How to Style Medium Length Hair: Tips for Controlling Frizz, Adding Texture and Volumizing - Gents Handbook (2024)

To Style Medium Length Hair for men can seem daunting, but have no fear! With some key tips on controlling frizz, adding texture, and volumizing, you can achieve stylish, polished medium length locks. This article will provide men guidance on washing, conditioning, drying, using the right products, mastering various techniques, and maintaining your style. Read on for pro advice on rocking medium length hair!

Understanding Men’s Medium Length Hair

Before styling, it’s important to understand the unique needs and challenges of medium length hair on men. Generally falling between the chin and shoulders, medium length hair has enough weight and length to pull your natural wave or curl pattern straight. The added length also means more potential for frizz and lackluster locks from the mid-length to ends. With proper care, you can bring out the best in your medium length mane.

Pre-Styling Men’s Hair Care

Creating a good foundation is key to styling medium length hair for men. Follow these pre-styling steps for healthy, responsive tresses that respond well to styling:

Washing Techniques

Washing is an important first step, but be mindful not to over-wash medium length hair. Doing so can cause dryness, strip the hair and scalp of beneficial oils, exacerbate frizz and damage, and disturb your hair’s natural oil production cycle. Instead, opt to shampoo just 2-3 times per week. When you do lather up, focus primarily on the roots and scalp where oil and product buildup accumulates. Pay extra attention to scrubbing the hairline area as well. The mid-lengths to ends require less regular shampooing.

After shampooing, always rinse extremely thoroughly with water. This helps fully remove all traces of shampoo and product residue that could weigh hair down or lead to further oil overproduction. For an added boost of shine, consider finishing your rinse with a blast of cool water to help smooth the cuticle closed. You can also alternate between cooler and warmer water temperatures as you rinse for hair health benefits.

Conditioning Tips

Conditioner is crucial for combatting dryness and adding slip and detangling ability to medium length hair. After shampooing, apply a conditioner formulated for medium to long hair lengths, focusing application from about chin level down to the very ends. Pay extra attention to the drier mid-length to ends. Allow the conditioner to penetrate for 2-5 minutes before rinsing so it can fully nourish and moisturize hair.

Once the conditioner is rinsed out, hair should comb through easily. Use a wide-toothed comb or wet brush to gently detangle strands while still damp. Work in sections and avoid harsh tugging. Setting up your hair for easy styling by pre-detangling with conditioner cuts down on damage from combing and brushing later.

Drying Methods

Proper drying is imperative to prevent excess frizz and maintain the integrity of medium length strands. When hair is clean and prepped, blot it gently with a towel or microfiber hair wrap to soak up dripping wetness. Avoid vigorously rubbing the hair, which can promote frizz and cause breakage. Next, let hair air dry the rest of the way, or use a diffuser attachment on the lowest heat setting to encourage natural texture and volume as it dries. Avoid rough handling or using high heat while hair dries, as that can compound frizz and damage in the medium length zone.

Controlling Frizz for Men’s Medium Length Hair

Frizz management is one of the top challenges when sporting medium length locks. Without control, the mid-lengths and ends become dry and begin to split and splay outward, creating unwanted pouf. Carefully tailoring your regimen to smooth and control frizz will ensure your style appears polished. Follow these pro recommendations:

Choosing the Right Anti-Frizz Products

Selecting the proper anti-frizz products forms the cornerstone of your defense against out of control fuzz. Refer to the comparison chart below to identify options best suited to your hair’s innate texture and degree of frizziness.

Some key tips as you choose products:

• Creams tend to suit medium length hair better than traditional gels, as they absorb well to hydrate while providing a natural sheen and flexible hold.
• When humidity or frizz is higher, opt for products labeled specifically anti-frizz, anti-humectant, smoothing, or frizz-fighting.
• Only use oil serums sparingly on mid-lengths and ends to avoid greasy residue.

Application Methods

In addition to choosing the right frizz fighting formula, proper application maximizes performance:

• Emulsify a dime to quarter sized dollop between palms first to warm and evenly distribute the product.
• Smooth palms coated in product over the top layers of damp, not dripping hair after washing and conditioning.
• Pay special attention to distribute anti-frizz products evenly from mid-lengths to ends where humidity hits hardest.
• For thicker and curlier hair types prone to frizz, layer 2 compatible styling products, like a curl cream and gel, for enhanced definition and humidity resistance.

Humidity and Frizz Prevention

Environmental moisture is the number one trigger for frizzy uncontrolled hair. Arm yourself against humid conditions:

• Before heat styling, apply a primer or balm specifically designed to block moisture absorption.
• Always carry a travel size frizz smoother like hairspray or pomade for quick touch ups on the go. Reapply as needed whenever hair starts to poof.
• In summer, adjust your routine by shampooing more frequently start using lighter moisture products to prevent overload.

With the right arsenal of products, optimal application techniques, and humidity countermeasures, you can take on frizz and win the battle for smooth medium length strands all year long.

Adding Texture to Men’s Medium Length Hair

Piecey, tousled texture is key for injecting life into medium length hair and preventing limp, flat locks. You can enhance natural texture and create separation with the right mix of products and manual techniques:

Texturizing Products

An array of texturizing products exist to help sculpt medium length strands and make them more gripable for styling. Refer to the product matrix below to identify options ideally suited to your hair type and desired finish.

Here is an overview of popular texturizing product formats:

• Sprays made with ingredients like sea salt or rice starch add instant gritty piecey texture with a tousled finish. Apply to damp middles and ends and scrunch up.
• Powders work by soaking up excess oils for texture and volume, especially helpful for finer hair. Dust lightly onto dry strands.
• Sea salt formulas boost wave texture and help separate strands. Scrunch through damp locks.

