Style Hair Medium Hairstyles The 23 Best Hairstyles For Medium-Length Curly Hair Reach full ringlet potential with these collarbone-skimming and shoulder-grazing hairstyles. By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough Sadik is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on June 10, 2024 Close Photo: Peathegee Inc/Getty Images Curls are a hair blessing worth every product used and routine painstakingly perfected, as any curly girl will tell you. They might sometimes come with the fun gamble of waking up in the morning and wondering what in the heavens your curls are going to deliver today, but it's worth it for the envy-worthy volume and sassy bounce. However, there's one thing that even the wildest waves, springiest curls, and bounciest coils can agree on: Length is so important when it comes to making the most of your texture. While short cuts offer breezy lightness and long cuts give big cascading curls, something about medium-length curly haircuts equals just right. Collarbone-skimming and shoulder-grazing lengths can help you reach full ringlet potential. From layers to bangs, shaggy to classic, these 23 natural curly hairstyles for medium-length are sure to give you fresh salon inspiration. 01 of 23 Asymmetrical Lob @salsalhair As if your curls don't already handle this, play up the volume with an asymmetrical cut. It'll make the flattering lob-length style even more ringlet-friendly. 02 of 23 Long Bob @salsalhair Curls will kick some sass into a bob, that's for sure. This example by stylist Sal Salcedo is a shaggy take on a chin-length cut. 03 of 23 Layered Curls with Tindrels @jaye_edwards For those who want definition without going for bangs, face-framing tendrils and layers will do the job. 04 of 23 Baby Bangs @timm.morrison Let your texture do the talking. These baby bangs add a little something extra. 05 of 23 Layered Lob @matthewjones_hairstylist It doesn't take much to flatter a defined curl, and light layers make a low-risk choice. 06 of 23 Transition Bob @chaiedejesus This curly bob lets you embrace the growing-out phase between a chin bob and shoulder cut with some layering and a deep side part. 07 of 23 Angled Lob @brunodantte Give your curls a little edge with an angled cut that's just a bit longer in the front. 08 of 23 Curly Shag @salsalhair We thought the shag cut couldn't get any cooler, and natural curls definitely solidified that. 09 of 23 Retro Layers @timm.morrison Between the framed layering and curtained bangs, this cut by stylist Tim Morrison has us back in the 70s, in a good way. 10 of 23 Collarbone Bob @leysahairandmakeup This neck-grazing long bob looks made for curly girls, and the wispy bangs certainly don't hurt. 11 of 23 Airy Volume @tedgibson For those with a looser curl pattern, go for shaggy-style layers that feel a little bit vintage. Add curtain bangs if you prefer extra face-framing. 12 of 23 Textured Shoulder Cut @chrisjones_hair A little past wavy, a little shy of full-blown curly? This wash-and-go cut by Texas-based stylist Chris Jones has you covered. 13 of 23 Shaggy Medium Cut @salsalhair Curls love some layering, and this shaggy cut sees those layers and ups the ante with piecey bangs. 14 of 23 Full Bangs David Livingston/Getty Images Contrary to popular belief, tightly wound ringlets can totally rock a set of full bangs. 15 of 23 Layered Medium Cut Pinterest/The Right Hairstyles Curls can live up to their most voluminous potential when layered on a shoulder-length hairstyle. 16 of 23 Thick Lob Length Peathegee Inc/Getty Images This natural style lets you keep all of the thickness and volume of your curls. 17 of 23 Side-Swept Shoulder Cut @chadwoodhair Channel your inner Veronica Lake for this deep side part. Lightly layered with healthy, thick ends, this cut is a vintage stunner. 18 of 23 Tousled Long Layers @natalieannehair / Instagram For those not quite ready to make the full chop, a cut that lands just below the shoulders is creeping in the right direction. 19 of 23 Sunkissed Curly Bangs @jaye_edwards/Instagram Go for a shaggy curly cut with natural balayage highlights for a totally refreshed look. 20 of 23 Balayage Layers @jaye_edwards/Instagram Enhance this statement-making, heavily side-parted cut (that feels a bit retro) with bright golden blonde balayage. 21 of 23 Layered Curls @jesseniaspallet Layers are always the move when it comes to refreshing curly hair. 22 of 23 Heavy Side Part @chrisgreenehair A heavy side part only adds more volume to your curls. Plus, it allows you to keep your cut simple and medium-length. 23 of 23 Ultra-Layered Volume @veronica_nunez Even if you keep your hair at shoulder length, asking for short layers is a smart choice for curly hair, as it adds so much dimension and body. Frequently Asked Questions Which hairstyle is best for curly hair? A layered cut is key for naturally curly hair, whether you have a long, shoulder-length, or short haircut. Layers will help shape your hair and give your curls more bounce. What curly hairstyles are trending for 2024? Curly shags and curly bangs are on the rise in 2024. Women with curls are able to make the most of curtain bangs, wispy fringe, and plenty of layers. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit