Men's Wolf Cut Length Hairstyle - Shaggy layered medium hair with curtain bangs

Medium Length Hairstyles:
56 Best Styles 2026

Four to six inches on top is enough for a wolf cut, a Korean perm, a pompadour or a curtain fringe.

By Jessica Hamilton, Editor · Updated October 9, 2026

Quick answer: Medium-length hair means about 4–6 inches on top, and it suits men who want room to style without the upkeep of long hair. Faded versions run a #1 to #3 on the sides and the rest are scissor cut; expect a trim every 2 to 3 weeks.

Medium Length Styles at a Glance

Every style on this page with its clipper guard, top length and trim interval. Tap a name to jump to that card.

56 styles compared

Medium Length styles compared
Style	Sides (guard)	Top	Trim every	Best for
Textured Taper Fade	scissor cut	–	2 to 3 weeks	All faces
Medium Undercut	#1 to #2	–	2 weeks	Square faces
Disconnected Undercut	#1 to #2	–	2 weeks	Bold personalities
Hard Part Medium Hair	scissor cut	–	2 weeks	Bold professional looks
Fringe Fade	#1 to #2	–	2 to 3 weeks	Round/square faces
Undercut Fade	#1 to #2	–	2 weeks	Bold looks
Medium Hair with Mid Fade	#3	4 to 5 in	2 weeks	Round, oval faces
Medium Hair with Low Taper	–	5 in	3 to 4 weeks	Oval, heart faces
Medium Length Burst Fade	#2	4 in	2 weeks	Oval, diamond faces
Layered Medium Hair	scissor cut	–	3 to 4 weeks	Wavy hair
Medium Feathered Hair	scissor cut	–	3 weeks	Straight hair
Bro Flow	scissor cut	–	3 weeks	All faces
Medium Shag	scissor cut	–	3 weeks	Wavy/thick hair
Textured Medium Hair	scissor cut	–	3 weeks	All faces
Medium Flow Haircut	scissor cut	5 to 6 in	6 to 8 weeks	Oval, square faces
Medium Hockey Flow	–	4 in	6 to 8 weeks	Oval, long faces
Medium Length Swept Back Hair	#4	5 in	4 to 5 weeks	Oval, square faces
Long French Crop	#2	–	2 to 3 weeks	Round/square faces
Angular Fringe	#3	–	2 to 3 weeks	Professional looks
Comma Hair	#2	–	2 to 3 weeks	Oval and heart faces
Long Textured Crop	scissor cut	–	2 to 3 weeks	All faces
Messy Fringe	#2	–	2 to 3 weeks	Casual looks
Medium Length Curtains	–	5 in	4 weeks	Heart, oval faces
Shaggy Medium Fringe	–	4 to 5 in	4 to 5 weeks	Square, oblong faces
Wolf Cut	scissor cut	–	3 weeks	Square/oval faces
Modern Mullet	scissor cut	–	3 weeks	Oval faces
Blowout Taper	#1 to #2	–	2 to 3 weeks	Fine hair
Broccoli Haircut	scissor cut	–	2 to 3 weeks	Round or square faces
Korean Perm	scissor cut	–	3 weeks	All faces
Fluffy Hair	scissor cut	–	2 to 3 weeks	Fine or thin hair
Asian Medium Length Hair	–	5 in	4 weeks	Oval, round faces
Textured Quiff	#2	–	2 to 3 weeks	Square faces
Medium Side Part	scissor cut	–	2 to 3 weeks	Professional looks
Curtain Haircut	scissor cut	–	3 weeks	Round and oval faces
Slicked Back Hair	#2	–	2 to 3 weeks	Oval faces
Modern Pompadour	scissor cut	–	2 to 3 weeks	Oval faces
Medium Hair with Full Beard	–	4 to 5 in	4 weeks	Oval, oblong faces
Medium Hair with Stubble	–	4 to 5 in	4 to 5 weeks	Round, oval faces
Wavy Mop Top	scissor cut	–	3 weeks	Wavy hair
Layered Mid-Length Afro	scissor cut	–	3 to 4 weeks	Round/oval faces
Wavy Perm	scissor cut	–	3 weeks	Straight hair wanting movement
Medium Haircut for Thin Hair	scissor cut	–	2 to 3 weeks	Thin/fine hair
Medium Wavy Hair	–	4 to 6 in	5 to 6 weeks	Oval, oblong faces
Medium Curly Hair	–	5 in	4 to 6 weeks	Oval, round faces
Medium Length Twists	–	3 to 5 in	3 to 4 weeks	Oval, square faces
Two Block Haircut	#2	–	2 to 3 weeks	Straight hair
Classic Blowout	#1 to #2	–	2 to 3 weeks	Fine hair
Layered Straight Hair	scissor cut	–	3 weeks	Fine straight hair
Long Angular Fringe	#2	–	2 to 3 weeks	Professional-bold looks
Medium Hair for Round Face	–	5 in	3 weeks	Round faces
Medium Length Gray Hair	scissor cut	4 to 5 in	4 weeks	Oval, square faces
Half-Up Half-Down	–	6 in	6 to 8 weeks	Oval, long faces
Half-Up Bun	–	6 in	6 to 8 weeks	Oval, square faces
Medium Hair Tucked Behind Ears	–	5 in	5 to 6 weeks	Heart, oval faces
Medium Hair with Headband	–	4 to 6 in	6 weeks	Oval, square faces
Stubby Ponytail	–	1 in	8 weeks	Oval, square faces

📚 Part of our Hair by Type & Texture guide hub. Explore every related guide in one place.

What Counts as Medium-Length Hair for Men?

Medium-length hair for men means about four to six inches on top, with shorter sides and enough length for volume, texture and several styling directions. It sits between a low-maintenance short cut and the commitment of long hair, and options include the textured taper fade, French crop, pompadour, wolf cut, medium undercut and Korean perm. It is also the hardest length to manage: long enough to get heavy but not long enough for its own weight to pull it down, so it tends to go flat at the roots or wide at the sides. Internal weight removal and the right product fix that, so apply product to damp hair and direct it with a blow-dryer. Round faces suit a textured quiff, square faces a wolf cut or shaggy layers, and oval faces any style. Ask for a four to six inch top with your layer, fringe and side detail. A full trim every two to three weeks keeps the shape.

If you want the length only on top, our short sides long top haircuts guide shows 76 ways to keep the sides tight.

Most of these cuts depend on how the top is layered, and our guide to layered haircuts for men explains how to ask for the right amount.

Medium hair on top suits a sharp step at the sides; browse disconnected undercut haircuts for guard numbers and styling for each version.

Upkeep depends on the sides more than the top: in the gallery below, the fade and undercut styles need a trim about every two weeks, while the layered flows can go three.

Medium Length: Strengths at a Glance

✓Perfect balance, enough hair to style, short enough for low-maintenance daily wear
✓Works with straight, wavy, curly, coily, thick, fine, and thinning hair
✓Pairs perfectly with fades, tapers, undercuts, bursts, and beards
✓Looks modern and relaxed every day

Medium Length Hairstyles: Quick Face Shape Guide

Round: Textured quiff or volume on top. Add height to elongate the face.
Square: Wolf cut or shaggy layers: soften the jawline with natural movement.
Oval: Any style, the easiest face shape for medium length.
Heart: Curtain fringe or bro flow: balance the wider forehead.
Oblong: Wavy mop or feathered, add visual width without adding height.

How to Cut the Perfect Medium Length Hairstyle (Barber Instructions)

Pro tip: always texturize and style the top dry so the client can see the exact volume and movement before leaving the chair: this is what separates a good medium cut from a great one.

