Okay, bestie, raise your hand if the humidity is currently personally attacking you. 🙋‍♀️ One minute your hair is perfect, and the next, you look like you’ve just been through a mild wind tunnel. I know, the struggle is real. When it’s 90 degrees out, nobody wants to spend an hour with a curling iron—that is definitely not main character energy.
Medium length hair is actually the sweet spot for summer styling—it’s long enough to pull up, but short enough to air-dry without waiting three business days. We’re talking about easy hairstyles that scream “fresh off the yacht” even if you’re actually “fresh off a 2 PM meeting.” Let’s get your inspo board updated with 13 simple summer hairstyles for medium length hair that you can absolutely master tomorrow.
1. The Low Messy Bun 2.0
You know I’m obsessed with the “clean girl” aesthetic, and this is its slightly more relaxed, beachy sister. I tried this messy bun on a rushed Monday and somehow got more compliments than when I actually tried. It’s effortless hair that still looks put-together? Yes please.
The key here is starting with texture. Before you do anything, mist your hair with a generous amount of dry shampoo or a texturizing spray. Skip the hair ties and use a large, secure claw clip instead for that perfectly undone shape. Pull a few deliberate strands free around your face to keep it soft and flattering.
Styling tip: Match your claw clip to your outfit or your mood! Tortoiseshell is classic and pairs with everything, while bright neon or pastel clips add a fun summer pop. Bad hair day? Not with this trick. This is an excellent summer hairstyle for medium length hair because it’s fast, keeps you cool, and looks incredibly stylish.
2. The Sleek High Pony with Pizazz
This is not your basic “I’m late to the gym” ponytail. It’s tight, it’s high, and it has that confident, polished finish that instantly makes you feel ready to conquer the day. If you want outfit ideas that match this look, think a simple white linen shirt and statement gold earrings (like the ones above).
You’ll want to start by smoothing your hair back using a firm gel or a sleek-ifying serum and a boar bristle brush to eliminate any bumps. Secure your high ponytail right at the crown. For that extra oomph, wrap a tiny piece of hair from the tail around the elastic and pin it underneath.
Styling tip: Grab your favorite flat iron and give the ends of the ponytail a super sharp, straight, blunt finish. This makes the texture pop! Bad hair day? Not with this trick. This is an ideal easy hairstyle for medium length hair because it instantly lifts your entire face and gives off powerful main character energy.
3. The 90s Headband Hair
Honestly? Obsessed. This look is the definition of minimal effort, maximum impact. Headbands are back, and they are everything for saving a greasy hair day or simply adding that cool, understated 90s vibe to your look.
For this simple summer hairstyle for medium length hair, you are just using your natural texture. Find a wide, slightly padded headband or a retro jersey band. Push your hair straight back and slide the band into place, just an inch or so from the hairline. Let the medium length fall around your shoulders.
Accessories that elevate the look: Gold hoops
Mini shoulder bag
Chunky rings
We love it because it’s a confident, powerful style that eliminates bad hair days. This is an ideal easy hairstyle for medium length hair because it changes your whole look in 10 seconds.
4. The Half-Up Top Knot
Is it even fall without oversized layers? Wait, sorry, wrong season angle! But seriously, this is the ultimate “I’m wearing a sundress but my hair is doing its own thing” look. It’s practical, it’s trendy, and it takes about 90 seconds to execute.
You will need two creaseless elastics or some small bobby pins. Grab the top section of your medium length hair (from the arches of your brows upward) and pull it into a tight, messy knot at the very top of your head. Secure it with one elastic. Let the other half of your curls or waves (like the ones in the image) fall around your shoulders.
Styling tip: This combo is low-effort but high-impact ✨ For a smoother finish, use a tiny bit of lightweight mousse or serum on the loose section. We love it because it takes seconds, keeps your hair managed, and looks effortlessly cool.
5. The Scarf-Wrapped Pony
Okay but this look? Absolute main character energy. This style is giving “I’m heading to a charming French village for lunch” even if you’re actually just heading to a casual backyard BBQ. It’s colorful, it’s playful, and it requires zero specialized tools.
