40 Medium Length Hairstyles for Black Women to Try This Year
Finding the perfect hairstyle that balances style and manageability can be a game-changer, especially when it comes to medium length hairstyles for black women. This versatile hair length offers endless possibilities from chic and sleek to bold and textured allowing you to switch up your look without the commitment of a drastic cut.
Whether you’re aiming for everyday elegance or a standout style for special occasions, our curated collection will inspire you to embrace your natural beauty and express your personality effortlessly. At Hairstyles Inspiration, we’ve gathered 40 stunning options that suit all hair types and textures, making it easier than ever to find your next favorite look.
1. Medium Layered Curls

Layered curls add dimension and bounce to medium length hair, enhancing natural texture beautifully. This style gives a soft, voluminous look perfect for everyday wear or special occasions. It’s easy to maintain with regular moisturizing and curling routines, making it ideal for black women seeking stylish yet manageable hair.
2. Shoulder-Length Bob with Highlights

A shoulder-length bob with subtle highlights adds brightness and depth to dark hair. This classic style frames the face elegantly and suits almost every face shape. Highlights bring out your curls or waves while maintaining a chic and modern look that’s perfect for any season or event.
3. Twist-Out on Medium Hair

The twist-out is a go-to style that showcases defined curls and adds texture. On medium length hair, it offers enough length for volume without being too heavy. This look is versatile for casual days or dressed-up nights, offering an effortlessly natural and fresh appearance every time.
4. Sleek Straight Medium Cut

A sleek, straight medium cut provides a polished and sophisticated vibe. Perfect for those who enjoy a smooth, low-maintenance style, it can be worn with a middle or side part. This look highlights the hair’s health and shine, ideal for black women who want elegance with simplicity.
5. Braided Crown with Loose Ends

A braided crown paired with loose, natural ends creates a romantic and regal style. This medium length hairstyle balances protective styling with free-flowing hair. It’s perfect for weddings, parties, or casual outings, adding a touch of charm while protecting your hair from everyday damage.
6. Medium Length Afro with Tapered Sides

This bold style features a full afro in the middle with shorter, tapered sides for contrast. The medium length afro adds volume and a dramatic flair while the sides keep it modern and edgy. It’s a powerful way to showcase natural texture and individuality with flair.
7. Curly Shag with Bangs

The curly shag haircut with bangs is trendy and fun, giving medium hair a retro yet fresh feel. Layers add movement and the bangs frame your face softly. This style works wonderfully for curly hair textures, making it easy to style and maintain throughout the day.
8. Half-Up Bun with Loose Waves

The half-up bun style keeps hair off your face while showing off natural waves. It’s casual but chic, perfect for medium length hair that holds texture well. This look balances playful and practical, ideal for busy days when you want to look put-together without much effort.
9. Medium Length Box Braids

Box braids at medium length offer a protective style that’s versatile and low-maintenance. You can wear them down, in a ponytail, or styled up for different occasions. This look helps protect natural hair from damage while allowing you to rock an effortlessly cool vibe all year long.
10. Defined Ringlets with Side Part

Defined ringlets with a deep side part bring a classic, glamorous feel to medium length hair. This style enhances natural curls with precision, offering a look that’s both elegant and full of personality. Ideal for events or everyday wear, it’s a timeless option for black women who love curl definition.
11. Medium Length Faux Locs

Faux locs at medium length offer a protective, trendy style that mimics natural dreadlocks without the long-term commitment. They’re lightweight, easy to style, and give a bold statement look. Perfect for those wanting a low-maintenance but fashionable hairstyle that lasts for weeks with minimal upkeep.
12. Side-Swept Waves

Side-swept waves add a soft, romantic touch to medium length hair. This style works beautifully with natural textures or styled curls, offering a glamorous yet effortless vibe. It’s ideal for formal events or casual outings, providing a flattering frame for the face and lots of movement.
13. Medium Length Layered Bob

A layered bob adds shape and volume to medium hair, creating a modern silhouette. This cut is easy to style straight or curly, making it highly versatile. It complements all face shapes and textures, giving black women a fresh, stylish look without much daily effort.
14. Textured Blowout

A textured blowout on medium length hair provides a full-bodied, voluminous look with a natural finish. It enhances curls or waves by adding definition and bounce, ideal for a polished appearance. This style is perfect for work, social events, or when you want a professional yet stylish look.
15. Medium Length Cornrows

Cornrows in medium length hair create a neat, protective style that’s both fashionable and functional. They can be styled in various patterns or combined with accessories for a unique touch. This low-maintenance option protects hair and is perfect for active lifestyles while maintaining a trendy look.
16. Feathered Layers

Feathered layers give medium hair a light, airy texture that moves freely. This style softens facial features and adds volume without bulk. It’s great for black women who want a natural, easy-to-maintain look that feels fresh and lively, ideal for both casual and more polished styles.
17. Medium Length Mohawk

A medium length mohawk blends edgy style with versatility. The sides are often tapered or braided while the center section is left longer and styled in curls or waves. This look commands attention and is perfect for those who want to express bold individuality while keeping manageable hair length.
18. Twisted Updo

A twisted updo on medium length hair offers elegance and sophistication. Twists can be pinned into a bun or chignon, perfect for formal occasions or a polished everyday style. This look protects the ends of your hair and keeps it tidy, with a stylish flair that never goes out of fashion.
19. Medium Length Afro Puff

The afro puff is a classic and effortless style where medium length hair is gathered into a high or low puff. It’s protective and easy to achieve, showcasing natural curls while keeping hair out of the face. Perfect for a casual day or a quick, chic look.
20. Waterfall Braids

