29 Shoulder-Length Layered Hairstyles to Get You Inspired
Not quite long enough to pass as long but also not short enough to count as short hair, medium-length cuts are the perfect middle ground. And the best part is, they can work for any hair type, whether your hair is on the thinner side, super thick, straight or curly.
To help inspire your next cut, we’ve put together an edit of some of the best medium layered hair looks. Keep scrolling to see some of our favourite celebs rocking the mid-length style and read our expert tips on how to make it work for you.
Soft Shoulder-length Layers
Soft layers like those on Rosie Huntington-Whiteley are great for adding soft movement while retaining the overall length of the hair. Credit: @rosiehw
Soft Layered Lob
Whether you’re growing out a bob or contemplating getting one cut, this mid-way length is a great transitional style and the soft shaping at the ends makes all the difference.
Textured Layers
For those with straight hair, see how Gemma Chan’s subtle ombre and mermaid waves add texture to her mid-length layered hair.
Editor’s tip: There’s nothing worse than limp layers, so pump up the volume with a texturising spray, like the VO5 Dry Texturising Spray. This spray is great for adding an undone, messy texture to make your style look instantly cooler.
Curly Shoulder-length Layers
Curls look amazing with layers! Not only do they add more definition to waves and curls but they help to give your hair a more natural shag finish especially when styled with a fringe. Credit: @cashlawlesshair
Long Layers
Jennifer Aniston adds the illusion of extra length to her mid-length hair with a swooping side fringe and long layers. Try this look if you’re craving a trim but still want to hang onto your length.
Face-framing Layers with Balayage
If you’re looking for something new and subtle, we suggest asking your stylist for face-framing layers. This is also a great option for those who don’t want to sacrifice their overall length. Credit: @livetruelondon
Beachy Layers
If you’re looking for the perfect summer style, look no further. Hailey Baldwin‘s windswept layers give a surfer girl feel that pairs flawlessly with her sunny blonde strands.
Wispy Layers on Straight Hair
Slay your layered haircut by adding a fun ’90s blonde and brown colour combo just like Dua Lipa (AKA the poster girl for all things ’90s right now). Credit: @dualipa
Alexa Chung’s Layers
Giving medium-length layered hairstyles the fashion-pack seal of approval is model and designer Alexa Chung, who oozes cool girl chic with this fab tousled style!
We love the way that she adds some loose, natural-looking waves to her hair to accentuate her shorter layers, working in perfect harmony with her effortless gappy fringe.
Tousled Shoulder-length Layers
Get that I woke up like this look with tousled layers that are just screaming to be styled with big waves and flipped over to one side. Credit: @chrisjones_hair
Lived-in Lob
Margot Robbie is proof that layers always look better when styled into barely-there curls. So if you’re looking for the best way to show off your newly-cut layers, you know what to do!
Medium Layers with Bangs
What better way to show off your shoulder-length layers than with bangs! For added texture, spray your hair with a dry shampoo or a texturising spray, this will help show off layers on straight hair and help to give your strands that rock’n’roll vibe. Credit: @renyaxydis
Rock Chick Layers
Olivia Culpo proves that medium layered haircuts can have just as much volume than longer, flowing styles.
Editor’s tip: Tempted to try out Olivia’s rock chick style? For Bardot-worthy volume, turn to the Toni&Guy Root Lift Sculpting Powder. Simply sprinkle into your roots and the weightless, matte formula will instantly create masses of volume, without leaving your hair feeling like its full of product.
Classic Layers
How chic does Jenna Coleman look with this mid-length layered look? We love her gently curled ends, which bring out the shorter layers around her chin.
Shaggy Layers
Lily Collins is bringing back the ‘70s shag with this amped-up mid-length layered hair look. With short layers and a bumped-up crown, this style radiates retro-chic with a totally modern twist!
Psst: it’s also the perfect way to boost fine tresses, so if you’re suffering from thinning hair this is definitely one to consider.
Layers on Thick Hair
Who better to look to for hair inspiration than an actual Miss World winner, right? Priyanka’s shoulder-length layered cut has volume and sass aplenty and is the ideal source of inspiration for any thick-haired ladies.
Layers on Wavy Lob
Choppy layers are great for adding volume and definition to fine and thick strands. While the style is modern and chic, it also works a treat for limp strands that lack movement. Credit: @josephmaine
Layers with Bangs
Love medium layered haircuts but worried they won’t work with your fringe? Well, worry no more, as Felicity Jones is all the proof you need that bangs and layers are perfectly paired!
With her full, blunt fringe and subtle face-framing layers, this look brings out her stunning green eyes like a dream.
Shoulder-length Layers with Balayage
Whether it’s a balayage, ombre or highlights, show off your shoulder-length layers with a subtle colour melt like this blonde balayage. Credit: @emilycooper_hair
Highlighted Layers
The best way to really make your medium layered hair shine? Highlights, of course! Note how Selena Gomez has added in some lighter chocolate highlights through her shoulder-length cut to accentuate her hue and make her eyes pop.
Blunt Layers
If you’re in need of an office-appropriate, shoulder-length layered hair look, Tina Fey’s simple layered ends are all the inspiration you need.
Letting all of your hair remain the same length but adding slight shape to the ends with some neat layers, this look is perfect if you’re looking for a more mature style.
Flicked-out Layers
Stay in keeping with the current retro hair trend with flicked-out layers. Sarah Hyland’s flattering style is also a good one to consider if you have thin hair as it’s the ultimate body-booster.
Choppy Layers on Highlighted Hair
Light choppy layers, like above, are great for giving your hair a natural bedhead finish. Credit: @chadwoodhair
Sleek and Straight Layers
Nickelodeon actress Victoria Justice knows that straightening your hair can really help to make the most of any layers in your mane. With her raven mid-length layered hair divided into a perfect centre parting (with chic straightened lengths), this is the perfect way to wear your layers for an evening out.
Flicky Layers
For a sexy, sultry look, try working some flicked-out layers into your mane a la Eva Longoria. Adding a glam twist to mid-length layered hair, this is the perfect haircut for the woman who does it all, taking you seamlessly from desk to date night!
Face-Framing Layers
With her naturally coiled locks straightened, AnnaLynne McCord’s graduated layers accentuate her heart-shaped face for an ultra-flattering finish.
Editor’s tip: Don’t forget to protect your delicate strands with a heat protectant before straightening. The TRESemmé Heat Defence Spray contains a heat activated complex to help protect your locks from heat, so you can rest assured that not only does your hair look good, it’s being cared for, too.
Medium Layers
Thought medium layered hairstyles were a little too ‘out there’ for you? Then take inspiration from Keira Knightley’s staggered, medium layered hair and ask your stylist to incorporate a mixture of short, medium and long length layers for a wispy, feminine look.
Long Layers
Want to maintain your length? No problem! Opting for mid-length layered hair with long layers (like blonde actress Elle Fanning) is a great way to work layers into your look, without sacrificing any of your length.
Highlighted Layers
Highlights help tp give strands a sunkissed finish whether you’re a blonde or brunette. So, if you’re looking for a summer cut and colour, consider highlighted layers. Credit: @chadwoodhair
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