Shoulder-length hair is celebrated for its remarkable versatility, offering a perfect balance between the ease of shorter styles and the styling options of longer locks. It's an ideal canvas for expressing personality, and with the right techniques, you can transform a simple cut into a dynamic, edgy look full of texture and volume. The key lies in mastering three core elements: creating texture, boosting lift at the roots, and ensuring your style has a lasting hold. This guide will walk you through the steps to achieve a chic, modern hairstyle that feels effortlessly cool and full of life.
Creating Dynamic Texture
Texture is what gives a hairstyle character and movement, preventing it from looking flat or one-dimensional. For an edgy, medium-length style, the goal is often a 'perfectly imperfect' finish. There are several ways to introduce this sought-after texture into your hair, both with and without heat.
Techniques Without Heat
If you prefer to avoid heat styling, you can still achieve fantastic texture. A simple method is to work with damp hair. Try applying a light styling mousse or salt spray and then braiding your hair into one or more loose plaits. Once your hair is completely dry, undo the braids and gently separate the waves with your fingers. Another effective technique is scrunching. Apply a texturising product to damp hair, then cup sections of your hair in your hands and squeeze upwards towards the scalp. Let it air-dry or use a diffuser on a low setting to enhance the natural wave pattern.
Using Styling Tools
For more defined texture, heat tools can be very effective. A flat iron isn't just for straightening; you can use it to create 'S' shaped waves by alternating the direction you bend the plates as you move down a section of hair. A curling wand can also be used to create loose, undone waves. The trick is to wrap sections of hair around the barrel, leaving the last inch or two of the ends out. This creates a more modern, less polished look. Always remember to use a heat protectant spray before applying any heat to your hair to minimise damage.
Achieving Lift at the Roots
Volume at the roots is essential for preventing a medium-length style from looking heavy or dragging your features down. It provides the foundation for the entire look, giving it an airy, lifted appearance that enhances the texture you've created.
Drying Techniques
Your blow-drying technique can make a huge difference. One of the simplest ways to create instant volume is to flip your hair upside down and dry it, directing the airflow at the roots. As you dry, use your fingers to lift the roots away from the scalp. Alternatively, use a medium-sized round brush. Take sections of hair, place the brush at the root underneath the section, and lift upwards and away from your head as you dry. A blast of cool air at the end will help to set the lift in place.
Product Application
The right products can provide significant support. Volumising mousses and root-lifting sprays are designed specifically for this purpose. Apply your chosen product to damp hair, concentrating it directly at the roots before you begin blow-drying. For a quick boost on dry hair, a volumising powder or dry shampoo can be massaged into the roots to absorb excess oil and create instant lift and a matte texture.
The Art of a Lasting Hold
After putting in the effort to create texture and volume, you want your style to last. The final step is to set your look with a product that offers hold without sacrificing movement. The goal is a style that looks touchable and natural, not stiff or crunchy.
Choosing the Right Finishing Product
The product you choose depends on the finish you want. A flexible-hold hairspray is excellent for keeping waves and volume in place while allowing for natural movement. Mist it over your finished style from a distance. For a more piecey, defined look that highlights layers, a texturising wax or pomade is ideal. Warm a small amount between your palms and work it through the mid-lengths and ends. A texturising powder can also be used as a finisher, lightly sprinkled through the hair to add grit and maintain a voluminous, matte finish.
Application Tips
Less is often more when it comes to finishing products. Start with a small amount and add more only if needed. When using sprays, hold the can about 20-30 centimetres away from your head to ensure an even, light distribution. For waxes and creams, focus the product on the ends and mid-lengths to define layers without weighing down the roots. By mastering these finishing touches, your edgy, textured style will look just as good at the end of the day as it did in the morning.
