There is no one haircut or hairstyle that is off limits for everyone. However, if you are a mature woman with hair that feels a little thinner and finer than it used to, you may want to avoid certain hairstyles that can leave your hair looking and feeling less healthy. A medium haircut, generally speaking, is a great choice for older women who don’t want to cut their hair into a super-short pixie or even a bob. It leaves enough length for playing around and tying up into a ponytail or updo, but it’s not so long that it creates a stringy situation in which strands look frail and thin at the ends.
But not all medium haircuts are equally flattering. These three medium haircuts have issues — their shape isn’t likely to do as much as it could for your hair. But we included two more styles that will fit the bill.
1. Avoid: One Layer
Even though a medium haircut won’t have the same weight at its ends as longer hair, there’s still only so much you can do to create movement and volume if you’re wearing it in all one layer. One-layered hair can fall flat on top and show signs of sparseness at your scalp (a lack of layers means there’s nothing to play with or style so that you can cover your scalp. Simply put: most people look better with a little bit of layering that creates a shape and style.
2. Avoid: Too Much Bottom Layering
On the other hand, just because you’re adding layers to your medium haircut doesn’t mean the effect will be magical. Great layering requires a great technique. And too much layering on the bottom ends of your hair can make it look thinner — you’ll almost be able to see through your hair if it’s fine.
3. Avoid: Choppy Unconnected Layers
Another potential layering disaster is choppy, unconnected layers that are too short on top and don’t gradually lengthen so that they meet your longest layer. Unless you are purposely going for a mullet look (and if you are, it still needs to be cut and styles properly), your layers should connected in a cohesive way that creates body in your hair and makes it look thicker.
Try: Long Layers and Blunt Ends
Layers and medium hair are always a great idea — just ask your stylist to keep those layers on the longer side and connect them to each other. If you have thin hair, keeping the ends blunt is a smart trick to create a denser look and the illusion of more hair.
Try: Medium Haircut With Bangs
Julia Roberts seems ageless — her hairstyle, which is always classic and simple — has a lot to do with that. A medium haircut with bangs can make your hair look thicker by creating more density around the front and sides of your head, where many women shed hair as they age. There are many bangs styles from which to choose, so work with your stylist to find the best one for you.
