The balance between long and short hair can be perfectly struck with a medium-length haircut, providing an appealing and adaptable option for those seeking style. Individuals with thin or fine hair can especially benefit from this length as it can create the impression of thicker locks.
In order to optimize the impact of a medium-length cut over 40, it is vital to consider one’s face shape and individual preferences. This might involve integrating face-framing layers or bouncy curls and waves. Thankfully, a group of professional stylists have aided in the curation of a selection of five medium haircuts that are both stylish and refined, ushering in a new, refreshing look for spring and summer.
Read on for suggestions and tips from the pros: Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles, Gina Rivera, celebrity hair stylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites, Cindy Marcus, professional hair stylist and editor-in-chief of Latest Hairstyles and Lauren Udoh and Krysta Guerrero, owner and stylist at Base Salon Chicago.
5 Face-Framing, Voluminous, Medium-Length Haircuts For Spring & Summer 2024
1. Lob With Curtain Bangs
A lob (a.k.a. long bob) paired with center-parted curtain bangs is a look that never goes out of style for a reason, Abdullah says. "Curtain bangs are often used to frame the face and specifically, to give it a youthful appearance," she explains.
She notes that these bangs, which January Jones rocks above, "are a classic baby-doll look" that also looks great on "mature women." The style, she says, is easy to achieve and "looks great on everyone and on most hair types."
Curtain bangs ultimately can "hide thinning at the crown and make your face appear smaller and slimmer when they come down to cheek level," she points out.
If you want longer curtain bangs and to keep your length overall, pairing them with a lob rather than a bob or pixie is a great way to maintain the long look you want without sacrificing volume.
2. Asymmetrical Lob
If you want a cut with plenty of volume and a standout quality, look no further. Rivera swears by a blunt asymmetrical lob for women over 40 especially, as seen on Rose Byrne, due to its ability to "keep the fullness at the ends which is great for fine, thin hair." When dealing with thin hair with age, she says, you want to "avoid hairstyles that have a lot of layers, as this can make the hair collapse and appear thinner."
Lobs are also great, she says, because you can "add volume by styling them appropriately." Blunt hairstyles can make hair appear fuller. "A good rule of thumb is keeping the length from shoulders and above, she advises.
She suggests a deep-parted asymmetrical lob to try since its "changing lengths in the hair make it a very trendy and current style," while also being timeless.
3. Wispy Layered Shag
This shaggy wolf lob, as Marcus tells us, is one to watch for spring and summer 2024 trends, as it is flattering, edgy and can suit thicker hair types or textures. “One popular look for spring and summer is a shaggy lob,” she says.
“The lob is certainly making a comeback, however many are changing this look to a more modernized style. The layered lob is an example of this.” She adds that the layers, seen here on Halle Berry, will “provide movement and create a stylish, flirty yet age appropriate look.”
This style would work well on women with thicker hair, as “over layering fine hair will actually provide the opposite outcome,” she stresses. “This look is for someone looking for movement and texture at a shorter length,” she points out.
4. Italian Lob
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 lob cut. This style is inspired by Old Hollywood and is a 'do that stylish stars like Salma Hayek are currently opting for.
The Italian lob takes the traditional lob 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.
"This style flatters all face shapes but especially looks great on round faces because of its edge-defining properties," Smith says. "The shape can be customized to individual preferences to create an ultra-flattering look for any occasion."
5. 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 Kristen Stewart's is very in for spring and summer, 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 it's always 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." Good to know!
The Bottom Line
Thankfully, there is an abundance of chic, layered and face-framing hairstyles that women over 40 can experiment with beyond the five listed here.
When you decide to visit the salon to prepare for this summer with a hair makeover, Abdullah suggests bringing along some pictures of styles that catch your eye to see what works well with your hair and facial features.
Educating yourself on various options will help you make a well-informed decision!
