Medium and long haircuts give you more ways to wear your hair than any short cut: pushed back, tucked behind the ears, tied up or left loose. They also take more planning, because a good long cut depends on layers, not just length. This guide covers 14 medium and long haircuts for men, who each one suits, how to grow your hair out without an awkward phase lasting forever, and how to keep it healthy.
Quick answer: the most versatile medium-length cut is a textured flow (4 to 6 inches, pushed back, with long layers). For long hair, a long layered cut at chin to shoulder length works on straight, wavy and curly hair. Either way, ask for layers to remove weight and plan on a trim every 6 to 12 weeks.
Medium vs Long Hair: What’s the Difference?
| Length | Roughly | Where it falls | Time to grow from a short cut* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medium | 3 to 6 inches (8 to 15 cm) | Covers the ears, reaches the collar | About 6 to 9 months |
| Long | 6 inches and up (15 cm+) | Chin, jaw or shoulders | About 12 to 18 months for shoulder length |
*Hair grows roughly half an inch (about 1 cm) a month on average, but this varies from person to person.
Who Suits Medium and Long Hair?
- Hair type: wavy and curly hair look good at length with little effort. Straight hair works too, but usually needs layers so it does not hang flat.
- Density: medium to thick hair is easiest. Fine or thinning hair can look sparse at length; a medium cut with texture is often a better choice than going long. See our guide to haircuts for receding hairlines.
- Face shape: oval, oblong and diamond faces suit most long styles. Round faces look best with length that falls below the jaw and some height on top, rather than volume at the sides. Our face shape guide goes into more detail.
- Lifestyle: you will need a few minutes a day and more conditioner than you are used to. In return, you visit the barber less often.
Best Medium-Length Haircuts for Men
1. Medium Textured Flow
Length: 4 to 6 inches. Hair type: straight to wavy. Trim: every 6 to 8 weeks.
Hair pushed back and allowed to fall naturally, with long layers so it moves. It is the most versatile medium cut: it looks relaxed with a T-shirt and tidy with a suit. Rough-dry it backward with your fingers and finish with a light cream.
2. Layered Medium Cut
Length: 3 to 5 inches. Hair type: straight, wavy, thick. Trim: every 5 to 7 weeks.
Soft layers throughout with a slightly longer top. It keeps a clear shape, so it suits office environments. Wear it with a loose side part or brushed back.
3. Wavy Medium Shag
Length: 3 to 6 inches, heavily layered. Hair type: wavy, loose curls. Trim: every 6 to 8 weeks.
Choppy, shorter layers on top and longer pieces at the back, inspired by 1970s cuts. It creates movement with very little styling and is one of the best options for wavy hair. More ideas in our wavy haircuts guide and wolf cut guide.
4. Bro Flow
Length: 4 to 6 inches, ears partly covered. Hair type: straight, wavy, thick. Trim: every 6 to 8 weeks.
A longer top swept back with the sides grown out and tucked behind the ears. A middle or off-centre part works well. Keep the ends trimmed so the back does not flip out unevenly.
5. Medium Curly Layers
Length: 3 to 5 inches (dry). Hair type: curly. Trim: every 6 to 8 weeks.
Layers cut to reduce bulk so curls form a rounded shape instead of a triangle. Ask your barber to cut curls dry or check them dry, because curly hair shrinks. See our curly haircuts by curl type.
6. Medium Slick Back
Length: 4 to 6 inches on top. Hair type: straight, wavy. Trim: every 4 to 6 weeks.
Longer hair combed straight back with a light pomade or cream. Shorter, tapered sides keep it sharp. Our slick back guide has more versions.
7. Curtains
Length: fringe to cheekbones. Hair type: straight, wavy. Trim: every 5 to 8 weeks.
A centre part with hair falling to either side of the face. It is a natural step on the way to long hair, because the front only needs to reach the cheekbones.
Best Long Haircuts for Men
8. Long Layered Cut
Length: chin to shoulders. Hair type: all. Trim: every 8 to 12 weeks.
The most reliable long cut. Long layers remove weight, add movement and stop the hair looking like a single heavy curtain. It works on straight, wavy and curly hair.
9. Long Beach Waves
Length: jaw to shoulders. Hair type: wavy, thick. Trim: every 8 to 12 weeks.
