the ends, because the goal is taking bulk out of the inside rather than shortening the outside, and the shape stays controlled at the shoulders. Any face shape works once the volume is managed. Rake a heavy cream through wet hair, add a gel, and diffuse until fully dry. A trim every eight weeks, with the interior thinned every other visit.
6. Face-Framing Layered Curly Cut for a Round Face
I cut face framing for round faces on dry hair, starting it below the chin and angling toward the collarbone, pulling the curls only slightly so nothing springs too short. The layers behind the frame stay long, and the result makes the face look longer. Medium density suits it. Twist the front pieces away from the face while wet, then diffuse. A trim every eight to ten weeks holds the frame at the right length.
7. Round-Face Curly Cut With Face-Framing Layers
I re-cut the perimeter of a grown out curly bob slightly shorter in back so the curls keep curving under at collarbone length, and I add a few interior layers so the bottom does not thicken. The rounded bob shape stays while the length grows. It suits medium density and oval or heart shaped faces. Air-dry with a curl cream and a light gel. A trim every ten weeks keeps it sharp.
8. Shoulder Length Curly Cut With a Wispy Fringe
I cut wispy bangs on curly hair dry, one curl at a time, taking a shallow section so the fringe stays sheer, and I run long layers through the lengths to the shoulders so the bangs never read heavy. Fine to medium density on a heart shaped or oval face suits it. Diffuse the fringe first, fingers pulling it forward, then the rest. The fringe needs a trim every four weeks.
9. Highlighted Medium Length Curly Hairstyles for Depth
I cut long layers before highlights go on medium curly hair, then the outer surface of each ringlet gets painted so the color follows the curl and the curls read deeper with no extra product. Any face shape and any density can take it. Match the toner, cool or warm, to the base. Air-dry with a leave-in and a gel, then scrunch out the cast when dry. A trim every ten weeks, with highlights refreshed every twelve to fourteen.
10. Curly Lob With Razored Ends
I cut this lob with shears on dry hair and razor only the perimeter, because on coarse, dense hair a razor through the last inch softens the ends without frizz. I do not razor curls often, and fine curls should skip it entirely. Thick, coarse curls on any face shape suit it. Style with a heavy cream and gel, diffuse, and finish with one drop of oil. A trim every eight weeks keeps it sharp.
11. Medium Length Curly Hairstyle for Over 40
I cut a shoulder length shape with long layers from the chin down for women over 40, point cutting the perimeter and keeping the crown layers no shorter than the ear, because most want curls that look intentional rather than big. Fine to medium density suits it, and it softens an angular face. Work a curl cream into wet hair, diffuse, and finish with serum. A trim every eight weeks and a gloss every eight.
12. Curly Cut With Short Layers in the Back
I cut the back two inches shorter than the perimeter on dry hair and leave the front long so the face stays framed, which gives the curls somewhere to go. Thick hair on a round face suits it because the crown lifts. Diffuse with a mousse, tip your head forward and shake the back out. A trim every eight weeks, since the short layers grow out first.
13. Deep Side-Parted Collarbone Curls
I cut long layers that work from either side for collarbone curls with a deep side part, leaving the face frame a little longer on the heavy side, so one side gets volume without extra layering. Round and square faces suit it because the asymmetry breaks up width. Set the part while wet, clip the heavy side up for five minutes, then diffuse. A trim every ten weeks keeps it sharp.
14. Butterfly Layers on Shoulder Length Curls
I cut butterfly layers on curls dry, a short top tier that lands at the chin after it springs and a long tier underneath. Medium to thick density on an oval or long face wears it well. Diffuse the top tier first, rolling it back with your fingers, then the length. A trim every eight weeks keeps the two tiers distinct from each other.
15. Low-Upkeep Medium Curly Cut
I cut the low maintenance medium curly cut one length to the shoulders with three long interior layers and nothing else, on dry hair so it dries into shape with no help. Medium density and most face shapes suit it. Apply a leave-in and a gel to wet hair, scrunch, and leave it untouched until dry. A trim every twelve weeks keeps the line clean.
