The Best Shoulder-Length Hairstyles For Women (Illustrated Guide)

If there was ever a more apt definition of ‘happy medium,’ it’s the shoulder-length hairstyle. Hitting the sweet spot between pixie-cut-cool and flowing Ariel-style locks, shoulder-length hairstyles are the epitome of versatility. Not to mention, there’ll always be enough length to pop our hair into a messy bun, sleek ponytail, or chic chignon. See why we love it?

But that’s not all: shoulder-length hairstyles work with literally every hair type, too. Mass of curls? Take that mane from mayhem to manageable with a shoulder-brushing cut. Silky-smooth and straight? Pair with pillar-box red lipstick and channel your inner Taylor Swift. And, those blessed with natural waves will enjoy a first-class ticket to off-duty supermodel vibes, too—minimal styling necessary. And we haven’t even started on bangs.

Pair a shoulder-length style with a lash-skimming 70s fringe, shaggy and low-key—or, rock a classic side fringe for a dash of asymmetric chic (totally failsafe, we promise), or even opt for a windswept, deep side part for true red carpet glamor.

Low maintenance lob with soft layers

Straight lob with a middle part

Side-swept shoulder-length haircuts

Shoulder-length haircuts with layers and highlights

Shoulder-length haircuts for straight hair

Low maintenance medium length haircuts

Convertible textured medium length

Cute medium-length haircuts with waves

Trendy shoulder-length hair with bangs

Shoulder length straight black hair

Medium hairstyle with backswept layers

Shoulder length short hair with bangs

Layered fine hair medium length hairstyles

Shoulder length straight hair with highlights

Wavy low maintenance shoulder length hairstyles

Center-parted blonde bob

Short to mid length hairstyles

Above shoulder length straight hair

One-length medium cut with feathered layers

Shoulder length short brown hair

Side fringe trendy shoulder length hair

Shoulder-skimming caramel balayage lob

Thick hair low maintenance mid-length hairstyles

Wispy bangs with medium length hair

Shoulder length hair with an afro

Old Hollywood lob

Layered shoulder length blonde hair

Low maintenance medium length hairstyles with curtain bangs

Tousled layered blonde balayage lob

Shoulder length layered curly hair

Shoulder-length haircuts for wavy hair

One length haircut

Choppy layered shoulder length curly hair

Medium length hair with blunt bangs

Blunt shoulder length hair

Shoulder length wavy hair with bangs

Blonde A-line lob with face-framing layers

Shoulder length hair with perms

Ombre shoulder length hair

Asian shoulder length hair

Medium blonde hairstyle with V-cut layers

Feathered mid-length style

Shoulder length hair updo

Shoulder length hair with braids

Brunette shoulder length hair

Shoulder length hair with messy bun

Bobbed volume with highlights

Messy wavy lob with disconnected ends

Voluminous messy extra long bob

Wavy caramel balayage lob

Medium shag hairstyle for thick hair

Medium hairstyle with swoopy layers

Wavy layered hairstyle for dimensional balayage

Golden and platinum balayage lob

Shattered Blonde Shag with Flyaways

Cute medium hairstyle with flipped ends

Long tousled lob with root fade

Straight blonde bob blowout

Soft blunt blowout hairstyle

Extra voluminous messy lob

Mid-length razored-cut hairstyles