How to Style Men’s Medium Hair: A Step-by-Step Guide for the Modern Man
Posted by JENNIFER C.
Growing out your hair is one thing; learning how to style men’s medium hair is a whole other game. The secret to a great hairstyle isn't just the product you use at the end—it's the entire process, starting from the moment you step into the shower. A solid prep routine is the foundation for any look, whether you’re aiming for a relaxed textured crop or a sharp slick back. Think of it like priming a canvas before painting. When you get the prep right—washing, conditioning, and drying properly—your hair will cooperate, look healthier, and hold its style all day long. This guide will walk you through the essential steps, from building a solid foundation to mastering specific styles with the right products.
Building the Foundation: Your Essential Hair Prep Routine
We've all been there. You spend time styling your hair only for it to fall flat or turn into a frizzy mess by lunchtime. More often than not, the problem isn't your styling product; it's the lack of proper prep work.
Skipping these crucial first steps is a classic mistake that sets you up for a frustrating battle with your own hair. A truly great style is the result of a deliberate process, and it all begins with how you care for your hair before you even think about styling it.
Step 1: Start with the Right Wash and Condition Routine
First things first, let's talk about washing. Overdo it, and you'll strip your scalp of its natural oils, leaving your hair dry and your scalp irritated. Underdo it, and you're left with greasy, heavy hair that refuses to be styled.
For most guys with medium-length hair, washing 2-3 times per week is the sweet spot. This keeps your hair clean without going overboard. When you do shampoo, choose a gentle, sulfate-free formula designed to cleanse without stripping moisture.
And whatever you do, don't skip the conditioner. This is a non-negotiable step for medium hair. Conditioner replenishes moisture, smooths the hair cuticle to fight frizz, and makes detangling much easier. A hydrated base is a cooperative base.
Step 2: Master Your Towel-Drying Technique
How you dry your hair matters just as much as how you wash it. If your go-to move is to furiously rub your head with a towel, you're practically asking for frizz and breakage. Your hair is at its most vulnerable when it’s wet, so a gentle approach is key.
Pro Tip: Ditch the aggressive rubbing. Instead, use a soft microfiber towel to gently pat and squeeze the excess water out. This simple switch keeps the hair cuticle smooth and is one of the easiest ways to prevent frizz before it even starts.
This small tweak in your routine pays off big time, giving you a much better canvas to work with. And if you're aiming for a fuller look, getting the fundamentals right is key. You can also explore strategies to thicken thinning hair to maximize your hair's potential.
Step 3: Never Skip the Heat Protectant
If a blow dryer is part of your toolkit, a heat protectant is mandatory. It’s not just for high-heat styling; even a quick blast on a medium setting can cause cumulative damage over time, leading to brittle hair and split ends.
Before you turn on the dryer, give your hair a light mist of a heat protectant spray. It creates a shield that minimizes heat damage and often adds a bit of shine for good measure. This step takes only two seconds and makes a huge difference in keeping your hair healthy and strong enough for any style you throw at it.
Choosing Your Styling Tools and Techniques
Having the right products is only half the battle. Your tools can make or break your style, and knowing how to use them is what separates amateurs from pros. This is fundamental if you want to learn how to style men’s medium hair without the daily frustration.
The good news? The right equipment doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does need to work for your hair type and desired look. From your comb to your blow dryer, each tool has a job to do in building texture, volume, and shape.
Select the Right Comb or Brush
Not all brushes and combs are created equal. Using the wrong one is a fast track to breakage or a style that just falls flat. For medium-length hair, having a couple of key tools in your arsenal will change the game.
- Wide-Tooth Comb: This is your best friend for detangling wet hair. When your hair is wet, it’s extremely vulnerable. A wide-tooth comb glides through without snagging or yanking, which helps prevent the kind of breakage that leads to frizz and flyaways.
- Vented Brush: If a blow dryer is part of your routine, you need one of these. The vents allow air to flow through the brush, which significantly cuts down your drying time. Less heat exposure means less potential for damage.
- Round Brush: For guys aiming for serious volume—like a quiff or a pompadour—the round brush is your go-to tool. It's perfect for getting that lift at the roots and creating a smooth, curved shape as you dry.
Master Your Blow-Drying Method
Your blow dryer is arguably the most powerful styling tool you own. It's not just for drying; it sets the entire foundation for your look by directing your hair and creating volume. A few pro techniques will completely elevate your style.
First, always use the medium heat and low-to-medium speed settings. Blasting your hair with high heat is a recipe for long-term damage, leaving it brittle and fried.
