Ever wondered how to achieve that effortlessly chic look with medium-length hair? Soft layers might be the answer you’re searching for. Whether you have a round face, straight hair, or are looking for the perfect cut to pair with curtain bangs, the right layers can transform your look. In this article, we’ll explore 27 stunning soft layer hairstyles that are perfect for medium hair, complete with practical care tips and prompts to visualize each style. Ready to find your next look?
Warm Caramel Layers
The warm caramel layers offer a sun-kissed, dimensional look that adds warmth and brightness to medium-length hair. This style works particularly well for round faces, adding a softening effect while maintaining a natural flow. The caramel tones blend beautifully with brunette hair, creating a subtle yet eye-catching contrast. It’s perfect for those who want a versatile look that can be both casual and polished.
For care, use the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner to maintain the vibrancy of the caramel tones. A leave-in conditioner like OGX Moroccan Argan Oil can help keep the hair soft and shiny.
Ashy Blonde Waves
Ashy blonde waves are a sophisticated choice for those with straight hair looking to add some depth and dimension. The cool tones of the ashy blonde create a striking contrast, especially on those with a fair or cool skin tone. This style is ideal for an oval face, enhancing the natural symmetry without overpowering your features.
To maintain the cool tones, consider using the Redken Color Extend Blondage Shampoo. Pair it with a lightweight conditioner like Paul Mitchell’s Platinum Blonde Conditioner to keep your hair soft and manageable.
Rich Chestnut Blend
Rich chestnut layers add a luxurious, deep tone to medium-length hair. This style is flattering for both round and oval faces, providing a natural warmth that complements a variety of skin tones. The layers add movement and volume, making it a great choice for those looking to enhance the texture of their hair.
For color maintenance, use John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Color Protecting Shampoo and Conditioner. A weekly treatment with Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioner will help keep the hair hydrated and vibrant.
Subtle Rose Gold
Subtle rose gold layers offer a playful yet refined look for those with medium-length hair. The soft pinkish tones work beautifully with fair and neutral skin tones, making it a unique option for those who want to stand out without being too bold. This style is especially flattering on those with straight shoulder length hair, adding a touch of femininity.
To keep the rose gold color vibrant, use Overtone Rose Gold for Brown Hair Coloring Conditioner regularly. Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer can also help protect the hair from heat styling and environmental stressors.
Honey Highlights
Honey highlights are a timeless choice for medium-length hair, adding warmth and dimension without overwhelming the natural color. This style is perfect for those with straight shoulder-length bangs or anyone looking to brighten up their look. The honey tones complement a wide range of skin tones, making it a versatile option.
Use the Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Shampoo and Conditioner to maintain the smoothness and shine of your hair. Sun Bum Hair Lightener can help maintain the highlights, keeping them vibrant between salon visits.
Smoky Platinum Layers
Smoky platinum layers are a bold and edgy choice for those looking to make a statement with their medium-length hair. The cool, metallic tones of platinum add a modern twist to the classic layered look. This style is particularly striking on round faces, as the layers help elongate and define the features.
To maintain the platinum tones, use Fanola No Yellow Shampoo. Follow up with a hydrating mask like Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask to keep your hair healthy and vibrant.
Golden Bronde Soft Layers
Golden bronde soft layers combine the best of both blonde and brunette worlds, offering a warm, sun-kissed look that’s perfect for medium-length hair. This style is ideal for oval faces, adding a natural glow that enhances your features without being overpowering. The soft layers add movement, making it a great choice for those who want a relaxed yet polished look.
For care, use Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo to keep the bronde tones vibrant. It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product can help keep the hair smooth and manageable.
Icy Silver Hues
Icy silver hues are perfect for those who want to embrace a bold, futuristic look with their medium-length hair. The cool, metallic tones of the silver add an edgy, modern vibe that’s perfect for round faces, creating a striking contrast that elongates the features. This style is particularly stunning on those with naturally light or platinum blonde hair.
To maintain the icy silver tones, use Schwarzkopf Professional BlondMe Tone Enhancing Bonding Mask. A heat protectant like TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer will keep your hair healthy when styling.
Auburn with Soft Curls
Auburn with soft curls is a rich, vibrant look that adds warmth and volume to medium-length hair. The deep red tones of auburn are particularly flattering on round faces, providing a slimming effect while enhancing the natural curl pattern. This style is perfect for those who want to embrace their natural texture while adding a touch of color.
For care, use DevaCurl No-Poo Original Zero Lather Conditioning Cleanser to keep your curls hydrated and frizz-free. MorrocanOil Curl Defining Cream will help define and hold your curls without weighing them down.
Cool Beige Layers
Cool beige layers offer a soft, understated look for medium-length hair. The neutral tones of beige are perfect for those who want a natural, low-maintenance style that works well with oval faces. The soft layers add just the right amount of movement and volume, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer a subtle, everyday look.
