With medium length hair, you get the best balance of movement and versatility. There is enough length for waves, layers, buns, and half up styles that hold their shape without feeling heavy. The hairstyle ideas below show fresh, wearable ways to embrace that relaxed, textured look.
22 Messy Hairstyles for Medium Length Hair
Effortless Tousled Waves
Few styles nail that just-woke-up look with so little effort behind it.
Waves fall to the collarbone with a loose, undone texture that looks natural rather than styled.
The ends are slightly uneven, adding to the relaxed feel without looking unkempt. Volume sits through the mid-lengths and bounces gently with movement.
A little texturizing spray and some scrunching with your fingers is genuinely all this style asks for on most days.
Messy Bun with Face-Framing Pieces
It looks casual but there is something undeniably pretty about it.
Hair is gathered loosely at the back of the head and pinned without much fuss, leaving the texture visible and imperfect throughout the bun.
A few pieces fall at the temples and jaw, softening the pulled-back look and keeping the face framed.
The bun sits full rather than flat, and the whole thing holds together well through the day without needing to be redone.
Undone Half-Up Twist
Simple enough to do without a mirror, good enough to wear anywhere.
The top section of hair is loosely twisted and pinned at the back of the crown while the rest hangs freely below with natural texture and movement.
A couple of pieces slip out around the face, adding to the relaxed, lived-in character of the style.
The twist sits soft rather than tight, and the overall shape feels intentional without looking like it took any real effort.
Textured Middle Part
The middle part gives medium hair an immediate sense of ease and balance.
Hair falls on both sides with natural texture and a slight wave, sitting around the collarbone without looking too groomed or polished.
The ends are relaxed and move freely rather than curling under or flicking out.
Face framing happens naturally as the hair falls close to the jaw on either side, and a small amount of texturizing product keeps the finish looking lived-in through the day.
Messy Low Ponytail
A low ponytail looks entirely different when the texture is left intact.
Hair is gathered loosely at the nape so the natural waves and bends stay visible rather than being smoothed out.
The tail sits full and slightly uneven, giving it a relaxed personality that a sleek version simply does not have.
A few loose pieces at the temples finish the look, and wrapping a strand around the hair tie keeps it from feeling too thrown together.
Tousled Blowout
Volume and movement without anything feeling too done.
Hair is blown out to add lift and body, then left slightly disheveled so the finish reads soft and natural rather than stiff.
Waves move loosely through the mid-lengths and the ends are relaxed rather than curled under. The shape is full around the crown and tapers gently toward the collarbone.
Running fingers through once the hair cools keeps the texture looking effortless rather than set.
Messy Curtain Bangs with Loose Layers
Curtain bangs that are slightly undone frame the face in a way that feels soft and current.
The bangs part loosely at the center and fall on either side without being overly groomed, blending into the rest of the hair with a natural transition.
Loose layers through the length add movement and prevent the shape from feeling heavy.