To build volume, aim the airflow upwards at the roots. You can use a vented brush to lift sections of your hair while you dry, or even just flip your head upside down for a minute. This forces the roots to stand up, creating a natural lift that lasts. To dive deeper, check out our guide on how to master the art of blow-drying your hair at home.
Barber's Secret: Once a section of hair is dry, hit it with the "cool shot" button on your dryer. This blast of cold air seals the hair cuticle, which locks your style in place and adds a nice bit of shine.
Your Fingers Are Your Best Tool
Sometimes, the best tools are the ones you were born with. Many modern, textured styles look best when you just use your hands. Your fingers create a more natural, imperfect finish that looks effortlessly cool.
After working in your product, use your fingers to rake your hair into place. Scrunch it to enhance waves or twist small sections to add definition. This hands-on approach gives you total control over the texture and helps you avoid that overly "done" look you can get from a comb. For any messy or bedhead style, finger-styling is a must.
Your Guide to Four Essential Medium Hairstyles
Alright, you've got the right tools and you've nailed the prep work. Now for the fun part: creating some seriously good-looking styles. Knowing how to style medium-length hair isn't about some secret formula; it's about matching the right products and techniques to the look you're after. Let’s break down four essential styles that showcase the versatility of medium hair.
The Modern Textured Crop
The textured crop is everywhere right now, and for good reason. It’s stylish without trying too hard and is surprisingly low-maintenance. This look is all about short, often blunt bangs and a ton of layered texture up top that creates movement and body.
How to Style: Start with towel-dried hair. Scoop out a small, dime-sized amount of matte wax or clay and rub it between your palms until it practically disappears. Work it through your hair, using your fingers to pull apart sections and create that piecey, defined texture. The goal is to lift the roots and push the fringe forward or just off to the side. Ditch the comb—your fingers are the best tool for a natural, lived-in vibe.
The Classic Side Part
Timeless, sharp, and always in style. The classic side part is your go-to for looking put-together, whether you're heading to the office or a formal event. The key here is a clean part and a smooth, controlled finish.
How to Style: Begin with damp hair. Use a fine-tooth comb to create a crisp side part. A good rule of thumb is to line it up with the arch of your eyebrow for classic, balanced proportions. Apply a medium-hold pomade or cream, then comb the larger section of hair back and away from the part. To modernize it, run your fingers through your hair after combing to loosen it up—this prevents that stiff, "helmet hair" look.
The Modern Slick Back
A slick back is a bold, confident statement. It works best on hair with a bit of thickness, but forget the greasy versions from the past. Today's slick back can be anything from matte to semi-shine, giving you more control over the final look.
How to Style: Working with damp hair, distribute a high-hold gel or pomade evenly from roots to ends. Use a comb to pull all your hair straight back from your forehead. To keep it from looking too severe, use your fingers to create a little height and separation at the hairline after you’ve combed it back. For a more relaxed version, just use a matte product and your hands instead of a comb.
Insider Tip: If you need a slicked-back style to hold up all day, give it a light mist of a flexible-hold hairspray. It’ll lock everything in place without making your hair feel like a rock.
The Effortless Messy Style
The "bedhead" look is all about looking cool without seeming like you tried. It’s intentionally disheveled and perfect for a casual, relaxed vibe. This style works best on dry or slightly damp hair.
How to Style: Your secret weapon here is a good sea salt spray, which adds the grit and texture you need for that authentic, just-left-the-beach look. A quality spray like Morfose Sea Salt Spray can give you that perfect texture without drying out your hair. Mist it lightly all over, then use your hands to scrunch and tousle your locks to encourage natural waves and create that messy-on-purpose texture. Don't overthink it—the beauty of this style is in its imperfection.
Best Morfose Products to Use for Medium Hair
A great haircut is just the starting point. The real magic—the thing that takes your hair from decent to dialed-in—is the product you use. It’s what gives your style hold, texture, and the exact finish you’re after. Morfose has an entire arsenal of professional-grade products designed to bring any style to life while keeping your hair healthy.
| Hairstyle | Recommended Morfose Product | Hold Level | Finish | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Textured Crop | Matte Wax Aqua | Medium-Strong | Matte | Creating definition and texture in short to medium hair without shine. |
| Classic Side Part | Pro Hair Wax X5 | Strong | Natural Shine | Achieving a polished, controlled look for straight or wavy hair. |
| Modern Slick Back | Aqua Gel Wax Mega Strong | Mega Strong | High Shine | Bold, wet-look styles that require all-day hold and control. |
| Effortless Messy | Sea Salt Spray | Light | Natural/Matte | Adding beachy texture and volume for a relaxed, tousled appearance. |
Think of these products as the finishing touch that takes your haircut from good to great. A little bit goes a long way in defining your style and making it last. The market has exploded to USD 202.5 billion, and versatile medium-length styles are a huge driver of that growth as more guys embrace sophisticated cuts. You can read more about the growth of the men's styling market here.
