This article has been updated since its initial publish date to include more expert insight.
For women over 40 who are seeking some fresh ideas on how to style their hair, there are a variety of youthful and flattering options to choose from.
The ‘lob’ is a trendy cut that you’ve probably seen everywhere— a hairstyle that isn’t as short as a chin-length bob and long enough to reach the collarbones or a little below (hence the ‘lob’ abbreviation for long bob). This flattering look suits any hair texture or color and has been hailed by many stylists to be a great option for its anti-aging effects.
We checked in with professional hairstylists who provided 4 different variations of a ‘lob’ cut that will inspire you the next time you hit the salon! Read on for suggestions and tips from the pros: Janine Jarman, celebrity hair stylist and founder of Curl Cult, Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles and Gina Rivera, celebrity hair stylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites.
1. Side-Parted, Blunt Lob
If you want a sleek, trendy and ultimately timeless look, a blunt lob can add youthful-esque fullness, seen here on Emma Stone. “You can make your hair look fuller with a blunt lob,” Abdullah says, as the “bottom of a blunt cut looks full, regardless.” A side swept bang with this, she adds, “helps lift the features even more.”
2. Textured, Layered, Center-Parted Lob
If a blunt lob isn’t really your style, a textured lob can give you instant volume and frame your face in a flattering and still ultra-trendy way. As seen on Olivia Culpo, wavy layers can be pulled off with a center part. “A lob with a lot of texture is always a great look for our aging beauties,” Rivera says. “The texture allows for a lot of movement and it can be worn fuller than a sleek lob which results in softening the features.”
3. Shaggy Lob With Curtain Bangs
As aforementioned layers enhance your facial features and provide volume, adding bangs to a textured lob (as seen here on Alexa Chung), can help conceal forehead wrinkles and draw more attention to your eyes. “Pair your lob with fringe to cover any wrinkles or receding hairlines and highlight those gorgeous eyes of yours,” Jarman says. “Many of us have hair that gets thinner with age,” she concludes, so “adding texture will help give your look lift and life.”
4. Asymmetrical Lob
This type of lob combines classic and more modern elements that can highlight your eyes, cheekbones, and overall facial symmetry (which can take years off your look). "The asymmetrical lob is also terrific for creating a youthful look," Rivera says. "The fact that there are changing lengths in the hair makes it a very trendy and current style," she explains, addinf that "this contributes to an up-to-date and young look." Ultimately, when it comes to lobs like Charlize Theron's, Rivera notes that this is "such a popular look right now" because "you don’t have to commit to shorter hair" and it’s versatile. We couldn't agree more!
