Hair between the chin and the collarbone is a practical length for a wedding morning: long enough to tuck into a low bun without extensions, and light enough to hold a curl through the reception. Most of these bridesmaid hairstyles for medium length hair need a curling iron, bobby pins, and a trim about two weeks out.
1. Low Chignon With Pieces Around the Face
I prep this cut two weeks ahead with long layers from the chin and point cut ends. The low chignon opens the bridesmaid hairstyles medium length hair handles well, since the length tucks under with no extensions. Medium density on an oval or square face is the match. Blow-dry smooth, curl loosely, gather at the nape, twist under, and pin, leaving two pieces out at the front. Book a gloss the week before for shine in photos.
2. Soft Waves in a Half Up Twist
I cut long layers from the chin on dry hair and point cut the ends to keep the waves even. The half up twist leaves the waves down and the face clear. Medium density on most face shapes works. Curl with a one inch iron, brush out, take one section from each temple, twist them back, and secure at the crown with a small pin. Trim two weeks out, and leave out the gloss if the hair already has shine.
3. Textured Bun Worn Low
My prep is long layers with the ends point cut. The textured low bun is the bridesmaid hairstyles medium length updo I am asked for most often, because it sits well on hair that only just reaches the shoulder. Medium to thick density on an oval or round face carries it. Curl loosely, mist with texture spray, gather at the nape, twist into a loose bun, pin, and pull a few pieces out. Trim two weeks out.
4. Sleek Low Pony With a Wrapped Base
I cut the perimeter blunt at the collarbone on dry hair so the tail keeps its fullness. The sleek low ponytail is the cleanest of the wedding hairstyles medium length hair can do with no pins. Medium to thick density on an oval or long face suits it. Blow-dry it smooth with a paddle brush, run a flat iron through, gather at the nape, and wrap a section over the elastic. Trim ten days out and gloss seven days before.
5. Side Swept Waves Tucked Behind the Ear
I cut long layers from the chin on dry hair and point cut the ends. Side swept waves pinned behind one ear leave the opposite side loose. Medium density on a round or square face wears them well. Curl away from the face with a one and a quarter inch iron, brush out, sweep everything to one side, and pin behind the ear with two crossed pins tucked under the hair. Trim two weeks out, gloss seven days before.
6. Braided Crown Over Loose Length
I cut long layers from the chin and leave the top section a touch longer. A braided crown works on medium hair because only the top section goes into the braid. Medium to thick density on an oval or heart face suits it. Curl the length loosely, take a section at each temple, braid toward the back, cross the two braids, and pin. Pulling the braid wider softens it. Trim two weeks out.
7. Messy Bun With Curtain Bangs
I cut curtain bangs running from the cheekbone to the jaw, with long layers behind. The messy bun with curtain pieces is the relaxed entry on the bridesmaid hairstyles medium length updo list. Medium density on a round or oval face takes it. Curl it all, gather at the crown, twist loosely and pin, then leave the curtain pieces down and roll them back with a round brush. The bangs get trimmed ten days out.
8. Polished Blowout, Ends Flipped
I cut the perimeter at the collarbone on dry hair, add two long layers, and point cut the ends. The polished blowout with flipped ends is hair worn down with shape to it. Medium to thick density on an oval or long face suits it. Blow-dry with a large round brush, rolling the ends out, set with a light spray, and brush through once. A gloss seven days before makes the flip read in photos.
9. French Twist on Medium Hair
I cut the perimeter blunt at the collarbone with soft layers through the front. A French twist holds on medium hair provided the length reaches the shoulder. Medium density on an oval or long face suits it. Blow-dry it smooth, tease lightly at the back, sweep to one side, fold it under toward the center, and pin down the seam. One soft piece stays out at the front. Trim two weeks out.
10. Deep Side-Parted Loose Waves
I cut long layers starting at the chin on dry hair, then point cut the ends. Of the wedding hairstyles medium length hair can wear down, loose waves with a deep side part are the least complicated. Medium density on a round or square face carries them. Curl with a one and a quarter inch iron, brush out, set a deep part, and spray the heavy side so it stays. Trim two weeks out, gloss seven days before.
11. Twisted Half Up With Pearl Accents
I cut long layers starting at the chin on dry hair. A twisted half up with pearl pins adds detail without the commitment of a full updo. Fine to medium density on most face shapes suits it. Curl it loosely, take two sections at each temple, twist both back, pin at the crown, and slide three small pearl pins into the twist. Trim ten days out, and keep products light so the pins slide in cleanly.
12. Low Rolled Bun, Side Parted
I cut the perimeter at the collarbone, add long layers, and point cut the ends. The low rolled bun with a side part is one of the bridesmaid hairstyles medium length hair keeps in place all night. Medium to thick density on an oval or round face suits it. Blow-dry smooth, part to one side, sweep the hair back to the nape, roll it under, and pin across the roll. Gloss seven days before.
