This article has been updated since its initial publish date to include more expert insight.
At any age, it is possible to maintain a youthful glow and essence with a face-framing haircut that draws eyes to your best features. We checked in with professional hair stylists, cosmetologists and beauty experts for four timeless suggestions to revamp your fall look over 40, as well as inspiration to bring with you to your next salon visit. Read on for four classic haircuts, tips and insight from Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and Founder of Phenix Salon Suites and Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles.
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1. Pixie With Side-Swept Fringe
Going for a short 'do like is a classic way to highlight your eyes and cheekbones, and Abdullah says that another way to do this is by adding side-swept bangs to your cut. "Ever seen a pixie cut where the bangs steal all the attention? This is what you're after: long, side-swept bangs," Abdullah says. "The rest of your hair should be piece-y and angled," she notes, adding that "the cut should swirl around your head to hide hair loss." Abdullah stresses that a pixie cut with layers is one of the best ways to draw more attention to your beautiful face, while also maintaining locks that are easy to manage, and give off an effortless look.
“Ask your stylist about the amount and placement of layers that will help create volume and body in your hair,” she says. “Tell them you would like to create more volume. Generally, pixies that add volume are cut very short in the back, a little long around the ears and long up top.” She adds that “the layers can be cut to swirl around the head to hide thinning in whichever areas its most apparent,” and that it’s a good idea to “take a few pictures into the salon," like this one of Halle Berry, "to see what’s possible and will look best on you.”
2. Curtain Bangs
No matter if you're rocking long hair or a shorter cut, adding not only fringe—but specifically— curtain bangs to your look can instantly promote symmetry, Abdullah explains. "These flatter just about any face at any age and neatly frame the face while drawing attention away from serious aging signs," she says. Curtain bangs, Abdullah notes, are a type of fringe cut that creates a soft, natural looking wave at the top of the head, as seen here on Jessica Alba. "They are often used to frame the face and specifically, to give it a youthful appearance," she adds, which "look great on mature women" as they make your face appear "smaller and slimmer when they come down to cheek level."
Abdullah notes that adding curtain bangs to long hair is an instant way to create more volume, interest, and movement. (Not to mention, it’s a super-trendy style for fall!) “Curtain bangs are always flirtatious if you’re looking to rejuvenate your look over 50,” she says. “Usually curtain bangs are worn with straight hair or curly, but always down. Nevertheless, you can even wear the rest of your hair pulled up and a few wispy long bangs in the front to change up your style.” The possibilities, she points out, are truly endless!
3. Asymmetrical Lob
The lob, also recognized as a longer version of the classic bob, is "such a popular look right now," Rivera says. One of the main reasons for that, she adds, is the fact that "you don’t have to commit to shorter hair and it’s versatile, the lob is also terrific for creating a youthful look." To avoid a boring or flat look that can age you, Rivera says to add texture with layers. "A lob with a lot of texture is always a great look for our aging beauties," she says, "the texture allows for a lot of movement and it can be worn fuller than a sleek lob which results in softening the features." The thing about a lob or bob is, Abdullah says, “if it’s blunt, it will sort of make the ends bunch up when curled lightly and give them more body.”
Adding a deep side part to your asymmetrical cut, like Priyanka Chopra can “create more volume on the top of the head by literally pushing more hair to one side of your head,” and this hairstyle is great for hiding thinning on top if you have any. As seen here, the asymmetrical lob is also "terrific for creating a youthful look," Rivera says. She adds that "the fact that there are changing lengths in the hair makes it a very trendy and current style, and this contributes to an up-to-date and young look."
4. Long, Face-Framing Layers
If you're feeling like keeping more length but still want a change for the new season, Rivera says that adding face-framing layers can easily create more volume, movement and a youthful look overall. "Layering allows for the removal of damaged ends and also creates a lot of opportunities for styling," Rivera explains, which she deems "perfect for those that are young at heart." Like here on Jennifer Aniston, Rivera says "it’s easy to add some longer layers to create volume," and that layers are part of many amazing cuts that are "well recognized for being versatile."
Additionally, when it comes to freshly-cut and layered locks, Rivera advises, "it’s best to always consult with your stylist on a maintenance schedule but for those trying to regain hair health, make sure to trim every 4-6 weeks." To keep your hair and overall appearance looking younger, she concludes that it’s also "super important to use a great wet line packed with biotin, collage, and B Vitamins."
