Just like any other aspect of our lives, our hair also undergoes changes as we grow older. However, there are several easy style adjustments and tweaks that can be made to enhance your look to make your tresses look fuller and more voluminous.
In addition, if you are struggling with bald patches or inevitable thinning due to natural aging, there are ways to cleverly hide this with the right style and cut. We’ve reached out to industry professionals and gathered nine fashionable, celeb-fave hairstyles that stylists say are perfect for women over 50 to conceal these concerns.
Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles, Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites, Jean Will, hair expert and co-founder of NiaWigs Inc., Cindy Marcus, professional hair stylist and editor-in-chief of Latest Hairstyles, Lauren Udoh, hair stylist and hair creative director of WigReports, Davis Feliz, owner and creative director at Davis Feliz Salon, Rod Galvao, professional hair stylist at Gem House and Krysta Guerrero, owner and stylist at Base Salon Chicago.
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1. Long, Shaggy Layers
A shag is an "amazing cut that is well-recognized for being versatile," Rivera says. A longer, shaggy-inspired cut as seen on Jennifer Lopez offers "nice variations for both longer and shorter hair." Rivera suggests that "adding a bang can add a fresh surprise to this look."
Abdullah adds that bangs like these are "often used to frame the face and specifically, to give it a youthful appearance." She notes that they also "make your hair appear thicker and are a great way to add volume to thinning hair." The style also "works well for women who want to hide thinning hair in the front."
2. Textured Asymmetrical Bob
Charlize Theron's textured asymmetrical bob is a "great choice" for mature beauties," Rivera explains, since it's a perfect blend of classic yet still modern and trendy. When it comes to styling, Rivera notes that "texturing the hair" creates an "opportunity to remove some of the damaged ends and weight which bring more life to the hair as well."
Additionally, Rivera advises that 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."
3. Collarbone-Length Wavy Lob
Don't underestimate the power of a side part, Marcus notes, as this is a way to bring instant volume to fine hair. This style, seen on Katie Holmes, heads into ‘lob’ [long bob] territory, Marcus says, as it may not exactly be chin-length or past the collarbone either.
If you’re accustomed to having longer hair and wish to try out a shorter length, she notes, this ‘do might be the perfect transitional and experimental cut for you.
“This longer-styled, layered lob is still a popular look,” she says, as it “creates texture and can be worn smooth and sleek or curled.” Marcus adds that this center-parted wavy lob in particular is great for anyone with fine hair, as they can “wear this look as a more smooth and polished style to enhance volume.”
4. Sideswept, Layered Pixie
Another classic cut that can be layered for more volume is a pixie, which Will recommends parting to the side like Halle Berry. The Oscar winner's style is layered and side-parted but also edgy and dramatic, which is the complete opposite of flat or dull hair.
If you want a look that won't look weighed down or lifeless, "this is a perfect cut," Will suggests. "A textured, asymmetrical cut" like this one is "another terrific choice for fine hair," Rivera agrees, and explains that this style is "so hip that it's perfect for making our ladies in their prime look super chic."
When heading to the salon, Rivera says to ask for a removal of a bit of length from the hair, which will allow for more "movement and creating a youthful appeal."
5. Wavy Lob with Sideswept Fringe
Glenn Close's lob is a simple way to create the illusion of more boosted locks with its volumizing side part, sideswept bangs and overall sleek look. This 'do, Abdullah says, "can make your hair look thicker" with the help of its parting and bangs direction.
She adds that "the deep part is to create more volume on the top of the head by pushing more hair to one side of your head," and this is also "great for hiding thinning on top."
6. Voluminous Italian Bob
If you're looking for a haircut that can make your best features pop while giving your mane an extra boost of volume and bounce, look no further than the Italian bob cut.
This style is inspired by Old Hollywood and is a 'do that stylish stars like Salma Hayek opt for. The Italian bob takes the traditional bob cut to new heights with chunky blunt ends that create an airy, voluminous look that's never heavy or bulky. It also has just the right amount of length to allow for easy styling options as it's long enough to tie up, but short enough to be worn as is.
Udoh says that a medium bob like this is "a sleek and stylish choice for many occasions." She adds that "it's a versatile cut that looks great on almost any face shape and hair type." The length can be "adjusted to complement your features and create an attractive silhouette," she notes.
"This ever-popular bob provides volume at the crown, with textured layers that frame the face nicely while still maintaining an easy-to-manage style," Udoh explains.
7. Bixie
If you can't decide between a bob or pixie, we have good news. You don't have to! A 'bixie' (or bob-meets-pixie) like Jane Fonda's is very in for spring, and can be a very flattering and chic choice, Guerrero explains. There are elements of both styles to play with here in this social media-fave cut, and autumn is a great time to find what works for you.
"The bixie is a traditional bob haircut that’s combined with a pixie," she says. "The nice thing about a bixie is its versatility — not only can you adjust the length and opt to have it a little longer, but there is no one way to do it when it comes to the style. The cut is totally customizable based on your preference."
8. Long, Feathery Layers
"Longer side bangs" and "face framing pieces" a la Jennifer Aniston can "also result in a more youthful appearance by drawing the eye to the appealing facial features," Rivera explains. "In general, this provides for a fresher and more youthful look."
If you want to keep your hair longer over 40, Rivera says it is imperative to add layers and/or or face-framing pieces to avoid looking "weighed down" and dull.
She points out that "an added choice is to shorten the hair up a bit to the collarbone or above" to create some texture by "adding subtle layers to soften."
9. Feathery Lob with Curtain Bangs
Will suggests adding wispy, parted fringe to a classic layered, face-framing lob for not only a more youthful look overall but also to hide any thinning or hair loss at the crown. "This hairstyle is perfect for women over 40," she explains.
"It will help hide their forehead [and any signs of wrinkling or natural aging] to look younger. It is suitable for women who have thick hair, as well as thin." Will points out that this style can emphasize your eyes and cheekbones.
The Bottom Line
Curtain bangs, seen here on Kerry Washington, Abdullah explains, "neatly frame the face while drawing attention away from serious aging signs." This "type of fringe cut creates a soft, natural-looking wave at the top of the head,"
Abdullah adds and says they are often used to frame the face and "specifically, to give it a youthful appearance." The style is "easy to achieve," Abdullah continues, and "looks great on many different hair types." Abdullah also points out that curtain bangs will always be in style because they can "make your face appear smaller and slimmer when they come down to cheek level."
When it comes to thinning or finer hair specifically, she says that curtain bangs add volume to flat, thinning hair. "The style works well for women who want to hide thinning hair in the front," she adds. Noted!
