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The 4 Most Aging Hairstyles Women Over 50 Should Skip—Plus 4 Fresh Ones To Try

January 22, 2025 by Lisa Cupido

 
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You can’t put your finger on it, but something doesn’t feel right about your current hairstyle. The problem isn’t always your hairstylist or the haircut itself — but some other indescribable element that makes it appear as if it’s not the right haircut for you.

This becomes even more mystifying if it’s the same haircut you have been sporting for years or even decades that always made you feel your best.

The truth is our hair changes over time, just as our facial structure and even features can change over time. If you’re over 50, you may require a look that takes your changing hair concerns in mind, as well as a haircut and style that gives your face more lift and opens up the eyes. These are the four most aging hairstyles that many women over 50 should skip — plus four fresh haircuts and styles that can be more flattering.

Skip: Very Short Pixies


Sometimes, when women notice their hair starting to thin, they jump ship on long hair and even medium haircuts and head straight to the shortest pixie they can get. Their hearts and logic are in the right place: they assume that shorter means easier to conceal thinning and sparseness. But if you go too short, you can actually make sparse bald patches appear more evident.

Try: Pixie With Long Layers on Top


Keep the chic pixie — it’s a winner and very trendy right now — but add longer layers on top. These longer pieces can be styled so that they cover sparseness and they’ll always succeed in giving you a softer look.

Skip: Long, Straight Hair


It can be difficult to let go of long hair — and no one is saying you have to do that. Longer hair can look amazing on mature women, but it’s important to keep your hair in a good, healthy state. For many of us, that will mean getting a cut or trim to remove split ends and create lift and movement. Another way to achieve body is by ditching the flat irons and adding more — not less — texture to your hair.

Try: Medium Haircut with Layers


A medium haircut that reaches around your shoulders or slightly longer isn’t so short that you’ll feel like you’ve cut all your hair off, but it’s short enough to provide a lift. The addition of layers really helps boost your hair’s volume and movement.

Skip: Heavy, Blunt Fringe


Heavy, blunt fringe has a square shape that can appear harsh on your face and features. If your hair is thinning, this style can also pull too much from your hair, making it look less dense.

Try: Jane Birkin Bangs


Get on board with one of this season’s hottest fringe trends: a tribute to Jane Birkin with medium-density bangs that are slightly layered for a wispier effect.

Skip: Blunt, Boxy Bobs


There are few bobs that aren’t on this season’s trendy list. But if you want movement in your hair, the blunt, boxy bob isn’t the one that’s going to get you to that promise land. This style is chic, for sure, but lacks layers and can sit flat while looking square and possibly too harsh.

Try: Bob With Curtain Bangs


The chin-length bob is a perfect haircut for mature women and anyone with thin or fine hair. Add curtain bangs, which are long bangs that frame the face, and you instantly provide more texture, shape, and movement to your hair.

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