To keep the cool beige tones vibrant, use Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo. A lightweight conditioner like Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Conditioner will keep your hair soft and smooth without adding extra weight.
Deep Mocha Tones
Deep mocha tones bring a rich, chocolatey warmth to medium-length hair, making it a perfect choice for those who want a deep, sophisticated look. This style is particularly flattering on oval faces, as it adds a touch of depth and dimension without overwhelming the natural symmetry of the face. The soft layers in this style ensure that the hair has movement and texture, which can be especially beneficial for those with fine or straight hair.
To maintain the richness of deep mocha tones, consider using Aveda Color Conserve Shampoo and Conditioner, which helps protect color-treated hair while keeping it moisturized. A leave-in treatment like Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum can also help maintain shine and smoothness.
Sandy Blonde Layers
Sandy blonde layers provide a natural, beachy look that’s perfect for medium-length hair. This style is ideal for those with straight shoulder-length hair, as the layers add a soft, tousled effect that enhances the hair’s natural movement. The sandy blonde tones are especially flattering for those with warm skin tones, adding a sun-kissed glow without being too bright or bold.
For care, use John Frieda Sheer Blonde Highlight Activating Shampoo to keep your blonde tones vibrant and shiny. Sun Bum Revitalizing 3-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner can help protect your hair from sun damage while keeping it soft and manageable.
Warm Cinnamon Spice
Warm cinnamon spice layers add a fiery, autumnal touch to medium-length hair, making it a great choice for those looking to warm up their look. This style is especially flattering on round faces, as the layers help elongate the face while the rich cinnamon tones add depth and dimension. It’s a versatile color that works well for both casual and formal settings, making it a perfect choice for those who love a warm, inviting look.
To maintain the vibrancy of the cinnamon tones, use TRESemmé Botanique Color Vibrance & Shine Shampoo and Conditioner. A weekly deep conditioning treatment like SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque can help keep your hair moisturized and vibrant.
Soft Lavender Tones
Soft lavender tones offer a playful yet sophisticated twist to medium-length hair. This pastel hue is perfect for those who want to add a touch of color without going too bold. The soft layers in this style help to enhance the dimension of the lavender tones, making it a great choice for those with oval faces. This color is particularly striking on those with lighter hair, as it adds a subtle pop of color that’s both trendy and elegant.
To maintain the pastel tones, use Celeb Luxury Viral Colorwash Shampoo in Lavender. A conditioner like Redken Extreme Conditioner can help keep your hair strong and prevent color from fading.
Sun-Kissed Balayage
Sun-kissed balayage layers are the epitome of effortless beauty, providing a natural, lived-in look for medium-length hair. The soft layers combined with balayage create a gradient effect that mimics the way the sun naturally lightens the hair. This style is perfect for round faces, as the layers add movement and break up the roundness, giving the face a more elongated appearance. The sun-kissed tones are particularly flattering for those with warm or olive skin tones.
For care, use Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner to keep your hair hydrated and your color vibrant. Moroccanoil Treatment Light can help add shine and smoothness to your hair, making it look healthy and glossy.
Muted Copper Waves
Muted copper waves offer a soft, warm look that’s perfect for those who want a subtle, yet striking hairstyle. This style is particularly flattering on round faces and adds a touch of warmth without being too overpowering. The soft layers in this style help to enhance the natural movement of the hair, making it a great choice for those with naturally wavy hair.
To maintain the copper tones, use Davines Alchemic Shampoo in Copper and Conditioner to keep your color vibrant. A lightweight styling cream like Bumble and bumble Don’t Blow It (Fine) can help enhance your waves without weighing them down.
Buttery Blonde Highlights
Buttery blonde highlights bring a soft, creamy warmth to medium-length hair, making it a perfect choice for those looking to brighten their look. This style is particularly flattering for oval faces, as the highlights add dimension and lightness, enhancing the natural features of the face. The soft layers in this style ensure that the hair looks full and voluminous without being too heavy.
For care, use Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo for Beautiful Color to maintain the brightness of your highlights. A leave-in conditioner like It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Plus Keratin will help keep your hair smooth and protect it from heat styling.
Espresso Brown with Subtle Highlights
Espresso brown with subtle highlights offers a rich, deep color with just a touch of dimension, making it a sophisticated choice for medium-length hair. This style is particularly flattering for round faces, as the soft layers and highlights add depth and movement, helping to elongate the face. The espresso brown color is perfect for those who want a rich, dark hue that still feels warm and inviting.
To maintain the richness of the espresso tones, use Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo and Conditioner. Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector can help strengthen your hair and keep it healthy, especially if it’s color-treated.
Soft Pastel Pink Layers
Soft pastel pink layers offer a playful and feminine twist to medium-length hair. This delicate color is perfect for those who want to experiment with a fun, trendy look without being too bold. The soft layers add movement and dimension to the pastel pink tones, making it a great choice for those with straight shoulder-length hair. This style is particularly flattering on those with fair or cool skin tones.
