As we age, it is natural to lose hair and for our locks to become thinner and expose more of our scalp. If you’re looking for a chic haircut over 50 and a ‘do that helps to conceal this, look no further!
We reached out to professional hairstylists and experts for three flattening haircuts to avoid (that might inadvertently draw more attention to your scalp and thinning areas), as well as three chic alternatives.
Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Janine Jarman, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Curl Cult, Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles, Rodrigo Galvao, professional hairstylist at Gem House in New York City and Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites.
3 Flattening Haircuts To Skip Over 50, According To The Pros
1. Skip Pin-Straight Long Locks
If you have "fine, thinning, fragile, damaged hair," Jarman recommends "cutting it off." She adds that "healthy hair is always the best bet. If your hair is thin, it only gets thinner as it grows out and if it’s damaged it will only continue to break the longer it gets."
Rivera agrees in that "long, straight, blunt hair" is not always becoming with age. “The long length can pull the features down and make them appear more drawn,” Rivera says, “If you select longer hair, it’s important to opt for longer layers that will create movement and texture," she advises.
Instead, Try Face-Framing 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."
2. Skip Center-Parted Blunt Lobs
Middle-parts can create a symmetrical look at any age, but Abdullah stresses that they can also draw more attention to forehead wrinkles and make your tresses look flatter.
"A bob with a center part might have been your go-to hairstyle before, but maybe your part seems to be getting wider and wider," Abdullah acknowledges, as thinning in the crown area is common as many age.
"If you're thinning in the crown of your head, a center part is going to draw attention to it. This is because you're putting the part right in the same area," she says. To avoid this, Abdullah recommends a side part for more volume and a youthful energy.
Instead Try a Layered Lob with Curtain Bangs
The aforementioned bob "emphasizes the eye area, which might not look dewy," Abdullah says. "Then, it also emphasizes the jaw area, an area that many of us struggle with as we age."
Her alternate suggestion is also to ask for the ever-so-stylish curtain bangs, since they “flatter just about any face at any age,” with any length, as well, as seen here on Alexa Chung.
“They neatly frame the face while drawing attention away from serious aging signs,” she points out.
3. Skip Bobs with Blunt Bangs
According to Abdullah, if you're aiming to achieve a more youthful appearance, you should avoid the blunt, chin-length bob hairstyle accompanied by blunt fringe. This hairstyle may not work in your favor as it has the potential to make you look older than your actual age.
Abdullah warns that adding this kind of bangs to a chin-length bob (or slightly longer lob) can also highlight the effects of aging without enhancing your best features.
Thick, blunt bangs that "come past the eyebrows on a blunt lob emphasize every sign of age in the face, as they don't frame the face well,” she explains. “Rather, they push all the attention to the eyes, with all their lines.”
This, she says, is seen as a very classic chic look, but it can make you look older if not cut with voluminous ayers to frame your face shape.
Instead, Try a Layered Lob with Sideswept Fringe
According to Galvao, one of the most universally flattering and anti-aging haircuts is a tousled, wavy lob with sideswept bangs. Referring to the base of the haircut, he explains, "The shape is usually more rectangular or square, with a very defined linear design, which brings a more modern and sophisticated look with a minimalist style."
Additionally, he says, "in some versions of the cut there are more layers that add movement and give those cool young vibes." As seen here on Emma Stone, this voluminous wavy style can give a boost to finer, thinner and normally flatter strands for a youthful feel.
The Bottom Line
As we grow older, it is common for our hair to thin and reveal more of our scalp. To conceal this and achieve a stylish haircut beyond 50, our experts recommend experimenting with curtain bangs, face-framing layers and avoiding any 'dos that are too blunt or one-length, as this could inadvertently emphasize thinning areas.
The key to finding your perfect look, Rivera concludes, is understanding your facial structure and seeking guidance from a professional stylist.
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."
