How to Style Straight or Wavy Medium Length Hair

There are countless ways to style your hair whether it is straight or wavy. For medium-length hair, which is often too short to pull back into a ponytail or bun, there is more of a challenge because the option of an up-do is not always available. Instead of letting your locks lie limp, infuse some style into your hair. Make your straight or wavy medium-length hair accentuate your face and give you a flattering look with a few different styling techniques.

Things You'll Need

• Straightening shampoo
• Straightening conditioner
• Large round brush
• Hair dryer
• Ceramic flat iron
• Rat tail comb
• Hair scissors
• Large decorative clip
• Volumizing mousse
• Bobby pins
• Hairspray
• Curl cream
• Diffuser

Instructions

Straight

1. Shampoo and condition your hair with products made specially for straightening hair. Roll a round brush through sections of hair while blow-drying to dry your hair as straight as possible. Pull a ceramic flat iron through 1- to 2-inch sections of hair to create a super straight, sleek look.

2. Visit a professional stylist and have bangs cut into your hair to give your style definition and interest. Bangs can be straight across, razored for softer edges or side-swept. Consult your stylist about which bang style is best for your face shape.

3. Part your dry hair dramatically to one side and allow your bangs to sweep over one eyebrow. Comb the side without the bulk of your hair behind your ear and swept back over the opposite shoulder. Clip the hair a few inches behind your ear for an asymmetrical style.

4. Apply volumizing mousse evenly to your wet strands and comb it through. Blow-dry your hair upside-down, then flip your head back. Brush your hair back and away from your forehead, then pin back the sides just behind your ears. Hairspray the top and sides of your hair in place, smoothing away fly-aways.

Wavy

1. Part wet hair as normal and apply curl cream evenly over your tresses. Attach a diffuser to your hair dryer and turn it on, tip your head to one side and scrunch your hair up from the ends toward your scalp with the flat side of the diffuser. Do this until your hair is dry to accentuate the waves in your hair and create volume.

2. Apply a curl-enhancing cream to your locks and scrunch your hair upward with your hands. Allow your hair to air dry. If your hair is somewhat crispy afterward, simply crunch your hair again with your hands.

3. Get your hair layered at a professional salon. Long layers give wavy hair bounce, while short, dramatic layers give texture and body.

4. Let your hair air dry naturally. Pull random pieces of hair back and pin them on top and on the sides of your head. Keep doing this until you have pinned all of your hair up on the sides and in the back for a casual, loose up-do.

Tips & Warnings

• Use bobby pins the same color as your hair so they remain hidden within your locks.

References

• TheHairStyler.com: Casual Medium Wavy Hairstyles

Resources

• TheHairStyler.com: Formal Medium Straight Hairstyles