No matter what age you are, if you love your hair, then it’s the perfect haircut and style for you. There truly are no rules when it comes to hair — gorgeous hair is whatever makes you feel like your most comfortable, best self.
But if you aren’t loving your hair lately, the problem may be that you need something with a little more oomph. And, in many cases, all this takes is a few strategic snips here and there or adding layers where they didn’t exist. You don’t have to give yourself a complete makeover to look amazing — just follow a few simple tips. Avoiding these three haircuts can help because they tend to look unflattering, and if your goal is to look fresh and modern, they won’t do you any favors. Here are three cuts to avoid and three that can take their place.
Avoid: Flat Bob
The classic bob can be one of the most flattering haircuts at any age, but particularly after 40 or if your hair is experiencing thinning and shedding. That’s because this cut typically has blunt ends that make hair look thicker, fuller, and healthier. But all bobs are not created equal. If you have fine or thin hair, a one-layered bob can appear flat at the roots, which can make your hair look thinner.
Get This Instead: A Layered Bob
Keep the bob — add more layers. A bob truly can take fine hair to great heights, but it’s important to add strategic layers throughout your hair to create movement and volume. You can even play with bangs or curtain bangs to give your bob a super-stylish twist.
Avoid: A Mullet
A mullet is characterized by a longer back and much shorter layers on the side and top of your head. This look can be cool and spirited, and it can be particularly great with texture like waves and curls. But it can also make fine or thinning hair look too choppy and thin.
Get This Instead: A Choppy Lob
The mullet can be any length, but it’s generally a collarbone or shoulder-length haircut. Growing out the layers of your mullet just enough so that they blend into your haircut and keeping the length around your collarbone suddenly transforms it into a choppy lob. This is one of the most universally haircuts for any age, but looks chic and fun on mature women.
Avoid: Heavy, Blunt Bangs
Blunt bangs that involve a lot of hair can look heavy and square. When they exist separate from the layers in your hair, they can make your haircut look disjointed and even juvenile (but not in a good way). This doesn’t mean you should avoid bangs altogether — on the contrary, the right bangs, cut well, are one of the best style decisions you can make over 40. But they have to be cut well to work.
Get This Instead: Graduated Bangs With Face-Framing Layers
Bangs should look like they belong on your face — and should complement your face. And the way to make that a reality is by including face-framing layers alongside graduated bangs that are shorter in the center of your face and then gradually get longer.
Small changes can make a big difference when it comes to your hair. Avoid these three haircuts if you feel something isn’t working and like you’re stuck in a rut.
