17 Medium Layered Haircuts for Thick Hair:  2026’s Best Styles for Volume & Shape

Medium layered haircuts continue to dominate  2026’s hairstyle trends, especially for anyone blessed with thick hair. Layers add movement, reduce weight, and create a naturally balanced shape that feels effortless yet refined.

If you want a style that looks fresh, modern, and easy to maintain, medium layers are the direction every stylist is recommending this year. Below are 17 beautiful medium layered haircuts designed to enhance volume, shape, and texture while keeping your hair light and manageable.

1. Feathered Medium Layered Cut

This feathered medium layered cut brings fresh shape and movement to thick hair. Soft layers fall around the shoulders, creating a light, airy look that frames the face with ease. Curtain bangs blend smoothly into the rest of the style, letting the volume flow without feeling heavy. Each section lifts gently, adding a soft bounce that works beautifully for anyone wanting a balanced and stylish silhouette.

Warm honey tones highlight every curve of the layers, giving the hairstyle a natural glow. This look works well for thick hair that needs shape without losing fullness. Styling becomes simple, as the layers naturally fall into place and add life with every turn. This cut stays flattering for everyday wear and looks polished with minimal effort.

2. Textured Medium Layers with Soft Bangs

This textured medium layered bob brings shape and movement to thick hair without taking away its fullness. Light, choppy layers add a soft lift around the face, letting the style fall in a natural flow. Soft bangs help frame the eyes and blend smoothly into the tousled waves, giving the whole look an easy, lived-in charm.

Each strand carries gentle volume, making the haircut feel airy yet controlled. The medium length keeps things balanced, offering enough room for styling while staying fresh and modern. Thick hair benefits the most from this shape, as the layers remove heaviness and create a clean outline. This cut works well for everyday wear and brings out effortless texture with very little styling.

3. Feathered Medium Layers for Thick Hair

This soft feathered layered cut brings a light, flowing shape to thick hair. Long, blended layers create movement from the crown down to the ends, giving the style an airy lift without losing fullness. Each section falls gently, creating a smooth frame that adds life with every step. The medium length keeps the look fresh while still offering room for natural volume.

Cool blonde tones highlight the layers and enhance the soft, feathered texture. Thick hair benefits from this structure because it removes weight while keeping the body intact. Styling feels easy, as the layers naturally fall into place and create a graceful outline from every angle. This cut suits anyone who wants a refined, balanced shape with effortless movement.

4. Soft Wavy Medium Layers

This soft wavy layered cut brings gentle shape and balanced movement to thick hair. Medium layers fall in loose waves, giving the style an easy flow that stays full without feeling heavy. The center part opens the face and lets the waves frame the features with a light, natural touch. Each section blends smoothly, creating a relaxed outline that feels polished yet effortless.

Warm blonde tones highlight the texture and add soft dimension throughout the waves. Thick hair benefits from this layered structure because it removes bulk while keeping the body rich and even. Styling remains simple, as the natural bend of the hair adds life with very little effort. This look suits anyone wanting a fresh medium-length style with softness, volume, and a calm, graceful shape.

5. Soft Medium Layers with Curtain Shape

This soft curtain layered cut brings gentle movement and light structure to thick hair. Medium layers fall smoothly around the face, creating a soft curtain shape that frames the features with ease. Each section lifts slightly at the ends, adding a natural bounce that keeps the look airy and balanced. The strands blend seamlessly, giving the haircut a clean flow from the crown to the shoulders.

Deep, glossy tones highlight the layers and add depth to the overall shape. Thick hair benefits from this style because the layers remove excess weight while keeping the fullness intact. Styling stays simple, as the shape naturally falls into place and adds soft volume without extra effort. This look suits anyone wanting a refined, face-framing style with smooth texture and gentle lift.

6. Textured Medium Shag Layers

This textured medium layered shag brings soft movement and effortless lift to thick hair. Choppy layers fall in a natural flow, creating a relaxed shape that feels light yet full. Wispy bangs frame the eyes gently, adding softness that blends smoothly into the rest of the haircut. Each strand carries a touch of texture, giving the style a lived-in charm that works from every angle.

