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11 Youthful Haircuts For A Younger-Looking Face After 40

May 31, 2025 by Lisa Cupido

 
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Face-framing haircuts are a little like makeup: the right one, like good makeup application, can enhance your face shape and facial features and should be able to do so without much effort. It makes no difference if you’re a fan of short, medium, or long hair — there’s a face-framing style that will work with your hair type and hair preferences. Layers can add movement and volume to fine or thin hair, bring out texture in hair so that waves and curls look even better, and even help balance the face by faking more facial harmony.

If you’re searching high and low for a new haircut that will put the emphasis on your cheekbones, eyes, jawline, and more, consider one of these 11 face-framing haircuts.

1. Curtain Bangs


Curtain bangs are perfect for anyone who has always been curious about bangs, but not curious enough to cut their hair that short in front. This bangs style is slightly shorter in the front and gradually lengthens to frame the face and meet up with the other layers of your hair — in a harmonious way that doesn’t look too choppy.

2. Face-Framing Shag


One of the coolest choppy cuts is the face-framing shag, which features both short and long layers that give it superb amounts of volume.

3. Long and Layered with Face-Framing Layers


Long-haired enthusiasts needn’t chop their hair off to get the benefits of face-framing layers. Long layers that frame the face cut into hair that can look like one heavy sheet, or conversely, can appear too thin and straggly. They give any long style automatic chicness.

4. Chin-Length Bob


The chin-length bob expertly cuts off at the jawline, which can make your neck look longer and your bone structure stand out more. Whether you keep it one length or add choppy layers to it all depends on the look you’re after.

5. Layered Lob


Craving a little more length than a bob, but prefer to keep a similar shape? Try a layered lob that extends to the collarbone and features tons of layers to frame your face.

6. Side-Swept Bangs With Layers


Center parts are being replaced with side-swept bangs and longer layers, which frame the face beautifully and add a bit of early ‘00s retro appeal to your look.

7. Tapered Pixie With Side Bangs


We love a chic pixie, especially for summer. Make yours frame your face by adding longer layers on top that can be swept to the side and combine this with tapered ends for a fresh look.

8. Tapered Pixie With Side Bangs


We love a chic pixie, especially for summer. Make yours frame your face by adding longer layers on top that can be swept to the side and combine this with tapered ends for a fresh look.

9. Shoulder-Length Hair With Featured Ends


A shoulder-length haircut is great for removing dead ends and weight from very long hair, and can make thin hair look fuller. Adding layers that “feather” the ends removes even more bulk and allows for your hair’s texture to come through.

10. U-Cut With Face-Framing Layers


The U-cut haircut has a rounded, subtle arch or curve in the back. It’s shorter on the sides and longer in the back, with subtle, blended layers. Leaving a few layers to frame the face enhances its shape.

11. Modern “Rachel” Cut


Jennifer Aniston’s “Rachel” haircut defined a generation. The modern version of the Rachel is a little longer and softer, but it’s still defined by plenty of face-framing layers that give it movement and manageable, effortless style.

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