1
Prep
Dampen hair or cut dry for precision. Section the top hair away from the sides and back.
2
Sides & Back
Use clippers for low, mid, or high fade, or taper, depending on the desired contrast level.
3
Top Length
Leave 4–6 inches on top. This is the defining length for all medium styles.
4
Layers
Add medium layers throughout for movement and to remove weight without losing volume.
5
Fringe
Cut soft, choppy, angular, curtain, or forward fringe as desired by the style.
6
Texturing
Heavy point-cutting and thinning shears for piecey, natural texture.
7
Blend
Soft transition or disconnected line depending on how much contrast you want.
8
Finish
Clean neckline, sideburns, and around ears. Style dry so the client sees the final texture and volume.

Universal Barber Script

"I want a [Style Name] medium length hairstyle: 4–6 inch top with [layer/texture detail], [fringe detail], and [side detail, e.g. mid fade or low taper]."

Short vs Medium vs Long Hair: Which is Right for You?

Understanding where medium length sits in the spectrum makes choosing easy.

Short vs Medium vs Long Hair: Which is Right for You?
	Short	Medium 2026	Long
Top length	Under 3 inches	4–6 inches (the sweet spot)	6–12+ inches
Styling time	Under 2 mins	3–6 minutes	5–10 minutes
Maintenance	Every 2–3 weeks	Every 2–4 weeks	Every 4–6 weeks
Styling range	Limited	High, many styles	Unlimited
Professional look	Easy	Easy	Harder to maintain
Bold factor	High with fades	High, styling-dependent	Maximum personality

Textured, Fade & Undercut Styles

Medium length with high-contrast sides: undercuts, a hard part and a hybrid undercut-fade, most needing a trim every two weeks. The Textured Taper Fade is the easier option at two to three.

Style images are AI-generated illustrations.

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Textured Taper Fade

Sides: scissor cut
Trim: 2 to 3 weeks
Hair: straight, wavy

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 2–3 weeks.

Best For:All faces + straight/wavy hair.

About This Style

Length sits mid-way down the head, longer than a typical short cut but not shoulder-grazing, with a taper down the sides and texturizing scissors breaking up the top. It works across most face shapes and both straight and wavy hair since the taper does the shaping. Medium upkeep, needing product most days to keep the texture from settling flat.

How to Style at Home

Work a little styling cream into towel-dried hair, mostly through the textured crown.
Scrunch upward from the ends, then comb the sides flat against the taper.
Leave the top to air-dry for a natural, undone finish.

Ask Your Barber

"Medium length on top please, with a taper on the sides and some texture through the crown."

Recommended Products

Styling Cream

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Medium Undercut

Sides: #1 to #2
Trim: 2 weeks

Maintenance:

High

Trim:Every 2 weeks.

Best For:Square faces + thick hair.

About This Style

An undercut shaves the sides close while a noticeably longer, medium-length top is left to fall loose or be styled in almost any direction. Square faces with thick hair suit it well, since the length on top softens strong jaw angles while thick hair gives it the body to move as one section rather than falling flat. High maintenance, since the long top needs daily attention.

How to Style at Home

Concentrate matte clay from mid-length to ends on the damp medium top, or pomade for a glossier day.
A short blow-dry adds lift if the top looks flat.
Comb it back or to one side depending on the day, leaving the shaved sides bare.

Ask Your Barber

"Undercut on the sides please, and leave the top at a solid medium length to style loose. Use a #1 or #2 on the sides, scissors on top."

Recommended Products

Matte Clay

Pomade

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Disconnected Undercut

Sides: #1 to #2
Trim: 2 weeks

Maintenance:

High

Trim:Every 2 weeks.

Best For:Bold personalities + all faces.

About This Style

No gradual blend here between the shaved sides and the medium-length top, just a hard, visible jump in length that makes a bolder statement than a standard undercut. It works across face shapes precisely because the contrast is the focus rather than any particular shaping. High maintenance, with the disconnection line needing regular upkeep to stay sharp.

How to Style at Home

Rake a small amount of clay or cream through the damp top.
Push it up and away from the shaved sides so the jump in length stays obvious.
Every two weeks, have the disconnection line cleaned up.

Ask Your Barber

"Disconnected undercut please, no blending at all, and keep a solid medium length on top. Use a #1 or #2 on the sides, scissors on top."

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Hard Part Medium Hair

Sides: scissor cut
Trim: 2 weeks
Hair: straight

Maintenance:

High

Trim:Every 2 weeks.

Best For:Bold professional looks + straight hair.

About This Style

A razor-thin line shaved directly into medium-length, straight hair, giving a sharp graphic detail that works especially well in bold professional settings where a defined part reads as put-together. High maintenance, since the shaved line needs a barber's attention every couple of weeks to stay crisp as it grows out.

How to Style at Home

On both sides of the shaved line, comb damp hair away from it.
Matte clay holds the medium length neat and flat without shine.
Never comb across the part itself, and re-comb each morning to reset it.

Ask Your Barber

"A hard part please, shaved in sharp, with the rest kept at a neat medium length. Scissor cut on top, no clipper above the ears."

Recommended Products

Matte Clay

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Fringe Fade

Sides: #1 to #2
Trim: 2 to 3 weeks
Hair: straight

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 2–3 weeks.

Best For:Round/square faces + straight hair.

About This Style

A medium-length fringe is left at the front and brushed forward, paired with a fade underneath for contrast, a combination that suits round or square faces with straight hair since the fringe adds length at the forehead without extra width. Medium maintenance, with the fade needing a touch-up every two to three weeks while the fringe itself grows out slowly.

How to Style at Home

Use a light cream on the damp fringe only.
Press it forward and slightly down over the forehead.
Leave the faded sides product-free, and snip the fringe between visits if it reaches the eyes.

Ask Your Barber

"Medium fringe please, brushed forward, with a fade underneath for contrast. Use a #1 to #2 on the sides."

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Undercut Fade

Sides: #1 to #2
Trim: 2 weeks

Maintenance:

High

Trim:Every 2 weeks.

Best For:Bold looks + thick hair.

About This Style

This combines the hard line of an undercut at the very base with a soft fade blending upward from it, giving thick hair a bold look that still has some graduation rather than a completely flat jump. High maintenance, since both the undercut base and the fade blend above it need regular attention to stay defined.

How to Style at Home

Work matte clay or pomade through the thick medium top while damp.
Comb it up and back for volume.
If thick hair separates unevenly by afternoon, reshape it with a little more product on your fingers.

Ask Your Barber

"A hybrid cut please, undercut at the base blending into a fade, bold but not flat. Use a #1 or #2 on the sides, scissors on top."

Recommended Products

Matte Clay

Pomade

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Medium Hair with Mid Fade

Sides: #3
Top: 4 to 5 in
Trim: 2 weeks
Hair: straight

Maintenance:

High

Trim:Every 2 weeks. The fade blurs well before the top needs cutting.

Best For:Round, oval faces + straight or thick hair.

About This Style

Starting at the temple, a mid fade from skin or a #0 up to a #3 clears the sides while four to five inches stays on top. The contrast makes medium hair look intentional instead of grown out. Round faces benefit because the narrow sides lengthen the head. You can push the top back, across or forward, but the fade fixes the outline either way.

How to Style at Home

Blow-dry the top in your chosen direction on damp hair.
Rake a small amount of matte clay through with your fingers.
Tidy the front with a quick pinch and twist.

Ask Your Barber

"A mid fade starting at the temple, skin to a #3, with four to five inches left on top and some texture through it."

Recommended Products

Matte Clay

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Medium Hair with Low Taper

Top: 5 in
Trim: 3 to 4 weeks
Hair: wavy

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 3–4 weeks. A taper grows out quietly.

Best For:Oval, heart faces + wavy or fine hair.

About This Style

Only the sideburns and neckline are tapered, so the sides keep their length and the overall shape stays soft. It is the most conservative way to clean up medium hair, and it lets you go a month between visits. Heart-shaped faces suit the fullness around the ears. Fine hair looks thicker because the sides are not stripped away.

