Ear-grazing and tucked behind the ear hairstyles are having a major moment. These short to medium length cuts allow you to show off your face shape and keep cool during the warmer months. Going short also makes styling and maintenance easier. Best of all, ear length hair is incredibly versatile – you can wear it sleek and straight, tousled with waves or wild with curls. Let’s explore some of the trendiest ear length hairstyles and how to style them.
The Popularity of Shorter Hairstyles
In the past few years, we’ve seen the rise of shorter hairstyles on the red carpet and beyond. Styles like the lob (long bob), textured pixies, and shoulder-skimming shags have become incredibly popular. The reasons are obvious – short locks are easy, breezy and beautiful. They allow you to feel the wind in your hair and show off gorgeous statement earrings. You don’t have to deal with long hair in the sticky summer humidity. Short styles are also less work – quick to wash, style and ideal for busy lifestyles. For women looking for change, a shorter cut makes a significant difference.
Ear-Grazing Styles Open Up Your Face
One of the biggest benefits of ear-length hair is the way it opens up your facial features. Shorter cuts frame the face beautifully. They highlight your cheekbones, jawline and neck. Tucking strands behind the ears also draws focus to one of your loveliest assets. With longer styles, earrings and other jewelry often get lost. But a short, tucked cut puts the spotlight on your accessories. Going shorter shows confidence – you’re not hiding behind your hair. For many women, that’s liberating.
All Face Shapes Can Pull Off Short Hair
Some women avoid short styles, worried they won’t be flattering. But with the right cut, all face shapes can rock shorter locks! Oval faces look gorgeous with almost any cut. But the angles of heart, round and square faces also suit short hair. For instance, layered pixies with long side-swept bangs flatter round faces. Heart shapes look lovely with ultra-short cuts like micropixies. And square faces can soften their angles with feathery, chin-length looks. The key is working with your natural facial features. A knowledgeable stylist considers your face shape, features and hair texture. Then they’ll suggest cuts to highlight your best assets.
Keeping Cool Yet Looking Chic
Let’s explore some specific shorter styles that allow you to put hair behind your ears for warmer weather. These chic cuts also work for the office and weekends.
Trendy Short Layered Hairstyles
Short layered hairstyles are extremely popular right now. These cuts have stacks of choppy, textured layers throughout. The layers remove bulk and increase volume. They also allow for tons of styling versatility. You can spike short layers up or style them with messy texture. Plus, the stacked layers are easy to tuck behind your ears as needed.
There are endless edgy pixies and cropped cuts featuring short layers:
- Sassy pixies with choppy bangs swept to one side
- Ultra-short pixies and micro bobs gracing the top of the ears
- Curly pixies with loads of texture and bounce
- Piece-y pixie bobs with shattered layers and flipped ends
- Chin-length bobs with shattered ends and flipped out texture
All these fun cuts work with both straight and wavy hair. Curly manes get extra volume and shape from short layers. Go for an undercut or side-shave for added edge. Short layered locks are versatile enough for work or weekends too.
Ponytail-Friendly Medium Lengths
Can’t go super short but want hair off your neck in summer? Opt for a medium length style just long enough to pull into a ponytail. These chin and shoulder-length cuts still allow you to put hair behind your ears. But you get the option of pulling it up when needed too.
Medium curly cuts look fabulous styled natural. Allow your coils and curls to run free during humid weather. Then gather them into a messy top knot or ponytail to cool down. Shoulder-length cuts with long layers or shags have plenty of texture. Create a piece-y ponytail, or part your hair deeply and sweep it back.
If you have naturally straight hair, add waves with a curling iron. Try a deep side part and curl the ends under to frame your face. Or go for tousled, beachy texture with a sea salt spray. The options are endless!
The Versatility of Medium Lengths
Medium length hairstyles hit a real sweet spot. They provide enough length to style yet are still manageable. Chin and shoulder-length cuts also allow you to put hair behind your ears. Let’s look at some of the most popular, versatile medium length options.
Flattering Layers Provide Shape
Medium lengths with long layers flatter all hair types and textures. The layers remove weight and bulk and increase volume. They also allow you to push hair back off your shoulders and behind your ears. Razored, piece-y ends give texture and movement. Add some bounce with velcro or spiral curlers as well.
Layers paired with bangs offer lots of framing options too. For instance, try side-swept curtain bangs to accentuate your eyes and cheekbones. Long face-framing layers in front complement this look. Shorter layers and tapered ends in back are easy to tuck behind your ears.
Volume and Bounce for Curly Locks
Medium length cuts provide the perfect canvas for curly manes. You have enough length for definition yet avoid triangular shapes. The weight of longer hair also drags down curls over time. But shoulder-length cuts enhance and hold bouncy ringlets beautifully.