Styling Tools

Certain styling tools boost texture by introducing lift and separation on their own.

Diffuse hair upside down on a low warm setting to gently expand strands. Rough dry freshly washed hair by scrunching and squeezing with hands rather than a brush for added volume. Backcomb very gently at the crown area only to create lift at the roots without over-teasing.

Hands-On Techniques

Get hands on for extra texture by manipulating damp to dry hair.

Scrunch mid-lengths to ends gently between palms to encourage natural wave and movement. Twist individual longer face framing pieces around fingers into spirals or coils as hair air dries. Use fingertips to smooth only the most frizzy or out of place pieces, leaving some flyaways and bend for a naturally imperfect texture.

Volumizing Strategies for Men’s Medium Length Hair

Boost limp locks with these easy volumizing strategies tailored for medium length hair.

Root-Lifting Techniques

There are simple but effective ways to directly create lift at limp roots:

Clip or section out the top layers of hair first and secure horizontally to expose the underside roots for targeted heat styling. Concentrate volume-boosting airflow just to those hidden underside roots. Blast with heat for lift before releasing the top hair to reveal.

Flip freshly washed damp hair completely upside down before rough drying. Allow hair to fall and set while blasting roots with heat in this reversed positioning. Going upside down helps hair dry with extra volume “baked in”.

Backcombing can also help build instant lift at draggy roots but handle with care. Lightly tease just at the roots with gentle combing motions once hair is 95% dry. Smooth top and outer hair layers neatly over the secretly teased underlayers so lift remains invisible.

Volumizing Products

In addition to root boosting methods, the appropriate volumizing products help plump up flat medium length locks:

Volumizing powders are ideal for soaking up excess oils around fine, limp roots making hair grip better and easier to lift. Powders also add grit and texture that aid lifting. Apply a light dusting directly onto roots and massage in before styling session.

Traditional mousse formulas help noticeably pump up density-challenged hair with extra cushion and spring when applied to towel dried hair from roots to ends before styling. The foam injects air pockets into the hair shaft for added body.

Texturizing sprays also assist with volume goals by providing hair added grit and “grab”. Gripping base allows for better elevation. Concentrate texturizer application at limp crown area before heat styling for maximum rising effects.

Blow Drying For Volume

The way you manipulate airflow and heat while blow drying also factors into achieving all day lift:

Concentrate the highest heat and strongest airflow velocity directly onto roots for 2-3 minutes before drying lengths. This expands and “sets” added volume right at the roots. Create lots of movement, frequently changing root areas receiving the hot air concentration.

Wrap sections horizontally around a large volumizing round brush, lifting hair up and away from scalp as you blow dry. Combined tension from the brush and heat will help “expand” flat sections.

Throughout the drying process, frequently flip damp hair from side to side under the heat stream. Flipping expands roots evenly across all sections so hair dries with volume built in.

Styling Techniques for Medium Length Hair

Tame and mold medium length strands into trendy looks with these techniques:

Curling

• Wrap 1-2 inch sections of dry hair around a ceramic curling barrel.
• Mist hair lightly with spray before curling for hold.
• Finger coil slightly damp hair into spirals as an air-drying alternative.

Straightening

• Prep damp hair with a heat protectant.
• Choose a flat iron with adjustable temperature to decrease damage.
• Glide 1 inch pieces smoothly down the entire length.

Updos and Braids

• Sweep longer top pieces diagonally into a low bun or pony.
• Braid a section along one side of the head into a viking twist.
• Part deeply on one side and pull back into a messy knot.

Maintaining Your Medium Length Men’s Style

Preserve your polished look in the elements with these useful tips:

Day-to-Night Tips

• Carry a pocket comb for quick styling touch ups.
• Reapply texturizer/pomade lightly if hair falls flat.
• For evenings, try slicking hair back with a dab of gel.

Long-Lasting Hold

• Set your style with a flexible hairspray for humidity resistance and movement.
• Try a matte clay or paste for reworkable hold that won’t stiffen locks.

Touch-Up Tricks

• Refresh second day hair with a spritz of water mixed with conditioner.
• Smooth any frizz by glazing problem pieces with serum.
• Pluck out separated strands around the hairline discreetly.

Hair Health and Growth for Men’s Medium Length

Keep hair robust as it grows with:

Trimming and Pruning

• Seek regular trims every 8-12 weeks to prevent split ends and keep growth healthy.
• Snip an inch or two off the ends yourself in between salon cuts.
• Layer or texturize the ends to remove damaged pieces and encourage new growth.

Scalp Care

• Exfoliate once a week with a scalp scrub to promote blood flow and growth.
• Massage daily with fingertips to redistribute oils from roots along lengths.
• Use shampoos with stimulating ingredients like menthol, eucalyptus or tea tree oil.

Nutrition and Supplements

• Consume omega fatty acids from fish, avocados, nuts and olive oil.
• Make sure you get enough protein from meat, eggs, beans, lentils.
• Take a biotin supplement daily to aid healthy new growth.

Conclusion of Style Medium Length Hair

With some care taken pre-style and the right mix of products and techniques, medium length locks can look sleek, polished and trendy. Assessing your hair’s natural texture and needs is step one. Create a good foundation by shampooing, conditioning and protecting hair from damage. Next, adapt the regimen by focusing products and techniques on controlling frizz, adding texture and creating volume. Learn tricks for maximizing your style’s longevity day to night. And don’t neglect hair health – keep up on trims, scalp care and nutrition to maintain lush medium length hair. With practice, you can rock stylish medium length locks with confidence!