16. Side-Swept Fringe Hairstyles for Medium Length Hair Curly
I cut side swept bangs long, brow to cheekbone, on dry hair for hairstyles for medium length hair curly, so they tuck behind the ear on days with no styling, and I blend them into the shortest piece of the face frame. The diagonal softens round and square faces. Diffuse the bangs pulled to one side, then the rest. A fringe trim every six weeks and a length trim every ten.
17. Curly Lob With a Blunt Hemline
I cut a blunt perimeter on a curly lob straight across on dry hair, just below the collarbone, with no layers at all, so the ends look dense. That helps fine to medium curls that thin at the bottom, and oval or heart shaped faces carry the weight well. Scrunch a mousse into wet hair and diffuse with the ends in the bowl. A trim every eight weeks keeps the line crisp.
18. Medium Curly Shag With a Curtain Fringe
I cut a curly shag with a curtain fringe dry, starting at the fringe and working outward. The fringe sits at the cheekbone, connects to short crown layers, and the layers fall to the shoulders. Oval and long faces wear the full shape, and medium to thick density holds it. Diffuse with a mousse and scrunch the crown. A fringe trim every five weeks and a shag trim every eight.
19. Rounded-Hem Curly Cut for a Heart Face
I cut the perimeter in a soft U on dry hair for heart shaped faces, adding width at the chin where the face narrows, and keep the layers long so the base stays full. The rounded bottom balances the shape. Medium density suits it. Diffuse with a curl cream, pushing the ends inward with your hands. A trim every eight to ten weeks keeps the U clean.
20. Medium Length Curly Hairstyles With a Money Piece
I cut the face frame first, below the chin, before a money piece goes on medium curls, then the front two sections get lightened two to three shades. It brightens the frame without a full color service and suits any face shape. Keep the lightener off the ends so the curl stays strong. Air-dry with a leave-in and gel, twisting the front back. A trim every ten weeks and a color refresh every twelve to sixteen.
21. Shoulder Length Curly Cut With a Soft Fringe for a Square Face
I cut the fringe to the brow on dry hair, one curl at a time, then round the corners of the perimeter so no hard line meets the jaw, which is how a shoulder length curly cut softens a square face. Layers stay long and medium density is ideal. Diffuse the fringe with fingers pulling it down and air-dry the rest. A fringe trim every five weeks and a length trim every ten.
22. Curly Lob Over a Hidden Nape Undercut
I clipper a small section under the occipital bone and cut the lob to the collarbone over it, so the hidden undercut takes bulk out of thick curls while the outside shape stays the same. The hair dries faster and lies flatter. Thick, coarse curls on any face shape suit it. Diffuse with a cream and gel. Buzz the undercut every four weeks and trim the lob every eight.
23. Medium Curls With a Layered Crown
I cut the crown layers between the ear and the occipital bone on dry hair and leave the perimeter heavy, so medium curls get height without losing length. Fine to medium density on a round face suits it, since the lift lengthens the face. Diffuse with a root lifting mousse, head tipped forward, then clip the crown for five minutes. A trim every eight weeks keeps it sharp.
24. Curly Cut With a Chin-Length Frame
I cut a chin length face frame on collarbone curls on dry hair, starting at the chin and angling down to meet the perimeter, which gives a bob effect in front and length behind. Medium density on an oval or heart shaped face suits it. Twist the front curls away from the face while wet, then diffuse. A trim every eight weeks holds the frame at the chin.
25. Medium Curly Cut With Gray Blended In
I cut long layers and a soft perimeter for gray blending on medium curls, so gray and base mix across the curl instead of sitting in bands, then fine lowlights soften the line. The cut carries the color. It suits women growing their gray in, on any face shape. Air-dry with a smoothing cream and gel. A trim every eight weeks and a gloss every six keeps the gray bright.
If you’re curious, read mid length wavy haircuts and haircuts for fine hair.
Medium curly haircuts spring up an inch or two as they dry, and too much weight at the ends drags the curl flat. FYI, long layers with a soft perimeter blend the gray into the base across medium curls. Lifting the weight is what lets the curl keep its shape.
