If your locs have hit that sweet spot of medium length, first of all congratulations. Medium length locs are genuinely one of the most exciting stages of the loc journey. You have enough length to do something interesting with your hair. But your locs are not yet so long that they become heavy or difficult to manage. It is honestly the perfect length for experimenting with styles.
The good news is that medium locs are incredibly versatile. The range of styles available at this length is wider than most people realise. And right now there are some genuinely stunning trends making the rounds that work beautifully on medium length locs specifically.
Before we get into all twenty styles, go and read our last post on 9 things to know before you get butterfly locs. It is a really helpful read especially if protective styles are something you are exploring alongside your loc journey. Now let’s get into twenty medium loc styles that are trending right now.
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1. The Messy Bun
The messy bun has been a staple for loose natural hair for years. Now it is having a serious moment in the loc world too. Gather your medium locs loosely at the crown of your head. Twist them into a bun and secure with a soft loc friendly hair tie. Let a few locs fall loose around the face for that effortless, undone quality that makes this style so appealing.
The beauty of the messy bun is that it looks intentionally relaxed. It works for everything from a casual day out to a work meeting. Furthermore, it keeps your locs off your neck and shoulders which is a real bonus in warm weather.
2. Half Up Space Buns
Space buns are having a major revival right now and medium locs wear this style exceptionally well. Section the top half of your locs into two equal parts. Twist each section into a bun on either side of the head. Leave the bottom half of your locs flowing freely. The result is playful, youthful, and genuinely eye catching.
Add gold cuffs or beads to the loose locs for extra personality. Alternatively, wrap the buns themselves with coloured thread for a more polished, detailed look. Either way this style photographs beautifully and consistently turns heads.
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3. The Loc Ponytail with a Wrap
A simple ponytail gets a serious upgrade when you wrap the base. Gather all your locs into a mid or low ponytail. Then take one loc and wrap it around the hair tie to conceal it completely. Secure the end with a small pin. The result is a clean, polished look that feels infinitely more intentional than a basic ponytail.
This style works brilliantly for professional settings. It is neat, structured, and put together. Moreover, it takes less than five minutes once you have done it a few times.
4. Side Part with Locs Swept Over One Shoulder
A deep side part combined with locs swept over one shoulder is one of the most flattering styles for medium locs right now. Part your locs deeply on one side. Sweep them all over your opposite shoulder. Let them drape naturally. Tuck the locs on the lighter side behind your ear to keep everything in place.
This style draws attention to the face in a really beautiful way. It also shows off the length and texture of your locs. In addition, it works on virtually every face shape which makes it one of the most universally flattering options on this list.
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5. Crown Braid with Loose Locs
Take the locs along your hairline and braid them back around the crown of your head like a halo. Leave the rest of your locs flowing freely underneath. The crown braid frames the face beautifully and gives the whole look a regal, editorial quality.
This style takes a little more time and practice to perfect. However, once you get comfortable with it the result is absolutely stunning. It is a great option for special occasions when you want something elevated without going for a full updo.
6. High Puff
The high puff is a natural hair classic that translates beautifully to medium locs. Gather all your locs at the very top of your head. Secure them with a soft, wide hair tie that does not put excessive tension on the roots. Then fluff and shape the gathered locs into a full, rounded puff shape.
The high puff is bold and high impact. Furthermore, it frames the face beautifully and shows off the volume and fullness of medium locs in a way that other styles do not. Add a beaded headband around the base of the puff for an extra layer of style.
save this so you don’t forget: 9 things to know before you get butterfly locs
7. Twisted Updo with Accessories
Divide your locs into several sections. Twist each section and pin it up at the back of the head to create a gathered, twisted updo. Leave a few locs loose at the front to frame the face. Then scatter gold cuffs or decorative pins throughout for a finished, accessorised look.
This style is elegant and versatile. It works for everything from a formal event to a regular workday. Moreover, the accessories elevate it from a simple updo to something that looks genuinely considered and styled.
8. Locs with Butterfly Clips
Butterfly clips have made a huge comeback recently and they look absolutely gorgeous in medium locs. Clip small sections of your locs back on one or both sides using decorative butterfly clips. Leave the rest of your locs loose. The result is a nostalgic, nineties inspired look that feels very fresh and current right now.
Mix and match different coloured or metallic butterfly clips for a more eclectic, playful feel. Alternatively, stick to one colour or finish for a more cohesive, put together aesthetic. Either way this style takes about two minutes and makes a big visual impact.
9. The Loc Bob
If your medium locs sit around chin to shoulder length, you are in the perfect position to rock a loc bob. Wear your locs loose and let them fall naturally around the jaw and neck. The natural taper and weight of medium locs creates a beautiful bob shape without any cutting or manipulation required.
This is one of the cleanest, most polished everyday styles for medium locs. It looks professional, it is effortless to maintain, and it showcases the beauty of the locs themselves without any additional styling. Add a deep side part to give the bob even more shape and dimension.
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10. Braided Crown with Beads
Take a section of locs from each side of the head and braid them back toward the crown. Weave small beads into the braids as you go. Secure them at the back and let the rest of your locs hang freely. The beaded braided crown gives a beautiful, curated look that references African hair adornment traditions in a really organic way.
