Fall is a great time to refresh your ‘do with a stylish and refined haircut that accentuates your favorite features. For women over 50 looking to transform their look, we’ve curated a selection of seven chic and voluminous hairstyles, inspired by some of the most fashionable mature celebs.
Whether you’re drawn to layered cuts or more sleek styles, these pro stylist-recommended options are perfect for tackling and “hiding signs of” typical hair issues like thinning and loss. Furthermore, they can enhance fine hair by adding fullness, resulting in a gorgeous and luminous hairstyle.
Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and Founder of Phenix Salon Suites and Lauren Udoh, professional hair stylist and Hair Creative Director of WigReports. We also caught up with Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles and Jean Will, hair expert and co-founder of NiaWigs Inc.
7 Face-Framing Haircuts To Try Over 50 That Help Conceal Hair Loss
1. Asymmetrical Bob
For those with fine hair parted in the center seeking to add instant volume, Abdullah suggests going for a dramatic side part reminiscent of Old Hollywood glamour, such as the one seen on Charlize Theron (pictured above). Rivera adds that an asymmetrical cut can help create movement.
"Try a side part instead of a center part, as you can move the hair from one side to the other, as you wish," Abdullah says regarding a classic bob. The added hair going over will increase "volume in the area as well," she adds, especially if your hair is "used to being parted down the center.
"This trick is also great for "hiding signs of thinning in the crown area," where many women notice thinning and hair loss, she goes on. Rivera says that a textured asymmetrical lob or bob is a "terrific choice" for mature beauties," 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."
2. Pixie with Sideswept Bangs
Rivera notes that a great voluminous, layered pixie with sideswept bangs is a timeless and tried-and-true style for women over 50. Halle Berry, a clear fan of this look, exemplifies why it is so popular for many reasons. Pixies like these "offer a lot of movement which always creates the illusion of fullness," Rivera says, which is important if you're struggling with fine, thin locks.
Adding sideswept bangs to a pixie can "also detract from the appearance of fine or limp hair and can add dimension to a style," according to Rivera. Fringe can "be styled in a variety of ways which can lend to the hair appearing fuller." In addition, soft, sweeping strands can also detract attention from any forehead wrinkles or age spots.
3. Face-Framing Lob with Curtain Bangs
Will suggests adding wispy, parted fringe to a classic layered, face-framing lob for not only a more youthful look overall but also to hide any thinning or hair loss at the crown. "This hairstyle is perfect for women over 40," she explains. "It will help hide their forehead [and any signs of wrinkling or natural aging] to look younger. It is suitable for women who have thick hair, as well as thin." Will points out that this style can emphasize your eyes and cheekbones.
Abdullah agrees, adding that this cut, as seen on Kerry Washington, requires longer fringe parted down the center. This "flatters just about any face at any age," she notes. Curtain bangs, she explains, "neatly frame the face while drawing attention away from serious aging signs." This "type of fringe cut creates a soft, natural-looking wave at the top of the head," Abdullah adds and says they are often used to frame the face and "specifically, to give it a youthful appearance." The style is "easy to achieve," Abdullah continues, and "looks great on many different hair types."
Abdullah also points out that curtain bangs will always be in style because they can "make your face appear smaller and slimmer when they come down to cheek level." When it comes to thinning or finer hair specifically, she says that curtain bangs add volume to flat, thinning hair. "The style works well for women who want to hide thinning hair in the front," she adds. Noted!
4. Wavy 'Mob' Cut
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 Cate Blanchett).
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.
5. Shaggy Long Layers
A shag is an "amazing cut that is well-recognized for being versatile," Rivera says. A longer shaggy cut, as seen here on Jennifer Lopez, offers "nice variations for both longer and shorter hair," Rivera points out. She notes that the choice to "add a bang," and especially a voluminous, center-parted fringe can "add a fresh surprise to this look," Rivera suggests.
For ladies with longer hair, she says that "an added choice is to shorten the hair up a bit to the collarbone or above" to create some texture, and adding subtle layers to soften. Will recommends adding wispy fringe to this ‘do for not only a more youthful look overall, but also to hide any thinning or hair loss at the crown.
6. Layered, Piecey Pixie
Abdullah suggests that a layered pixie cut, reminiscent of Jamie Lee Curtis, can be a winning strategy to enhance your facial features and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This hairstyle also boasts the added benefit of being low maintenance while exuding a carefree vibe.
"Ask your stylist about the amount and placement of layers that will help create volume and body in your hair," Abdullah says. She emphasizes that this kind of pixie cut, complete with choppy, strategic layers, retains a voluminous and effortless look, both of which are easy to maintain. With this style, your favorite facial features can be emphasized while exuding a chic and stylish appearance with minimal effort.
7. Long Feathery 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.
The Bottom Line
Rivera suggests that although these seven hairstyles are failsafe options, there are numerous classic, transformative and timeless hairstyles to consider beyond these mentioned. The key to finding your perfect look is understanding your facial structure and seeking guidance from a professional stylist.
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."
