As the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time to book a salon appointment for a fresh new look. While choosing the right length and color for the season can feel overwhelming, it can be especially stressful for women over 50—particularly when you need to consider factors like volume loss.
While personal taste is always individual, we’ve compiled advice from professional hairstylists on the best cuts to flatter mature women. According to the experts, the first style to avoid after 50 is very long, straight hair without volume. While Demi Moore has made this her signature look and looks radiant, it can actually add years to your appearance.
Should You Say Goodbye to Long Hair?
“Very long hair without volume immediately gives a tired appearance. The lack of volume drags down your face,” explains renowned hairstylist Raphaël Perrier, a multiple-time world champion hairstylist. “If the ends are damaged, it can almost look neglected and unhealthy!”
Celebrity hairstylist Gina Rivera, based in the United States, confirms this observation. “Long, straight hair doesn’t always work with age. It can pull your features downward and make them appear even more drawn, which ages rather than rejuvenates,” she explained to She Finds. “If you want to keep your hair long, it’s important to opt for layers that will instantly create movement and texture and eliminate that stiff look that emphasizes facial lines.” When considering haircuts that age, ultra-long straight styles top the list.
Blunt Bobs and Heavy Bangs
A very symmetrical bob that hits at the chin? Maybe a good idea when your name is Hailey Bieber, but certainly less flattering when approaching your fifties. According to Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles, if you want to look younger, avoid opting for a chin-length bob, especially with bangs. “This hairstyle may not work in your favor, as it risks making you look older than your actual age,” she warns. As for straight bangs, she explains that when a fringe is too thick, it draws all attention to the eyes and can create a “helmet” effect—when you should be opening up the face for a more youthful appearance.
Hairstylist Raphaël Perrier agrees: “Heavy, straight bangs can close off the face and draw attention to forehead lines, while also emphasizing wrinkles around the eyes.” The expert also advises avoiding overly blunt bobs, even though Lily Collins’ cut might have tempted us to grab the scissors. “Ultra-blunt cuts, like overly strict and tight buns, give a severe look and effect, which can accentuate and emphasize facial features.”
Too Many Layers Kills the Layers
While the shag cut is ultra-trendy (and generally flattering for all face shapes when paired with curtain bangs), adding too many layers can lead into mullet territory. “The ’80s style on a young woman can give a modern retro look. However, on a 50-year-old woman, it risks giving a dated look and visually adding years,” Raphaël Perrier analyzes perfectly. The same sentiment echoes across the Atlantic. “The shag cut can beautifully frame your face, but adding a large quantity of layers can often do the opposite. The worst haircut you can have if your goal is to look younger is having too many layers,” confirms Ghanima Abdullah.
While the trend leans toward layering and the “butterfly cut” is on everyone’s lips, it’s essential to choose the hairstyle most suited to your age and face shape. While layering can give the impression that hair is more voluminous, having too many layers can conversely create an even flatter appearance. “Too much texture in a hairstyle can make fine hair look even finer, rather than voluminous,” warns the expert. She concludes: “Although shags are fashionable, it’s essential to avoid over-layering fine hair, as it can make it difficult to style and lifeless.” These are definitely haircuts that age rather than refresh.
What Hairstyle Creates a Rejuvenating Effect After 50?
Recently, we presented the long bob as the favorite hairstyle of celebrities over 40. And it’s also the ideal cut for women over 50, notably because it offers an instant “ten years younger” effect. This collarbone-length style is renowned for being ideal for mature women as it also brings volume and movement. Perfect for fine hair, this bob appeals with its modern length—neither too long nor too short. We were right, as expert hairstylist Raphaël Perrier confirms that in his opinion, a hairstyle “between a bob and long hair” is perfect for women over 50.
He also recommends the iconic wavy bob, recently spotted on Julia Roberts—a timeless cut that works at any age. “Soft waves bring a modern and elegant touch while opening up the face to illuminate it,” he assures. Finally, regarding color, which can also play a major role in the rejuvenating effect, he advises opting for soft balayage, highlights, and warm tones to brighten the complexion. “Avoid cool and overly ashy shades that can give a washed-out look.” And the global training hairstylist concludes: “No matter which cut you choose: healthy, shiny, well-maintained hair will always bring a much younger and fresher appearance.”
This article first appeared on grazia.fr – Author: Elisabeth Sall