This style works especially well on wash day when your locs are freshly cleaned and moisturised. Furthermore, the beads catch the light and add a really beautiful detail to an otherwise simple style.
11. Loc Hawk
The loc hawk is one of the boldest and most striking medium loc styles trending right now. Gather the locs on the sides of your head and pin or tie them upward toward the centre. Leave the locs along the centre of the head from front to back loose or gathered into a ridge.
The result is a dramatic, edgy look that is surprisingly wearable for everyday life. Furthermore, you do not need shaved sides to pull this off. The gathering of the side locs creates the mohawk illusion beautifully on its own.
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12. Waterfall Style
The waterfall style involves gathering the top section of your locs and securing them loosely at the back of the head. Then letting the locs cascade downward and outward like a waterfall. This style has a romantic, flowing quality that looks especially beautiful on medium locs with a bit of natural movement.
Add loc rings or cuffs along the gathered section at the back to elevate the look. Moreover, leave a few face framing locs loose at the front for a softer, more relaxed finish.
13. Two Strand Twist Out on Medium Locs
Taking two neighbouring locs and twisting them together creates a beautiful, rope like texture that adds a completely new dimension to your loc set. Do this on several sections throughout your head for a textured, detailed look. Or do it on just a few strategic locs as accent pieces among the rest of your loose locs.
The two strand twist out on medium locs is subtle but effective. It adds movement and texture without any product or heat. Furthermore, it is completely reversible and does not put any stress on the locs themselves.
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14. High Bun with Face Framing Locs
Take the high bun to the next level by intentionally leaving two or three locs loose at the front to frame the face. This small detail completely transforms the look of a standard high bun. It softens the hairline, draws attention to the face, and gives the style a more effortless, lived in quality.
Accessorise the face framing locs with small gold cuffs or a single pendant for extra impact. Additionally, wrap the base of the bun with coloured thread or cord for a more elevated, detailed finish.
15. Locs Pinned Back with Decorative Pins
Take the locs on one or both sides of your head and pin them back away from the face using decorative hair pins. Gold, crystal, or enamel pins all look stunning against locs. The result is a simple but polished look that keeps your locs out of your face while still looking beautifully styled.
This style works brilliantly on days when your locs need a refresh between retwists. It draws attention away from the roots and toward the overall length and movement of the locs. Moreover, it takes about sixty seconds and requires zero product.
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16. The Side Braid
Take all of your locs and braid them together into one large braid worn over one shoulder. This is an incredibly simple style but the impact is surprisingly striking. The single large braid showcases the volume and fullness of medium locs beautifully.
Weave beads or metallic thread through the braid for extra detail. Alternatively, keep it clean and simple and let the texture of the locs speak for itself. Furthermore, wrap the end of the braid with coloured cord to finish it off neatly.
17. Locs with a Silk Scarf Wrapped at the Roots
Fold a silk or satin scarf into a long strip. Wrap it around your hairline and tie it at the top or the side. Let your locs flow freely beneath and above the scarf. The scarf creates a beautiful colour contrast against the locs and gives the whole look a soft, elegant, fashion forward quality.
This style is particularly popular right now because it bridges the gap between protective styling and high fashion aesthetics. Moreover, it is genuinely one of the quickest styles on this list to put together.
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18. Double Buns at the Nape
Instead of placing buns at the crown or on top of the head, gather your locs into two low buns at the nape of the neck. This low placement gives the style a more laid back, relaxed energy compared to high buns. It also keeps the focus on the face and neckline.
Wrap each bun with a thin strip of fabric or coloured thread for a more finished look. Additionally, leave a few locs loose at the front and sides to soften the overall effect and prevent the style from looking too severe.
19. Locs Gathered with a Scrunchie
An oversized, statement scrunchie is one of the easiest styling upgrades you can make right now. Velvet scrunchies, printed fabric scrunchies, and embellished scrunchies all look incredible against the texture of medium locs. Gather your locs into a low or mid ponytail or a loose bun and secure with the statement scrunchie.
The scrunchie becomes part of the style rather than just a functional tool. Furthermore, because scrunchies are gentler on the hair than regular elastics, they are one of the most loc friendly accessories you can add to your collection.
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20. The Freefall with Scattered Accessories
Sometimes the most impactful style is the simplest one. Wearing your medium locs completely loose and free, with a few well chosen accessories scattered throughout, is one of the most effortlessly beautiful looks you can achieve. A few gold cuffs here. A crystal pendant there. A single beaded loc near the front. And the rest of your locs just doing what they do naturally.
The freefall with accessories is the style that shows off the full beauty of your medium locs best of all. It is relaxed, it is personal, and it is genuinely stunning. Moreover, it requires absolutely no manipulation. Just a few accessories and confidence, and that is more than enough.
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Final Thoughts
Medium locs are one of the most exciting and most versatile lengths of the loc journey. The twenty styles on this list are just the beginning of what is possible. Experiment, mix and match, and find the styles that feel most like you.
The best loc style is always the one that makes you feel most like yourself. So try everything. Keep what works. And enjoy every single moment of having medium locs because this length is genuinely special.
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