Which hairstyle is best for shoulder-length hair?

There are many flattering options for this length. To add more excitement to your cut, try face-framing layers, side-swept bangs, or a sleek blunt-cut lob.

Should shoulder-length hair have layers?

Layers can add movement and dimension to a shoulder-length cut. They are especially flattering to thick hair and curly hair, which benefit from the lift that layers provide.

Shoulder-Length Haircuts To Show Your Hairstylist Now

Some might argue that shoulder-length hair is more of an in-between cut than a full-fledged style, but we couldn't disagree more. While it's sometimes considered a transition stage between, say, a blunt bob and long layered locks, there's a reason why you notice shoulder-grazing strands around every corner, and it has nothing to do with settling. Shoulder-length hairstyles are both functional and stylish, striking the perfect balance between the ease of a short cut and the versatility of a long style.

To layer or not to layer, to stack or not to stack, to bang or not to bang? These are all decisions you can make to create the best shoulder-length hair for you. A shoulder-length haircut might be the tweak you've been wanting, no matter the season. When heading to your next hair appointment, let these 22 flattering shoulder-length hairstyles serve as your ultimate inspiration.

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Blunt Ends

This cut is all about simplicity, keeping ends blunt and layers minimal. You can opt for a few face-framing layers, but keep the length all the same to promote easy styling and your thickest looking ends.

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Flippy Layers

This wavy hairstyle is layered to perfection for the lady who likes styling her hair and isn't afraid of some hairspray. The layers start at around midway down the shaft, and this style looks equally as good with or without an A-line length.

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Full Bangs

Keep a shoulder-cut simple, but stylish with full bangs. This hairstyle has almost no layers, letting the bangs shine. If you're looking to switch up your hairstyle for the spring, bangs might be your answer.

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Natural Volume

If you have more compact curls like these, layers are essential to make a short cut more voluminous and shaped. Layers should start mid-way down your hair shaft for optimal volume.

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Angled Lob

This hairstyle stacks the back a little shorter to create an angled look. The angled cut lets you ramp up the volume more than an all-around uniform cut.

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Airy Layers

You'll be catching the wind in no time with this layer-heavy, shoulder-length cut. Going all in with the layers helps bring movement to your everyday look, while giving some life to naturally flat hair.

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Stacked Layers

Unlike a blunt, angled shoulder cut, this style gets ultra volume in the back from layering. It lets the back and front layers pump up the body all around.

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Middle Parted Bangs

This haircut uses bangs and layers to give extra texture to this style that hits just a tad below the shoulders. Depending on your comfort zone, you can take the bangs up as high as cheekbone level or leave them longer to hit near your chin.

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Textured Layers

If you have wavy hair, this layered look can help give that movement and wave we all want. The layers are slightly shorter in the back, but there's also a lot of face-framing. A little texturizing spray goes a long way when styling this cut.

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Side-Swept Bangs

This old-school, shoulder-length cut gives us major early-2000s vibes, but side-swept bangs always deserve another chance in our opinion. This flippy, shoulder cut features bangs that graze below the eyebrow down to the chin.

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Deep Side Part

For the ladies out there with super thick hair, you might think a deep side part isn't what you need; but the volume you get from going heavy with the side part is unparalleled. A deep side part works well with most hair textures.

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Face-Framing

When getting a mid-length cut, face framing is the key to getting definition without adding super short layers that will be finicky to style. Get face-framing highlights to accompany those layers.

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Shag Cut

This classic cut is back in a big way, and we love the layers, bangs, and overall shagginess of the look. It should always graze the shoulders and have layers that start just below eye level.

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Growing Out Bob

This style is longer than a traditional bob but shorter than her beloved lob. The transition length is free from too many layers.

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Side-Swept Shoulder Cut

Side-swept bangs are always a classic choice for those looking to make their usual shoulder cut a little bit more interesting.

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Relaxed Face Layers

Sleek Shoulder Cut — @caroline.anythingbutbasic

You can still have the feeling of side-swept bangs without fully committing by asking for a collarbone-grazing layers around the face. It complements a short cut perfectly.

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Voluminous Curly Cut

Curls really own the show when given plenty of layers to offer extra body and volume. It's easy to work in subtle bangs to make the most of the shag-inspired shape.

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Textured Medium Cut

Though middle parts have become quite trendy in recent years, side parts will never go out of style, especially if you're looking for extra volume. Accentuate a deep side part with layers and relaxed curls.

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Modern Shag Cut

For a simple shoulder cut, a few layers and wispy bangs can make a huge statement without adding too much styling time. Ask for layers that start midway down your hair shaft.

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Angled Balayage Bob

Angling your long bob is a way to teeter between a short and medium cut, and keeping all of the volume at the same time. Ask for "money piece" highlights around the face for a finishing touch.

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Curtained Lob Cut

Curtain bangs always come back around, and we'll never say no to the trend that Brigitte Bardot made so famous. It works for any length, but looks especially great on a shorter length.

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A-Line Lob Cut

bob with long framing — Julie Facer / @headrushdesigns

There's a difference between stacked and A-line bobs, and this A-line length means that the backside is shorter than the front—however it is not stacked on the backside. As a result, it's a slightly more subtle way to try the trend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which hairstyle is best for shoulder-length hair?

There are many flattering options for this length. To add more excitement to your cut, try face-framing layers, side-swept bangs, or a sleek blunt-cut lob.
Should shoulder-length hair have layers?

Layers can add movement and dimension to a shoulder-length cut. They are especially flattering to thick hair and curly hair, which benefit from the lift that layers provide.