24 Hairstyles For Older Women Who Want A New Look

With maturity and age comes a boatload of hair issues. But sporting the right hairstyles for matured women can make your hair look thicker, voluminous, and bouncy. Some hairstyles can accentuate your facial features and face shape. For example, adding layers can sharpen some of your facial features, while feathered ends can soften them. The right hairstyle can make you go from looking tired to sophisticated and chic.

Licensed cosmetologist Dawna Jarvis says, “”Don’t be afraid to try something new. The best thing about hair is that we can change it.” If you are over 50 and have given up on styling your hair, this is for you! Keep reading to learn some key factors you need to consider while choosing a new hairstyle. Swipe up to check out some incredibly stylish hairstyles for women over 50. Scroll down and you won’t be disappointed!

Before You Get Started

• The curlier your hair, the farther away you need to stay from chemical and heat styling. Natural afros and protective hairstyles are the only healthy options for tight curl types.
• To narrow down your hair care routine, alongside hair type, you also need to consider hair porosity and scalp health.
• Using products that are not formulated for curly hair can lead to weakened hair bonds and damaged curls.

Tips For Styling Hair For Women Over 50

• As you grow older, it is best to go for cuts that are simpler to style. So, avoid any cuts that are too shaggy or layered as they’ll end up looking messy and unkempt. Instead, go for more straight cut styles.
• Highlights are a great way to add some brightness and movement to your hair. Just make sure that you keep them only a couple of shades lighter than your base to give off a more elegant vibe.
• If you’re someone who has sported bangs all her life, you don’t need to give up on them now just because you’re older. Just go for more mature styles like wispy or side swept bangs to keep things understated, but fresh.

Well, now that you know what key points to keep in mind when picking your style, let’s now look at all the fun haircuts for older women you can try out!

24 Classy And Elegant Hairstyles For Older Women

1. Dreadlock

The dreadlock hairstyle is a great way to embrace graying coily hair elegantly. It is an eye-catching and easy-to-maintain protective hairstyle to flaunt 4 A–C hair. Because it is a protective hairdo, not only does it add texture and style to your hair, but it protects your tresses and prevents heavy damage.

2. Short Straight With Side Parted Bangs

When it comes to short hair, no one does it better than the Julie Andrews. The ‘The Sound Of Music’ star has been inspiring us with short hair looks since 1965. A barely-there side-parting blends into neat edgy layers that are perfect for any occasion whether its a night out with the girls or an important business meeting.

3. Simple Shoulder Length Hair

If you’re not taking style inspiration from Meryl Streep, then you have some serious self-assessment to do. This elegant lady knows what she’s doing when it comes to her hair. Here, she has gone for shoulder length hair cut in a simple straight cut style to create a timeless hair look. The casually swept back half updo only adds to the charm of this look.

4. Gray Pixie Cut

If you’re struggling with coming to terms with your gray hair, it’s time you took a look at Jamie Lee Curtis. This gorgeous actress has embraced her grays and gone for an edgy and sexy pixie cut style. Now, she’s a badass if there ever was one!

Quick Tip

You can add silver, blue, purple, or auburn color to make your pixie cut more fun and edgy.

5. Ash Blonde Highlights On Long Wavy Hair

Whoever said you need to cut off your tresses as you grow older obviously did not know what they were talking about. Long hair styled in loose waves look graceful while still imparting a youthful charm to your style statement. If you have blonde hair, you can go for some subtle ash blonde highlights to add some brightness to it.

6. Sleek Short Bob

Licensed cosmetologist Dawna Jarvis says “This sleek bob is a timeless classic.”  If there’s one thing that Viola Davis knows how to rock (besides being an Academy Award winning actress), it is how to sport a short bob. This straight short bob parted on one side keeps things understated and classy. But Davis has managed to add some subtle dimension to it by going for some dark brown highlights right at the front. This is a good haircut for older ladies who attend a lot of formal events.

7. Asymmetrical Bob

If there is one celebrity out there who is the human embodiment of sophistication and class, it has to be Helen Mirren. To create a hair look in line with her elegant personality, she’s opted for an asymmetrical short bob with a trendy side-swept fringe in an icy platinum shade.

