While aging is beautiful and something to be proud of, a youthful-esque, symmetry promoting hairstyle can highlight your best features and give you a confident boost this fall, at any age. We checked in with professional hair stylists and hair experts for two timeless, celeb-fave haircuts that work with many hair textures, types and colors, and are great inspo to take to the salon! Read on to learn more about how classic curtain bangs and an asymmetrical bob can highlight your beautiful face, and other tips from Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles, and Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and Founder of Phenix Salon Suites.
Curtain Bangs
If you're searching for a haircut that will promote facial symmetry, highlight your eyes and cheekbones and give your tresses a voluminous touch, look no further! Abdullah explains that curtain bangs are a type of fringe cut that creates a "soft, natural-looking wave at the top of the head." They are often used to "frame the face," she adds, and "specifically, to give it a youthful appearance." They are a classic "baby-doll look," she continues, but "also look great on mature women." From Kirsten Dunst to Zooey Deschanel to Kerry Washington to Naomi Campbell, there's a reason so many celebs have recently sported the style, Abdullah notes.
"The style is easy to achieve and looks great on everyone and on most hair types," she says, adding, "the style has evolved from a straight fringe to a wavy one, and it's now common to see women with curly hair wearing them." In addition, Abdullah points out that "curtain bangs make your face appear smaller and slimmer when they come down to cheek level." If you have a tall forehead, "they effortlessly minimize it." This, she says, is different from the obvious effect of bangs that are cut straight across, and frequently used to shorten a forehead. "If you wear them at eye level, they bring more emphasis to your smile and can fill in your cheeks as well, she continues, noting that they also "make your hair appear thicker and are a great way to add volume to thinning hair." Ultimately, the style works "well for women who want to hide thinning hair in the front," she says.
Asymmetrical Bob
As seen here on Charlize Theron, an asymmetrical bob is a timeless and elegant cut that can frame your best features and provide just the right amount of bounce and volume. Rivera explains that this haircut— a textured asymmetrical lob or bob— is a “terrific choice” for mature beauties” since it’s a perfect blend of classic yet still modern and trendy. “This style is so hip that it’s perfect for making our ladies in their prime look super chic,” she says. “Removing a bit of length from the hair, ads to movement and creates a youthful appeal.”
When it comes to styling this look, 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.” Rivera also 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.” The bottom line when it comes to a bob cut, Abdullah says, “if it’s blunt, it will sort of make the ends bunch up when curled lightly and give them more body.” The deep part is added “to 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.