How to Style at Home

Towel-dry and work a little styling cream through.
Comb or finger the top loosely to one side.
Tuck or smooth the side hair over the ears.

Ask Your Barber

"A low taper at the sideburns and nape only, keep length over the ears, and about five inches on top with light layers."

Recommended Products

Styling Cream

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Medium Length Burst Fade

Sides: #2
Top: 4 in
Trim: 2 weeks
Hair: wavy, curly, coily

Maintenance:

High

Trim:Every 2 weeks. The curve around the ear loses shape quickly.

Best For:Oval, diamond faces + curly or wavy hair.

About This Style

A burst fade curves around the ear and leaves the back long, which pairs with four inches of medium length for a mullet-adjacent outline. Curly hair is the usual choice since the length at the back drops into loose coils. Sides fade from skin behind the ear up to a #2. See our burst fade guide for shorter versions.

How to Style at Home

Apply curl cream to wet hair and scrunch.
Diffuse on low heat or air-dry without touching the curls.
Shape the back so it falls slightly over the collar.

Ask Your Barber

"A burst fade around the ear, skin to a #2, with the back left long and four inches of curl on top."

Recommended Products

Curl Cream

Flow, Layered & Shaggy Styles

Layered, feathered and shaggy cuts meant to move, all rated low maintenance at about three weeks between trims. Wavy hair suits most of them.

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Layered Medium Hair

Sides: scissor cut
Trim: 3 to 4 weeks
Hair: wavy

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 3–4 weeks.

Best For:Wavy hair + all faces.

About This Style

Layers are cut through medium-length hair to add natural movement rather than one uniform block of length, which suits wavy hair especially well since the layers let the wave pattern show through. It works across face shapes because the layering softens whatever the underlying shape happens to be. Low maintenance, holding its shape for three to four weeks.

How to Style at Home

Damp wavy hair takes a spray of sea salt.
Scrunch gently to help the layers separate.
Air-dry or diffuse on low, then tousle by hand instead of combing.

Ask Your Barber

"Layered please, medium length, with enough movement to let the natural wave show. Scissor cut on top, no clipper above the ears."

Recommended Products

Sea Salt Spray

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Medium Feathered Hair

Sides: scissor cut
Trim: 3 weeks
Hair: straight

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 3 weeks.

Best For:Straight hair + heart/oblong faces.

About This Style

Feathering cuts the ends at an angle so they flick outward slightly rather than lying flat, a detail that works well on straight hair and flatters heart or oblong faces by adding width right where those shapes narrow. Low maintenance, since the feathered ends hold their flick with just a blow-dry and comb.

How to Style at Home

Round-brush damp hair, flicking the ends outward as each section dries.
Put a small amount of styling cream on the tips only.
Comb through gently so the feathered ends stay visible.

Ask Your Barber

"Feathered ends please, medium length, with the tips flicking outward rather than straight. Scissor cut on top, no clipper above the ears."

Recommended Products

Styling Cream

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Bro Flow

Sides: scissor cut
Trim: 3 weeks
Hair: straight, wavy

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 3 weeks.

Best For:All faces + straight/wavy hair.

About This Style

Hair is simply grown out to medium length and left to fall back naturally off the forehead, without a defined part or heavy layering, a relaxed look that suits most faces and both straight and wavy hair. It is genuinely low effort, since the whole point is letting hair do what it naturally does rather than fighting it.

How to Style at Home

A few drops of argan oil in damp hair keep the ends soft.
Finger-style the hair straight back off the forehead.
Let it air-dry and push stray pieces back by hand during the day.

Ask Your Barber

"Just grow it out and push it back please, nothing structured, keep it natural. Scissor cut on top, no clipper above the ears."

Recommended Products

Argan Oil

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Medium Shag

Sides: scissor cut
Trim: 3 weeks
Hair: wavy

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 3 weeks.

Best For:Wavy/thick hair + all faces.

About This Style

Heavy, choppy layering runs throughout medium-length hair here, giving wavy or thick hair a lot of texture and broken-up movement rather than a smooth, single shape. It suits any face shape since the layers add visual interest without changing the overall outline much. Low maintenance, needing a trim only every three weeks.

How to Style at Home

Mist sea salt into towel-dried hair.
Scrunch up from the ends so the choppy layers separate.
Leave a few pieces uneven and let it air-dry fully.

Ask Your Barber

"Shaggy layers please, medium length, choppy and textured rather than smooth. Scissor cut on top, no clipper above the ears."

Recommended Products

Sea Salt Spray

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Textured Medium Hair

Sides: scissor cut
Trim: 3 weeks
Hair: wavy

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 3 weeks.

Best For:All faces + wavy hair.

About This Style

Similar to the layered flow but with more texturizing work throughout, giving wavy hair extra separation and a slightly rougher finish. It suits any face shape well because the texture, not the outline, carries the look. Low maintenance, with three weeks between trims being enough to keep the shape fresh.

How to Style at Home

Spray a little sea salt into damp waves.
Pull sections apart with your fingers for separation.
Air-dry, and spritz with water if it flattens during the day.

Ask Your Barber

"Textured and flowing please, medium length, with plenty of separation through the top. Scissor cut on top, no clipper above the ears."

Recommended Products

Sea Salt Spray

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Medium Flow Haircut

Sides: scissor cut
Top: 5 to 6 in
Trim: 6 to 8 weeks
Hair: straight, wavy

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 6–8 weeks. The flow benefits from extra length.

Best For:Oval, square faces + straight or wavy thick hair.

About This Style

In a flow, everything is swept back and allowed to fall behind the ears, with the ends just reaching the collar. At medium length, that means five to six inches on top and three to four on the sides, cut in long layers. No clipper work is needed. It is a halfway point for men growing toward a full flow cut.

How to Style at Home

Apply sea salt spray to damp hair from the roots outward.
Finger-comb everything back and let it fall naturally.
Push the side lengths back behind your ears to finish.

Ask Your Barber

"Scissor cut only, long layers, five to six inches on top and three to four on the sides so it all sweeps back and touches my collar."

Recommended Products

Sea Salt Spray

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Medium Hockey Flow

Top: 4 in
Trim: 6 to 8 weeks
Hair: straight, wavy, curly

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 6–8 weeks. Longer back hair is the goal.

Best For:Oval, long faces + wavy or thick straight hair.

About This Style

Hockey hair keeps the back longer than the front, so curls or waves spill out from under a helmet or cap. The top is four inches and pushed back, the sides tucked over the ears, and the nape left two inches longer than elsewhere. Wavy hair gives the best kick at the back. It suits active men who do not want to style much.

How to Style at Home

Wash, then towel-dry until the hair is just damp.
Scrunch a little sea salt spray into the back.
Push the top back with your fingers and leave it.

Ask Your Barber

"Keep the back longer than everything else so it flicks out, about four inches on top pushed back, and sides over the ears."

Recommended Products

Sea Salt Spray

Leave-In

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Medium Length Swept Back Hair

Sides: #4
Top: 5 in
Trim: 4 to 5 weeks
Hair: straight, wavy

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 4–5 weeks. Layers need reshaping.

Best For:Oval, square faces + straight or wavy hair.

About This Style

Rather than a tight, wet slick back, this is swept back loosely with a matte cream and keeps visible layers. Five inches on top and a #4 or scissor-cut sides around the ears hold the shape. Square faces suit it because it shows the forehead and jaw. A blow-dry with a round brush gives lift at the front so it does not lie flat on the head.

How to Style at Home

Blow-dry back over a round brush for lift at the roots.
Work matte cream through the lengths with your fingers.
Let the ends separate instead of combing them.

Ask Your Barber

"About five inches on top cut in layers so it sweeps back loosely, and the sides scissor cut or a #4 around the ears."

