A medium-long layered bob is a youthful and trendy hairstyle choice. This fresh look can even make you look younger. With this hairstyle, there are a ton of options to choose from to suit your personality and compliment your face shape. For example, you can choose to wear it straight and sleek, wavy, or tousled for a more fun look. Here are some great examples of medium-long layered bobs to inspire your next haircut!
I always recommend a medium-long layered bob hairstyle for people who want to achieve more of a casual and pleasant look because I find that a lot of people create too many expectations when they want to do something extreme. I remember one of my clients who had long hair because of a future wedding that had been canceled. She ended up wanting a pixie cut because she was over the hair and I had to talk her out of it because I could see the disappointment in her eyes. She ended up getting a layered bob that went slightly past the collarbone and she cried, but it was happy tears because for the first time in months she felt like she finally recognized herself.
I value this length because it works with your length and texture instead of against and it grows out beautifully. It gives you styling options with out a 40 minute styling committment every morning. However, the real magic is in the layers because the same basic shape can look totally different based on where the weight is removed and how much movement you create. The pictures featured here are some of my favorites of it and I’ll be honest about which ones are worth the effort and which ones look better in pictures than they do in real life.
#1: Soft Waves on a Medium-Long Layered Bob
This is one of those cuts that looks great in photos and in real life which is not the case for a lot of cuts. The layers are done well enough so that they don’t lose overall shape, and the soft waves to the side make the cut look framed in an intentional way, without it being too stiff. If your hair is fine to medium, then this will make it look a lot thicker without the weight. You will probably need a wave spray and a large barrel to achieve those waves, but once you have a routine it’s only around ten minutes.
#2: Chestnut Waves with Soft Face-Framing Layers
The blend is beautiful. If this was mixed by someone, the chestnut color works beautifully. It probably looks amazing in person, and in pictures the way it captures the light shows off the layers. If you’re looking to add shape and body to your hair without making a big change, definitely do this. The soft waves will look natural on most hair types, but if you have really straight hair, you better be ready to put in some work in the mornings to achieve that soft look.
#3: Mid-Length Brunette Bob with Volume at the Ends
I do a lot of bobs like this because it is what I would call a workhorse haircut. It does everything you need, doesn’t take much maintenance, and easily goes from a Monday morning meeting to a Friday night dinner. The layers are concentrated towards the ends so the weight sits lower, which gives you that natural fullness without being flat on top. For fine hair, a volumizing mousse at the roots before you blow dry will help, but this is not a haircut that needs product to not fall apart. If you want to play around with color later, it is also a great base for highlights.
#4: Raven Stacked Bob with Curtain Bangs
It does take a little more commitment than it seems. The stacks in the back create nice volume on the crown, and the curtain bangs soften the look as a whole, particularly on longer face shapes. But I will be honest, a stacked bob is going to need consistent upkeep, likely every 5-6 weeks because once that back shape starts growing out, it loses everything that makes it special. For those that push their appointments, this may be frustrating. On the other hand, if you like the ritual of regular salon visits, this could be your signature cut!
#5: Asymmetrical Bob with Textured Fringe
Asymmetry isn’t for everyone. I understand that some people find it appealing in a photograph, but in reference to their own head, it makes them feel uneasy. It does take a little confidence, or at least a tolerance for asymmetry, to deal with the head. But when it works, it really works. The longer side of the head gives you some hair that you can tuck behind the ear and pull down, and the textured fringe draws attention to the eyes, but in a playful way, but not childish. This haircut moves well on its own and you can skip the product and most other styling.
#6: Mocha Layered Bob with Subtle Waves
I love the color. The mocha shade has just enough depth to look rich without feeling heavy or flat, and the subtle wave pattern is spot on. For medium to thick hair, the layers will ensure it doesn’t look bulky and will create that effortless, undone movement. This looks like a cut you didn’t put much effort into, which means it was cut well. The way you style these waves has a lot to do with your hair texture. You may need to touch up the waves with a curling wand every few days, but it’s the type of style that won’t look bad if it relaxes a bit.