13. Boho Braid Half Up
I cut long layers starting at the chin and point cut the ends. The bohemian braid half up runs one loose braid down the center of the half up section. Medium to thick density on an oval or heart face suits it. Curl the length, take the crown section, braid it loosely down the back, pull it apart for width, and pin the end underneath. Trim two weeks out.
14. Faux Bob, Tucked Under
I cut the perimeter at the collarbone and add soft layers. A tucked under faux bob turns medium hair into a chin bob for one day. Medium density on an oval or long face takes it. Curl loosely, place a thin elastic headband around the head, tuck the ends under and over the band, and pin. A few pieces pulled loose at the front finish it. Trim two weeks out.
15. Hollywood Glam Waves
I cut the perimeter blunt at the collarbone with no layers so the wave pattern stays continuous. Glam Hollywood waves call for a side part and a smooth, careful set. Medium to thick density on an oval or long face suits them. Curl in one direction with a one inch iron, clip each curl while it cools, brush out, and set with a firm spray. Trim ten days out and gloss seven days before.
16. Low Ponytail Wrapped With a Braid
I cut a blunt collarbone perimeter on dry hair. A braided wrap dresses up a plain low ponytail. Medium to thick density on an oval or heart face suits it. Blow-dry smooth, gather at the nape, take a thin section out of the tail, braid it, wrap it around the elastic, and pin underneath. Give the tail a loose curl. Trim two weeks out.
17. Bouffant Half Up With Volume
I cut long layers from the chin and keep the crown section slightly shorter for lift. A half up bouffant builds height at the crown. Fine to medium density on a round or square face suits it. Blow-dry with a round brush, tease the crown section, smooth the top layer over it, and pin at the back. Give the length a loose curl. Trim two weeks out, and skip the gloss on fine hair.
18. Fishtail Braid Swept to the Side
I cut the perimeter blunt at the collarbone with no layers so the braid stays even top to bottom. On medium hair that reaches the collarbone, a fishtail braid over one shoulder works. Medium to thick density on an oval or long face suits it. Blow-dry smooth, sweep to one side, fishtail braid down to the ends, pull apart for width, and tie off. Trim two weeks out, gloss seven days before.
19. Soft Updo Built From Curled Pieces
I cut long layers starting at the chin and point cut the ends. The soft updo with curled pieces is one of the wedding hairstyles medium length hair holds with the fewest pins. Medium density on most face shapes works. Curl everything, pin each curl loosely at the nape one after another, and pull a few pieces out around the face. Trim two weeks out.
20. Sleek Center-Parted Bob Tuck
I cut the perimeter blunt at the collarbone and part it in the center. The sleek center part with one side tucked is hair worn down with no curl at all. Medium to thick density on an oval or heart face suits it. Blow-dry with a paddle brush, flat iron section by section, add serum, and tuck one side behind the ear. Trim ten days out and gloss seven days before.
21. Rope-Twisted Low Bun
I cut the perimeter at the collarbone and add long layers. A rope twist low bun looks braided but takes less time. Medium to thick density on an oval or round face suits it. Blow-dry smooth, gather at the nape, split into two, twist each section in the same direction, wrap them around each other, coil into a bun, and pin. Trim two weeks out.
22. Waterfall Braid Over Waves
I cut long layers starting at the chin, ends point cut. A waterfall braid with waves lays a braid across the back while the length hangs down. Medium density on an oval or heart face suits it. Curl the length, begin a braid at one temple, drop a section on each stitch, and pin behind the opposite ear. Trim two weeks out, gloss seven days before.
23. Classic Chignon Finished With a Hair Vine
I cut the perimeter at the collarbone and soften the front with layers. The classic chignon with a hair vine is the dressiest of the bridesmaid hairstyles medium length updo options. Medium density on an oval or long face suits it. Blow-dry smooth, gather at the nape, twist, coil into a chignon, pin, and set the vine along the top edge. Trim ten days out and gloss seven days before.
24. Crown Twist Half Up Over Loose Curls
I cut long layers starting at the chin on dry hair. A crown twist half up frames the face with two twists meeting at the back. Medium density on a round or square face suits it. Curl the length, twist a section from each side toward the back, pin where the two meet, and pull the twists a little wider. Trim two weeks out, and leave out the gloss if the hair already has shine.
25. Low Side Bun Made of Curls
I cut long layers starting at the chin and point cut the ends. The low side bun with curls sits just behind one ear. Medium density on an oval or heart face suits it. Curl everything, sweep to one side, gather behind the ear, pin the curls loosely into a bun one after another, and leave one curl down at the front. Trim two weeks out, gloss seven days before.
See also layered curly haircuts and best bob haircuts for fine hair.
Bridesmaid hairstyles medium length sit at the practical chin-to-collarbone range, long enough to tuck and short enough to pin by a busy wedding morning. FYI, long layers from the chin with a low side bun of curls behind the ear holds through the reception. That side bun is what keeps the hair off the face in photos.