Recommended Products

Matte Cream

Round Brush

Fringe & Crop Styles

Fringe-forward cuts at medium length: a modern French crop, an angular fringe, comma hair, a textured crop and a messy fringe, each needing a trim every two to three weeks.

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Long French Crop

Sides: #2
Trim: 2 to 3 weeks
Hair: straight

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 2–3 weeks.

Best For:Round/square faces + straight hair.

About This Style

A French crop with a straight, blunt fringe cut at medium length rather than the usual short crop, giving straight hair a fuller fringe that suits round or square faces by adding softness at the forehead. Medium maintenance, with the fringe needing regular trims to stay at the right length above the brow.

How to Style at Home

A light cream on the damp, fuller fringe gives it hold.
Press the fringe forward and down with your fingers.
Trim it every couple of weeks so it sits above the brow.

Ask Your Barber

"A French crop please, but keep the fringe at a fuller, medium length rather than short. Use a #2 on the sides, scissors on top."

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Angular Fringe

Sides: #3
Trim: 2 to 3 weeks
Hair: straight

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 2–3 weeks.

Best For:Professional looks + straight hair.

About This Style

The fringe is cut on a diagonal at medium length rather than straight across, giving straight hair an angled line that suits professional settings by looking deliberate rather than casually grown out. Medium maintenance, since the angle needs regular combing and the occasional trim to stay sharp.

How to Style at Home

While damp, comb the fringe toward its long side.
Styling cream holds the diagonal direction.
Sharpen the line with a comb once styled, and reset it by hand if it drifts.

Ask Your Barber

"Medium-length angular fringe: cut the front on a diagonal from about my left eyebrow down to the right cheekbone, point-cut the edge lightly, and keep the sides at a #3 taper."

Recommended Products

Styling Cream

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Comma Hair

Sides: #2
Trim: 2 to 3 weeks
Hair: straight, wavy

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 2–3 weeks.

Best For:Oval and heart faces + straight or lightly wavy hair.

About This Style

A soft, curved fringe styled to hook gently to one side like a comma, cut at medium length for straight or lightly wavy hair, a look that suits oval and heart faces by adding a rounded softness at the front. Medium maintenance, with light product needed daily to hold the curved shape.

How to Style at Home

Light pomade goes on the damp fringe only.
Curve it to one side with your fingers, following its natural fall.
Blow-dry briefly to set the hook, and re-curl by hand if it straightens.

Ask Your Barber

"Comma hair please, a soft curved fringe at medium length, hooking gently to one side. Use a #2 on the sides, scissors on top."

Recommended Products

Light Pomade

Pomade

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Long Textured Crop

Sides: scissor cut
Trim: 2 to 3 weeks
Hair: wavy

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 2–3 weeks.

Best For:All faces + wavy hair.

About This Style

A crop with more length left on top than usual, textured with scissors rather than cut into a smooth block, which suits wavy hair especially well since the wave adds to the choppy texture. It works across most face shapes because the broken-up top avoids adding width anywhere in particular. Medium maintenance overall.

How to Style at Home

Damp waves take texture clay.
Scrunch upward to encourage separation.
Push sections forward and let it air-dry for the most textured result.

Ask Your Barber

"A textured crop please, medium length on top, choppy rather than smooth."

Recommended Products

Texture Clay

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Messy Fringe

Sides: #2
Trim: 2 to 3 weeks

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 2–3 weeks.

Best For:Casual looks + all faces.

About This Style

A deliberately undone fringe at medium length, left loose and slightly tousled rather than combed into a defined shape, suited to casual settings and most face shapes since it reads as relaxed rather than trying too hard. Medium maintenance, since the messy look still needs product to look intentional rather than simply unkempt.

How to Style at Home

Spray sea salt into your palms first, then into the fringe.
Tousle it forward with your fingers instead of a comb.
Leave a few pieces separated and uneven.

Ask Your Barber

"A messy fringe please, medium length, loose and undone rather than styled straight. Use a #2 on the sides, scissors on top."

Recommended Products

Sea Salt Spray

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Medium Length Curtains

Top: 5 in
Trim: 4 weeks
Hair: straight, wavy

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 4 weeks. The center part separates as it grows.

Best For:Heart, oval faces + straight or wavy hair.

About This Style

A center part splits five inches of hair into two panels that frame the face and fall around the cheekbones. Layering at the ends keeps the curtains from looking flat or heavy. Heart-shaped faces suit the width at the cheeks. Sides can be tapered or left over the ears for a softer look. Our curtains haircut guide covers shorter versions.

How to Style at Home

Part damp hair in the middle with a comb.
Blow-dry each side away from the part with a brush.
Use a little styling cream to shape the ends.

Ask Your Barber

"A center part with five inches on top, layered ends so the curtains fall around my cheekbones, and a light taper on the sides."

Recommended Products

Styling Cream

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Shaggy Medium Fringe

Top: 4 to 5 in
Trim: 4 to 5 weeks
Hair: wavy

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 4–5 weeks. Shaggy cuts handle some growth.

Best For:Square, oblong faces + thick, wavy hair.

About This Style

A long, choppy fringe reaching the eyebrows sits over a shaggy, layered top of four to five inches. The shag layering removes bulk from thick hair so it does not sit like a helmet. Square jaws look softer under the uneven fringe, and oblong faces look shorter. Messy, matte finishes suit it better than shiny products.

How to Style at Home

Spray sea salt through damp hair, focusing on the top.
Rough-dry it forward with your fingers on medium heat.
Twist small sections of the fringe with matte clay.

Ask Your Barber

"A shaggy layered cut with four to five inches on top and a choppy fringe to my eyebrows. Take out the bulk."

Recommended Products

Sea Salt Spray

Matte Clay

Volume, Wolf Cut & Specialty

The wolf cut, modern mullet, Korean perm and a broccoli cut bring the volume. The perm adds movement to straight hair, and the fluffy cut and blowout taper suit fine hair.

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Wolf Cut

Sides: scissor cut
Trim: 3 weeks
Hair: wavy

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 3 weeks.

Best For:Square/oval faces + wavy/thick hair.

About This Style

A wolf cut combines heavy shag-style layering on top with a mullet's longer length at the back, cut at medium length overall, which suits wavy or thick hair since the texture makes the layers pop. Square or oval faces both handle the added volume well. Low maintenance, needing a trim only every three weeks.

How to Style at Home

Spray sea salt through damp, thick hair.
Scrunch upward through the layers to build texture.
Leave the longer back alone and let everything air-dry.

Ask Your Barber

"A wolf cut please, shaggy layers on top with a bit more length kept at the back. Scissor cut on top, no clipper above the ears."

Recommended Products

Sea Salt Spray

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Modern Mullet

Sides: scissor cut
Trim: 3 weeks
Hair: straight, wavy

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 3 weeks.

Best For:Oval faces + straight/wavy hair.

About This Style

A toned-down mullet at medium length, shorter on top and sides with a noticeably longer back section, works well with straight or wavy hair and suits oval faces particularly since the length doesn't compete with the face's natural proportions. Low maintenance, with the back needing only occasional trims to keep it neat.

How to Style at Home

Mist the shorter top with sea salt spray.
Let the back air-dry naturally, untouched.
Comb the front forward or to the side, as you prefer.

Ask Your Barber

"A modern mullet please, kept fairly subtle, shorter on top with more length at the back. Scissor cut on top, no clipper above the ears."

Recommended Products

Sea Salt Spray

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Blowout Taper

Sides: #1 to #2
Trim: 2 to 3 weeks

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 2–3 weeks.

Best For:Fine hair + oval faces.

About This Style

A blowout lifts fine hair at the roots with a round brush and heat, adding height and fullness that a taper on the sides then frames cleanly, which suits fine hair and oval faces since the added volume compensates for hair that would otherwise look flat. Medium maintenance, since the blowout needs redoing most mornings.