#7: Classic Black Medium Bob with Subtle Layers
This cut’s honesty about its design is a breath of fresh air. Layers that are blended so well that they’re almost completely imperceptible until you move your head is a sign of a great cut, not an overly trendy one. It still looks refined for professional settings during the week, and it’s just as effortless for the weekend. My only concern is that the sleek, straight look will require a lot of heat styling, and if you want your hair to feel healthy in six months, that probably means buying a good heat protectant.
#8: Black Layered Bob with Natural Flow
The asymmetry is small enough to give an edgy appearance, but not enough to seem like a completely different haircut on either side. The forgiving shape allows it to look intentional even if you don’t style it frequently. This style is best suited to medium and thick hair as the fullness comes from the hair’s density. Also, if you like to throw your hair up sometimes, this length is suitable for a low ponytail or a loose twist, which is often an overlooked consideration when deciding on a length.
#9: Textured Voluminous Brunette Bob
This style has a lot of added texture, and without it, this particular cut could have been a more basic style sitting on the shoulders. The added waves give a softer look and add a little more fullness without any of the bulk. This is a great style to work with if you already have natural waves, as you are working with the texture you have rather than going against it. If you have straight hair, you can definitely recreate this look, just be aware that it will take a fair amount of work with a texturizing spray, as well as a good portion of time to get it straightened. For wavy hair, this pretty much is a wash and go look.
#10: Rich Auburn Cascade with Gentle Waves
Auburn is one of those colors people don’t often consider. When done and paired with the correct cut, they bring true warmth the style that is flattering to almost everyone. This layered bob beautifully manages bulk if your hair is on the thicker side. The waves add softness that keeps it from looking blunt or too severe. Good conditioning treatments are a must with frizz and that much texture to keep everything smooth and defined.
#11: Chestnut Layered Bob with Inward Curvature
Thanks for telling me about the detail. The inward curve at the ends is nice and is a detail that is transformative for how the whole style is perceived. It gives a polished and intentional look and is especially complementary to square and heart-shaped faces. The layering done is a little bit asymmetrical, which is interesting, and is the sort of detail to separate a good haircut from a truly great one. The chestnut shade is really nice and its natural shine gives a very premium look to the whole style. Just as a little tip, if you want to hold that inward bend at the ends, you will have to round brush the hair which will just take some extra time, but it’s worth it.
#12: Ash-Brown Layered Bob with a Side-Swept Fringe
I suggest this for pretty much every scenario as it is a universally flattering style. It is long enough to sit along the collar bone, which is a great length for elongating the neck, but does not feel too short. The side swept fringe is softening and provides a nice option to full bangs. The ash brown colour is great for covering greys as it blends in nicely and doesn’t create that obvious line of grow out. If your hair is wavy or naturally curly, you will need a smoothing serum for this style. Other than that, this looks great and requires minimal effort.
#13: Chestnut Contour Layers at Medium Length
The contouring of this bob looks great. The layers have been cut to suit the shape of the face, instead of falling in a uniform way, which adds a more bespoke touch to this bob that a lot of other similar styles lack. The warm chestnut shade flatters a wide range of skin tones and the layers give just the right amount of bounce so it doesn’t sit flat to the head. This is a lovely, clean cut bob that doesn’t feel boring, which is actually much harder to achieve than one might think. It will certainly need regular shaping to maintain that crisp look, probably every 6 weeks.
#14: Chocolate Layered Bob with Soft Bangs
This is great for people who have thick hair and have issues with the cut feeling overly and losing its shape quickly. The layers in this cut make a difference with the bulk and added movement. The cut won’t feel like a helmet, and the soft bangs are a nice touch. It adds a younger feel without going too trendy, and they grow back into the layers. You won’t have to worry about an awkward phase if you grow them out. Just a heads up, this cut requires upkeep, and once the layers start to merge you lose the movement and shape that makes it work.
#15: Espresso Sleek Layered Bob
This is a great option if you want a simple and clean style, and the style and design makes this a great chosen. The soft front face framing layers will compliment you but won’t steal the spotlight, and the finish is great too. It looks very professional; so it can be great for work, and is then perfect for a weekend outfit! If you hair always falls flat, the layers will create volume! But if your hair is thick or curly, keep in mind you may need a lot of time with a flat iron to get that smothing, so be honest with yourself before comitting.