Waterfall braids add a delicate, intricate touch to medium length hair. This style creates a cascading effect that looks stunning with curls or waves. It’s great for special occasions or adding flair to everyday wear, providing a soft, feminine finish to your hairstyle.
21. Medium Length Half Braids

Half braids combine the best of both worlds—braided sections paired with free-flowing hair. This style offers protection for parts of your hair while maintaining length and volume. It’s versatile for any occasion and adds a unique texture that enhances the overall look effortlessly.
22. Medium Length Curly Bob

A curly bob at medium length gives a youthful and fresh look that embraces natural texture. This style adds bounce and volume while framing the face beautifully. Easy to maintain and style, it’s perfect for black women who want a chic yet manageable everyday hairstyle.
23. Center-Parted Soft Waves

Soft waves parted down the center create a balanced and elegant look for medium hair. This style highlights natural volume and texture, offering a timeless appeal. Whether casual or dressy, it frames the face delicately and adds movement without overwhelming the length.
24. Medium Length High Ponytail

A high ponytail on medium hair length gives a sporty yet stylish vibe. It keeps hair sleek and off the face while showing off healthy texture and volume. Perfect for workouts, casual outings, or dressing up with accessories, this look is practical and fashionable.
25. Faux Hawk with Curls

A faux hawk hairstyle adds edge and personality to medium length hair by styling the center section upward and leaving the sides slicked or braided. Curls add softness and volume, balancing the bold look. This style is perfect for adventurous black women wanting a standout appearance.
26. Medium Length Bantu Knots

Bantu knots on medium hair create a protective style with cultural significance and a trendy look. Once unraveled, they transform into beautiful, voluminous curls. This style is low-maintenance, perfect for black women who want versatility and a playful, unique look with minimal effort.
27. Medium Length Finger Coils

Finger coils define natural curls with precision, creating a polished, textured look on medium length hair. This style enhances curl pattern and adds shine, perfect for those who want to showcase their natural beauty. It requires patience but results in a stunning, elegant hairstyle.
28. Side-Parted Blowout with Volume

A voluminous blowout with a deep side part brings glamour and fullness to medium length hair. It smooths the hair while adding bounce, making it ideal for formal events or a chic everyday look. This style accentuates natural texture and offers movement with sophistication.
29. Medium Length Wash and Go

The wash and go is a natural hairstyle emphasizing defined curls on medium length hair. It’s easy to achieve with the right products and enhances your hair’s natural pattern. Perfect for busy days, it celebrates natural beauty with minimal fuss and maximum impact.
30. Half Up, Half Down Braided Style

This style combines the elegance of braids with the flow of loose hair. The top half is braided while the rest cascades freely, offering a versatile and protective look. It’s ideal for medium length hair and balances a neat appearance with playful texture.
31. Medium Length Side Swept Braids

Side swept braids create a sophisticated and asymmetrical look that adds flair to medium length hair. This style protects hair while allowing you to showcase texture and length. It’s perfect for events or casual days when you want a stylish, controlled look without sacrificing versatility.
32. Medium Length Curly Ponytail

A curly ponytail enhances natural texture and volume for a fun and practical look on medium length hair. It’s easy to style and maintain, ideal for casual outings or active days. This hairstyle highlights curls beautifully while keeping hair controlled and out of the face.
33. Layered Medium Length with Bangs

Adding bangs to layered medium length hair creates a trendy and youthful style. Bangs frame the face and add personality, while layers provide movement and volume. This combination works well with various textures and is a great way to refresh your look without a drastic cut.
34. Medium Length TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro)

For those wanting a shorter medium length look, a TWA is bold and beautiful. It emphasizes natural texture and facial features with ease of maintenance. This style is empowering, easy to care for, and perfect for black women who love simplicity with a strong statement.
35. Medium Length Cornrow Ponytail

Cornrows styled into a ponytail mix protective styling with a modern twist. This look is sleek, practical, and fashionable, perfect for medium length hair. It keeps hair secure and styled while showing off texture and length, ideal for both casual and dressy occasions.
36. Medium Length Feathered Bangs

Feathered bangs on medium hair add softness and frame the face delicately. This style lightens the overall look and adds texture without overwhelming medium length hair. It’s a subtle but effective way to update your hairstyle with minimal commitment.
37. Medium Length Loose Twists

Loose twists give medium length hair a relaxed, bohemian vibe. They protect natural hair and can be styled in many ways—down, half-up, or pinned back. This versatile style celebrates texture and length while providing a low-maintenance option with plenty of movement.
38. Medium Length Afro with Highlights

Adding highlights to a medium length afro enhances dimension and brightness, creating a vibrant and eye-catching look. Highlights bring out the natural curl pattern and add warmth. This style balances bold texture with a modern twist, perfect for black women wanting to stand out confidently.
39. Medium Length Blowout with Bangs

A blowout with bangs combines volume and face-framing style for medium length hair. It adds softness and sophistication, ideal for both casual and formal looks. The bangs highlight your facial features while the blowout adds bounce, making this a flattering style for many textures.
40. Medium Length Defined Curls with Accessories

Enhance defined curls on medium length hair with stylish accessories like clips, pins, or headbands. Accessories add personality and elevate simple curls into statement styles. This look is perfect for any occasion, allowing black women to mix and match while showing off their beautiful natural texture.
Conclusion
With so many creative and flattering medium length hairstyles for black women, there’s truly something for everyone. Whether you prefer curls, waves, braids, or straight styles, this length provides the perfect balance of versatility and ease of maintenance.
Let these 40 inspiring looks from Hairstyles Inspiration motivate you to experiment, have fun, and celebrate your unique hair journey this year. No matter your style preference, embracing your natural texture and finding the right cut can boost your confidence and keep you looking effortlessly fabulous.