This article has been updated since it published on December 17, 2022.
Admit it: you are craving a major hair change.
Maybe you’ve been styling your hair the same exact way for years. Or perhaps you can’t imagine living without your long hair (but want to freshen it up and give shorter hair a spin). Whatever your reason, a shorter haircut can breathe new life into your look. And if your beauty goals include a glow-up after a certain age, many hair stylists say shorter hair is perfect for highlighting features like your bone structure and jawline and for making the most out of thinning hair. Cindy Marcus, a hairstylist with more than 17 years’ experience who is the editor-in-chief of Latest-Hairstyles.com, recommends three timeless, short haircuts that are especially perfect for women over 40.
Classic Bob
The classic bob is a truly timeless haircut that will always look stunning on a woman over 40. “There are so many great ways to wear a bob to modernize it,” Marcus said. “A favorite of mine which strays from the classic is a layered bob. The layered bob can complement any hair texture as the layers can be cut to accommodate your hair type. If you have thick hair the layers will remove a lot of the bulk. If you have fine hair the layers will create volume and fullness.”
The Lob
If the thought of a bob is a little too extreme for you and you’d prefer to maintain some length, a stylish lob could be the perfection solution. “This cut is by definition a long bob, however, it does not have to be worn too long,” Marcus said. “The perfect length for a lob is just past the shoulders — long enough to be different from a bob, yet still short enough that it is easy to style. This haircut, like the bob, can be very versatile to accommodate your hair texture. This cut is especially great for thicker hair with a natural wave. This look can be styled with a curling iron or wand to achieve a beach wave if you don’t have a natural wave to your hair. Beachy waves are what modernize this look as many styles today rock the beach wave.”
Pixie
Attention anyone with a brave spirit who isn’t afraid to go short: Marcus confirms that the pixie haircut is making an amazing comeback as of late and might be calling your name. “I have seen many different versions of the pixie done recently. A woman over 40 with great cheekbones is someone that can certainly wear this style with confidence,” Marcus said. “The pixie is a cut that is easy to style and maintain, making it very popular for women who do not want the hassle of spending a lot of time on their hair. This style is always great for women with fine hair as its layered, textured style creates movement and volume.”
Bixe
You’re not the only one who loves both the pixie and the bob and can’t make up your mind between the two. That’s where the elegant and fun bixie comes in to save the day. The bixie combines the length of a short bob with the textured pieces of a pixie, which means it’s fantastic for anyone with fine or thinning hair because it ups the ante when it comes to volume. The cut is relatively low maintenance and doesn’t require much upkeep between salons visits. And it’s perfect on any hair type.
Curly Pixie
It can be tempting to fall into the trap of thinking your curly hair has to be kept with some length to honor the shape of those curls, but that’s simply not true. Celebs like Julia Garner, Halle Berry, Halsey, and Taraji P. Henson have all showed up to events looking stunning with super-short curly pixies. Add a curl cream and don’t be afraid to use your fingers to style your curls and add major texture to your short cut.
Short Wolf Cut
The short wolf cut, with or without bangs or curtain bangs, is an edgy haircut with tons of layers around the top of the head. The greatest thing about this trendy cut, seen here on Jenna Ortega, is that there are so many variation on it: you can opt for straight fringe ala Joan Jett, a super-short version that’s low maintenance, or a more textured, dimensional style that plays with your hair’s natural wave or fun highlights.
Ready to make an impactful hair change? Ask your stylist if one of these classic haircuts is the perfect style to suit your hair type, facial features, and lifestyle and then get ready to rock a brand new short ‘do with plenty of spunk.