8. Multidimensional Brunette Pixie

A great way to mask the grays in your hair is to go for a color job that incorporates many shades of the same color. For instance, you can try out this brunette look in shades of honey blonde and chocolate brown that creates a stunning multidimensional effect. Pair this color job with a pixie cut and dramatic side swept bangs to nail that modern look. “Dimension and warm tones are so flattering and youthful on older women,” says licensed cosmetologist Dawna Jarvis.

9. Sandy Blonde Long Bob

Keep things simple and chic with this long bob style that is oh-so-easy to style and maintain. Just get it colored in a light and breezy sandy brown shade and style it in shaggy waves to achieve the ultimate effortlessly cool look. You could also blend in some platinum blonde highlights to add some movement to this look.

Quick Tip

You can also add caramel, ash brown, or cinnamon brown balayage to add volume and dimension to your long bob.

10. Curly Golden Blonde Bob

Jessica Lange seems to be one of those women who only get more beautiful with age. This is probably because she has learnt to age gracefully by choosing styles that complement her growing years. This golden blonde bob styled with tousled textured curls is some gorgeous proof of the same. You can opt for a perm to achieve this look as well.

11. Spiky Pixie Cut

Just because you’re growing old doesn’t mean that you have to give up your inner sense of style. If your taste leans towards super edgy and bold hair looks, then you should definitely go for this pixie cut with razored off side. Style this cut in some cool spikes with the help of some hair gel to finish off the look.

Debbie Walker’s journey vividly portrays the process of selecting a flattering haircut for a woman in her mid-sixties. At 63, she chose to get a haircut similar to the Spiky Pixie Cut. Referring to the picture of hers with the new haircut she shared in this post, she states, “My style is like the one shown above, and it goes well with my face shape. The only maintenance is a trim every 6 weeks and dye when my gray roots are showing. I cut first and then color (i).” Her decision wasn’t merely about the haircut; it was a form of self-expression that significantly elevated her confidence.

12. Feathered Out Blonde Bob

Now, this is a classic hairstyle for older women if there ever was one. This short bob style with feathered out edges and side swept bangs has endured the test of time because it suits just about every face shape and hair color. But it looks especially great on blonde hair.

13. Straight Medium Length Hair

If there’s one lady out there who knows how to keep things fresh with her hair, it has got to be Diane Keaton. To embrace her grays in all their glory, she has gone for a silvery blonde shade all over her mane. These gorgeous tresses have been styled in a sleek straight manner and topped off with a black top hat to add a touch of whimsy. This style also allows you to experiment with different options like ponytails, half-up or half-down ‘dos, braids, buns, or chignon.

14. Rounded Edge Bob With Straight Cut Bangs

Who doesn’t know about Anna Wintour’s iconic short bob and bangs? This straight cut bob with rounded edges and blunt bangs is the epitome of sophistication with a hint of dignified whimsy. Flaunt this style and rest assured that you will always be in vogue (hehe… get it?).

15. Voluminous Pixie

Hoo boy, now here’s a badass hair look if there ever was one! This sexy pixie cut style has literally reached new heights thanks to the voluminous spikes that it has been styled in. Angela Bassett’s sexy smolder just takes it to a whole other level.

16. Auburn Long Bob

Megan Mullally has been sporting this deep auburn long bob for a good few years now, and we can see why she has stuck with it for so long. This red toned hair look is perfect for infusing a youthful exuberance to your look without going too over the top with a too bright color or style.

17. Pastel Pink Layered Bob

There are a few colors out there that look great on all women regardless of their age. Pastel pink is one of them. Get your hair cut in an adorably chic layered bob and color it in a soft pink shade to get this whimsical yet understated hair look. This is also one of the best hair styles for older women with thinning hair as it adds oodles of dimension to your locks and makes them look voluminous. Dawna Jarvis says, “Pastel shades look cool, even if they are high maintenance.”

18. Brown To Blonde Root Melt

Dual tone color jobs work quite well in infusing life to dull hair. This flawless cool toned brown to blonde root melt does exactly that while also making her hair look longer and healthier. Style this look straight and add some side swept bangs to add a bit of youthful vibe to your look.

19. Brunette Pixie With Silver Undercut

The word ‘bold’ doesn’t even begin to describe the badassery that is this haircut. First, there is the asymmetrical pixie with sheared short ends on one side and long swooped bangs on the other. Then there’s the undercut at the back of the head that makes this style look super edgy. This is one of the best haircuts for older women as it adds a youthful edge to your look. It has only been taken to another level by coloring the pixie in a cool toned brown and leaving the undercut in its natural gray shade.

