Men’s medium-length hairstyles open a world of stylistic opportunities to offer modern haircuts that cater to every man’s personal style. Whether you’re drawn to the sophistication of a comb-over or the textured allure of a curly top, medium-length hair provides a versatile canvas to express your individuality.
Medium Length Hairstyles for Men
These popular mid-length hairstyles allow for flexibility in styling, transitioning seamlessly from professional settings to casual outings. The key to mastering these medium-length haircuts lies in understanding the nuances of each cut and the styling products that best complement them, ensuring your hair looks great and feels great, too.
Comb Over
Mastering the comb over begins with the proper foundation: a precise cut that keeps the sides short and leaves length on top. To style, opt for a high-quality pomade or hair gel for a glossy finish that holds throughout the day.
Apply the product to damp hair, then use a comb to neatly sweep the hair to one side, creating a clean part line. The comb over offers a polished, professional look while leaving room for personalization.
Pair it with a mid-fade to give the cut a modern update. This will create a smooth transition from the longer hair on top to the neatly tapered sides.
Crew Cut
The contemporary crew cut features a neat, structured form that provides a low-maintenance solution for medium-length hair. It’s one of the most popular shorter styles because of its clean lines and ease of upkeep, offering a sharp, polished look with minimal effort.
To achieve this low-maintenance style, ask your barber for a graduated cut that maintains more length at the front. This cut can be styled with a small amount of pomade for a polished finish.
The sides are precisely tapered, often with an undercut to emphasize the top’s volume. For daily styling, a light touch of hair wax can control frizz and maintain the sharp, clean lines of the medium haircut.
Curly Top Haircut
For those with natural curls or coarse hair, a curly top haircut enhances the volume and dynamics of your locks. When cutting, an expert barber can layer the curls to add dimension and reduce bulk, allowing each curl to stand out.
Regular trims are essential for maintenance to keep the curls in shape and prevent split ends. Avoid over-styling with combs or brushes, as this can disrupt the curl pattern and lead to a less defined look.
Curly Top with Fade Haircut
The curly top with fade is all about contrast and texture. The sides and back are faded down to the skin for a sharp, clean look that draws attention to the curly hair on top.
Opt for a mid-fade to strike a balance between boldness and subtlety, ensuring the curls remain the focal point of the style. Apply a curl-enhancing cream or hair gel after washing to keep the curls defined and reduce frizz.
It is essential to find a skilled barber who can craft the fade with precision, seamlessly blending it into the thicker hair and textured curls above. Regular hair conditioner will keep the curls soft, and a touch of hair spray can help maintain the style’s shape throughout the day.
Dreadlocks
Dreadlocks require patience to start and consistent care to maintain. Deciding on the size and sectioning pattern is essential when creating dreadlocks, as it affects the overall look and manageability.
Use a residue-free shampoo and incorporate essential oils like tea tree or peppermint to keep the scalp healthy. Regular palm rolling helps promote tight, neat dreadlocks as the hair begins to lock.
Avoid wax and heavy hair styling products to prevent build-up.
Faux Hawk
The faux hawk, a tamer cousin of the mohawk, strikes an impressive balance between boldness and wearability. The cool hairstyle features shorter sides that gradually increase in length as they approach the center strip of the head, which is styled to stand up and command attention.
To achieve the faux hawk’s signature spiky texture, use a firm-hold hair gel or wax, working the product in with your fingertips to create the central peak. This style is the perfect choice for those wanting to add an edge to medium-length hair without committing to a traditional mohawk.
Feathered Haircut
The feathered haircut is a nod to the laid-back styles of the past, updated for today’s fashion. The key to this medium-length hair look is the layering, which gives the hair a soft, feathered appearance and allows for movement and flow.
This cut can add volume and texture for those with naturally straight or wavy hair. Styling is typically minimal; a light mousse application can enhance the feathering effect, and a quick blow-dry can add volume at the roots.
Layered Cut
The layered cut is one of the most popular medium hairstyles and involves creating various lengths within the hair to produce a textured, dynamic look. When discussing options with your barber, consider the natural flow of your hair and how it pairs with your face shape.
Use sea salt spray or light hair wax to enhance the natural waves and add that sought-after surfer hair vibe. The layered technique removes excess weight, allowing for more volume and making this classic hairstyle easier to manage.
Messy Hairstyle
To achieve the effortlessly tousled effect of the messy hairstyle, one must not underestimate the importance of the proper cut and product. Request a trim that offers varying lengths for a natural, unkempt appearance, and use a light pomade or hair wax to add definition.
When working with messy styles, it’s important to work the product into your hair with your hands, focusing on creating volume and lift at the roots for an added sense of fullness. This mid-length hair option is a popular choice and benefits from being low commitment on maintenance while high on impact, with the occasional use of hair spray to secure the style in place.
Middle Part Haircut
The classic middle part reflects the timeless appeal of symmetry in hairstyling. Ideal for men with straight or slightly wavy hair, this popular haircut is defined by its neat division down the center, allowing hair to drape equally on both sides.
To enhance the sleekness of this style, use a straightening iron on low heat for a smooth finish, followed by a light application of hair gel or pomade for subtle shine and hold. It’s essential to keep the hair well-conditioned for a healthy appearance and to use a comb for precision when creating the parting.