#16: Copper Textured Bob with Face-Framing Wisps
The tone is a nice copper and is a good first step for anyone wanting to go warmer but who is not ready to do a full red. The little bits at the front help to soften the hair cut and give it a more relaxed vibe. Be aware that copper is a fading color and if you want to keep it this bright you are going to want to book some gloss or toner appointments every few weeks. Luckily this cut is low maintenance which will offset the higher maintenance of the color. This color, unlike some trend based colors, works across a fairly wide age range.
#17: Espresso Layered Bob with a Soft Fringe
The hairstyle is both polished and non-fussy. The wispy and soft fringe will grow out more gracefully and avoid the need for trims every three weeks. As for the layers, they will add plenty of volume to the fine or medium hair. The length that rests above the shoulders is a sweet spot where it’s long enough to feel like you have enough hair; yet short enough to dry quickly. Not every haircut needs to be exciting, and this one is quietly excellent at being a good haircut.
#18: Brunette Textured Bob with Curtain Bangs
It’s a fair assumption that curtain bangs are going to be in style for a while. They are versatile and easy to style. In this particular case, we are leaning more towards the blending side of the spectrum which will make for a more seamless and effortless look. Textured layering will add the most volume and, the more hair, the better! With finer textures, this may mean the bangs will go a little limp at the end of the day and need a little maintenance, but the softness around the face will make it worthwhile!
#19: Midnight Blue Bob with Textured Edges
I want to be honest. This color is a commitment because it is gorgeous! If you want to keep it from fading to a dull color, you will have to do regular maintenance. If you are starting with a darker color, you may have to lighten it first. If you can keep up with maintenance, the payoff is definitely worth it. This color, along with the modern edge texture ends, will elevate a standard black bob around your face and give it a more contemporary look. This cut is ideal for straighter to slightly wavy hair, and you will want to get a trim every 6 to 8 weeks to avoid those ends from looking scraggly.
#20: Sunkissed Caramel Waves with Precision Layers
This shows how to go from dark roots to caramel without having a stripy look which is usually the case. The wave pattern is a great way to show the different tones in her hair, and the layering adds movement so it doesn’t look like a solid block of hair. If you like haircuts to look really neat, you might not be a fan of the asymmetrical ends. They add a modern touch though, so it stops the style looking too safe. Just so you know, to keep the definition in these waves, you will need to style your hair a certain way. If you wash it and let it dry, it will look softer and less defined than it does in these photos.
#21: Cinnamon Tapered Bob with Natural Flow
This haircut exudes confidence and knows exactly what it is. The back-to-front gradient gives direction and structure to the face while eliminating the need for multiple layers. This is great for those who have fine to medium hair and want to maintain som density. The cinnamon color is warm and natural looking. It’s the type of color that makes you look like you just came back from vacation. You will need to maintain that tapered line to keep it looking sharp, but the daily styling is on the easier side. It’s all worth it.
#22: Chestnut Shoulder-Length Bob with Textured Ends
The ends are the defining feature that sets this apart from just being another shoulder-length bob. The ends offer enough visual interest that it seems intentional and contemporary, and the overall shape is classic enough to age well as it grows out. Chestnut is warm and rich and is likely to be flattering to pretty much every complexion. It’s also worth noting that the cut will hold its shape well between appointments if your hair is medium to thick. If your hair is fine, you may find the textured ends start to look a little sparse as they grow, so factor this in when determining your trim schedule.
#23: Burgundy Layered Lob with Soft Waves
I think of burgundy as a love/hate color. Most often, I feel neutral about it. I like this particular example, though. The rich tone is actually very nice without feeling costumey. The waves you added help break things up a bit, which is a risk with a deeper color since it can feel super flat, but here it feels layered and modern. This style uses a lot of volume, so I think it would work best for medium to thick hair. Just know that this color requires a lot of upkeep. Regular toning is a must – without it, it will dull down super quickly, changing to a brownish-red color, which is a totally different color and look.