How to Style at Home

Sea salt spray at the damp roots gives fine hair grip.
Round-brush each section, lifting the front upward and slightly back.
A light mist of spray holds the volume.

Ask Your Barber

"A blowout please, lots of lift at the roots, with a taper down the sides. Use a #1 at the sideburns and nape, #2 above."

Recommended Products

Round Brush

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Broccoli Haircut

Sides: scissor cut
Trim: 2 to 3 weeks
Hair: wavy, curly

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 2–3 weeks.

Best For:Round or square faces + curly/wavy hair.

About This Style

Curly or wavy hair is left in a rounded, bunched shape on top, resembling the vegetable it's named for, cut at medium length so the curls have enough room to form that rounded silhouette. It suits round or square faces since the roundness on top can either echo or soften the jawline depending on how tight the curls sit. Medium maintenance, since curls need regular product to hold shape.

How to Style at Home

Generously coat soaking wet curls with curl cream.
Scrunch from the ends toward the roots, then diffuse on low.
Keep your hands off until dry, and refresh with a water spritz at midday.

Ask Your Barber

"Keep the curls rounded and full on top please, medium length, not cropped too short. Scissor cut, no clipper."

Recommended Products

Curl Cream

Diffuser

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Korean Perm

Sides: scissor cut
Trim: 3 weeks
Hair: straight, curly

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 3 weeks

Best For:All faces + straight hair wanting movement.

About This Style

A light perm adds movement to naturally straight hair at medium length, giving it wave and volume it wouldn't otherwise have, a look that works across face shapes for anyone wanting more texture without committing to fully curly hair. Low maintenance day to day, though the perm itself needs redoing every few months as it grows out and relaxes.

How to Style at Home

Spritz a little sea salt into damp permed hair.
Scrunch gently to define the waves.
Air-dry or diffuse on low, and skip brushing, which loosens the perm.

Ask Your Barber

"I'd like a light perm please, just enough movement added to my straight hair at medium length. Scissor cut on top, no clipper above the ears."

Recommended Products

Sea Salt Spray

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Fluffy Hair

Sides: scissor cut
Trim: 2 to 3 weeks

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 2–3 weeks.

Best For:Fine or thin hair + oval faces.

About This Style

Fine or thin hair is cut and dried to maximize volume and softness rather than sharp lines, giving it a fuller, fluffier appearance at medium length that suits oval faces well. Medium maintenance, since fine hair needs a blow-dry most days to keep the fluffy volume from falling flat.

How to Style at Home

Mist sea salt spray through damp fine hair.
Round-brush dry, lifting at the roots.
Once dry, scrunch gently for softness and keep heavy pomades away.

Ask Your Barber

"Something soft and fluffy please, fine hair at medium length with plenty of volume. Scissor cut on top, no clipper above the ears."

Recommended Products

Round Brush

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Asian Medium Length Hair

Top: 5 in
Trim: 4 weeks
Hair: straight

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 4 weeks. Straight thick hair sticks out as it grows.

Best For:Oval, round faces + straight, thick Asian hair.

About This Style

Straight, thick Asian hair at medium length tends to stick out at the sides and lie flat on top. The barber thins the sides internally and point-cuts the top so it falls with movement. Five inches on top with a soft fringe to the eyebrows is common. A light perm or a blow-dry adds lift. More ideas are on our Asian haircuts page.

How to Style at Home

Blow-dry the roots upward on damp hair for lift.
Shape the fringe forward with a round brush.
Finish with a light matte cream worked through the ends.

Ask Your Barber

"Five inches on top point-cut for movement, a soft fringe to my eyebrows, and thin out the sides so they lie flat."

Recommended Products

Matte Cream

Round Brush

Slick, Part, Quiff & Pompadour

The neater medium options: a textured quiff, a side part, a slick back and a modern pompadour. Curtain fringe is the lowest-upkeep card here at three weeks.

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Textured Quiff

Sides: #2
Trim: 2 to 3 weeks
Hair: wavy

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 2–3 weeks.

Best For:Square faces + wavy/thick hair.

About This Style

The front section is pushed up and forward into a rounded peak at medium length, with choppy texture rather than a smooth finish, a shape that suits square faces with wavy or thick hair since the added height softens strong jaw angles. Medium maintenance, needing daily reshaping to keep the peak in place.

How to Style at Home

A little matte clay on the damp front section sets up the quiff.
Round-brush upward and slightly forward.
Pinch small sections for texture and reshape the peak at midday if needed.

Ask Your Barber

"A textured quiff please, medium length, with a peak at the front pushed up and forward. Use a #2 on the sides, scissors on top."

Recommended Products

Matte Clay

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Medium Side Part

Sides: scissor cut
Trim: 2 to 3 weeks
Hair: straight

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 2–3 weeks.

Best For:Professional looks + straight hair.

About This Style

A defined side part in medium-length, straight hair gives a tidy, professional finish without the shorter, close-cropped feel of a classic side part fade. Medium maintenance, since the longer length needs a comb and a light product daily to keep the part from disappearing under everyday wear.

How to Style at Home

Find your natural part by combing damp hair.
Light pomade on the parted side holds it; regular pomade for thicker hair.
Comb the other side smooth toward the part, and reset it every morning.

Ask Your Barber

"A side part please, medium length, kept neat and professional-looking. Scissor cut, no clipper."

Recommended Products

Light Pomade

Pomade

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Curtain Haircut

Sides: scissor cut
Trim: 3 weeks
Hair: straight, wavy

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 3 weeks.

Best For:Round and oval faces + straight/wavy hair.

About This Style

Hair at the front is parted down the center and swept to either side, framing the face on both edges, cut at a medium length that suits round and oval faces since the two soft lines draw attention down past the jaw. Low maintenance, needing only a comb and occasional trim every three weeks.

How to Style at Home

Rake styling cream through the damp fringe.
Part it at the center and sweep each side outward with a round brush.
Let the rest air-dry and tousle the ends by hand.

Ask Your Barber

"Curtain fringe at about cheekbone length, center part, with soft layers through the front so each side sweeps out. Keep the back at collar length and the sides over the ears. Scissor cut on top, no clipper above the ears."

Recommended Products

Styling Cream

Round Brush

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Slicked Back Hair

Sides: #2
Trim: 2 to 3 weeks
Hair: straight

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 2–3 weeks.

Best For:Oval faces + straight hair.

About This Style

Medium-length, straight hair is combed straight back from the forehead with a wet or glossy finish, giving oval faces a slick, formal silhouette without any fringe or part interrupting the line. Medium maintenance, since the slicked finish needs product reapplied through the day to hold against natural fall-forward.

How to Style at Home

Use a generous amount of pomade on soaking wet hair.
Comb straight back from the hairline in one motion.
Tidy flyaways with a fine-tooth comb, and add a little more pomade later if hold loosens.

Ask Your Barber

"Slicked back please, medium length, combed straight back with a bit of shine. Use a #2 on the sides, scissors on top."

Recommended Products

Pomade

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Modern Pompadour

Sides: scissor cut
Trim: 2 to 3 weeks
Hair: straight

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 2–3 weeks.

Best For:Oval faces + straight hair.

About This Style

A pompadour built at medium length rather than short, giving straight hair on oval faces real height and volume at the front without the shorter, tighter sides of a classic version. Medium maintenance, needing a blow-dry and pomade most mornings to hold the swept-back shape.

How to Style at Home

Pomade the roots of towel-dried hair.
Round-brush the front up and back while the sides are combed down.
Add a second light coat once the shape has cooled.

Ask Your Barber

"A pompadour please, medium length, with real height and volume swept back at the front. Scissor cut, no clipper."

Recommended Products

Pomade

Round Brush

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Medium Hair with Full Beard

Top: 4 to 5 in
Trim: 4 weeks

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 4 weeks. Shape the beard weekly.