Rich brown tones highlight the layers and add depth throughout the shape. Thick hair responds well to this cut, as the layers remove bulk while keeping the volume rich and balanced. Styling stays simple because the natural texture does most of the work, creating an airy outline with very little effort. This look suits anyone wanting a modern, tousled finish with a soft, face-framing touch.

7. Soft Face-Framing Layered Cut

This soft face-framing layered cut brings airy movement and gentle shape to thick hair. Medium layers fall in smooth curves, giving the style a light lift around the face. Each section blends with a soft sweep, creating a graceful outline that feels both polished and effortless. The curtain effect adds openness, letting the features stand out naturally.

Bright blonde tones highlight every layer and add a soft glow throughout the haircut. Thick hair benefits from this structure because the layers remove heaviness while keeping the body full and balanced. Styling stays easy, as the natural curve of the layers creates flow with minimal work. This look suits anyone wanting a fresh, luminous shape with volume, softness, and a clean face-framing finish.

8. Layered Brunette Face Frame

This brunette face-framing layered cut brings soft lift and flowing movement to thick hair. Medium to long layers fall in gentle curves, giving the style a light bounce that stays full without feeling heavy. A curtain-shaped front section frames the face naturally, adding softness that blends smoothly into the rest of the length. Each layer sits with a graceful sweep, creating a polished yet effortless look.

Warm brown tones highlight the flowing texture and add depth from the roots to the ends. Thick hair works well with this shape because the layers remove bulk while keeping the richness intact. Styling stays simple, as the natural structure helps the hair settle into place with clean, smooth lines. This look suits anyone wanting a refined layered style with softness, movement, and a flattering face frame.

9. Feathered Layers with Soft Curtain Bangs

This feathered curtain layered cut brings soft lift and flowing movement to thick hair. Medium layers fall in smooth curves, creating a light, airy shape that frames the face with ease. Soft curtain bangs blend into the rest of the layers, adding a gentle opening around the eyes. Each strand sits with a soft sweep, giving the entire style a polished yet natural look.

Rich brunette tones highlight the layers and add depth from the crown to the ends. Thick hair responds well to this structure, as the layers reduce weight while keeping the fullness rich and balanced. Styling remains simple because the feathered shape helps the hair fall into place with clean lines and a smooth bounce. This look suits anyone wanting a refined layered finish with softness, shape, and a graceful face-framing touch.

10. Textured Short Layered Pixie

This textured layered pixie cut brings light movement and youthful softness to thick hair. Short, choppy layers fall in a natural flow, giving the style a lively, airy feel. Each piece adds a touch of volume, creating a shape that lifts gently around the crown. Soft bangs fall across the forehead, blending easily into the rest of the haircut and framing the face with a warm, relaxed charm.

Rich brown tones highlight the texture and create depth throughout the layers. Thick hair works beautifully with this shape because the short layering removes bulk while keeping the fullness balanced. Styling stays simple, as the natural texture gives the pixie its character with very little effort. This look suits anyone wanting a fresh, playful cut with soft edges and an easy, flattering silhouette.

11. Soft Layered Hime Cut

This layered Hime style brings a modern twist to a classic Japanese haircut, giving thick hair structure and softness at the same time. Straight, cheek-length side panels frame the face, creating a sharp contrast with the longer layers that fall smoothly down the shoulders. Each section moves with a light sweep, adding gentle volume without taking away the clean outline. The blunt fringe completes the look, opening the eyes and balancing the layered shape.

Dark tones highlight the sleek texture and give depth to every layer. Thick hair benefits from this style because the structured panels remove heaviness while the longer pieces keep the body full. Styling stays simple, as the shape naturally falls into place with neat, smooth lines. This look suits anyone wanting a bold, elegant haircut with a soft layered flow and a polished face-framing effect.

12. Curly Layered Shape

This curly layered shape brings full, lively movement to thick natural curls. Tight, springy coils frame the face in a soft halo, giving the style depth and texture from every angle. Layering opens up the curls, allowing them to fall with ease instead of weighing down the shape. A gentle face-framing section creates balance, drawing attention to the eyes while letting the curls stay rich and defined.

