See yourself with shoulder length hair before you cut

Shoulder length sits between short and long and works with many textures. See where it lands on you before the scissors come out. Free to try.

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A woman with mousy brown hair
Before
The same woman with a chestnut long bob
After

What is the best medium length haircut?

There is no single best one, but a collarbone or shoulder length cut is a safe middle ground. A blunt cut shows weight and texture, layers add movement, and a lob works straight or wavy. You can still tie it back, which makes the length easy to live with.

Medium length cuts, and what each one does

  1. Collarbone length

    Hair that grazes the collarbone still moves and can be tied up. It is a friendly step down from long hair, with enough length to feel soft but less weight to pull on fine hair.

  2. The lob

    A long bob sits somewhere between chin and shoulder. It looks sleek when straight and relaxed when wavy, and it suits many face shapes. It is also a good stopping point if you are moving between short and long.

  3. Blunt or layered

    A blunt edge shows weight and texture and makes fine hair look thicker at the ends. Layers add movement and take bulk out of thick hair. A stylist can mix the two, with a blunt bottom and soft layers inside.

  4. Flipped ends

    Hair that lands right on the shoulders tends to flip out or in. Some people like the bounce, others find it fussy. Cutting slightly above or below the shoulder usually settles it, so check different lengths.

  5. Straight or wavy

    Waves shrink up when they dry, so a shoulder length cut on wavy hair can end up higher than expected. On straight hair, the length stays where you see it, so a small trim makes a clear difference.

Best for
Anyone between lengths who wants a cut that is easy to style and still ties back. It works well on fine, medium and thick hair, and on straight and wavy texture.
Upkeep
Medium hair needs less drying and styling time than long hair, but trims matter. Without them the shape grows past the shoulders and starts to look undone, so book one before it does.
Watch out for
Shoulders get in the way, and so do collars, scarves and coats, which can push the ends out of shape. If you wear them often, cut a little shorter or longer so the ends do not flick.

More looks to try

A woman in her fifties with long straight brown hair Before
The same woman with a chin-length bob After
A woman with gray-white hair Before
The same woman with a silver bob After

Try medium length hair in the app

  1. Add one photo

    Use a front-facing photo with your hair down, so the shoulders and the ends are visible and the app can show the new length in the right place.

  2. Browse medium cuts

    Look through the catalogue for lobs and shoulder length cuts, both blunt and layered. Face analysis can narrow it down to cuts that flatter your face shape.

  3. Compare lengths

    Try a chin length, collarbone and shoulder cut one by one. Regenerate for variations and see which length feels like you.

  4. Check See original

    Toggle See original to compare with your current hair. Download or share your favorites to show your stylist.

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Take your medium cut to the salon

  • Point to the length

    Say exactly where the ends should land, for example at the collarbone or just above the shoulder. Words like medium mean different things to different people.

  • Say how you style it

    Tell your stylist if you wear it straight, curled or tied up. They can adjust the shape and the length so it still works in a ponytail.

  • Ask about the ends

    Ask whether a blunt edge, soft layers or a bit of both will suit your hair. A short line about your texture and density helps them choose.

Good to know.

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What is the difference between a lob and a bob?

A bob usually ends around the jaw or chin. A lob, short for long bob, sits lower, anywhere from the chin to the shoulders. The lob gives you more length to tie up and more room to add layers.

Can I still wear a ponytail with medium length hair?

Usually yes, if the hair reaches past the jaw. Shorter pieces near the face may fall out, which can look soft. Ask your stylist to leave a little extra length at the back if you tie it up often.

Does shoulder length hair suit thin or fine hair?

It often does, since the weight stays shorter and the ends look fuller than on long hair. A blunt edge helps, while heavy layers can thin it out. A stylist can judge the density in person.

Why do my ends flip out at the shoulders?

Hair that hits the shoulders bounces off them as you move, so the ends turn out. Cutting just above or just below the shoulder line, or adding a little layering, usually stops it.

Is the preview exactly how my cut will look?

It shows the length and shape on your own face. Real hair texture, density and your stylist's technique will change the details, so use the preview to decide and your stylist to refine.

Keep exploring

Ready for your new look?

See it on you before you cut. Free to try.

Download on theApp Store GET IT ONGoogle Play