#24: Tousled Mid-Length Bob with Dynamic Layers
The messy style is my favorite because it creates an effect that appears it required no effort whatsoever. In reality it a lot of work but the style looks good. The layers are great to reduce some bulk in the mid and end portions, so if you have medium to thick hair, it will feel lighter and so much more manageable. The slight asymmetry offers a modern feel and is a good balance of not being too much. If you want to maintain that messy look in between washes, all it takes is some texturizing paste and a quick little scrunch at the ends.
#25 Softly Textured Layered Bob at Medium Length
I often suggest this to clients with finer hair who feel their hair ‘just hangs’. With the layers cut in, movement is added to fine hair, while the added bangs soften to give a youthful appearance without looking overly done. If your hair is thick, this precise cut will need a great deal more thinning and texturizing to create the same effect, and possibly more maintenance than expected. However, when it comes to the right hair type, this is a look that is very flattering and minimal effort is required to achieve it. It provides versatility based on the amount of time you have in the morning.
#26 Textured Layered Bob with Soft Bounce
The first thing I notice is the natural bounce. That’s always a good sign because it means the cut is doing the work. If you have fine to medium hair, this will give you the kind of effortless volume that usually takes a round brush and twenty minutes to achieve. The shape is particularly flattering to round and oval faces, and the soft waves keep it looking not overly structured. It will need trims every seven weeks or so to keep the layers defined, but during that time it degrades gracefully instead of falling apart.
#27 Warm Chestnut Layered Bob with Highlights
These highlights are positioned beautifully around your face and at the tips where the light hits. They make the whole cut look more expensive than it maybe is, and adds to the chestnut base color more dimension than a single-process color can achieve. The length is also versatile and the layers offer enough movement so the finer hair doesn’t look limp. If your hair is really fine, I’d suggest you keep to your trim schedule because thin ends can undermine the whole look. This is a great option for heart and oval shaped faces but it’s honestly flattering on most people.
#28 Textured Layered Bob with Effortless Waves
The reason I like this design is because it looks more natural without being overdone. The waves are soft, which I like. The layers improve the look without going choppy which is a common issue with those types of cuts. If you already have natural waves this cut will work really well with you. If your hair is straight, then you’ll just have to curl it and use some sea salt spray. If you wanted some color, a few subtle highlights would be nice.
#29 Modern Bob with Face-Framing Layers
This haircut is great because the soft layers around the face can distract from how simple the rest of the haircut can be. Blunt bangs are going to cause an awkward growing out phase, but with these bangs, the blending will prevent that from being an issue. This haircut looks the best with fine hair because of how flat it is, but the subtle waves are going to prevent it from looking flyaway and shapeless. Most of the time, a haircut being able to look good on so many people is a negative, but in this case, it’s an obvious sign of a good haircut.
#30 Layered Bob with Natural Texture and Movement
I like how the layers in this cut create movement while maintaining the weight that gives the hair shape. The balance is harder to achieve than it looks, and it means the cut holds shape well between salon visits instead of going shapeless after a few weeks. The face framing detail softens the enhancement to the cheekbones, and the total effect is youthful without looking too young. This will be quite manageable if your hair is fine to medium, though a bit of styling will be needed on days when it looks its best.
#31 Layered Medium-Long Bob with Soft Movement
These layered bangs are the most interesting as they modernly and timelessly frame the face, which is something that not every cut achieves. The natural body and bounce of the hair suggests that good layering was done, which keeps length and adds dimension and is especially good for fine to medium hair that tends to easily become one length. This is an easy maintenance cut because it does not require daily styling, though you will have to do some occasional bang trimming to keep them in place.
#32 Textured Layered Bob with Soft Bangs
The chocolate tones in this haircut really brighten up her complexion, which is usually half the battle when choosing a shade. The bangs are subtle so they won’t block the features, and the layering provides natural volume rather than the stuck up product type. This is a great option to go for if you want an illusion of fullness and have medium to fine hair. The cut is fairly low maintenance, but with all layered looks, a quick brush and blow dry will take you to a whole other level of polished compared to just air drying.
