Testing wilderkind hairstyles for medium hair easily blends raw texture with a highly practical length. Shoulder length cuts and thick lobs offer enough hair to build woven structures. You do not have to deal with the heavy dragging weight of massive extensions. This aesthetic steps away from sleek blowouts and rigid hot tools. Rely on your organic grip deliberate frizz and raw accessories to mimic an earthy energy. Here are seven realistic ways to style your mid length cut.
Earthy Medium Length Styling Options
Here are seven grounded styling concepts designed specifically for collarbone to shoulder length hair. They prioritize realistic wearability and structural holds that keep shorter layers from falling completely flat. Second day hair usually holds this style better because the natural oils provide essential grip.
The Foraged Half Halo
Part your hair loosely down the middle. Use your fingers instead of a comb. Weave two thick relaxed Dutch braids starting at your temples and traveling straight back. Cross them over each other at the back of your head and pin them flat. The medium length means the ends will hide securely beneath each other. You avoid dealing with a massive tail entirely. Slightly stretched curls make parting easier for this specific look.
Best for: Wavy hair and oval face shapes
| Style Details | |
|---|---|
| Face Shape | Oval, Heart |
| Hair Texture | Wavy or curly |
| Hair Type | Best for layered lobs |
| Difficulty Level | Intermediate |
| Time to Style | Takes 10 minutes |
The Raw Leather Lob Tie
Pull the top heavy layer of your shoulder length hair backward into a highly relaxed half up bun. Wrap a thick piece of raw brown leather lacing entirely around the base instead of a plastic elastic. Let your bottom layers air dry naturally. This maximizes the frizzy volume underneath and keeps the silhouette grounded.
Best for: Thick hair and round face shapes
| Style Details | |
|---|---|
| Face Shape | Round, Square |
| Hair Texture | Any texture |
| Hair Type | Great for blunt medium cuts |
| Difficulty Level | Beginner |
| Time to Style | Takes 5 minutes |
The Twig Anchored Twist
Sweep all your hair to the back and roll it vertically into a messy French twist. Medium hair will inevitably have shorter layers poking out. Do not try to smooth them down. Let the choppy ends stick out of the top completely. Lock the shape in place by sliding a carved wooden hair stick horizontally through the center. This style works especially well during humid weather.
Best for: Coarse hair and diamond face shapes
| Style Details | |
|---|---|
| Face Shape | Diamond, Oval |
| Hair Texture | Coarse or straight |
| Hair Type | Best for heavy shoulder length |
| Difficulty Level | Intermediate |
| Time to Style | Takes 10 minutes |
The Tucked Woodland Braid
Weave a loose traditional French braid straight down the back of your head. Because your hair stops at the shoulders the tail will be short. Fold that short tail completely underneath the main body of the braid. Pin it securely against the nape of your neck. It builds a bulky tucked shape that feels highly structured but deeply earthy.
Best for: Dense hair and heart face shapes
| Style Details | |
|---|---|
| Face Shape | Heart, Round |
| Hair Texture | Straight or wavy |
| Hair Type | Great for thick medium cuts |
| Difficulty Level | Beginner |
| Time to Style | Takes 10 minutes |
The Windblown Suede Pigtails
Divide your hair loosely down the back. Tie it into two low pigtails right at the base of your neck using long strips of dark green suede. Leave the tails completely loose and heavily texturized rather than braiding them. Pull at the hair above the suede ties to create a messy canopy around your ears. A silk scarf helps preserve the shape overnight if you want to wear it again tomorrow.
Best for: Fine hair and square face shapes
| Style Details | |
|---|---|
| Face Shape | Square, Diamond |
| Hair Texture | Straight |
| Hair Type | Best for fine thin lobs |
| Difficulty Level | Beginner |
| Time to Style | Takes 5 minutes |
The Bramble Fishtail Half Up
Separate the top section of your hair directly above the ears. Weave a tight fishtail braid just on this top section tying it off with rough twine. Use your thumbs to pull the outer edges of the fishtail apart until it looks frayed. This provides realistic woodland texture while leaving your bottom layers loose to move freely.
Best for: Wavy hair and oval face shapes
| Style Details | |
|---|---|
| Face Shape | Oval, Heart |
| Hair Texture | Wavy |
| Hair Type | Great for heavily layered hair |
| Difficulty Level | Intermediate |
| Time to Style | Takes 15 minutes |
The Textured Moss Micro Braids
Apply a heavy sea salt spray to your damp lob. Let it dry completely. Weave four or five tiny micro braids randomly from the under layers of your hair. Leave the bottom two inches of each braid unfastened. The small braids blend seamlessly into the beachy waves of a medium cut.
Best for: Layered hair and round face shapes
| Style Details | |
|---|---|
| Face Shape | Round, Square |
| Hair Texture | Straight naturally |
| Hair Type | Best for heavily texturized cuts |
| Difficulty Level | Beginner |
| Time to Style | Takes 10 minutes |
Real World Medium Styling Advice
Medium hair sits right at the collarbone. It interacts directly with your clothing much more than very long hair does. You have to adapt your styling approach to manage that friction.
Exploit the Layered Flyaways
Most mid length cuts feature face framing layers. When you pull this length into braids those layers will inevitably pop out. Do not pin them back. The wilderkind aesthetic relies on those exact flyaways to build an unbothered halo around the face. The layers naturally provide the rough texture the style demands.
Build Base Volume First
Medium hair can fall flat against the skull if it lacks the heavy weight to stretch the roots. Prep your hair with a dry texturizing spray at the crown before you pin or weave anything. This gives the hair enough grip to hold the accessories.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Over Twisting the Ends
When tucking medium hair twisting the very ends too tightly causes them to snap out of the bobby pins. The hair is simply too short to wrap around itself securely. Keep the twists relaxed. Rely on wooden sticks or heavy duty grips to hold the soft shape in place.
Using Massive Accessories
A giant floral crown will easily dwarf a shoulder length cut. Scale your earthy accessories to match your specific medium length. Stick to thin suede cords delicate dried thistles and minimalist wooden pins so your natural hair remains the primary focus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these messy styles work on a blunt straight lob?
Yes. Blunt medium cuts actually hold braids incredibly well because the ends are all the same length. You just need to aggressively texturize the hair with a sea salt spray or dry shampoo first so the straight strands do not simply slip out of the twists.
How do I stop the tucked braid from falling out at the nape of my neck?
Medium hair can be tricky to tuck because the tail is short. Cross two heavy duty bobby pins in an X shape directly through the thickest part of the tucked tail. The crossed pins lock against each other physically preventing the short hair from dropping out.
Can I sleep with the suede pigtails in?
You can safely sleep in the suede ties. The friction from your pillow will actually enhance the messy windblown texture at the crown for the next morning. Just ensure the suede is not tied so aggressively tight that it pulls uncomfortably on your scalp while you rest.