Pompadour
The contemporary pompadour remains a symbol of style and sophistication. It is characterized by its voluminous, swept-back hair on the top, which gradually recedes into shorter sides.
This mid-length hair option is adaptable to various hair types, and a strong hold pomade is essential to maintain the lift at the front throughout the day. When styling, blow dry your hair upwards to create the pompadour’s signature volume, then shape it with your hands and secure it with hair spray.
The sides can be tapered or faded, depending on personal preference and the desired contrast level with the top.
Quiff
The quiff begins with a longer length on top that gradually shortens on the sides. When styling at home, apply a heat protectant before using a hair dryer to direct the hair upwards and back to create the iconic voluminous look.
A round brush can be helpful in this step, adding curvature and height. Once dried, a high-hold pomade or hair gel can be used to sculpt the hair into the desired shape, with the quiff standing tall and the sides slicked back for contrast.
Shag Haircut
The shag haircut is defined by its layered, choppy texture that creates a casual, rock ’n’ roll vibe. It’s perfect for men with naturally wavy or straight hair who want a medium-length haircut with movement and an easy-going edge.
To maintain the shag’s signature bedhead look, use a light texturizing cream or sea salt spray to enhance the layers and add a matte finish. This medium haircut is low-maintenance, requiring minimal styling, and grows out nicely, keeping its shape.
Side Part Undercut
The side part undercut is a dapper choice that combines a side part’s timeless elegance with an undercut’s edgy modernity. The hair on top is left long enough to part and style often slicked back with pomade for a sleek, glossy appearance.
The undercut is sharply defined, with the sides and back trimmed short to contrast with the above volume. This haircut requires precision styling; use a fine-toothed comb and a strong hold product to maintain the parting and keep hair in place.
Slick Back
The slick back hairstyle reflects classic grooming, blending sophistication with a sharp, contemporary edge. To master this look, start with damp hair and apply a high-hold pomade evenly from root to tip.
Use a comb to pull the hair straight back, creating a smooth surface that allows the natural hairline to shine. The sides should be kept short, often with an undercut, to accentuate the slicked-back top.
Spiky Cut
The spiky cut involves cutting the hair to a versatile length, allowing texture and styling flexibility. Using a combination of hair gel and wax, apply the products to damp hair and pull sections upwards to create the signature spikes.
This style is perfect for those who want a bold look that can be tamed or emphasized according to the occasion. Maintenance is straightforward, requiring only regular trims to keep the ends sharp and the style defined.
Textured Crop
With the textured crop, a versatile style that enhances natural hair texture, achieve a modern, effortless look. This haircut focuses on short, choppy layers across the top, creating depth and dimension that works perfectly for medium hair.
With slightly longer strands left at the crown, this hairstyle offers flexibility for different styling options while maintaining a relaxed appearance. To style this textured hairstyle, use a matte-finish clay or texturizing spray to add definition and volume.
Textured Fringe Haircut
The textured fringe haircut is characterized by its playful yet refined appearance. The fringe is left longer to create a distinct contrast with shorter sides.
For styling, work a small amount of hair wax or pomade through your fringe to add texture and hold, allowing it to sweep naturally across the forehead. The textured fringe haircut allows for plenty of styling flexibility.
Incorporating a mid fade into the sides enhances the haircut’s clean lines and adds a contemporary touch. While keeping the longer fringe in focus, it creates a dynamic contrast.
This cut suits various hair types and lengths and can be customized to match different face shapes and personal grooming preferences. It’s ideal for those who wish to cover their forehead or have strong facial features, as the fringe can be tailored to complement and soften their look.
Textured Haircut with Curly Fringe
The textured haircut with curly fringe elevates the natural curliness of the hair. It features a textured top with a playful curly fringe that adds a modern twist.
The sides are typically shorter to accentuate the textured hair’s natural volume and movement on top. Styling this cut can be as simple as applying a curl-defining product to damp hair and allowing it to air dry, locking in the texture and bounce of the curls.
It’s important to use hydrating products designed for curly hair to maintain health and definition.
Twists with Fade
Twists with a fade is a charismatic and stylish haircut that combines intricately twisted hair with sharply faded sides. It offers a striking, contemporary, and versatile look.
The twists on top provide a textured contrast to the fade, making this style a standout choice. Keeping the hair well-moisturized with natural oils or a leave-in conditioner is essential to maintain the twists.
The fade requires precise barbering skills to ensure a smooth transition from the voluminous twists to the nearly bare skin.
Wavy Hairstyle
The wavy hairstyle is about embracing wavy hair’s natural flow and volume. To enhance the waves without over-styling, apply a small amount of sea salt spray to damp hair and scrunch gently with your hands.
This will bolster the hair’s natural texture while keeping it soft and pliable. For those with longer waves, a light hair conditioner will keep the waves defined and free from frizz.
Crafting Your Signature Hairstyle
Men’s medium-length hairstyles stand at the crossroads of innovation and timeless appeal, offering a range of looks that can be tailored to fit any lifestyle and personal taste. From the clean lines of a crew cut to the bold statement of dreadlocks, each style carries its character and flair.
The journey through these hairstyles is not just about following trends; it’s about finding a look that resonates with your personal style, enhancing your confidence, and expressing your unique identity. As you consider your next hairstyle, remember the power of hair to transform and elevate your style, making every day a new opportunity to showcase your individuality.