Dive into the full range of Morfose men's styling products and find the perfect lineup for your hair.
Solving Common Medium Hair Challenges
Even with the best routine, medium-length hair can have its challenges. You might start the day with a perfect style, only to have it fall flat, explode into frizz, or get greasy by mid-afternoon.
Knowing how to troubleshoot these common problems is just as important as the initial styling. Here are some real-world fixes for the most frequent issues.
Problem #1: Reviving Flat Hair Midday
It’s a classic story: you walk out the door with perfect volume, and by lunchtime, it’s gone. Gravity, humidity, and your scalp’s natural oils are the usual suspects, weighing down your hair and killing its lift.
The Solution: You don't need to start over. The fix is a travel-sized texturizing powder or dry shampoo. A few quick puffs aimed right at the roots will soak up style-killing oil and add instant grit. Just lift a few sections of hair, apply the powder directly to the scalp, and rake it through with your fingers to bring that volume right back.
Problem #2: Taming Frizz and Flyaways
Think of frizz as your hair’s SOS signal for more moisture. When hair gets dry, its outer layer (the cuticle) roughens up, allowing humidity to sneak in and cause each strand to swell. The result is that fuzzy, undefined look nobody wants.
The Solution: Hydration is your long-term strategy, but for a quick fix, an anti-frizz serum or a quality hair oil is your best friend. Rub just a single drop of Morfose Argan Oil Serum between your palms to warm it up, then lightly skim it over the surface of your hair. It will calm those flyaways instantly without looking greasy. Sometimes, professional advice is the best way forward. Exploring loyalty programs offered by hair salons can be a great way to build a relationship with a trusted stylist.
Problem #3: Managing an Oily Scalp
An oily scalp can make your hair feel heavy, stringy, and look unwashed, even if you just shampooed. This often happens when the scalp overproduces sebum, which can ironically be caused by over-washing or using harsh products.
The Solution: It's all about finding the right balance. Try using a clarifying shampoo once a week to cut through product buildup, but don’t overdo it. For all other washes, a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo is the way to go—it cleans effectively without stripping your scalp and kicking oil production into high gear.
Frequently Asked Questions About Styling Medium Hair
Let's tackle some of the most common questions guys have when they're figuring out how to style medium-length hair. Think of this as the expert advice you'd get from your barber, clearing up any confusion so you can achieve the look you want.
How often should I wash my medium-length hair?
This depends on your hair type and lifestyle. If your hair gets oily fast or you hit the gym daily, washing every 1-2 days will keep it fresh and manageable. However, if your hair is normal to dry, you can stretch that to every 2-3 days. This allows your scalp’s natural oils to condition your hair, which is crucial for keeping medium lengths healthy.
Can I style medium hair without using heat?
Absolutely. You don't always need a blow dryer to get a great style. For a natural, air-dried look, let your hair dry about 80% of the way on its own. Then, work in a styling cream or a few spritzes of sea salt spray. Just scrunch it with your hands to bring out any natural texture or waves. Another great no-heat method is to apply a product like Morfose Ossion Matte Wax Aqua to damp hair and use your fingers to shape it into place.
What is the best way to get volume in flat hair?
Getting real volume starts in the shower with a volumizing shampoo. Once you're out, apply a quality mousse to damp roots—this builds a solid foundation for lift. A pro tip is to blow-dry your hair upside down, as it forces the roots to lift off your scalp. Alternatively, use a round brush to pull sections of hair straight up from the root as you dry them. A quick sprinkle of texturizing powder at the roots will help maintain that lift all day long.
How do I make my hairstyle last without looking stiff?
The secret is technique, not overloading on product. Start with a pea-sized amount of a high-quality wax or clay. If you're not sure what to use, our guide on how to choose the right hair wax for your hair type is a great place to start. Warm the product between your palms until it's invisible, then apply it evenly, starting from the back and working forward. It's always better to build up the product in thin layers. To finish, a light mist of a flexible-hold hairspray will lock everything in place without a crunchy, helmet-head feel.
Ready to master your perfect medium-length hairstyle? Morfose offers a complete lineup of barber-grade waxes, gels, and care products to help you achieve any look with confidence.