Best For:Oval, oblong faces + thick hair, full beard growth.

About This Style

Four to five inches of hair combed back or to the side balances a full beard of one to two inches. The sideburns blend into the beard so the hair and beard look like one shape. Oblong faces get width from the beard. Keep the neckline of the beard above the Adam's apple to avoid a scruffy look. Use oil for the beard and cream for the hair.

How to Style at Home

Comb styling cream through the hair while it is damp.
Brush a few drops of beard oil through the beard.
Shape the cheek and neck edges of the beard with a trimmer.

Ask Your Barber

"Four to five inches on top combed back, sideburns blended into my full beard, and shape the beard to an even length."

Recommended Products

Styling Cream

Beard Oil

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Medium Hair with Stubble

Top: 4 to 5 in
Trim: 4 to 5 weeks
Hair: straight, wavy

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 4–5 weeks. Trim stubble twice a week.

Best For:Round, oval faces + straight or wavy hair.

About This Style

Light stubble of about 3 mm adds definition to the jaw while medium hair of four to five inches carries the style. The relaxed combination works for casual and office settings. Round faces get a sharper outline from the stubble shadow. Use a beard trimmer to keep it even, and finish hair with a matte product for a natural look.

How to Style at Home

Trim the stubble evenly with a 3 mm guard every few days.
Towel-dry and rake matte clay through your hair.
Push the top loosely to one side with your fingers.

Ask Your Barber

"Four to five inches on top with texture through it, and taper the sides down into my stubble at the sideburns."

Recommended Products

Matte Clay

Curly, Wavy & Natural Texture

Texture-first medium cuts: a wavy mop, a layered mid-length afro for coily hair, a perm for straight hair that wants movement, and a volume cut for thin hair.

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Wavy Mop Top

Sides: scissor cut
Trim: 3 weeks
Hair: wavy

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 3 weeks.

Best For:Wavy hair + all faces.

About This Style

A loose, all-over mop of medium-length hair left to show its natural wave without much shaping or a defined part, a genuinely easy look for wavy hair that suits most face shapes. Low maintenance, since the whole point is letting the wave fall naturally rather than fighting it with product.

How to Style at Home

Spray sea salt into damp waves.
Scrunch gently and let it air-dry without further styling.
Loosen it by hand once dry if needed.

Ask Your Barber

"Just let the wave show naturally please, medium length, nothing too structured. Scissor cut on top, no clipper above the ears."

Recommended Products

Sea Salt Spray

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Layered Mid-Length Afro

Sides: scissor cut
Trim: 3 to 4 weeks
Hair: curly, coily

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 3–4 weeks + deep condition.

Best For:Round/oval faces + coily/curly hair.

About This Style

Coily or curly hair is layered at medium length to shape the natural volume of an afro rather than leaving it as one uniform round mass, which suits round or oval faces by adding some structure to the sides. Low maintenance day to day, though it benefits from a deep condition alongside regular trims to keep curls healthy.

How to Style at Home

Section soaking wet coils and smooth curl cream through each one.
Detangle gently with a wide-tooth comb before it dries.
Leave dry curls alone, and deep condition weekly.

Ask Your Barber

"Layer my curls at a medium length please, and keep the natural shape of my afro. Scissor cut, no clipper."

Recommended Products

Curl Cream

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Wavy Perm

Sides: scissor cut
Trim: 3 weeks
Hair: straight, wavy, curly

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 3 weeks

Best For:Straight hair wanting movement + all faces.

About This Style

A perm gives naturally straight hair wave and body at medium length, a way to add movement without growing curls out or relying on daily heat styling. It suits most face shapes since the added texture is subtle rather than dramatic. Low maintenance between salon visits, though the perm itself needs occasional refreshing as it relaxes.

How to Style at Home

Use a small amount of light cream on damp permed hair.
Scrunch gently rather than combing through.
Air-dry or diffuse on low, and avoid brushing.

Ask Your Barber

"I'd like a perm please, medium length, just enough wave to add some natural movement. Scissor cut on top, no clipper above the ears."

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Medium Haircut for Thin Hair

Sides: scissor cut
Trim: 2 to 3 weeks

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 2–3 weeks.

Best For:Thin/fine hair + all faces.

About This Style

Cut specifically to maximize volume in thin or fine hair, using layers and a blow-dry technique to build fullness at medium length rather than letting fine strands lie flat. It works across face shapes since the added volume is the main goal rather than any particular silhouette. Medium maintenance, needing daily blow-drying to hold the fullness.

How to Style at Home

Dry roots take texture powder, either before or after a blow-dry for more lift.
Round-brush each section as you dry.
Scrunch gently once dry, keeping heavy products away from fine hair.

Ask Your Barber

"Something with more volume please, my hair is quite fine, and keep it at medium length. Scissor cut on top, no clipper above the ears."

Recommended Products

Texture Powder

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Medium Wavy Hair

Top: 4 to 6 in
Trim: 5 to 6 weeks
Hair: wavy

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 5–6 weeks. Waves hide uneven growth.

Best For:Oval, oblong faces + natural 2A to 2C waves.

About This Style

Waves come alive at four to six inches, where the length gives them room to bend. The barber cuts dry, following each wave so they fall evenly. Sides are left fuller, which adds width for oblong faces. Do not brush it once dry, or the waves turn to frizz. A cream that defines without crunch keeps the finish soft. More ideas are in our wavy hair guide.

How to Style at Home

Apply leave-in and curl cream to wet hair.
Scrunch gently with a towel and leave the waves to air-dry.
Separate waves with your fingers once fully dry.

Ask Your Barber

"Cut it dry so you can follow my waves, four to six inches on top, fuller sides, no thinning shears."

Recommended Products

Curl Cream

Leave-In

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Medium Curly Hair

Top: 5 in
Trim: 4 to 6 weeks
Hair: curly

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 4–6 weeks. Curls lose shape as weight builds.

Best For:Oval, round faces + 3A to 3C curls.

About This Style

Curly hair shrinks, so five inches stretched becomes about three inches of springy curl on the head. A barber who cuts curl by curl, removing weight at the back and sides, gives a rounded shape instead of a triangle. Round faces can add a low taper to slim the sides. Never brush dry curls; use your fingers.

How to Style at Home

Apply curl cream to soaking wet hair, section by section.
Scrunch upward and diffuse on low heat until almost dry.
Fluff the roots with your fingers once dry.

Ask Your Barber

"Cut my curls dry one by one, five inches stretched on top, and take weight out of the sides so it does not form a triangle."

Recommended Products

Curl Cream

Detangling Spray

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Medium Length Twists

Top: 3 to 5 in
Trim: 3 to 4 weeks
Hair: coily

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 3–4 weeks. Retwist roots and tidy the taper.

Best For:Oval, square faces + coily or 4C hair.

About This Style

Two-strand twists of three to five inches sit on top while a low taper keeps the sides neat. The twists hang to around the eyebrows and swing slightly with movement. Retwisting the roots every two to three weeks keeps them uniform. As a protective style, it gives the hair a rest, and the daily routine is just a quick moisturize.

How to Style at Home

Moisturize the scalp and the twists with a light leave-in.
Retwist any loose roots with a small amount of loc gel.
Cover with a durag or satin cap at night.

Ask Your Barber

"A low taper on the sides and back, leave three to five inches of twists on top, and clean the edges."

Recommended Products

Loc Gel

Leave-In

Two Block, Blowout, Layered Straight and Angular Fringe

Four medium cuts with a stronger outline, led by the two-block and an angular fringe. The layered straight cut is the gentlest of them, at three weeks between trims.

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Two Block Haircut

Sides: #2
Trim: 2 to 3 weeks
Hair: straight

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 2–3 weeks.

Best For:Straight hair + square/oval faces.