20. Sleek Angled Bob

Older women have a sense of authority and quiet dignity to them that needs to be showcased through their hair. This sleek and slightly angled bob does exactly that and then some. The bright blonde shade adds a touch of glamor to the whole look. “If you want more volume with this haircut, ask your stylist to cut your hair a bit shorter at the back,” recommends Dawna Jarvis.

21. Platinum Blonde Locks

If there’s one thing that we can learn from Dolly Parton, it’s that you can sport platinum blonde hair no matter what age you are. A stunning platinum blonde shade is also perfect for concealing gray hair if that’s what you want. You can also add glamorous caramel or honey-toned lowlights to add dimension to your mane. Style this color on long layered hair and loose waves to create a look that is sure to take everyone’s breath away.

22. Brown And Blonde Blended Curls

If you want both the grounded look of dark brown hair and the brightness of blonde hair, then here’s a look that will work perfectly for you. You could go for a blended look with chocolate brown and honey blonde to create this gorgeous dual toned look. The natural curls make this style look even more magical.

23. Half Top Knot

This half top knot hairstyle sported by Julianne Moore screams elegance and sophisticated glamor. A simple yet trendy hairstyle to let everyone know you stay on the latest trends as well. The sleek, wavy hair is tied into a half top knot to ensure the strands do not cover her beautiful face and accentuate her cheekbones.

24. Side Bangs With Outward Curls

The Queen of Pop has always donned chic hairstyles and this one is no different. The honey blonde hair with subtle side bangs adorning your face will ensure you look nothing less than a 70’s diva and will turn heads wherever you go.

Infographic: Hair Care Tips For Older People

Aging affects the hair texture, quality, and color. While it is true that you can style your mature hair and always look nothing but amazing, it is important to take good care of it too. Mature hair demands serious attention. And if you style it often or use styling products, double the amount of time you spend on hair care.

Check our infographic below to learn how to take care of your aging hair:

Save

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now.

Download Infographic

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes you look older: longer hair or shorter hair?

This depends on the hairstyle you are choosing. While keeping your hair longer with a straight hairstyle can make you look older, certain short hairstyles can accentuate the signs of aging as they offer no distraction from the apparent wrinkles or skin discoloration.

Do bangs make an older woman look younger?

Yes, thick bangs can make an older woman look younger. Long bangs add a youthful look by covering sufficient areas of the forehead and covering the wrinkles around the eyes.

Why are pixie haircuts so popular among older women?

Short pixie haircuts are easy to maintain while balancing an edgy yet elegant look with many styling possibilities. Hence, they are highly popular among older women with all types of hair textures.

Can I get a blunt cut if I am an older woman?

Yes, you can get a blunt bob cut if you are an older woman with straight hair. A blunt bob haircut with thick bangs can enhance the bossy yet elegant appearance while bringing out one’s youthfulness.

Find out the best hairstyles and haircuts for middle-aged women. Watch this video to find out the best hairstyles for different face shapes

Personal Experience Source

(i) Three Flattering Haircuts for Women Over 50

https://medium.com/middle-pause/flattering-haircuts-for-women-over-50-9b9d4112a5ff

Was this article helpful?

The following two tabs change content below.

• Reviewer
• Author
• Editor
• Fact-checker

Dawna JarvisLicensed Cosmetologist

   

Dawna is a state board licensed cosmetologist practicing in New Hampshire and California. She has over 24 years of experience and is a business growth strategist specializing in confidence-building and performance enhancement. As a salon owner, she coached/inspired dozens of stylists.  Although her background is in the beauty industry, she works with entrepreneurs, photographers, content creators, interior designers, clothing lines,...more

Arshiya SyedaSenior Editor

 

Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more

Subhrojyoti MukherjeeAssociate Editor

Subhrojyoti is an associate editor at StyleCraze with four years of experience. He has a master’s degree in English from Presidency University, Kolkata, and has also done a post-graduate certificate course in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. He has a deep understanding of the nuances involved in beauty and lifestyle content. Prior to this, he worked across various...more

Anu PallaviBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Anu is a beauty and lifestyle writer and a graduate of Amity University, Noida, where she refined her writing skills and cultivated her deep passion for the field. She pursued the Beauty Technician Training Program at Maquillage Beauty Institute, which has equipped her with practical skills in various beauty treatments. This enables her to offer valuable insights and recommendations to...more