For this look, simply apply some of your favorite hair oil or serum to create a nice, smooth base and add sheen to your medium length. Gather your waves or curls (like the beautiful ones above) into a low, relaxed ponytail. Secure it with a basic elastic. Grab a small silk or cotton scarf, fold it into a thin band, and tie it around the elastic so the colorful ends hang down.
Styling tip: You can match your scarf to your outfit! This combo is low-effort but high-impact. We love it because it turns a boring ponytail into a structural masterpiece with zero special skills required. It’s an ideal easy hairstyle for medium length hair because it instantly lifts your entire face and adds a flirty, feminine touch to any look.
6. The Textured Beach Waves
Is it even summer without effortless waves? This is the foundational simple summer hairstyle for medium length hair. When you think of a low-maintenance, fresh-off-the-beach vibe, this is it. It’s all about enhancing your natural wave, not forcing it.
To recreate this simple summer hairstyle for medium length hair, just spritz a generous amount of sea salt spray or a lightweight texturizing mousse to create a nice, textured base and enhance your natural waves. Skip the heat tools and let your medium length air-dry instead. If you have some direct sunlight (as seen above), even better!
Styling tip: Match your hair products to your natural hair type! This is an ideal easy hairstyle for medium length hair because it truly is the standard “I woke up like this” look. It’s romantic, effortless, and requires virtually zero styling skills.
7. The Low Twisted Bun
This is the sophisticated older sister to the low pony. If you’re heading to a summer wedding or a polished dinner date, this twisted chignon is your go-to. It looks incredibly intricate and detailed, but it’s actually incredibly easy to achieve. Is it even fall without oversized layers? Sorry, I keep saying that! Fall is clearly on my mind.
For this polished simple summer hairstyle for medium length hair, spritz some shine spray to create a nice, smooth base and add sheen to your medium length, like the beautiful waves above. Gather your hair into a low, relaxed ponytail. Twist the tail tightly until it coils, then wrap it into a neat, compact bun at the nape. Secure with small, robust bobby pins.
Styling tip: Match your makeup to your refined look! This is an ideal easy hairstyle for medium length hair because it instantly pulls you together and adds a touch of sophistication to any formal event. We love it because it’s incredibly flattering on most face shapes.
8. The Faux-Hawk Scarf Scraped Up-Do
Is it even fall without oversized layers? No, seriously, this look is wildly cool. This isn’t a Mohawk, it’s a faux-hawk up-do that is all about attitude, texture, and creativity. It’s colorful, daring, and requires exactly one skillful hand movement.
Grab a long silk or cotton scarf with a vibrant pattern (like the teal and red floral one above). Scrape all of your medium length curls or texture straight up to the crown of your head and secure tightly. Tie the scarf around your head like a standard wide headband, leaving the dramatic faux-hawk portion exposed. This combo is low-effort but high-impact ✨ We love it because it turns a simple scarf into a bold statement piece.
9. The Bubble Ponytail
This is the playful, athletic style that has absolutely taken over my feed this year. It’s the standard pony, but… with a structural, cool-girl twist. Is it even fall without oversized layers? Sorry, that’s fall talking again! Fall must be on my brain.
You will need multiple small creaseless elastics (like the black ones above). Start with a basic sleek high ponytail, making sure the top is very smooth (like the dark brown hair above). Secure it firmly. Then, every 2 inches down the ponytail, place another elastic and secure it. Gently pull the hair outwards between each elastic to create that “bubble” shape. Continue until you reach the ends.
Styling tip: Match your elastics to your hair color for a seamless look! We love it because it takes seconds, keeps your hair managed, and looks effortlessly cool. This is an ideal easy hairstyle for medium length hair because your natural length creates that defined, structural bubble effect so easily.