Warm brown highlights brighten the coils and add dimension throughout the style. Thick curly hair benefits from this cut because the layers reduce bulk while keeping volume strong and expressive. Styling stays simple, as the curls naturally form into this rounded, lifted shape with minimal effort. This look suits anyone wanting a fresh, voluminous cut with defined texture and a graceful, natural outline.

13. Sleek Angled Bob

This sleek angled bob cut brings sharp structure and smooth definition to thick hair. The back sits clean and lifted, while the front drops into a longer point that shapes the jawline with quiet elegance. Every strand lies neatly, creating a polished curve that shows off the precision of the cut. The angled form gives natural volume at the crown, helping the style stay full without feeling heavy.

Deep, glossy tones highlight the smooth texture and add richness to the overall shape. Thick hair responds well to this cut because the structure removes bulk while keeping the movement controlled and refined. Styling remains simple, as the shape holds on its own and keeps its clean outline throughout the day. This look suits anyone wanting a modern, sculpted bob with sleek lines and balanced volume.

14. Face-Framing Voluminous Layered Cut

This face-framing voluminous layered cut brings luxurious movement to thick hair. Long layers sweep outward in soft curves, adding lift and flow without taking away the richness of the length. Each section falls with a smooth bounce, giving the style a full, airy shape that feels both modern and elegant. The center part opens up the face and lets the layers blend seamlessly from cheekbones to the ends.

Deep brunette tones highlight the layers, creating depth and shine throughout the cut. Thick hair works beautifully with this shape, as the layers remove bulk while keeping the body strong. Styling stays simple because the natural structure helps the hair fall into place with clean, lifted edges. This look suits anyone wanting dramatic volume, smooth texture, and a graceful layered silhouette.

15. Side-Swept Medium Bob Layers

This side-swept layered bob brings sharp shape and soft movement to thick hair. Layers fall in a clean curve, giving the style body without adding weight. The deep side part creates a smooth sweep across the face, adding a touch of confidence and framing the features with ease. Each strand sits with light texture, creating a modern, airy finish.

Cool blonde tones brighten the layers and give the haircut a fresh glow. Thick hair works well with this bob because the layering builds controlled volume while keeping the shape polished. Styling stays simple, as the natural structure helps the hair fall neatly with very little effort. This look suits anyone wanting a stylish, medium-length cut that blends lift, softness, and a crisp outline.

16. Curly Medium Layers with Soft Face Framing

This curly medium layered shag brings natural movement and soft fullness to thick hair. Loose curls fall in gentle waves, creating a lived-in shape that feels effortless from every angle. Face-framing layers open up the features and add a light bounce that blends smoothly with the rest of the curls. Each curl sits with its own texture, giving the style a warm, natural charm.

Thick hair benefits from this layered finish because it reduces bulk while keeping the body rich and expressive. Warm brown tones highlight the curls and add depth throughout the shape. Styling remains simple, as the layers help the curls form without extra effort. This look suits anyone who wants relaxed volume, enhanced texture, and a soft, airy outline.

17. Layered Flip Cut for Thick Hair

This voluminous flipped layered cut brings life and movement to thick hair. Each layer is shaped to sweep outward, creating a full and flowing finish that feels both soft and bold. The medium length helps the layers fall naturally while giving the ends a lifted, airy look. Warm brown tones melt into rich caramel, adding depth that highlights every curve of the flip.

Thick hair responds well to this style because the layers remove heaviness without losing body. The shape keeps volume balanced from the crown to the ends, giving the whole haircut a smooth rhythm. Styling becomes simple, as the natural flips sit beautifully with minimal effort. This look suits anyone wanting a polished, bouncy finish with a touch of elegance.

Final Thoughts

Thick hair is incredibly versatile, and medium layered cuts bring out its best qualities. Whether you love soft, blended layers or bold textured shapes, 2025 offers a wide range of stylish options to suit every face shape and hair type. With the right layered haircut, your thick hair can look lighter, easier to manage, and full of natural movement all year long.