Ask your stylist for a few stacked layers and long side layers to encourage volume. Also consider a deep side part rather than a centre parting. This allows you to sweep sections behind your ears as needed. Touchable texture and a soft layered shape keeps curls manageable.
Refreshing, Face-Framing Lobs
The lob (long bob) is undoubtedly the “it” cut of the past several years. This collarbone-grazing length is incredibly flattering. It frames the face beautifully when styled straight with tucked behind the ear sides. But you can also crimp, wave or curl lobs for added volume and texture.
There are endless styling options with lobs:
- Part deeply to one side and sweep back for elegance.
- Add bouncy curls or beachy waves.
- Create a faux bob by tucking and pinning up the ends.
- Pull the front sections back into a half up style.
- Create a braided crown or milkmaid braids.
- Slick it back into a low bun or chic low pony.
As you can see, shoulder-length lobs offer complete versatility. You can dress them up, down, pin them back – anything goes!
The lob’s chin or shoulder-grazing length makes this cut ideal for warm weather too. Simply sweep the sides behind your ears to open up your face.
Specific Medium Length Hairstyle Options
Let’s look at a few more medium length hairstyles in detail. Consider these chic yet practical options for your next summer cut!
Softly Layered Chin-Length Bob
This is a versatile go-to option with lots of styling leeway. Ask your stylist for chin-length ends, longer in front, with stacked layers throughout. The layers remove bulk and allow you to push hair behind your ears easily.
When worn straight, this style has gorgeous movement. Create a side parting and lightly curl the ends under. Or go for piece-y tossed texture by backcombing and using dry texture spray.
Add volume with velcro rollers or a round brush. This style also looks fab with beachy waves. And it works beautifully on curly hair when allowed to air dry naturally.
Shoulder-Length Shag with Curtain Bangs
This medium length shaggy cut has incredible texture. The razored layers and ends create a fun, piece-y look with bounce. Sweeping curtain bangs frame the eyes beautifully. Shorter layers throughout allow you to put hair behind your ears as needed.
Have fun mixing up styling techniques with this versatile shag:
- Air dry for tousled texture.
- Add subtle waves with a curling wand.
- Create 70s volume and bounce with hot rollers.
- Pull up the top layers into a messy half updo.
- Part hair deeply and sweep the sides back into a low ponytail.
There are so many options! This style works for straight, wavy and curly locks too.
Bouncy Angled Lob
This collarbone-length angled lob has lots of layered movement. The angle is longer in front to frame the face. Shorter layers in back can easily be tucked behind your ears.
Blow dry with a round brush to flip ends out. Or go for tousled air dried texture. Side swept bangs add a flirty touch. For volume, use velcro rollers on the ends or pin curl sections.
This angled lob also looks beautiful with curls. Use a 1.5 inch barrel curling iron to add loose, touchable waves. Make a side parting and sweep one side behind your ear for a glamorous finish.
Or allow your natural texture to shine through if you have wavy or curly hair. Scrunch in some salt spray and diffuse for extra bounce and movement.
Wispy Chin-Length Bob With Subtle Highlights
This chin-length bob has light layering and feathered ends for movement. Subtle highlights also lend dimension and sheen.
The feathered ends are perfect for tucking behind the ears. And the subtle layers allow volume at the crown.
This style works well on medium to thick hair textures. For fine hair, ask your stylist to avoid excessive layers that may look too wispy.
It’s simple to style – just rough dry hair upside down for volume. Then use a paddle brush to smooth ends under.
You can also add waves with a curling wand or flat iron. Alternate curl direction to build texture.
Pretty and Practical Medium Lengths
As you can see, medium length hairstyles offer the best of both worlds. They provide enough length to style yet remain comfortable in warm weather. Shoulder-grazing cuts allow you to put hair behind your ears as needed too.
Whether you opt for touchable texture, romantic curls or piece-y ends, medium lengths keep you looking chic. The versatility also allows you to dress up your look for evenings out.
Find Your Perfect Short or Medium Length
Ear-length hairstyles are having a major moment for good reason. They are flattering, feminine and easy to maintain. Short cuts in particular make a bold style statement. They showcase your best assets – eyes, cheekbones and smile.
The key is finding a length and cut suited to your hair texture, face shape and lifestyle. A talented stylist considers all these factors. Then they recommend a look to make you feel confident and beautiful.
Don’t be afraid to go short or mid-length for your next cut. You may be pleasantly surprised by how much you love the ease and versatility. Change is good – be bold! Allow yourself to feel that wonderful breeze on the back of your neck. Then style your hair forward to perfectly frame your gorgeous face.
