20+ Popular Hairstyles for Medium Length Hair for Modern Women In Their 40s

Airy and flattering, this butterfly haircut adds soft lift around the crown with long, face-framing layers that fall just below the cheeks. Perfect for medium-density hair with a natural wave, it gives movement without taking away fullness. This cut suits oval and heart-shaped faces especially well. The downside? It needs a round brush or hot tools to really show off that shape.

Timeless curtain bangs paired with tousled, mid-length layers offer effortless elegance and lift at the crown. Great for women with finer hair who want the illusion of volume without going shorter. The waves help break up strong jawlines and frame longer faces nicely. Styling the bangs daily is a must—otherwise they may lay flat or separate too much.

A crisp U-shaped cut adds fullness at the bottom while keeping things sleek and straight through the mid-lengths. This one’s perfect for medium to thick hair types that like a tidy, polished silhouette. It works beautifully on round and oval faces. One challenge here is keeping those ends trimmed—any split ends show fast with this clean shape.

Soft, rounded layers gently cascade through this medium-length haircut, giving it a classic, polished shape. It’s a low-maintenance option for women with straight to slightly wavy hair and medium density. The layers open up the face and collarbone area, which is great for softening square or round face shapes. Just know that too-fine hair may not hold the shape as well without light styling.

Soft waves paired with curtain bangs make this medium-length style both trendy and flattering for women over 40. It opens the face and adds fullness around the jawline, especially great for longer or angular faces. Works best on naturally wavy hair or those willing to use a curling wand. While it looks effortless, the bangs need styling daily to avoid splitting awkwardly.

Edgy and dimensional, this medium wolfcut embraces messiness with heavily textured layers and a tousled finish. The fringe and jagged ends add grit, especially on wavy or straight thick hair. The rusty auburn tone boosts the layered detail. It’s flattering on longer faces but takes a bit of styling to avoid looking unkempt—dry shampoo and texture spray help a lot.

Defined curls get their moment with this medium cut featuring structured layering and light face framing. Ideal for women with naturally tight curls and medium to high density hair, it gives shape without overwhelming the face. The shorter front pieces open up the cheekbones beautifully. Keep in mind, curl hydration and frizz control are key to making this style last between cuts.

Air-dried texture shines in this medium cut with long layers and lived-in waves. The effortless look suits naturally wavy or slightly coarse hair that doesn’t need much styling to hold shape. A center part creates symmetry, especially flattering for rounder faces. The only catch? It can lack polish if the layers aren’t refreshed regularly or if your waves fall flat.

Heavy layering through the mid-lengths and ends makes this cut a favorite for women with thick, coarse hair. It removes bulk while adding movement and body, giving the illusion of bounce without going too short. The soft face-framing pieces keep it flattering and fresh. It works best on oval and heart-shaped faces, though some extra blowout effort may be needed to control puffiness.

This medium bob gets its elegance from soft, tapered ends that reduce bulk and let the hair curve inward naturally. It’s especially flattering on fine hair and women embracing their grays. The side part and subtle graduation at the back lift the face gently. While it’s low maintenance overall, you’ll need to keep the taper fresh to avoid it looking bottom-heavy.

Sleek and simple, this medium cut with a center part enhances the density and shine of naturally thick hair. Blunt ends give it a clean shape, while the no-layer structure keeps things smooth and manageable. Great for long or heart-shaped faces, but not ideal if your hair tends to puff up in humidity. A heat protectant and smoothing serum are your best friends here.

Clean and polished, this shoulder-length cut is styled with a soft side part and subtle layering at the ends for bounce. Perfect for women with naturally straight, medium-density hair who want a timeless look without much fuss. The side part helps lift the roots and soften wider cheeks. It’s easy to maintain but can look flat on very fine or limp hair.

Lightweight and lively, this medium shag features feathered ends and wispy bangs that soften mature features and add lift. It’s a great choice for fine to medium hair, especially if you want something that looks full but still easy to style. The subtle layering around the face flatters round and oval shapes. The tousled finish may need a texturizing spray to maintain its edge.

Face-framing layers on medium hair create natural movement and highlight the cheekbones and jawline. This cut softens sharper features and brings a subtle lift to straighter styles. It’s ideal for medium to fine hair and oval or heart-shaped faces. The smooth ends help reduce bulk while keeping the hair lightweight. It does need shaping every couple months to maintain that flattering structure.

Big, bouncy blowout styling adds volume and glamour to this layered medium-length cut. Perfect for those with thicker hair who love a voluminous shape without going full glam. The rounded layers lift the crown and open up the face, especially flattering for women with prominent cheekbones. Not ideal if your hair doesn’t hold shape easily—heat styling is key.

This collarbone-skimming cut with soft, beachy waves offers a light and youthful appearance. It suits most face shapes and works beautifully on hair that has a bit of natural texture. The layered ends keep it from looking heavy or flat. One thing to note—this length can sometimes flip outward unless it’s shaped correctly with heat or a smoothing serum.

This medium-length cut is strategically layered to give a natural volume boost to finer hair types. The light, wavy finish helps create width around the cheeks, making it ideal for long or oval faces. The feathered ends lift the look without feeling too styled. A quick round brush blowout can really bring it to life—but it stays wearable even without heavy heat.

Bold and rebellious, this choppy mullet works well on thick, wavy hair that can hold texture. Shorter layers up top create height, while the longer ends give it that signature shaggy length. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re confident and want something expressive, this is it. Keep in mind—styling is non-negotiable or it can look a little unkempt.

This V-shaped cut is all about drama and dimension. The dark-to-copper ombré enhances the layers, making each flick pop. Best for dense, straight hair that benefits from shape and movement. It helps elongate rounder faces and is super flattering on women who want something bold but still wearable. Just be prepared for some upkeep on that color blend.

Ultra-smooth and refined, the Velvetchop features sleek, glossy layers with ends softly curved under for a plush, high-volume shape. It’s especially flattering on thick, healthy hair that can hold a round brush blowout. The layering is subtle but expertly placed to give body without frizz, perfect for oval or heart-shaped faces. The richness of the deep brunette enhances the sculpted silhouette. One tradeoff? This style does require heat styling and shine-boosting products to maintain its signature polished look.

This LustraLayer style blends invisible layering with smooth volume and soft movement, ideal for medium-density hair that tends to fall flat. The strategic layering boosts crown lift without sacrificing length, while the sleek blowout adds a youthful sheen. It flatters oval and square face shapes well. Downside? It needs a brush and dryer to keep that volume balanced and frizz-free.