This article has been updated since its initial publish date to include more expert insight.
There are a lot of beauty “rules” that people will try to make you believe are necessary to follow once you’ve blown out a certain number of birthday cake candles. The only real rule though is that you should style your hair and do your makeup in ways that make you feel your most confident (and the same goes for your clothing choices, of course).
If you’re over 40 and are rocking hair down past your waist, do your thing. But if you’re contemplating changing your hair style because you don’t feel like it’s working for you — but you can’t quite place your finger on WHY you feel that way — these tips may be just want you’re looking for.
We checked in with Madeline Hall, hair stylist and makeup artist at Hourglass Waist and Dani Everson, professional hair stylist at Clementine’s Salon, who both shared four hairstyles that are “unstylish” and may not be as flattering as they could be as we mature. But she also offers tip on how to make small changes to your hair that will have a big impact.
Unstylish Cut #1: The “Mom Bob”
Hall describes the “mom bob” as a very blunt, chin-length bob that is often cut straight across. While an iteration of this style looks great on Taylor Swift, it can also "be aging," Hall says, "because it emphasizes the jawline and can make the face look wider."
Now, obviously, if those are features that you want to highlight, or if you’d welcome making it look like your face is wider, this may be the perfect cut for you.
#2: Heavy, Blunt Bangs
“Bangs that are too thick and straight across can be aging because they can draw attention to forehead wrinkles and create a harsh, severe look,” Hall says. While Jessica Biel certainly pulls off thicker, blunt fringe, it can be a risky cut for mature beauties.
#3: Overly Layered Hair
Layers can be great for adding movement and volume to hair like here on Juliette Lewis, Hall stresses, but "too many layers" can create a dated, feathered look that can age you. Think: ‘80s hair at its choppiest.
#4: Super-Long Hair
“While some women can pull off long hair well into their 40s and beyond, it can also be aging if it's not well-maintained,” Hall says. “Overly long hair can drag down the face and body, creating a tired, weighed-down look.”
If you love your hair long, just make sure that you are getting it trimmed every six to eight weeks and using hydrating conditioners and hair masks to keep it shiny and manageable.
#5: Baby Bangs
While Emma Roberts looks edgy and cool with baby bangs, Everson cautions mature ladies that this cut may have an adverse effect.
"I love bangs and think everyone has their own special length that enhances their features," she says, adding that "no two bangs are the same," and if you are looking to get bangs, to "opt for a long hairstyle that will help hide forehead wrinkles."
Baby bangs, she stresses, can "overshare someone's wrinkle story," drawing the eye to sagging skin rather than creating a look that has an upwards or lifting effect. "The right length of bangs can help make someone's appearance youthful, but too short borders the line between baby-ish and also aging," she advises.
Get These Cuts Instead
If you want to look more youthful and fresh, Hall recommends a few different cuts depending on your hair type and face shape. Her top favorite choices include:
#1: Layered, Shoulder-Length Cut
You don’t have to cut your hair super-short to look fresher, but adding strategic layers helps make sense of longer lengths. And keeping your hair no longer than shoulder-length (like on Selena Gomez above) also helps ensure it stays healthy.
“This can add volume and movement to your hair, while still framing your face in a flattering way,” Hall says. “Ask your stylist to create long layers that start at your cheekbones and blend down into the ends of your hair.
#2: Soft, Face-Framing Layers
"If you prefer to keep your hair longer, adding soft, face-framing layers can be a great way to create a more youthful look,” Hall says. Jennifer Aniston is known to rock this style. “Ask for layers that start around your chin and blend down into the rest of your hair,” she adds.
#3: Long Bob (Or "Lob")
Although the “mom bob” may prove a little too severe looking, the beautiful thing about a bob is that it’s totally customizable to your face shape and features. And if you want to retain a little length, consider a long bob, or lob, like Ciara.
“This is a slightly longer version of the classic bob that falls just above the shoulders,” Hall says. “It can be a great option if you want a more modern, stylish look that's still easy to maintain.”
#4: Sideswept Bangs
If you're looking to add some bangs to your look, consider sideswept bangs that are longer at the sides and shorter in the middle, Hall recommends. “This can create a soft, face-framing effect that's less harsh than blunt bangs,” she says. See above on Carrie Underwood.
The Bottom Line
There’s no better time than the present to make a fun change to your hair. Whether you opt for layers, a lob, or a simple side-swept bang that calls attention to your eyes and cheekbones, there are so many amazing (and relatively minor!) ways to give your hair a major boost.
