(Celebrity)

Celebrities Know Medium-Length Hairstyles Hit The Versatility Sweet Spot

Not too short, not too long.

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Talk about the best of both worlds. Medium-long hairstyles — that is, hair that falls between your shoulders and underarms — have enough inches for endless versatility, but without the extra maintenance required for serious length. For inspiration, explore these celebrity hairstyles.

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Salma Hayek’s sultry, center-parted waves have so much gloss, she looks like she just emerged from the sea. The medium-length of her mermaid waves help emphasize that signature beachy texture.Mike Marsland/WireImage/Getty Images
Sleek and impossibly shiny, Gabrielle Union’s straightened hair falls just past her clavicle in smooth, inky sheets. Though stunning in any style, the medium length is so swishy and sophisticated.Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
Priyanka Chopra loves to experiment with extra-long extensions, but her natural medium-length hair lends itself so well to a glam Old Hollywood moment. These large, brushed-out curls and side-swept bangs are pure vintage screen siren.Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images
Bangs of all sorts are a celebrity-favorite, but they pair particularly well with medium lengths. Taylor Swift’s mushroom blonde hair tumbles just past her shoulders here, pulled over to one side and pinned half-up. The ends of her straight-across fringe blend well with the rest of her waves.Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images
Speaking of stunning retro looks, Angela Bassett’s curled, vintage bob is more than an awards-season highlight — it’s one of the best looks of the entire year. The medium-length of the hair helped it fall right to her shoulders even when curled tightly. Frazer Harrison/WireImage/Getty Images
The power of medium-length hairstyles is in their versatility, which extends to updos, too. Hoyeon Jung hit the BAFTAs red carpet in a sleek, sculpted chignon — when unraveled, though, her glossy raven hair falls just past her shoulders.Dominic Lipinski/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
Lizzo’s wet-look curls and swirled baby hairs are so stunning, a slight exception must be made. With her natural curls left as-is, her Grammys hair was a medium-length classic. Of course, when stretched, those curls are long, strong, and stunning.ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
Between her espresso martini, cat-eye classes, and tousled waves pushed to the side French-girl style, Meryl Streep is the ultimate role model — even more so than usual. Her silvery-blonde hair is a manageable yet versatile medium length.Nina Westervelt/Variety/Getty Images
Layered haircuts are a current celebrity obsession thanks to all the movement, volume, and texture they add to even straightforward styles — and Sydney Sweeney’s latest look proves why. Just shy of classically long hair, the medium length allows you to see all of the layers down to the ends.Ethan Miller/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
Even a humble ponytail looks killer with medium-length hair, and Kristen Stewart expertly demonstrated why. Because the pony’s ends fall above the shoulders, additions like curls, flips, and braids are visible from all angles.Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

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