Medium short hair is a versatile length that falls between the chin and shoulders. This length offers a balance between manageability and styling options. It’s long enough to create various looks but short enough to require minimal maintenance. Whether you’re aiming for a polished professional style or a casual, effortless look, medium short hair can be styled to suit any occasion.
Choosing the Right Tools
To style medium short hair effectively, you’ll need the right tools. Here are some essentials:
Hair Dryer: A good-quality hair dryer with a nozzle attachment helps control airflow, giving you a smooth finish.
Flat Iron: Ideal for straightening or adding waves, a flat iron is a versatile tool for medium short hair.
Curling Wand: Use a curling wand to create loose waves or tight curls, depending on the barrel size.
Round Brush: A medium-sized round brush is perfect for adding volume and creating a polished blowout.
Wide-Tooth Comb: For detangling and distributing products evenly through your hair, a wide-tooth comb is essential.
Hair Clips: Sectioning clips help in managing hair while styling, ensuring precision.
Prepping Your Hair
Before you begin styling, it’s crucial to prepare your hair. Proper preparation ensures that your style holds well and looks polished.
Wash and Condition:
Start by washing your hair with a shampoo and conditioner suited to your hair type. If you have fine hair, use a volumizing shampoo. For thicker hair, a moisturizing conditioner can help manage frizz.
Towel Dry:
Gently towel dry your hair to remove excess moisture. Avoid rubbing your hair vigorously, as this can cause frizz and damage.
Apply Heat Protectant:
Before using any heat tools, apply a heat protectant spray or serum. This step is vital to prevent heat damage and keep your hair healthy.
Detangle:
Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle your hair, starting from the ends and working your way up to the roots. This minimizes breakage and makes styling easier.
Blowout Techniques for Medium Short Hair
A blowout is a classic way to style medium short hair, giving it volume and shine. Here’s how to achieve a salon-quality blowout at home:
Section Your Hair:
Divide your hair into manageable sections using hair clips. Start with the lower layers and work your way up.
Blow Dry the Roots:
Begin by blow-drying the roots, lifting them with a round brush to create volume. Focus on directing the airflow downward to avoid frizz.
Smooth the Mid-Lengths and Ends:
Move the brush through the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, using the dryer to follow the brush’s motion. Roll the brush under at the ends for a polished finish.
Set with Cool Air:
Once each section is dry, use the cool setting on your dryer to set the style. This helps to lock in shine and reduce frizz.
Add Finishing Products:
After your blowout, apply a light-hold hairspray to keep your style in place. You can also use a shine serum for added gloss.
Creating Waves with a Flat Iron
Flat irons aren’t just for straightening—they can also create beautiful waves. Here’s a simple technique for adding waves to medium short hair:
Section Your Hair:
As with the blowout, start by sectioning your hair. Smaller sections create tighter waves, while larger sections result in looser waves.
Twist and Glide:
Take a small section of hair and clamp it with the flat iron close to the roots. Twist the iron away from your face and glide it down the length of your hair. The key is to move the iron slowly to allow the heat to set the wave.
Alternate Directions:
For a more natural look, alternate the direction of the waves. Twist some sections away from your face and others toward it.
Tousle and Set:
Once all sections are waved, use your fingers to gently tousle your hair, breaking up the waves for a more relaxed look. Finish with a light mist of hairspray.
Sleek and Straight Styles
For a polished, straight look, follow these steps:
Blow Dry Straight:
Start by blow-drying your hair as straight as possible using a round or paddle brush. This reduces the amount of work your flat iron will need to do.
Section Your Hair:
As with other styles, section your hair for easier styling. Smaller sections allow for more control and precision.
Straighten in Small Sections:
Take small sections of hair and run the flat iron from the roots to the ends in a smooth motion. Avoid going over the same section multiple times to reduce heat damage.
Finish with Shine Serum:
Apply a small amount of shine serum or oil to your hair, focusing on the ends. This will give your hair a sleek, glossy finish.
SEE ALSO: How to Do Mini Twists on Short Natural Hair?
Adding Volume with Teasing
If you’re looking to add volume to your medium short hair, teasing is a quick and effective method:
Section Your Hair:
Focus on the crown area for the most volume. Take a small section of hair at the crown and hold it straight up.
Tease the Roots:
Using a fine-tooth comb, gently backcomb the hair at the roots. Be sure to work in small sections for even volume.
Smooth the Top Layer:
Once you’ve teased the roots, smooth the top layer of hair over the teased sections to hide any roughness.
Set with Hairspray:
Finish by spraying the teased area with a strong-hold hairspray to keep the volume in place.
Effortless Messy Bun
A messy bun is a perfect casual style for medium short hair. It’s quick to create and works for various occasions:
Gather Your Hair:
Start by gathering your hair into a ponytail at the desired height. For a more relaxed look, go for a mid to low ponytail.
Twist and Wrap:
Twist the ponytail around the base to form a bun. Don’t worry about making it too neat—imperfection is key to this style.
Secure with Pins:
Use bobby pins to secure the bun in place. If any pieces fall out, leave them for a more relaxed vibe.
Loosen for Volume:
Gently pull at the hair around your crown to add volume and create a more effortless look. Finish with a light hairspray.
Half-Up Styles
Half-up styles are perfect for medium short hair, offering the best of both worlds—hair out of your face while still showing off your length:
Section the Top Half: Start by sectioning off the top half of your hair, from temple to temple.
Create a Bun or Ponytail: You can either twist this section into a small bun or secure it with a hair tie for a half-up ponytail.
Add Texture: For added texture, use a curling wand to create waves in the loose bottom half of your hair.
Secure with Pins: If you’re creating a bun, secure it with bobby pins. For a ponytail, add a decorative hair tie or clip for an extra touch.
Textured Pixie
If your medium short hair is on the shorter side, a textured pixie is a chic, modern option:
Apply Styling Cream: Start with a texturizing cream or mousse on damp hair. This will add volume and hold to your style.
Blow Dry for Volume: Use a blow dryer to lift the roots, creating volume at the crown. Focus on drying upwards to achieve this look.
Add Texture: Once dry, use your fingers to tousle the hair, adding texture and definition. You can also use a small amount of pomade or wax for a more piecey look.
Finish with Hairspray: Set the style with a medium-hold hairspray to ensure it lasts all day.
Conclusion
Styling medium short hair offers a variety of options, from sleek and polished to textured and casual. The key to a great hairstyle is understanding your hair type and choosing the right techniques and products. With the right preparation, tools, and a bit of creativity, you can achieve a wide range of looks that enhance your medium short hair. Experiment with different styles to find what works best for you, and don’t be afraid to try new techniques to keep your look fresh and exciting.