Stylists Say These Are the Best Hairstyles for Women Over 50
It’s natural for our hair to turn gray or white with age, but you may also experience other changes to your tresses. That’s where the best hairstyles for women over 50 come into play.
“As women age, [we] tend to run into thinning hair, and loss of elasticity and shine,” says Carrie Butterworth, a freelance hairstylist in New York City. The right hairstyle can help compensate for these changes in hair texture. “For these clients, I often suggest shorter styles that will make the hair look thicker,” Butterworth explains. “Women over 50 should also consider hairstyles that have physical and visual movement via layers,” which she says gives the face a lifted look.
Meet the experts: Carrie Butterworth, a freelance hairstylist in New York City; Michelle Cleveland, a celebrity stylist, extension artist, and brand ambassador for Nume Hair.
But the perfect hairstyle isn’t one-size-fits-all. And what worked for you in the past might not have the same effect now. “As hairstylists, we help our clients choose the correct hairstyle based on several factors, including face shape. But as we age, our faces can naturally change shape,” explains Michelle Cleveland, a celebrity stylist, extension artist, and brand ambassador for Nume Hair. “For example, as we age our faces tend to ‘head south,’ and appear more elongated than in our youth. I would advise a client who wears their hair long and straight to consider adjusting their cut to something that doesn’t emphasize the area as much, like a face frame…Another example would be if the hairline around the forehead is receding, then perhaps considering a soft fringe or bang.”
Ahead, experts share the best hairstyles for women over 50, along with celebrity examples to show your stylist at your next appointment.
Textured pixie cut
A pixie cut “is a great option for women with finer hair. The shortness adds volume and the illusion of thickness,” Butterworth says. Susie Elelman’s cut shows how a pixie cut can be made more interesting with movement and texture, a key factor for Butterworth. “Make sure your stylist adds an appropriate amount of texture for your hair type, so you don’t end up looking like you have a men’s cut. Softness is key in a women’s short cut,” she explains.
Soft chin-length cut with texture
Halle Berry’s chin-length cut features added texture and soft layers, which “creates a more youthful and fun look,” according to Cleveland. This look is also a good option for those with shorter hair who’s finds a more blunt-cut bob unflattering with their face shape. Berry’s subtle highlights, side part, and loose curls also contribute to the softness of the look.
Classic bob with bangs
If you have fine hair but aren’t quite ready to make the jump to a pixie cut, Butterworth suggests a classic bob like Anna Wintour’s as an alternative. “This style is timeless, and the length provides the illusion of thickness. The beveled edges also provide cut-in shaping,” while the bangs offer a way to cover up any lines or wrinkles on the forehead you may wish to conceal, she says. That said, make sure you consider your face shape before asking your stylist for a chop. “I don’t recommend this cut for a round face, as the cut will accentuate that,” Butterworth adds.
Layered bob with flicked-out ends
“If the page boy style bob isn’t suitable for you, you can still do a bob-length cut. But instead of blowing the ends under, flip them out like Rita Moreno,” Butterworth suggests. “You’ll have the length you like, and the flicked-out layers will animate the haircut and make the eye travel away from any areas that don’t need emphasis.”
Wavy shoulder-length cut with soft layers
If you have a longer face, you can still have a flattering hairstyle without sacrificing length. “Iman has a great mid-length cut that suits the fact that she has a longer face. She has added width to the sides to balance her features out.” Butterworth explains. “The layers are flicky, soft, and have plenty of movement to direct the eye upwards.”
Bangs with long hair
The benefits of adding bangs to your cut are two-fold, according to Cleveland. “They work well for women over 50 who are perhaps receding at the hairline. They also soften the face entirely,” she explains. Goldie Hawn’s long, blonde tresses are complemented by bangs and layers to better frame her face.
Medium-length hair with layers
Not all of the best hairstyles for women over 50 require a shorter length. “If you’re still blessed with a great head of hair, you don’t have to chop it all off at a certain age. You do, however, need to keep up on the maintenance,” Butterworth explains. “Keeping up on style and color is a must.” She cites Michelle Pfeiffer as a perfect example. “Michelle’s length and layers frame her face nicely, and uplift her features by directing the eye upward.”
