4 Chic, Easy Updos Women Over 40 Should Try To Instantly Look 10 Years Younger

Not Too High, Or Tight 

When trying to capture a youthful appearance, you want to make sure that you aren’t pulling too tightly on your hair, which can make your features appear harsh and gaunt. “Messy buns that are loose in nature can make you look really youthful. This is especially the case when you have a few wispy hairs coming forward onto the face,” explains Abdullah. “Just sweep your hair back and use a hair tie to create a loose bun. Make sure it’s not so high so that you can see the bun from the front. High messy buns look like grandma trying to be chic.”

Small Pompadour

Giving your hair a boost will help to liven up your appearance and provide a little more intrigue than a typical bun. “A variation of the messy bun is to have a very small pompadour created in the front, and wispies on the side. This look is cute and classy at the same time. Just use a few bobby pins to give some height to your forelock and sweep the rest back into a loose bun,” says Abdullah.

Loose French Braid

While tight braids can appear matronly and harsh, a loose braid can offer that effortless, romantic look perfect for date night or a day in the park. “We’re not going for the round-the-head look here. That’s old! Craft your loose braid only on one side and wrap the tail around your messy bun in the back. If you already have a side-swept bang, it will work perfectly on the side where the braid is,” suggests Abdullah.

Back Roll

Another alternative to the basic bun, this chic style looks complex and effortless while being easy to pull off. “In lieu of a messy bun, you can roll the back up and pin it. But again, keep the look loose, especially on the sides. Long bangs work great here, too,” says Abdullah. Make sure to pull out a few face framing pieces and you’re good to go!