About This Style

A Korean-style cut where the sides and back are cut noticeably shorter in one distinct block, while the top is left long and full at medium length, a strong contrast that suits straight hair on square or oval faces well. Medium maintenance, since the longer top needs regular styling even though the shorter sides hold their shape.

How to Style at Home

Work a little cream through the damp top.
Brush it forward or to one side.
A short blow-dry adds volume if the top looks flat; the short sides need nothing.

Ask Your Barber

"A two-block cut please, short and neat on the sides, full and medium length on top. Use a #2 on the sides, scissors on top."

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Classic Blowout

Sides: #1 to #2
Trim: 2 to 3 weeks

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 2–3 weeks.

Best For:Fine hair + oval faces.

About This Style

Similar to a blowout taper but without the sharp taper line, this version relies on lifting fine hair at the roots to build height and fullness at medium length, well suited to oval faces that can carry the added volume without looking top-heavy. Medium maintenance, needing a blow-dry most mornings.

How to Style at Home

Spray sea salt at the roots of damp fine hair.
Round-brush sections, directing the front upward for height.
Finish with a light mist to hold the volume.

Ask Your Barber

"A blowout please, plenty of volume and height, medium length overall. Use a #1 at the sideburns and nape, #2 above."

Recommended Products

Round Brush

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Layered Straight Hair

Sides: scissor cut
Trim: 3 weeks
Hair: straight

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 3 weeks.

Best For:Fine straight hair + heart/oblong faces.

About This Style

Fine, straight hair is cut in soft layers at medium length rather than one blunt line, adding gentle movement that particularly suits heart and oblong faces by softening a narrower chin or elongated outline. Low maintenance, since fine straight hair holds the layered shape with minimal daily effort.

How to Style at Home

A drop of argan oil on damp ends keeps fine layers soft.
Round-brush for light root volume.
Comb through gently so the layers show.

Ask Your Barber

"Soft layers please, medium length, nothing too heavy since my hair is fine. Scissor cut on top, no clipper above the ears."

Recommended Products

Argan Oil

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Long Angular Fringe

Sides: #2
Trim: 2 to 3 weeks
Hair: straight

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 2–3 weeks.

Best For:Professional-bold looks + straight hair.

About This Style

The fringe here is cut on a diagonal at a slightly longer, medium length than the standard angular fringe, giving straight hair a sharper line that works for professional settings while still reading as a bit bolder than a plain part. Medium maintenance, since the diagonal edge needs a comb and light product daily to stay crisp as the fringe grows.

How to Style at Home

Comb the longer fringe to one side while damp.
A light styling cream holds the angle.
Sharpen the diagonal edge with a fine-tooth comb, resetting it by hand if it moves.

Ask Your Barber

"An angled fringe please, medium length, sharp diagonal line, professional but not plain. Use a #2 on the sides, scissors on top."

Recommended Products

Styling Cream

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Medium Hair for Round Face

Top: 5 in
Trim: 3 weeks
Hair: straight, wavy

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 3 weeks. Side bulk widens the face fast.

Best For:Round faces + straight, wavy or thick hair.

About This Style

Round faces need height on top and slim sides. Five inches on top lifted into a textured quiff or swept up at the front adds length, while a mid taper keeps the sides close. Avoid center parts and heavy fringes that widen the face. An angled part or swept front breaks up the roundness. See our round face guide.

How to Style at Home

Lift the front with a round brush while blow-drying.
Apply texture clay and lift the roots with your fingertips.
Keep the sides flat with a light comb-through.

Ask Your Barber

"Five inches on top for height, a mid taper to keep the sides slim, and texture so I can lift the front."

Recommended Products

Texture Clay

Round Brush

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Medium Length Gray Hair

Sides: scissor cut
Top: 4 to 5 in
Trim: 4 weeks

Maintenance:

Medium

Trim:Every 4 weeks. Gray hair gets wiry with length.

Best For:Oval, square faces + gray or salt and pepper hair.

About This Style

Gray hair at four to five inches shows its silver tones best and looks fuller than a short cut. Brushed back or to the side, it gives a mature, relaxed look. Gray hair is coarser, so a moisturizing cream tames frizz. A purple shampoo once a week stops yellowing. Our silver fox guide has more gray styles.

How to Style at Home

Wash with purple shampoo once a week to stop yellowing.
Smooth styling cream through damp hair with your palms.
Brush the hair back or to the side once dry.

Ask Your Barber

"Four to five inches on top brushed back, layered to soften the coarse gray, and a scissor taper at the sides."

Recommended Products

Styling Cream

Leave-In

Half-Up, Tucked and Tied Medium Styles

At five to six inches, hair can be pulled back, tucked or tied in short sections. These styles keep it off the face for work or the gym without needing full man bun length.

Style images are AI-generated illustrations.

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Half-Up Half-Down

Top: 6 in
Trim: 6 to 8 weeks
Hair: straight, wavy

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 6–8 weeks. Length is the point; trim ends only.

Best For:Oval, long faces + straight or wavy hair.

About This Style

Here the top section, from the temples up, is pulled back and tied with a small elastic, while the sides and back hang loose. Six inches on top is enough. It keeps hair out of your eyes while still showing length. Long faces suit it because the loose sides add width. Keep the ends healthy with a light oil.

How to Style at Home

Brush the top section back from the temples.
Tie it at the crown with a small elastic.
Smooth the loose ends with a drop of argan oil.

Ask Your Barber

"Keep at least six inches on top so I can tie it half up, layered so the loose parts hang well. Just trim the ends."

Recommended Products

Argan Oil

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Half-Up Bun

Top: 6 in
Trim: 6 to 8 weeks
Hair: straight, wavy

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 6–8 weeks. A dusting keeps the ends healthy.

Best For:Oval, square faces + thick, wavy or straight hair.

About This Style

Twisting the top section into a small knot at the crown turns a half-up tie into a bun. It suits men with six inches on top and thick hair that holds the bun. The sides hang free or can be tapered. Pull it loosely so it does not strain the hairline. It works well for exercise or long workdays.

How to Style at Home

Gather the top hair back to the crown.
Twist and loop it into a small bun.
Secure it with an elastic, then loosen the bun slightly.

Ask Your Barber

"Six inches on top so I can make a small bun at the crown. Keep the sides long enough to hang or a light taper."

Recommended Products

Styling Cream

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Medium Hair Tucked Behind Ears

Top: 5 in
Trim: 5 to 6 weeks
Hair: straight

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 5–6 weeks. Growth just tucks further back.

Best For:Heart, oval faces + straight or fine hair.

About This Style

Straight hair of around five inches all over can be parted and tucked behind both ears for a simple, clean look. The barber keeps the sides long enough to reach past the ears, and shapes the nape so the back sits neatly. It frames the face without needing product. Heart-shaped faces look more balanced with the hair held back at the sides.

How to Style at Home

Part your hair at the center or side.
Comb a little styling cream through from roots to ends.
Tuck the side lengths neatly behind both of your ears.

Ask Your Barber

"Five inches all over with light layers, long enough at the sides to tuck behind my ears, and a tidy, natural nape."

Recommended Products

Styling Cream

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Medium Hair with Headband

Top: 4 to 6 in
Trim: 6 weeks
Hair: wavy, curly

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 6 weeks. A headband hides the front growth.

Best For:Oval, square faces + thick, wavy or curly hair.

About This Style

A thin elastic or sports headband pushes medium hair off the face for training, then comes off for a normal look. It is common with footballers and athletes who grow their hair to four to six inches. The front is often lifted slightly above the band. Wavy and curly hair look fuller above it, and it keeps sweat off the forehead.

How to Style at Home

Push the hair back off your face with your fingers.
Slide the headband on from the nape forward.
Lift the front slightly so it sits above the band.

Ask Your Barber

"Four to six inches on top, layered so it pushes back under a headband. Keep the sides fairly full and the back tidy."

