Looking to change up your ‘do this spring? We checked in with expert hairstylists who helped us compile a list of nine sought-after, voluminous and face-framing hairstyles favored by celebrities for mature beauties over 50. These styles and cuts cater to many different hair textures, while also featuring choices that highlight the beauty of natural gray hair.
Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Dr. Roshan Vara, hair transplant surgeon and co-founder at The Treatment Rooms, Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles, Gina Rivera, celebrity hair stylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites, Janine Jarman, celebrity hair stylist and founder of Curl Cult, Lauren Udoh, hair stylist and hair creative director of WigReports and Krysta Guerrero, owner and stylist at Base Salon Chicago.
Stylists Share 9 Flattering, Celeb-Fave Haircuts For Mature Beauties To Try This Spring
1. Pixie With Sideswept Bangs
One specific short 'do that can highlight your eyes, cheekbones, and face shape over 50 is a pixie cut with side-swept bangs. "Ever seen a pixie cut where the bangs steal all the attention? This is what you're after: long, side-swept bangs," Abdullah explains. Robin Wright's look above is a great example.
"The rest of your hair should be piece-y and angled. She adds that "the cut should swirl around your head to hide hair loss." Abdullah stresses that a pixie cut with layers still maintains volume that is both gorgeous and easy to manage.
2. Wispy, Wavy Shag
A shag is an "amazing cut that is well-recognized for being versatile," Rivera says. A quintessential shag, as seen on Halle Berry, offers "nice variations for both longer and shorter hair."
Like the bob, "adding a bang can add a fresh surprise to this look," Rivera suggests. Abdullah adds that bangs like these are "often used to frame the face and specifically, to give it a youthful appearance."
She notes that they also "make your hair appear thicker and are a great way to add volume to thinning hair." The style also "works well for women who want to hide thinning hair in the front."
3. Voluminous Italian Bob
If you're looking for a haircut that can make your best features pop while giving your mane an extra boost of volume and bounce, look no further than the Italian bob cut.
This style is inspired by Old Hollywood and is a 'do that stylish stars like Salma Hayek opt for. The Italian bob takes the traditional bob cut to new heights with chunky blunt ends that create an airy, voluminous look that's never heavy or bulky. It also has just the right amount of length to allow for easy styling options as it's long enough to tie up, but short enough to be worn as is.
Udoh says that a medium bob like this is "a sleek and stylish choice for many occasions." She adds that "it's a versatile cut that looks great on almost any face shape and hair type." The length can be "adjusted to complement your features and create an attractive silhouette," she notes.
"This ever-popular bob provides volume at the crown, with textured layers that frame the face nicely while still maintaining an easy-to-manage style," Udoh explains.
4. Asymmetrical Bob
A textured asymmetrical bob (or longer bob as seen here on Charlize Theron) is a "terrific choice" for "mature beauties," Rivera explains, since it’s a perfect blend of classic yet still modern and trendy.
"This style is so hip that it’s perfect for making our ladies in their prime look super chic," she says. "Removing a bit of length from the hair, [adds] movement and creates a youthful appeal." When it comes to styling, Rivera notes that "texturing the hair" creates an "opportunity to remove some of the damaged ends and weight which bring more life to the hair as well."
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."
5. Layered Lob with Curtain Bangs
Jarman points out that layers can instantly enhance your facial features and provide volume, and adding bangs to a textured lob (as seen here on Goldie Hawn), can also 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. She adds that "many of us have hair that gets thinner with age," so adding "texture will help give your look lift and life."
6. Bixie
If you can't decide between a bob or pixie, we have good news. You don't have to! A 'bixie' (or bob-meets-pixie) like Jane Fonda's is very in for spring, and can be a very flattering and chic choice, Guerrero explains.
There are elements of both styles to play with here in this social media-fave cut, and autumn is a great time to find what works for you. "The bixie is a traditional bob haircut that’s combined with a pixie," she says.
"The nice thing about a bixie is its versatility — not only can you adjust the length and opt to have it a little longer, but there is no one way to do it when it comes to the style. The cut is totally customizable based on your preference."
7. Wavy Lob With Sideswept Bangs
Glenn Close's gray shoulder-length bob and side bangs pairing is elegant and timeless. "A longer bob is always very flattering," Vara says regarding beauties over 50, and it is a "great way to grow out your gray hair."
Abdullah adds that long, sideswept bangs like these "add length and volume so you don't have to spend hours styling."
8. Sleek-Straight 'Mob' Cut with Deep Side Part
You're probably already familiar with the classic 'bob' and its longer cousin the 'lob,' so the 'mob' refers to a 'medium bob,' Udoh explains. She deems it to be a "sleek and stylish choice for many occasions."
It's a versatile cut, she adds, that looks "great on almost any face shape and hair type." (See here on Angela Bassett). While traditional bobs often end at the chin and lobs fall at the collarbone, the 'mob' ends in the middle of the neck. "The mob cut can be adjusted to complement your features and create an attractive silhouette," Udoh adds.
This not-too-long and also not-too-short cut provides "volume at the crown, with textured layers that frame the face nicely while still maintaining an easy-to-manage style," she points out.
9. Long, Feathery, 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." If you want to keep your hair longer over 50, Rivera says it is imperative to add layers and/or or face-framing pieces to avoid looking "weighed down" and dull.
She points out that "an added choice is to shorten the hair up a bit to the collarbone or above" to create some texture by "adding subtle layers to soften." The more you know!