To maintain the pastel pink tones, use Overtone Pastel Pink Coloring Conditioner regularly. Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair can help keep your hair healthy and vibrant, especially if you’ve lightened it before coloring.
Golden Honey Melt
Golden honey melt is a warm, rich color that blends seamlessly into medium-length hair, offering a natural, sun-kissed look. This style is ideal for round faces, as the soft layers and warm tones help to elongate and slim the face. The golden honey tones are perfect for those with warm or olive skin tones, adding a touch of brightness that enhances the natural complexion.
For care, use Kérastase Reflection Bain Chromatique Shampoo and Conditioner to keep your color vibrant. L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil can help add shine and softness to your hair, making it look healthy and radiant.
Cool Taupe Layers
Cool taupe layers offer a chic, understated look for medium-length hair, blending soft, neutral tones that are both modern and sophisticated. This style is particularly flattering for oval faces, as the cool taupe tones add depth and dimension without overwhelming the natural features. The soft layers in this style enhance the natural movement of the hair, making it a great choice for those looking for a polished, everyday look.
To maintain the cool taupe tones, use Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo and Conditioner to keep brassiness at bay. A lightweight leave-in product like Pureology Colour Fanatic Leave-In Conditioner will help protect and nourish the hair, keeping it smooth and manageable.
Burgundy Hues with Soft Layers
Burgundy hues with soft layers add a rich, luxurious tone to medium-length hair, making it a striking choice for those who want to make a statement. This style is especially flattering for round faces, as the deep burgundy tones help to elongate the face while adding a bold, yet elegant touch. The soft layers add volume and movement, making this style perfect for those who want a dynamic, eye-catching look.
To keep the burgundy tones vibrant, use John Frieda Radiant Red Red Boosting Shampoo and Conditioner. A deep conditioning treatment like Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Color Deep Conditioner can help maintain the hair’s moisture and prevent color fading.
Creamy Blonde with Shadow Roots
Creamy blonde with shadow roots offers a natural, lived-in look for medium-length hair. The contrast between the creamy blonde and the darker roots adds depth and dimension, making it a versatile style that works well with straight hair. This look is particularly flattering for oval faces, as the soft layers create a balanced, harmonious appearance while the shadow roots add a touch of edginess.
To maintain the creamy blonde tones, use Redken Color Extend Blondage Shampoo to neutralize brassiness and keep the color bright. Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother can help protect and strengthen the hair, ensuring it stays healthy and vibrant.
Earthy Walnut Tones
Earthy walnut tones bring a rich, natural warmth to medium-length hair, making it a perfect choice for those who want a subtle yet sophisticated look. This style is particularly flattering for round faces, as the warm walnut tones add depth and richness, helping to elongate and refine the face’s appearance. The soft layers in this style enhance the hair’s natural texture, making it an ideal option for those with thick or coarse hair.
To maintain the richness of the walnut tones, use L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner. A nourishing hair oil like Moroccanoil Treatment can help keep the hair shiny and healthy, adding an extra layer of moisture.
Soft Peachy Highlights
Soft peachy highlights add a playful, feminine touch to medium-length hair, making it a great choice for those looking to add a pop of color. The peachy tones blend beautifully with a warm or neutral base, creating a soft, sun-kissed effect that is particularly flattering for oval faces. The soft layers enhance the highlights, adding depth and dimension without being too overpowering.
To maintain the peachy highlights, use Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid Shampoo and Conditioner to keep the color vibrant and fresh. A heat protectant like TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer will help protect the color when styling.
Bronde Layers with Depth
Bronde layers with depth offer a perfect blend of blonde and brunette tones, creating a sun-kissed, natural look that’s ideal for medium-length hair. This style is particularly flattering for round faces, as the soft layers and bronde tones help to create a slimming effect. The mix of warm and cool tones in the bronde color adds a rich dimension, making it a versatile option for any season.
For care, use Garnier Fructis Color Shield Shampoo and Conditioner to protect the color and keep it looking vibrant. A leave-in treatment like It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Plus Keratin can help keep the hair smooth, shiny, and strong.
Warm Butterscotch Waves
Warm butterscotch waves offer a rich, golden hue that adds warmth and vibrancy to medium-length hair. This style is particularly flattering for oval faces, as the warm tones and soft layers enhance the natural features of the face, creating a balanced and harmonious look. The waves add texture and movement, making it a great choice for those who want a relaxed yet polished style.
To maintain the butterscotch tones, use Joico K-PAK Color Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner. A styling product like Ouai Wave Spray can help enhance the natural waves and add definition without weighing the hair down.
Soft layers for medium hair offer endless possibilities, from warm caramel tones to cool beige hues. Whether you’re looking for a style that complements your round face or one that adds volume to straight hair, there’s a look here for everyone. Experiment with these styles and see which one suits you best. Don’t forget to leave a comment below with your thoughts and questions—I’d love to hear from you!