Recommended Products

Sea Salt Spray

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Stubby Ponytail

Top: 1 in
Trim: 8 weeks
Hair: straight, wavy

Maintenance:

Low

Trim:Every 8 weeks. Only the ends need trimming.

Best For:Oval, square faces + straight or wavy thick hair.

About This Style

Once the back reaches the collar, the hair can be pulled into a short ponytail at the nape, leaving just an inch or two of tail. It bridges the awkward grow-out stage toward long hair. Some strands at the front may fall loose, which is part of the look. Thick hair holds it best. A soft elastic avoids breakage at the nape.

How to Style at Home

Brush all of the hair back toward the nape.
Tie a low ponytail with a soft elastic.
Let a few front strands fall loose around the face.

Ask Your Barber

"I am growing it out, so just trim the ends and keep the back long enough for a short ponytail at the nape."

Recommended Products

Styling Cream

How Do You Maintain Medium-Length Hair?

→Full trim: every 2–3 weeks to keep the shape fresh and contrast sharp.
→Top refresh: every 3–4 weeks. You can let the top grow slightly longer for more styling options.
→Daily styling: 3–6 minutes: extremely low-maintenance once you learn the routine.
→Grows out well: transitions naturally into longer textured or layered styles with almost no awkward phase.
→Use a blow-dryer with a concentrator nozzle to add lift and define the texture after applying your styling product.

Best Products for Medium Length Hairstyles

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Matte Texture / Everyday Clay

Blumaan Cavalier Clay, Hanz de Fuko Claymation, or Forte Series, the go-to for textured, piecey medium cuts.

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Sea Salt Spray + Fiber Paste

For wolf cuts, shaggy layers, and wavy mop styles, baxter of California or Evo for natural lived-in texture.

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Volumizing Mousse + Texture Powder

For blowout, fluffy, and volume cuts on fine or thin hair, lifts roots and adds body without weight.

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High-Shine Pomade or Styling Cream

For slick back, pompadour, side part, and angular fringe styles: Imperial Barber or Uppercut Deluxe.

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Curl Cream + Leave-In Conditioner

For Korean perm, broccoli haircut, wavy mop, and layered afro. Curl cream with diffuser for definition.

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Lightweight Cream or Argan Oil

For layered straight, feathered, and bro flow: natural hold and smooth finish without product heaviness.

Which Medium Length Hairstyle Is Right for You?

Pick your hair type and how much upkeep you will put in. The matches below come from the Best For and Maintenance notes on each card. Upkeep follows the Maintenance badge: low means a cut every 3 to 6 weeks and almost no daily styling, high means weekly line-ups or daily product.

Medium Length Hairstyle by hair type and upkeep
Hair type	Low upkeep	Medium upkeep	High upkeep
Straight	Medium Feathered Hair Bro Flow	Textured Taper Fade Fringe Fade	Hard Part Medium Hair Medium Hair with Mid Fade
Wavy	Layered Medium Hair Bro Flow	Textured Taper Fade Medium Hair with Low Taper	Medium Length Burst Fade
Curly	Medium Hockey Flow Korean Perm	Broccoli Haircut Medium Curly Hair	Medium Length Burst Fade
Coily	Layered Mid-Length Afro	Medium Length Twists	Medium Length Burst Fade

Clipper Guards Used in Medium Length Styles

A clipper guard is the plastic comb that clips onto the blade and sets how much hair is left: a #1 leaves 3 mm (1/8 inch), each step up adds about 3 mm. The right column lists the cards on this page that call for each guard. See the full clipper guard numbers guide for the complete chart.

Clipper guard sizes for medium length styles
Guard	mm	inch	Where it goes on this cut
#1	3 mm	1/8 in	Medium Undercut, Disconnected Undercut, Fringe Fade and 3 more
#2	6 mm	1/4 in	Medium Undercut, Disconnected Undercut, Fringe Fade and 11 more
#3	10 mm	3/8 in	Medium Hair with Mid Fade, Angular Fringe
#4	13 mm	1/2 in	Medium Length Swept Back Hair

Medium Length Hairstyles FAQ

Q1: What's the difference between medium length and short or long hairstyles?+

Medium length (4–6 inches on top) gives you styling flexibility without the daily effort of long hair or the limited options of very short cuts. It's the sweet spot, enough hair to style seriously, short enough for relaxed daily wear.

Q2: Are medium length hairstyles good for straight hair?+

Yes: the Textured Taper Fade, Long French Crop, Angular Fringe, Bro Flow, Medium Side Part, Slick Back, Modern Pompadour, Layered Straight Hair, and Long Angular Fringe are all specifically optimized for straight hair.

Q3: Are medium length hairstyles good for thin or fine hair?+

Absolutely, choose fluffy, blowout taper, blowout medium, or volume cut styles. Texture powder and volumizing mousse are your best friends. The right medium cut with the right products makes fine hair look significantly thicker.

Q4: Should I pair medium length hair with a fade or undercut?+

Yes. High-contrast looks like the Textured Taper Fade, Medium Undercut, Disconnected Undercut, Two-Block, Fringe Fade, and Hybrid Undercut-Fade are extremely popular in 2026. The contrast sharpens the whole look.

Q5: How low-maintenance are medium length hairstyles?+

Very low-maintenance. Most men style them in under 6 minutes once they learn the routine. Full trims every 2–3 weeks keep the shape fresh. The top can go 3–4 weeks between cuts.

Q6: What face shape works best with medium length hair?+

Almost all shapes. Oval and heart shapes love curtain fringes and layered styles. Square faces suit textured quiffs and wolf cuts. Round faces benefit from volume on top and side parts. Oblong faces look great with wider styles like the wavy mop.

Q7: Can I add color, highlights, or perms to medium length hair?+

Yes, korean perms and soft perms work especially well on medium length, adding natural-looking movement. Highlights and balayage are also popular in 2026 for adding dimension to textured and layered medium cuts.

Q8: How long until medium length hair grows out to long?+

3–5 months if you want to go longer. Medium length transitions smoothly into long styles with minimal awkward phase. Especially if you keep the sides short or faded while the top grows out.

9. How do I ask my barber for a medium-length cut?+

Say 'leave four to six inches on top, layered so it has movement, with the sides kept medium (a taper or light fade, not buzzed.' Medium is a broad range, so tell them the style you're after) flow, messy, loose quiff. So they cut the top to support it. Ask for layering to avoid the heavy, flat helmet that medium hair falls into without it.

10. Which medium-length styles work for wavy or curly hair?+

Wavy and curly hair are made for medium length: the texture gives body that straight hair has to work for. A medium flow, a loose curly crop, or a wavy middle part all let the pattern move. Ask for layering so the curls don't stack into a triangle, and style with a curl cream or sea-salt spray rather than anything heavy that drags the wave out.

Edited by

Jessica Hamilton

Editor

Jessica Hamilton edits and fact-checks each guide on menhaircuts.net, using barber resources and, for health topics, dermatology sources. Guides are drafted with AI assistance; gallery images are AI-generated illustrations.

Read Full Bio

Medium Length Hairstyles: Final Takeaway

The 56 Medium Length Hairstyles above run from the Textured Taper Fade to the Long Angular Fringe, each with its own barber script and upkeep notes. Faded versions run a #1 to #3 on the sides and the rest are scissor cut; most need a trim every 2 to 3 weeks, so pick the card closest to your hair type and show your barber its script.

You've explored all

Medium Length Hairstyles for Men 2026

Pull this page up at the barbershop so you can point to the exact style. Every style card has a barber script; show it in the chair and skip the guesswork.

Long Hairstyles for MenRead the full guide →Textured Crop Haircut for MenRead the full guide →Undercut Hairstyles for MenRead the full guide →Thick Hair Haircuts for MenRead the full guide →