One of the most common complaints you might be hearing your friends say — and might be feeling yourself — is that your hair just doesn’t feel or look the same and you aren’t sure what to do about it. Like everything in life, hair changes over time. This doesn’t have to be a negative thing, either. With a few style swaps and easy changes, you can take your hair at any age from lackluster to glam.
If you’re trying to figure out how to deal with thinning or even bald spots, both of which are normal and can happen as a result of hormonal changes, medicines, and other changes, these four hairstyles can hide bald spots and thinning hair over 50.
Pixie Haircut
If you’re open to a big change and you’re looking for ways to make thinning hair look healthier and thicker, one of the best haircuts to turn to is the classic pixie haircut. This cut is defined by a shorter back and sides, with longer layers on top. The reason it works so well on thinning hair is because it takes away any and all split ends and the shorter length provides a boost that creates the illusion of more volume. Your pixie can be customized to give you more layering or a shorter, spikier top — depending on what you’re going for.
Back-Combed Ponytail
Few styling tricks work as well on thinning hair as back-combing, which is exactly what it sounds like: teasing the underside of the hair toward the roots of your head. If you have longer hair, this maneuver works really well when you are putting your hair up into a ponytail or updo — it ensures there is volume and lift at your scalp to cover any bald spots and make thin hair look thicker.
Layered Bob
Layering your bob, but keeping the baseline blunt, does two things well: it maintains a thicker-looking base, but provides tons of movement and volume throughout the rest of your hair. Ask your stylist to add face-framing layers that provide a focal point and an edge to your haircut, or consider a graduated curtain bang to change things up.
Curls and Waves
It’s not a haircut, but adding curls and waves to any hairstyle you currently have can instantly lift those strands outward and make it look like you have thicker, fuller, healthier hair. If you have natural curls, try quitting the straightening iron for a while and playing with your natural texture — a curl cream can help. If your hair is straight, you needn’t introduce potentially damaging heat to your hair routine, either. There are a number of heatless wave and curling options that will add body and fullness without intense heat.
The possibilities truly are endless when you are trying to conceal thinning hair and bald spots. Whether you prefer your hair long, short, or styled in an elegant updo, changing the way you do things — just slightly — can have a big impact.