10. The Slick Side-Parted Low Bun
Is it even summer without a sleek bun in your rotation? This is the sophisticated, polished older sister to the low ponytail. If you’re heading to a nice dinner or a polished event, this side-parted bun is the move. It’s elegant, classic, and keeps you perfectly cool. Is it even fall without oversized layers? Sorry, that’s fall talking again! Fall must be on my brain.
You will need a fine-tooth comb and some of your favorite hair gel or a sleek-ifying cream. Create a precise, deep side part using the comb (like the precise part above). Smooth all of your wavy or straight medium length hair (like the beautiful waves above) flat back and secure it tightly at the nape. Secure into a compact chignon.
Styling tip: Match your accessory choice to your polished look! This is an ideal easy hairstyle for medium length hair because it instantly pulls you together and adds a touch of sophistication to any formal event. We love it because it’s incredibly flattering on most face shapes.
11. The Half-Up Dutch Side Braid
This is the standard half-up top knot, but… with a fun, structural twist. This look is perfect for medium length hair when you want to show off your natural waves but also want that flirty, romantic element. It’s practical, it’s trendy, and it adds that special detail. Is it even fall without oversized layers? Sorry, that’s fall talking again! Fall must be on my brain.
You will need two creaseless elastics or some small bobby pins. Grab the top section of your medium length hair (from the arches of your brows upward). Using your skillful braiding hand, begin a thick, neat Dutch braid right from the hairline on one side (as seen above). Follow the perimeter of your hairline towards the ear. Secure. Let the other half of your waves or curls (like the honey-blonde ones above) fall around your shoulders.
Styling tip: Match your accessory choice to your flirty look! This is an ideal easy hairstyle for medium length hair because your natural length creates that defined, detailed Dutch effect so easily. We love it because it’s incredibly flattering on most face shapes.
12. The Textured High Ponytail
This is not your basic “I’m late to the gym” ponytail. This is the textured high pony that is all about attitude, volume, and flirty bounce. It’s tight, it’s high, and it has that confident, playful finish that instantly makes you feel ready to conquer the day. Is it even fall without oversized layers? Sorry, that’s fall talking again! Fall must be on my brain.
You will need a texturizing spray or a lightweight volumizing mousse. Before you do anything, create a textured base using the spray or mousse (like the beautiful waves above). Secure your high ponytail right at the crown. Skip the hair ties and use a large, secure claw clip instead for that perfectlyUndo shape.
Styling tip: Match your accessory choice to your playful look! This is an ideal easy hairstyle for medium length hair because your natural length creates that defined, bouncing bubble effect so easily. We love it because it’s incredibly flattering on most face shapes.
13. The Half-Up Scarf Pony
Okay but this look? Absolute main character energy. This style is the definition of minimal effort, maximum impact. It is the sophisticated, flirty sister to the standard ponytail. Is it even fall without oversized layers? Sorry, that’s fall talking again! Fall must be on my brain.
Start with your natural texture. Grab a colorful silk or cotton scarf with a vibrant pattern (like the blue and red geometric one above). Pull the top half of your medium length curls or texture straight up to the crown (as seen above). Tie the scarf around your head like a standard wide headband, leaving the dramatic half-up top knot exposed. Secure. Let the other half of your waves or curls fall around your shoulders.
Styling tip: You can match your scarf to your outfit! This combo is low-effort but high-impact. Bad hair day? Not with this trick. This is an ideal easy hairstyle for medium length hair because it instantly pulls you together and adds a touch of playful sophistication to any casual event.
And that’s the complete list, bestie! 13 amazing, humidity-defying, fast options for your gorgeous medium length. I hope you found something on this list that feels like your next go-to.
Remember, summer is too short (and way too humid) to stress about your hair. Your medium length is a total gift this time of year—it’s naturally designed to look flirty, and all we need is a clever cut, a quick technique, or a cool accessory to make it shine. Small beauty details like these make a big impact without adding complication. Effortless looks are always the best looks.
Now, go forth and look amazing (and stay cool)! If you need me, I’ll be over here mastering that Dutch side braid… or maybe just wearing my bubble pony to the beach.