Everyone wants to look their best before the holidays. But there is nothing worse than getting a new haircut right before the new year only to find out it is already out of style. Luckily, you don’t have to fall into that trap.
We’ve searched high and low to bring you the top shoulder length haircuts for 2024! New year, new you, girl! If you’re looking for some inspiration for your next medium length cut, as well as a few ways to style it, keep reading and be sure to bring this to the salon to ensure you get the perfect haircut.
What Are Medium Length Haircuts?
Medium haircuts really are the best of both worlds: not too long and not too short. To be more specific, medium length cuts typically extend to about 18 inches for straight hair and 24 inches for curly hair. Anything beyond these lengths is considered a long hairstyle.
One of the best things about medium or shoulder length hair cuts is their versatility and ease of style. Transforming your hair from straight and sleek to curly and tousled is simple and takes much less time than it would when you have longer hair.
You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to experiment with different hair accessories while figuring out which styles best suit your look and add extra character to your style. Take a look below to find the best shoulder length hair cut styles.
Shoulder Length Haircuts 2024
Believe it or not, there are many unique ways to cut and style medium haircuts. Here are the ones you can expect to top the list of trends in 2024.
Create Movement With V-Cut Layers
Medium hair styles for women are especially excellent for those who need to add some movement and texture to their hair. Long hair looks fantastic, but it can make it harder to add volume curls and work with other styles because of its weight.
V-cut layers are angled layers that work best for ladies who like sleek volume. It is also quick and easy to style – making it the perfect cut for low-maintenance girlies who want to look great without spending two hours in front of the mirror every day.
Embrace Your Inner Rocker With A Medium Shag Cut
If you like vintage tees and leather jackets, you may want to consider a shaggy cut with bangs – it makes the perfect companion. Of all the medium hair styles for women, this may be the most high-fashion-inspired cut.
A medium shaggy cut paired with wispy bangs gives a whole new meaning to effortless style. Ask your stylist for tousled layers to add definition and body to your mop. However, it is important to point out that this style requires a bit of upkeep and more time to style.
Prepare to go for a trim every four to six weeks, and you’ll need to add some styling products and curls to keep this hair cut looking its best.
Versatility At Its Best – The Straight Cut
This medium length cut is perfect for ladies hoping to create the illusion of thicker hair. Straight cuts typically contain a single layer with textured or feathered ends. To add a bit of extra character, feel free to add your favorite style of bangs.
Fortunately, this cut is also relatively low maintenance. For your laid-back days, a bit of styling cream will easily tame your tresses. However, this haircut allows for tons of options when it comes to fancier hair styles. For example, you can use a blow dryer and a round brush to add sleek volume or add some waves for a bit of effortless glamour.
Up The Attitude With A Choppy Lob
One of the most famous (and for good reason) haircuts for shoulder length hair is the lob. If you’re unfamiliar with this cut, the explanation is in the name: just combine the words long and bob, and there you go!
The lob is a bob style with a bit of extra length, making it a great option if you like a sleek and well-styled cut without chopping off too much of your existing length. This ain’t your mama’s lob – there is so much you can do to add as much of your personality to it as you like.
If you have a more adventurous spirit, add pops of color throughout your lob by adding highlights in a bright pop of color. On the other hand, if sleek and stylish is more your vibe, opt for more natural-colored highlights, like honey, or ask your colorist for an ombre treatment.
Styling for this cut is versatile, too! Curls and waves provide a cool-girl edge, while straight styles look more polished and silkier.
Add A Feminine Touch With Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs are like the cherry on top for long and medium haircuts. They have been all the rage the past few years, and they show no sign of stopping! Curtain bangs are a softer approach to the more traditional blunt or straight-across bangs. They vary in length, so you can have them cut at the point of your face that is the most flattering.
This delicate fringe is marked by wispy ends that seamlessly blend into the rest of your hair, making them the perfect bangs for those no-style days – just tuck them behind your ears and be on your merry way.
When talking to your stylist, it is important to emphasize that you want these bangs to be longer on the sides to create that well-blended look that gives them their effortless appeal. Styling medium length cuts is easy with curtain bangs. While they are damp, just spend a few minutes using a round brush or heat styler to add volume at the root and flip them out and down to incorporate them with the rest of your hair.
Shoulder Length Haircuts 2024: 5 Styling Must-Haves
Medium hair styles for women vary from simple and quick to pro-level styling. If you’re getting ready to dive into your first shoulder length cut, there are a few styling products and tools you may want to have on hand to ensure you can pull off any style you want.
#1 Dry Shampoo
Medium length cuts lose their appeal when they go limp and lifeless. Ensure your ‘do never lacks its luster with a few quick sprays of dry shampoo. Not only does it absorb excess oils and give a little volume boost, but it is super simple to use! Just spray it on your roots and give your hair a good tousle – and you are good to go.
#2 Curling Iron Or Waver
Texture and movement instantly up the style factor of medium length cuts. If you’re used to spending hours curling and setting your long hair, you’ll be thrilled to learn that you can curl all of your hair in minutes when you have a shoulder length haircut. Both curling irons and wavers can help you achieve your desired look – curling irons provide a more polished look, while a waver will give you an effortless beach-girl vibe.
#3 Texture Spray
While we’re talking about texture, we can’t forget to mention texture spray – or even texturizing powder. If you need to add a bit of grit to hold or curl better or just don’t have the energy to deal with heat-styling tools, then this is the perfect fix! A few well-placed sprays and a bit of scrunching will give you the perfect laid-back yet edgy look while getting you out the door in minutes. This product works best with layered medium haircuts.
#4 Round Brush
Round brushes are a must-have if you have bangs or like to add a bit of sleek volume to your hair. Use one to add the perfect amount of bounce to your freshly cut curtain fringe or to style your ends inward for the chicest of styles. Ultimately, this is a hair tool that everyone should have in their arsenal – it will never let you down!
#5 Finishing Spray
Whether your hair is fine, thick, long, short, curly, or straight, you need finishing spray. The finishing spray helps to control your style while adding shine. It’ll keep your hair bouncy without adding any stiffness to your locks. The best part is that it protects your hair against the humidity, so you won’t have to worry about frizz.
Final Thoughts
Cutting off a few inches to create a medium length hairstyle is a fantastic way to update your look in 2024! From lobs and shags to curtain bangs and layers, there are so many styles to choose from – letting you experiment to figure out which suits your style the best. With so many options, we want to know: which shoulder length haircuts of 2024 are you most excited to try?
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