#33 Layered Bob with Face-Framing Texture
This haircut gives your hair a natural feeling of volume and thickness. You won’t have to use any products to achieve this. The slight wave that the haircut provides draws your attention to the middle of the hair which creates a thicker illusion. The well blended framing layers that face are more flattering than to be obvious. If your hair is really thick, you may want to be a bit skeptical of this cut because the layers will probably create more volume than you want and you’ll spend a lot of time styling it every morning to control it. However, this option is really nice and low maintenance for fine to medium hair. If you want to be a bit adventurous, a light balayage would add a lot more dimension and depth to your hair.
#34 Medium-Length Layered Bob with Soft Curls
These curls are awesome because they add body and life to the haircut without making the style too overdone or too fancy. The warm, subtle highlights create depth to the brunette base. The layers work with the curl pattern instead of against it. For fine to medium hair textures, the style will look full and bouncy with pretty much no effort. However, it will take some time to curl the hair into this style each day unless the hair is wavy. The style will be especially nice for round or oval faces because the curls will add width where it is needed.
#35 Layered Medium-Length Bob with Gentle Volume
This haircut works because of the placement of the layers. Layers here are placed more around the face and the ends rather than all the way through. This gives movement and the framing effect without that bulky look through the crown, important for fine hair since you can’t afford to get it too thin. Longer front pieces create an elongating effect, especially for round or square faces, and the subtle wave texture keeps it contemporary. It’s the sort of haircut that looks expensive in the best way possible.
#36 Radiant Layered Bob with Warm Waves
This technique allows us to take into consideration the color and the shape of the hair with the same level of importance. The glow with the cut and color technique is incredible and achievable versus simple cut. The highlights are sun-kissed and are not obvious as being done at a salon. They enhance the layers and cut with extra dimension. This versatile cut can be worn polished and straight or more relaxed with the waves out. Most oval to heart-shaped faces will get the best of this look but with a few tweaks it should be doable on everyone.
#37 Layered Bob with Soft Bangs and Natural Movement
Sometimes, the most rewarding aspect of a haircut is how the result appears effortless. The bangs are gentle and soft, the framing works, and the layers are nearly loose enough to let the hair just sit as is. It’s a fine to medium hair cut, and the bangs are swept aside for a fuller appearance. In this case, the upkeep is less, although bangs require a bit more maintenance, as they will need to be trimmed more frequently than the rest of the hair. Therefore, expect to pop in for a quick cut once every 3-4 weeks.
#38 Modern Textured Bob with Subtle Layers
This is a neat, modern cut that utilizes details without being overdone in any one area. The subtle movement of the cut draws your attention away from the technique, and the above shoulder length is a sweet spot that works for all sorts of styling preferences. This type of cut is best for fine hair because the layering creates more volume without over reducing the weight. The overall shape allows it to look good even on the days you don’t brush it. This cut might not be the most interesting on the list, but it is one of the most versatile.
#39 Auburn Layered Bob with Face-Framing Bangs
What stands out in this haircut is the bangs because they are cut to frame the eyes, which is a detail that changes how the entire cut reads. The color is an earthy looking auburn that looks good enough to need no description, and warms looks right. The layering adds movement and prevents the medium density from feeling too heavy, and the shape is flattering to most face shapes. These types of bangs do need a bit more maintenance than the rest of the cut and it really is a five-minute trim, not a whole production.
#40 Choppy Layered Bob with Lift and Movement
If this cut had smoother layers than the choppiness gives off a different energy. This is especially true if you have fine to medium hair that just tends to lay flat. The face framing layers also help enhance the shape by bringing it up and away from the jaw which can be more flattering than having a heavier cut. The subtle highlights offer dimension and give a fresh youthful effect without it being too much. The only downside is that choppy layers will need to be maintained and that means getting regular trims. Once the layers grow out too much you lose the definition which makes this cut worth it.
#41 Choppy Layered Bob with Sun-Kissed Highlights
This has more of a similar vibe to the last one, though there are some subtle differences. The highlights are warmer and a bit more pronounced, and there is a more obvious sun-kissed feel to it, which works great heading into the warmer months. The modern feel of the cut is created through the choppy texture, and the length is good for day to day manageability. It doesn’t take much justification or explanation, just solid and reliable, and it works. It is clear that regular trims will be necessary to keep the choppy ends from looking damaged instead of intentional, though that is a truth of any cut that is textured.
