Wearing short or medium hair provides many styling options and hairstyles that suit different face shapes. Depending on your hair type, there are plenty of cuts that can satisfy even the most demanding tastes.
From short to medium lengths, layered hairstyles are a versatile and interesting choice for a fresh haircut. This season, take a look at 21 of the trendiest layered hairstyles.
Best Short to Medium Layered Haircuts for Women
Have a look at these chic short and medium hairstyles that can be elevated with layers.
1. Highlighted Side-Swept Pixie
The layered pixie cut comes with two different hair lengths. The lower part of the head is cut short, while the top portion is left longer to create shape and movement.
The direction of the hair starts from the center of the head. The ends are sharp and pointy, falling over the shorter cut.
There are also bangs that fit nicely into the pixie look and are styled slightly to the side. For an even trendier finish, the top portion can be highlighted or colored in a different shade.
2. Sleek Pixie Bob
The pixie bob is the longer version of the regular pixie. The difference comes in the length of the hair. The lower part is not cut as short, leaving more hair through the back and sides.
However, it still ends right at the nape with a straight, sharp line. The top portion is quite long, reaching the ears. The styling is rounded and swept toward the back.
3. Asymmetrical Androgynous Crop
This asymmetrical cut is defined by the visible change in length. The haircut has a short, boyish shape, while the asymmetry comes from the front sections.
These front pieces are left much longer, almost reaching the chin, and fall prominently to one side.
4. Rounded Layered Bob
This bob shows off soft layering and curved ends. The hair is styled with a side sweep, and the layers build shape from the crown down.
The length sits around ear level, while the bangs are also layered and pushed to the side.
5. Electric Blue Undercut Pixie
The shaved undercut falls into the range of short hairstyles, and many women choose to shave the sides for a bold finish.
The undercut is high, while the top hair falls over it in a layered shape. For an extra-trendy look, the top portion can be colored in a vibrant, bold shade.
6. Textured Faux Hawk with Shaved Sides
This look combines a few different haircut ideas. The sides are shaved, while the top is left with a noticeable amount of length. It has a faux hawk feel, with shorter length in the back and more length through the front.
The hair is directed forward, with the ends falling softly over the forehead like a fringe.
7. Choppy Crop with Micro Fringe
The short choppy haircut naturally includes a lot of layering. Here, it is done in the form of an edgy cropped cut with a shorter back and longer, uneven front pieces.
The bangs create a strong contrast. They are short, straight, and cut like a micro fringe.
8. Sleek Inverted Bob
A layered inverted bob is a chic upgrade from the regular straight bob. The layering is visible at the sides and through the back.
The hair can be parted to the side, with the front sections following that shape. The easiest styling method includes a big round brush and a hairdryer.
9. Tousled Wavy Bob
When hair is layered, waves are one of the best ways to show it off. As each piece bends a little differently, the change in length becomes much more visible.
This is especially true on highlighted hair. The combination of highlights and waves brings extra dimension to short and medium layered haircuts.
10. Softly Stacked Bob
The stacked cut is a great choice for women who want to add volume and shape to the hair. The stacked effect appears at the back of the head, where the layering is more intense.
The sides are left longer. This short-to-medium hairstyle can be worn sleek or slightly messy.
11. Layered Lob with Copper Ribbons
Moving into medium lengths, this layered lob feels fresh and modern. The layers make it a popular choice, especially for thicker hair.
There is a side part directing the bob hair, while softly shaping the face like side bangs.
12. Tousled Layered Lob
As mentioned above, waves accent medium layers in the best possible way. This layered lob has a more textured shape, with the top sections slightly longer than the lower ones.
That structure can make the haircut look a little squared off, but the waves soften the finish beautifully.
13. Soft Short Shag
The shag remains popular because it has a retro vibe. The layering on the short shag is ‘70s inspired.
The bangs are styled to the side, and the length falls a bit below the ears. It can be worn straight, curly, or messy, depending on your hair type.
14. Polished Lob with Soft Layers
This elegant medium hairstyle comes with discreet layering through the top portion of the hair. The overall finish looks smooth, sleek, and polished.
The side part directs the styling and gives the hair subtle volume. This is a look that works beautifully for more formal settings.
15. Textured Wavy Bob
The modern bob gets extra movement from loose, undefined waves. They appear on select sections to make the hair look fuller and more textured.
The hair around the nape is cut shorter, which helps build the layered shape.
16. Shaggy Bob with Full Fringe
A full fringe can bring more balance to the face, especially when paired with soft, layered sides. Together, they create a modern short-to-medium look with plenty of texture.
The final result feels effortless, airy, and a little bit undone.
17. Vintage-Inspired Wavy Bob
The glam of old Hollywood shows up in the softness of these timeless waves. Their shape gives this short layered bob an elegant, polished finish.
Subtle layering helps the waves hold their definition without making the style feel heavy.
18. Straight Lob with Face-Framing Layers
This is a classic medium layered cut that remains easy to wear. The layering is focused around the front, where the gradual change in length softly frames the face.
This type of medium hairstyle can be especially flattering on round face shapes because it creates a more elongating effect.
19. Feathered Lob with Flipped Ends
This hairstyle is built around soft layers that blend into feathered ends. The flipped-out finish adds movement and keeps the shape light and flowy.
Its beauty stands out even more with a soft blonde ombré or balayage, especially when lighter pieces begin higher up and create the illusion of extra length.
20. Side-Parted Curly Lob
The combination of smoother roots and defined curls through the lengths creates an interesting layered finish. This light brown hair is styled with a deep side part.
The layering begins around the mid-lengths, which helps the shape stay soft around the crown while giving the ends more texture and bounce.
21. Shoulder-Length Layered Curls
If this is one of your natural textures, you are already wearing a trendy short or medium haircut with layers. The loose curls can be enhanced with a few styling products to help them look defined for longer.
The cut sits around the shoulders. The curls are dense and springy, while the layering runs throughout the hairstyle to keep them bouncy, soft, and natural.
Each of these short to medium layered haircut ideas can be adjusted and transformed with even a small change in the cut, length, or the addition of a cute accessory.
However, these are all relatively easy-to-maintain hairstyles that do not require much time to style. Most versions work with many face shapes, and often it is the change in length that makes the biggest difference.