Stylists Say These Are the Best Hairstyles for Women Over 60

Carrie Butterworth, a freelance hairstylist in New York City, suggests that women with long, thick hair get layers along the bottom, instead of around the face. “This will release a lot of the visual and literal weight of the hair. When thick hair has no layers, it almost resembles a blanket and has no style of movement,” she says.

Butterworth advises getting bangs only if you have a high forehead, otherwise, they can draw more attention to facial imperfections. “If you’re worried about forehead lines, a very long bang that can be swept to the side is a good option,” Butterworth says. “It’s like a nice little bit of window dressing for the face.” We like how Rashida Jones’s bangs emphasize her cheekbones. And because they’re a different length, they don’t hide her eyes.

Putting your hair through the heat styling and chemical processing ringer can make aging strands look older. Try a cropped cut similar to the one Viola Davis sports. It eliminates the need for those damaging, breakage-inducing practices so hair looks healthy and youthful, says Rodney Cutler, founder and lead stylist of Cutler Salons in New York City.

Cutler says the phrase “wash and wear” is worth mentioning to your stylist. This will help them understand the low-maintenance look you’re after. “Your stylist should keep the sides and back a little tighter and closer to your face to prevent looking unfinished or grown out. The amount to leave on the top depends on your individual style and facial features,” he explains.

Forget what you thought about long hair past the age of 40—thick hair actually looks more youthful and polished when it falls shoulder-length or longer. Shorter hair has a tendency to expand at the ends, leaving you with an unflattering triangle effect. When hair falls past the shoulders, however, the extra hair will weigh it down and prevent that from happening, says hairstylist Edgar Parra. So, ask for minimal, face-framing layers. In terms of length, Parra says it should be no shorter than your shoulders, but the maximum length depends on your face shape—ask your stylist what they’d recommend.

There’s a reason many older women choose to have chin-length hair, instead of longer tresses: “Long hair drags the eyes down, emphasizing drooping facial features,” Butterworth says. “A shorter cut is a non-surgical facelift that draws the eye away from facial imperfections.” We love how Jane Fonda’s small curls frame her face and perk up her features, adding to the “lifting” effect.

If you have wavy hair, you’re in luck. “Wavy hair has a fantastic texture to have, as you have the option to wear it straight,” Butterworth says. She suggests having your hairstylist blow out your hair straight and check your haircut for any heavy spots when you wear it natural.

Play around with face-framing layers to give your hair some softness and movement. Layers can also make your hair appear to be more luscious and healthy. Parra recommends asking your stylist for perimeter layers that are cut in a straight line. Parting your hair down the middle, like Teigen, will help frame your face, too.

Butterworth recommends layers for curly hair. “Layers will release the weight of the hair and show off the beautiful natural texture of the curl,” Butterworth says. Beyonce’s short and long layers add dimension to her cut, while also flattering her oval-shaped face. Butterworth likes to apply Oribe’s Curl Control Silkening Creme to curls. Detangle your hair with a wide-tooth comb to get some definition. But don’t touch your hair while it’s wet—this can make it frizz, Butterworth warns. Instead, “squeeze your hair gently once it’s dry to break up the product and to have a softer look.”

Length is no friend to limp locks, since it adds weight to your hair, killing volume at the root and body along the hair’s length. “But a shorter style, like Priyanka Chopra’s, will prevent hair from falling completely flat and soften very angular features,” Cutler says. 


Ask for layered, side-swept bangs, a shoulder-grazing length for the rest of your hair, and a deep side part, which Cutler says will add to the illusion of fuller hair. “A great rule of thumb is to separate the bangs at the highest point of your eyebrow arch to accentuate your eyes,” he adds.

Helen Reavey, a renowned hairstylist and founder of Act+Acre, a vegan-friendly, natural hair care line, says that shorter, bolder hairstyles, like Tilda Swinton’s, are great for older women because they frame your face with tight sides and a voluminous top. If you have thin hair, you can ask your stylist to cut at the ends to create more volume and movement.

A chin-length cut gives off the illusion of fullness, and the shape of the cut will make your hair feel fuller, says Jay Vosper, master stylist at Dop Dop Salon in New York City. But keep it modern with an edgy bob like Charlize Theron, says Dominick Pucciarello, celebrity stylist and hairstylist at Mizu Salon in New York City, to avoid a matronly look. Ask your stylist to cut into the ends of the hair to create more volume and give it an uneven edge that will come off as fresher and more flattering than a blunt bob, says Pucciarello.

Oily roots quickly look drab and lifeless, even dirty, especially if you have fine hair. Vosper suggests going for an asymmetrical cut like Helen Mirren’s. “The asymmetry and deep side part provide the hair with lift and fullness, whereas a middle part would draw more attention to oiliness,” she explains. Bonus: The cut will also enhance a strong bone structure, like your cheekbones, which tend to pop more with age thanks to decreasing fat in your cheeks. Just be sure to mention that you don’t want too sharp of a cut. Precise chops can make you look more severe and dated.

Grey hair tends to be coarse in texture and stringy, therefore, you don’t need to add more texture to it. Butterworth suggests getting some choppy layers, like Diane Keaton, to lighten up and modernize your look. We also love that Keaton’s straight and sleek hair makes her look sophisticated. “I would suggest getting either a keratin treatment or using a flatiron. To limit damage, use a mask weekly, and don’t turn the iron too high. Plus, get regular trims every eight weeks,” Butterworth says.

“As we get older, our hair tends to be more prone to frizz and static,” says Cutler. Many women who struggle with frizz think having long hair will help, but managing it becomes more challenging the longer your hair gets. Your best bet is to get a hairstyle like Eve Mendes, which extends a few inches past her shoulders. At this manageable length, you’ll be able to keep the frizz under control, which will in turn make your strands appear stronger and healthier.

Ask your stylist for a cut that falls between the collarbone and the bust line and ask about incorporating frizz-reducing styling products, like Redken’s Frizz Dismiss Rebel Tame Heat Protective Leave-In Cream to your day-to-day beauty routine to restore shine and moisture to the hair.

Loose waves can be younger-looking than tight curls, and they add texture and volume without weighing you down. We like Julia Louis Dreyfus’ shoulder-length cut because it emphasizes fullness at the bottom. You can also ask your stylist to add layers to help shape your hair.

Playing with highlights comes with some experience, but working with your stylist will help you find the best hues that work your angles. Laura Dern’s face-framing tresses come in a variety of golden shades to create more dimension in her look. We love that richness in her hair color makes her locks truly pop.

Katie Couric’s feathered layers are proof that bobs don’t only work with razor-sharp edges. This haircut is particularly great for women with thinning hair because it creates the illusion of volume and gives your locks more movement.

Kristen Wiig’s dual-toned haircut shows her roots in the best possible way. The darker parts match her bold brunette eyebrows, while the platinum blonde bob makes her look edgy and modern. It’s also a great way to mask grays if that’s something you’re looking to do!

Kris Jenner’s asymmetrical pixie cut and side-swept bangs frame her oval-shaped face perfectly. Ideal for those looking for a no-fuss cut, this chic and androgynous look makes it easy to style every morning.

Without added volume, straight hair can sometimes feel flat. But that doesn’t mean you need to reach for the curling iron if you have naturally straight hair. Gillian Anderson’s pushed-back style brings more life and movement to her straight hair while accentuating her cheekbones and facial structure.

Incorporating silver streaks into your hair is a great way to frame your face while transitioning to fully gray. Jodie Foster’s silver pieces are strategically placed to light up her face and give more dimension to her sleek bob. Plus, her deep side part adds extra drama, making her short hair appear fuller and thicker.