#42 Layered Bob with Face-Framing Bangs and Volume
The darker roots and lighter ends create depth and dimension for this particular haircut. Because of the technique used, this haircut allows for a daft growout period and natural touch up schedule. The face framing bangs draw focus to the eyes and help soften the jaw. This cut is very nice and not overly dramatic. The cut also gives the hair a natural bounciness, which adds volume to fine to medium hair. The shape will require some styling, but with this cut, even an imperfect blow dry will look very intentional.
#43 Softly Layered Bob with Gentle Face-Framing
I really like the muted tones of the dye job. The layering is soft all around and it’s not overly minimized. The framing around the face is soft and not too harsh. Overall, she looks nice without looking like she tried too hard. The subtle highlights add a little dimension but not too much. This cut and shape help oval and heart shaped faces the most. And for maintenance, this cut ages well which is arguably one of the best things a haircut can do.
#44 Layered Bob with Natural Highlights and Easy Texture
This is a typical illustration of a haircut that is practical and quick to style. The layers are shaped in such a way that minimal effort is needed to style, and the highlights are natural, so they won’t need to be colored quite often. The way hair is cut around the face is soft and very unobvious. The wets are who keep it from looking to overdone. The only time you should book a trim is when your layers become deflated and lose their cut look, but other than that, this is a very low maintenance haircut.
#45 Textured Bob with Side-Swept Bangs
Whether or not side-swept bangs work depends, how- ever, for heart-shaped faces, bangs help add balance from the wider foreheads to the more narrow chins. The gentle waves offer more body without the bulk and the layered finish gives fine straight hair the volume it usually lacks. Bangs do need to be maintained regularly and while this cut is more forgiving which allows you to go longer without full appointments, the bangs can also make the cut look less tidy.
#46 Modern Textured Bob with Effortless Movement
This cut’s natural wave gives it structure, and the layers enhance (not compete) with the waves. The highlights catch the light and dimension and the jawline modernly and cleanly are accented by the layers. This gives the fine to medium density hair more volume, which is the goal. Effortless looks like little to no work, but there is lots of intentionality to maintain it. It’s more about the technique than time.
#47 Textured Bob with Soft Volume and Easy Movement
This haircut is perfect for you if you have natural waves and curls. This haircut is tailored to your texture! Because this cut is meant to accentuate your hair’s natural shape; instead of flattening your hair, you’ll be getting more movement in the volume and shape. It looks best on heart and oval faces, so if you have that, you’re in luck. And if your hair texture works with the cut, styling your hair won’t be very labor intensive. You’ll most likely just need a lightweight styling cream to define any pieces you want to control.
#48 Textured Layered Bob with Warm Dimension
I love how this shade brightens the face. The longer front layers soften angled faces and the small waves keep it young without going overboard. If your hair is medium thick, the layering will keep the hair manageable and avoid that thick look. This is a cut that will look great with maintenance, as the shape is specific, it will start losing character as it grows. When fresh, the look is really lovely.
#49 Effortlessly Layered Bob with Soft Bangs
A key feature of this style is the soft tousle that feels very laid back and casual and gives off the vibe that you just rolled out of bed and did not put an effort to get ready. The bangs being wispy and light are a bonus as heavy bangs with finer hair tend to look flat and lifeless as the day goes on. The style’s layers and texture give it shape and interest without even needing to style it, although with fine hair you may find that you need to use a little bit of volumizing powder at the roots every few days to keep it from looking too flat. This is an example of how sometimes the simplest styles are the best, and this style does it perfectly.
#50 Layered Bob with Natural Tousled Texture
This cut’s personality comes from the tousled waves, with the layers creating movement without looking too choppy. The cut is so lightweight and easy to wear that is works with fine to medium hair. The natural texture comes into play, meaning you won’t be fighting your hair to get it to do what you want. If you have thick hair, the bulk will be reduced, but the shape will stay. On days that you want more definition, a good texture spray will enhance the waves, but even without it, this cut holds its own.
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