The way someone styles their hair can oftentimes inadvertently add years to their appearance (or take them off). To learn more, we reached out to professional hairstylists and experts to help uncover four common (and easy-to-do) hairstyle mistakes that can make someone look older than they are. From harsh haircuts to damaging styling habits, these common missteps may also be contributing to faster hair thinning and loss, which is associated with age.
Read on to find out what you can do to combat these age-adding faux pas and keep your locks feeling youthful, and looking vibrant, voluminous and beautiful. We gathered tips, suggestions and insight from Gina Rivera, celebrity hair stylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites and Ghanima Abdullah, stylist, cosmetologist and hair expert at The Right Hairstyles.
4 Common Styling Errors To Avoid For Healthier, Youthful Hair:
1. Keeping Hair Too Long Without Upkeep
Rocking longer tresses can certainly be done at any age, but without the right upkeep, Abdullah warns that flatter locks and split ends can make someone look older without even realizing. "If your hair is thinning, try to keep the length between shoulder and ear length," she advises.
She notes that it will look "fuller and more youthful" this way. "If your hair is too long, it looks even more thin, which can age you considerably," she points out.
Rivera says that there are "so many factors that come into play" when selecting a look for a mature woman. "Keep in mind that there are great looks which may be worn at any age, however, a good guideline for mature beauties is to select a look that softens the features," she suggests.
Face framing styles are great for this purpose, while "long straight hair may sharpen the features rather than soften them," she adds. "Always be mindful that there is a point where long straight hair can contribute to the features looking more prominent and drawn," Rivera emphasizes.
2. Not Taming Frizz
A natural loss of estrogen can "cause your hair to become more fine," with age, Abdullah says, and "that can mean it is more prone to frizz." While volume is associated with youthfulness and can highlight your best features, frizz can do the opposite, she points out.
To tackle this and still promote volume, she stresses that it's important to choose a product that won't weigh your hair down while addressing frizziness. "Even if you never had to before, try a leave-in conditioner," she suggests.
"As long as it's lightweight, it will coat your strands so that you can avoid frizz, but your hair won't be weighed down," Abdullah recommends. Additionally, she says that a "few drops of jojoba oil after blow drying can do the same trick."
3. Ironing Out The Body
If you frequently straighten your hair, Abdullah urges not to start ironing your locks right at the roots as this can make your style look flatter and thinner. "If you like your locks to be straight, start at mid-length with your flat iron instead," she suggests. "When you iron the roots, your hair might look too flat, and therefore older," she warns.
However, "starting at mid-length and moving to the tips" will help you "keep some volume," she continues. For another pro tip, she says to "flat iron your hair going up, away from the scalp, instead of down," as this also adds volume and fullness to the body.
4. Bleaching Down To The Roots
Bleaching or coloring "all the way down to the roots" is a big no-no, Abdullah stresses, if you want to look younger and prevent thinning or faster hair loss at the same time. "If the hair dye or bleach reaches the scalp, it can cause damage to the scalp, which can then cause hair thinning," she says.
To avoid this, and "bleaching and coloring improperly," Abdullah recommends always "getting chemical treatments done at the salon" rather than trying them yourself at home. "Thinning can also be caused by other chemical treatments like perms if done incorrectly," she explains.
Overall, in terms of choosing a style that is best for you, Rivera concludes that it's "important to keep in mind that each person is an individual, as are their features."
With this said, it’s "best to work with a salon professional who is trained to look at facial shapes, as well as facial features, and can assist with selecting the right style," she notes.