Loose, slightly messy waves, encouraged with sea salt spray and air drying. It is one of the lowest-effort long styles if your hair already has a wave.
10. Straight Long Hair
Length: shoulder length and longer. Hair type: straight, medium to thick. Trim: every 8 to 12 weeks.
Clean, sleek and simple. Blunt ends look strong; light layers make it easier to manage. Regular conditioning and a little smoothing cream keep it from frizzing. Our long hair essentials for men guide covers the products.
11. Long Curly Hair
Length: shoulder length (dry). Hair type: curly, coily. Trim: every 8 to 12 weeks.
Long curls need the most moisture of any style here: leave-in conditioner, curl cream and minimal brushing. Shaping by a barber who cuts curls dry makes a big difference.
12. Surfer Hair
Length: jaw to shoulders, uneven. Hair type: wavy, thick. Trim: every 10 to 12 weeks.
Long, messy and textured, with a lived-in look. It needs only sea salt spray and occasional trims to remove dry ends.
13. Man Bun or Top Knot
Length: at least 6 to 8 inches on top. Hair type: all. Trim: every 8 to 12 weeks.
Long hair tied back at the crown. Use a soft, snag-free elastic and avoid pulling it tight in the same spot every day, which can stress the hairline.
14. Long Undercut
Length: 6 inches and up on top, very short sides. Hair type: straight, wavy, thick. Trim: sides every 2 to 4 weeks.
Long hair on top with shaved or clipped sides underneath. Worn down it looks like a long cut; tied up, the undercut shows. See our undercut guide.
How to Grow Out Your Hair (Stage by Stage)
| Stage | What it looks like | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Months 0 to 3 | A longer short cut | Keep the sides and back tidy with light trims; let the top grow. |
| Months 3 to 6 | The awkward phase: hair over the ears, puffy sides | Push it back with a light cream; get a shape-up rather than a length cut. |
| Months 6 to 9 | Medium length, covers the ears | Ask for long layers to remove bulk; try a flow or curtains. |
| Months 9 to 18 | Chin to shoulder length | Trim the ends every 8 to 12 weeks; start tying it back if you like. |
Tip: tell your barber you are growing it out. Otherwise “a tidy-up” often means losing an inch everywhere.
How to Care for Medium and Long Hair
- Shampoo 2 to 3 times a week, not daily, and condition every time you wash.
- Detangle wet hair gently with a wide-tooth comb, starting at the ends.
- Use low heat or air-dry where possible.
- Trim every 6 to 12 weeks to remove split ends, even while growing it out.
- Protect it overnight by tying it loosely or using a smooth pillowcase if it tangles.
See our full daily hair care routine for men.
Best Products for Longer Hair
| Product | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Leave-in conditioner | All long hair: softness and less frizz |
| Sea salt spray | Texture and volume in straight or wavy hair |
| Curl cream | Defining waves and curls |
| Light styling cream | A controlled, natural finish for flow styles |
| Light pomade | Slick-back looks |
Common Mistakes With Long Hair
- Skipping trims while growing it out. Split ends travel up the hair and make it look thinner.
- One length all over. Without layers, thick hair turns into a heavy triangle.
- Heavy waxes and gels. They weigh long hair down and build up quickly.
- Shampooing every day. It strips natural oils, especially at the ends.
- Ignoring the scalp. Long hair still needs a clean, healthy scalp underneath.
How to Ask Your Barber
Bring photos of the length and shape you want on hair similar to yours, and say whether you are keeping length or growing it out.
Example script: “I’m growing my hair to about chin length. Please keep the length, take bulk out with long layers through the sides and back, and just clean up the ends and neckline.”
More tips: how to ask your barber for exactly what you want, or use the barber instruction generator.
Medium and Long Hair FAQ
How long does it take to grow medium-length hair?
Usually 6 to 9 months from a short cut, since hair grows about half an inch a month on average.
Do I still need haircuts while growing my hair out?
Yes. A shape-up every 6 to 10 weeks keeps the awkward phase manageable and removes split ends.
What is the best long haircut for thick hair?
A long layered cut. Layers remove weight so thick hair falls naturally instead of puffing out.
Is long hair professional?
A clean, well-kept long cut, or long hair tied back neatly, is accepted in most workplaces.
Can men with thin hair grow it long?
They can, but it often looks sparser at length. A medium cut with texture usually looks fuller.
