Looking more youthful may not be one of your goals — but that doesn’t necessarily mean you want to sport an outdated, old-fashioned haircut or hairstyle, either. Looking your best can involve picking and choosing the trends that you want to try for fun, while adhering to the personal sense of style you’ve authentically cultivated over your lifetime.
For you that may mean: trying a stacked bob, but keeping your blonde hair (no trendy mocha mousse hair colors for you, despite what Pantone loves this year). Or it could mean maintaining brunette hair and not automatically lightening it because you’ve turned 50, but also finding ways to create flattering dimension in your strands. If you want to make a positive change and get a little more with the times, but you aren’t sure where to begin, avoiding these seven haircuts and styles that are considered old-fashioned could be a great place to start.
1. Tight Curls
Any texture — curls or waves — actually creates a more youthful look (call it the Botticelli effect) because it plumps up thinning hair and look more playful and less inhibited. But very tight curls can appear more old-fashioned, so if you’re in the mood to try a more on-trend look, consider loosening your curls or playing around with heatless wave devices.
2. One-Layered Hair
Some hair types can absolutely rock one-layered hair — namely, thick or medium to thick hair. But if your hair is on the thinner side, this style can cause it to fall flat at the crown and look straggly at the ends. Adding a few longer layers is the simplest solution to create body and movement.
3. Wispy Bangs
Bangs can be a wonderful idea for a quick and effective hairstyle change, but wispy bangs can make your hair appear thinner and less youthful. Commit to a fuller bang or consider an alternative like curtain bangs that provides a similar effect to fringe, without the full commitment.
4. Stiff, Teased Hair
Stiff, teased hair will forever remind many of two time periods: the 1960s and the 1980s. There’s no shame in rocking a retro look, plus a little teasing at the roots is gorgeous for making thinning hair look thicker. But too much of a good thing, along with too many spritzes of hairspray, can create an old-fashioned and aging effect.
5. A Perfectly Coiffed Updo
On the one hand, we applaud a perfectly coiffed updo because it evokes glamour. On the other hand, if you are trying to add more casual fun into your look and appear more youthful, this mature style is going to appear sophisticated, high-end, and older — which isn’t a bad thing, let’s keep in mind.
6. Flat Ironed Hair
No one is suggesting that you have to set your hair in rollers or heatless waves every day, but creating a poker-straight hair look with the help of a flat iron feels very early aughts. To boot, if your hair is thinner, it only makes strands appear flatter and less hefty.
7. Dyed Black Hair
Unnaturally dark hair — the kind achieved by a bottle purchased at the pharmacy — can look inky and stark in contrast to your skin as you age. Suddenly, the goth color you were always able to sport without issue may be picking up on new tones in your skin, discoloration, and fine lines. If you love your hair as black as night, you have no reason to change your color. If you feel like you want to try something a little softer, but you aren’t about to go blonde anytime soon, talk to your colorist about gradually lightening up with a few well-placed highlights or balayage.
