Shoulder length haircuts range from a long bob to just above your collarbones and include a massive variety of different styles. The cut suits every face shape and can be tailored to any situation – from when you need a chic and sophisticated style for work, to a sexy and playful date night look. Check out our list of shoulder length hairstyles and get some inspiration for your next trip to the salon.
1. Layered Straight Hair
Layers are a great way to add body, thickness, movement, and dimension to your hair. Straight hair can seem limp and flat, making layers the perfect solution to the problem. Layers suit most face shapes, depending on the length. When it comes to shoulder-length hair, they can give the simple cut more personality.
2. Layered Curly Hair
Straight hair isn’t the only texture that can benefit from layers. Cutting them into curly hair helps create shape, ensuring your curls don’t overwhelm your face or become too top-heavy. If you have shoulder-length curly hair, ask your stylist to cut layers in starting at your chin and angled downwards. That way, your tresses will look long, full, and flattering.
3. Blunt Shoulder Length Hair
Blunt shoulder-length hair is one of the most popular haircuts for women as it’s versatile and easy to maintain. A blunt cut not only looks chic and sophisticated, but is also the perfect partner for accessories like on-trend hair slides, headbands, and clips. The style also flatters most face shapes and suits those who want a change after years of layered haircuts.
4. Curly Shoulder Length Hair
A shoulder-length cut is perfect for curly hair as it shows off all the natural movement, volume, and bounce without weighing the hair down. Because it’s shorter than long curly hair, it’s also easier to wash, dry, and style. At the same time, it gives you enough length to add fun elements like braids, which you can use to dress it up.
5. Straight Shoulder Length Hair
Bold, super straight shoulder-length hair suits oval and diamond face shapes. That’s because the style makes your face look longer and balances out larger features. It’s a polished and sophisticated look ideal for work or a stylish night out. Try a center parting for a ’90s-inspired finish.
6. Perm Shoulder Length Hair
If you’ve always wanted bouncy, beautiful curls, a perm is for you. Because they last around six months, you’ll do less damage to your hair than curling it with heat tools each day. Curls look fantastic when they’re shoulder length as the volume and body won’t be too overwhelming. However, you’ll need to grow your naturally straight hair longer to achieve shoulder-length curls
7. Wavy Hair with Bangs
Bangs are the perfect partner for wavy shoulder-length hair. There are lots of different types of bangs, so the style can be adapted to suit your face shape. One on-trend style is a messy, undone look. Keep your waves looking textured and tousled, and pair with a long, choppy fringe. The result is a sexy 1970s-inspired cut that’s effortless and low-maintenance.
8. Haircut for Fine Hair
If you have fine hair, any cut that makes it look thicker is ideal. A shoulder-length cut does the trick, as shorter hair appears denser and healthier. To make your hair look even thicker, add subtle waves and highlights with heat tools, then spritz through little texturizing spray for volume and movement. The final result is a tousled and feminine look that’s perfect for every day.
9. Asian Shoulder Length Hair
Asian hair tends to have a slightly coarser texture than Caucasian hair and is generally thicker, stronger, and straighter. That makes it ideal for almost any haircut, including shoulder-length hair. For a soft and pretty shoulder-length look, try piece-y bangs – also known as thin or wispy bangs – paired with subtle waves. Make sure your bangs fall around your cheekbones for a feminine and flattering finish.
10. African American Shoulder Length Hair
There are plenty of styling choices when it comes to shoulder length African American hair. From braids to Bantu knots and a mohawk or faux hawk, the choice is yours. For an easy and low-maintenance option, lean into your full, natural curls and try an Afro-inspired medium length look. The style shows off your mane of kinks and coils and doesn’t require any heat or chemicals to create, so it keeps your hair healthy.
11. Shoulder Length Hair with Bangs
Bangs and shoulder-length hair are a match made in heaven. A cute, casual and youthful option, the style works for both thin and thick hair types. Shoulder length hair pairs particularly well with a choppy, piece-y medium-length fringe. It also looks great with long, layered, face-framing bangs. Ask your stylist for advice when it comes to choosing your bangs – your hair type and face shape will determine which look will be the most flattering.
12. Brunette Hair
A current trend for shoulder-length brunette hair is the mushroom cut. As the name implies, the 1970s-inspired look involves building volume and thickness at the crown of the head, tapering down to shaggy, finer ends. It’s perfect if you have thicker hair and a retro style. It can also be teamed with a mushroom color – an ashy base with cool, neutral highlights.
