Medium hair is the ultimate middle ground. It’s that awkward, frustrating, yet surprisingly versatile stage where you aren’t rocking a buzz cut anymore, but you haven’t quite reached Jason Momoa territory either. Most guys hit this length and panic. They see the "in-between" stage as a curse. They think their only options are a hat or a trip back to the barber for a fade. Honestly? That’s a mistake. Learning how to style mid length hair guys usually struggle with is less about complex geometry and more about understanding weight and texture.
It's a weird transition. One day your hair looks like a deliberate style, and the next, you look like a 90s sitcom character who lost his comb.
Stop Over-Washing Your Hair
If you are washing your hair every single morning with harsh drugstore shampoo, you've already lost the battle. Mid-length hair lives and dies by its natural oils. When you strip those away, your hair becomes light, poofy, and impossible to control. It turns into a "lion’s mane" that refuses to lay flat.
Try washing it only two or three times a week. On the off days, just rinse it with cool water. This keeps the sebum—the natural oil your scalp produces—on the hair shaft. This oil acts as a natural styler. It adds weight. Weight is your best friend when your hair is four to six inches long because it prevents the dreaded "bell shape" where the bottom poofs out wider than the top.
The Salt Spray Secret
Sea salt spray is probably the single most important tool in your kit. It’s basically "ocean water in a bottle," and it gives you that gritty, matte texture that makes mid-length hair look intentional rather than messy.
Spray it on damp hair. Don't be shy. Then, use your hands to scrunch it in. If you want that relaxed, "I just came from the beach" look (even if you’ve been at a desk for eight hours), this is how you get it. It provides a light hold without the crunchiness of gel or the greasiness of heavy pomades.
Working With Your Natural Texture
Don't fight your DNA. If you have curly hair, stop trying to slick it back into a Don Draper side part. It won't work. Your hair will eventually rebel, and by noon, you’ll have a stray curl hitting you in the eye.
For guys with waves or curls, the goal is moisture. Use a leave-in conditioner. It’s a game-changer. It weighs the hair down just enough to define the curls without making them look "wet." If you have bone-straight hair, you need volume. Without it, mid-length hair just hangs limp and makes your face look longer.
Blow-drying is a skill you actually need to learn. Point the dryer up from the roots to create lift. Use a vent brush if you want it neat, or just use your fingers if you want it rugged. It takes five minutes. Do it.
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The Best Products for Mid-Length Styles
You’ve got options. Too many, usually.
Matte Pastes: These are great for a "messy but controlled" look. They have a high hold but zero shine. Use a pea-sized amount. Seriously, start small. You can always add more, but you can't un-grease your hair without a shower.
Creams: Styling creams are the "soft" option. They offer almost no hold but a lot of shine and frizz control. These are perfect if you have thick, coarse hair that needs to be tamed.
Clay: Kaolin clay is amazing for adding thickness. If your hair is starting to thin a bit, or if it’s just naturally fine, clay will make it look like you have twice as much hair as you actually do.
Pomades: Use these only if you want a classic, slicked-back look. Water-based pomades are better because they wash out easily. Oil-based ones stay in for days, which sounds cool until you realize your pillowcase is ruined.
How to Style Mid Length Hair Guys Want Now
Right now, the "Bro Flow" is king. It’s that swept-back, relaxed look seen on guys like Bradley Cooper or Dev Patel. It looks effortless, but ironically, it takes a bit of work to make it stay that way.
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First, start with damp hair. Apply a small amount of grooming cream. Comb it all back, then shake your head. Let the hair fall where it wants to naturally. This is your natural part. Follow it. Use a blow dryer on a medium heat setting and push the hair back and away from your face.
Once it’s dry, hit it with the "cool shot" button on your dryer. This "sets" the style in place. If you skip the cool air, the hair will just fall flat the moment you step outside.
The Tucked-Behind-The-Ear Move
This is a classic for a reason. If your hair is long enough to reach your ears but not long enough for a ponytail, tucking one side behind your ear creates an asymmetrical look that frames the jawline. It’s a subtle trick that makes the length look purposeful.
Maintenance Matters (The "Dusting")
Just because you’re growing it out doesn’t mean you should skip the barber for six months. You need a "cleanup" every 6 to 8 weeks. Tell your barber you want a "dusting"—this means they only trim the very ends to get rid of split ends.
Ask them to "remove bulk." This is a specific technique where they use thinning shears or a razor to take weight out of the middle of the hair without changing the length. It stops the hair from looking like a helmet.
Face Shape Considerations
- Square Faces: You can pull off almost anything. Lucky you.
- Round Faces: Avoid styles that add width to the sides. Keep the sides tighter and the top tall.
- Oval Faces: Be careful with too much length on top, as it can make your head look incredibly long.
- Heart Faces: Mid-length hair is actually perfect for you because it adds volume around the narrower jawline.
The "Awkward Phase" Survival Guide
There will be a month where your hair just looks bad. It’s too long to style with wax, but too short to tuck back. During this phase, lean into hats or headbands if you're at the gym. Or, use a high-hold clay to force it into a side part.
Don't give up and shave it. Every guy with great hair had to survive three months of looking a bit unkempt. It’s a rite of passage.
Real-World Examples
Think about Keanu Reeves. His mid-length hair is iconic because it’s not perfect. It’s got movement. Or look at Austin Butler—his hair has a lot of "lift" at the front. These styles aren't achieved by just waking up; they involve a blow dryer and a bit of product, but they look like they didn't. That’s the goal.
You want people to think your hair just happens to look that good.
Actionable Steps for Better Hair
- Buy a decent blow dryer. It doesn't have to be a $400 Dyson, but the $15 one from the grocery store is frying your cuticles.
- Experiment with "Pre-stylers." Apply product to wet hair before you dry it. This builds a foundation.
- Stop touching it. Once you style your hair, leave it alone. The more you run your fingers through it, the more the oils from your hands break down the product and cause it to collapse.
- Use a wide-tooth comb. Regular combs pull and break mid-length hair. A wide-tooth comb or even a specialized "wet brush" keeps the texture intact.
- Switch to a silk or satin pillowcase. Sounds fancy, but it prevents frizz and "bed head" because your hair slides across it instead of snagging on cotton fibers.
The key to how to style mid length hair guys can actually pull off is confidence. If it looks a bit messy, own it. The "perfectly groomed" look is out. The "natural and textured" look is in. Spend less time trying to make every hair stay in place and more time making sure the overall shape complements your face. Get a sea salt spray today, stop washing your hair every single morning, and embrace the flow.
Next Steps for Success:
Start by identifying your hair porosity. Take a single strand of clean hair and drop it in a glass of water. If it floats, you have low porosity and need lighter products. If it sinks, your hair is "thirsty" and needs heavier creams and oils. Once you know this, go buy a sea salt spray and a matte paste to begin practicing your "Bro Flow" technique after your next shower.