Chin-length curls with added width
Shonda Rhimes’ narrow face shape is balanced by the width of her curly cut. Added layers also make the curls lighter and bouncier, creating a more youthful look. Plus, the subtle side bang and asymmetry balance out the forehead while creating more movement.
Classic bob with side part
“You can’t go wrong with a classic bob,” says Cleveland. “Keeping the hair above the shoulders adds a ‘lifting’ effect to the overall look.” Naomi Watts puts a twist on the classic style with a deep side part for added drama. Plus, the blunt-cut ends are flicked out for more movement.
Long face-framing layers
Flat, straight hair gets livened up with face-framing layers, like Jennifer Aniston’s. “Layers add movement, and movement creates softness,” Cleveland explains. “The total overall effect is more youthful.” You can also play around with different highlights and lowlights, like Aniston’s, to add even more dimension.
Cropped cut
If you’re looking to embrace your natural hair with a cropped look, try emulating Viola Davis’s chic cut. The short wash-and-wear style is low maintenance, fun, and youthful. Plus, it eliminates the need for extensive upkeep and chemical processes that may cause damage or breakage.
Firefly cut
“Emma Thompson’s cut is great if you want something shorter, but are intimidated by the idea of a crop or pixie cut,” says Butterworth. “Known as the ‘firefly’ or Princess Diana cut, this is a long-short haircut with lots of layers and movement that can either be styled or left to be a wash-and-go look. Having the hair swept up and away from the face is a very fresh, clean, and youthful look as it draws features upward.”
Half bang with layers
If you’re constantly annoyed by hair falling in your face, this cut may be your answer. “Sigourney Weaver has a flattering length and layers for movement, along with a half bang. This is a great option for anyone who’s uncomfortable with having hair in their face,” Butterworth explains. “It also balances a high forehead in case you’re experiencing hormonal hair loss.”
Long hair with beachy waves
“Salma Hayek is a great example of not chopping off your hair just because you’ve gotten older,” Butterworth says. Her middle part complements her face shape while beachy waves keep hair out of her face and create an effortless look. Adding face framing layers can also add more movement and keep the hair from feeling weighed down.
Mid-length hair with bangs
“Mary Steenburgen’s bangs are a great idea for hiding wrinkles,” Butterworth says. But they also play a key role in shaping the style. “The length of her bangs complement her heart shaped face by balancing a wider forehead and a small chin,” Butterworth explains.
Straight hair with added volume
If you want to maintain your length without hiding or weighing down a smaller face, Lisa Kudrow’s style with added volume may be a good choice. “She has a great mid-length cut for if you enjoy long hair, but are starting to get overwhelmed with having too much hair,” Butterworth explains. “Her face is small, but she’s not getting swallowed up by her hair.”
Ringlet curls with layers
Ego Nwodim’s ringlet curls are complemented by layers and a wispy bang. Not only do layers help take the weight out of the style while adding more volume, but they also help highlight the natural texture in her hair. Plus, the shoulder-length cut frames her face without making it appear longer.
Long waves with bangs
Combined with her long beachy waves, Stevie Nicks’ bangs help draw the eye back to her face. In this style, you can also experiment with highlights and lowlights to add more dimension and complement your skin tone. Incorporating silvery platinum streaks into the hair can also be a fun way to start the transition to gray or white hair.
Asymmetrical pixie cut
If you want to go for an asymmetrical look that can be styled many ways, Ariana DeBose’s asymmetrical pixie cut may be good inspiration. The style, while short, packs plenty of volume and creates the illusion of thickness. The height of the style also helps keep the hair out of your face. You can also experiment with color and highlights to add more dimension.
Deep side part with side-swept bangs
Penelope Cruz’s square-shaped face is softened by the asymmetry of this style. Her side-swept bangs balance out a larger forehead without covering her face too much. Plus, caramel highlights add a layer of warmth to the look.
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