Hair should be a fun part of your beauty routine at every age. While there are no hard and fast rules about what haircuts and hairstyles to wear once you become initiated into the 50 and older club, there are certainly a few looks that tend to be the most popular. Blunt bob hairstyles and chic pixie cuts both tend to look super flattering on grey hair, but the list doesn't end there.
Below, we're sharing 10 glamorous haircuts and hairstyles that will look stunning on people of any age–including those who may be 50 or older. Continue reading below for a dose of inspiration and even a few styling tips.
1. Medium-Length Waves
Soft, beachy waves easily defy any age group. These loose waves are effortless, sexy, and utterly timeless. If you have a similar hair texture to Sandra, replicate this look by adding a volumizing mousse to towel-dried hair to plump up hair as it dries. Use a curling wand or curling iron to create loose curls and finish by running the fingers through the hair to slightly mess up the curls, giving the hair a chic bedhead look. Keep those waves protected and volumized with a spritz of flexible hairspray.
Soft tousled waves tend to compliment a shoulder-length lob like this super well, but it will also work just as well on long hair.
2. Face-Framing Layers
The jawline and skin around the face both tend to appear softer on older women–it's only natural. To keep the face from looking long and tired, try a haircut with face-framing layers. If you have an oval face shape, try pairing a long hairstyle with layers that start just below the chin to add in a natural contour. Those with a heart-shaped face may want to really go all-in on the layers, as choppier styles can accentuate the cheekbones and add more definition to the jawline.
3. Chic Blunt Bob
There's a reason blunt bob haircuts have been a favorite of women over 50 for decades. This sleek, simple style is extremely easy to style and manages to feel mature without looking dated. While a perfectly brushed bob a la Anna Wintour can look super serious, adding a bit of texture is an easy way to incorporate a relaxed feel to the look. After using a round brush to blow dry hair, spritz a bit of texturizing spray on the roots so that it still looks put together without looking uptight.
4. Asymmetrical Lob
Step up the drama with a trendy, sharp-angled lob. These high-fashion cuts are an easy way to elevate your style on a daily basis. With a sharp, ultra-sleek cut like this, it's all about keeping it smooth and straight. After blow-drying it straight, bust out the flat iron to smooth every single strand. Remember to invest in a great heat protectant if you're going after a look like this as using heat tools every day can quickly take a toll on the health of your hair.
Layerless cuts like this to work great for people with fine hair, thin hair, or naturally straight hair. If you have thick hair or curly hair, a one-length cut is not totally off the table but you will want to work with your hairstylist to take some of the weight out, otherwise short cuts like this can end up looking like a poofy triangle.
5. Short and Straight
So, you've finally committed to rocking grey hair. Now what? As you transition from colored hair to your new, natural color, it's often easiest to keep the hair short and sweet. If a pixie cut is a bit too short for you, try something like this soft, layered cut with side-swept bangs. While this short hairstyle looks polished, it's still super easy to execute. Simply run a shine-boosting hair serum through towel-dried hair and blow dry using a small round brush.
6. Wavy Lob
If you have naturally curly hair, embrace those natural curls! To replicate this look, use a smaller curling iron to create tighter, bouncier curls. You can also try this look if you have straight hair, but it will likely hold better on curly hair types considering it closely mimics their natural hair shape. Adding a curling iron to the mix helps to add uniformity and a bit of polish on days when your natural curl pattern gets a little out of whack.
7. Punk Pixie
Ready to harness the power of a perfect pixie cut? This short, elevated hairstyle tends to look particularly striking on mature women. Oval face shapes like Halle are lucky, almost all variations of pixies will suit their face shape. If you're going for a pixie with a square face shape, try starting with a shag version of a pixie–one that's a little bit longer with soft layering and wispy bangs. Round faces may want to elongate the face by backcombing the hair around the crown of the head or incorporating side-swept bangs to add dimension.
8. Medium-Length Side Part
If you want to quickly change up your hairstyle without a trip to the salon, simply change your part! As simple as it sounds, it can dramatically shift your everyday look. Here, Julliane is rocking a dramatic side part with a medium-length cut. The dramatic bangs she's created and the hairline that sits just below her shoulders both help to add balance to her naturally square face shape.
9. Long and Straight
While haircuts like short pixie cuts and long bobs are certainly super popular for women over 50, there's no reason why you can't diverge from the pack and keep your long, straight hair. No matter what your age, the key to mastering long hair with minimal layers is to make sure it's healthy and well maintained. Make sure to see your hairstylist regularly for trims, invest in a great hair mask to use weekly, and be sure to always apply a shine serum to towel-dried hair.
10. Old Hollywood Curls
Old Hollywood curls looked just as great in the 1950s as they do now. While this long, meticulously curled style may not be the easiest hairstyle to execute everyday, it's a great choice for those with long hair looking for something for a special occasion. These soft waves will flatter all hair colors, whether you're rocking brunette, blonde, or natural gray tones.
To recreate this style, use a curling wand and curl your hair in sections, creating the curls so that they go toward your face. After creating each curl, hold it coiled in your palm and let it cool. Then, gently clip the still coiled hair to your head and allow it to cool completely to set the soft wave.
These soft waves are popular on people with long hair, but don't be afraid to try it with mid-length or even shoulder-length hair. If you have enough hair to wrap it around a curling iron a few times, you have enough to create this hairdo!
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