10 Youthful Hairstyles That Are Truly Age-Defying (2024)

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  • Hair

From pixie cuts to long, angled layers.

By

Victoria Moorhouse

10 Youthful Hairstyles That Are Truly Age-Defying (1)

Victoria Moorhouse

Victoria Moorhouse is a writer, editor, and consultant based in Brooklyn, New York who focuses on beauty, fitness, and health. Victoria was previously the Senior Beauty Editor at InStyle.com and a Senior Editor at POPSUGAR. Her work can also be found in notable publications such as Shape.com, The Zoe Report, Forbes.com, and Well+Good. She graduated from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Professional Writing.

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Updated on March 6, 2024 @ 04:04PM

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10 Youthful Hairstyles That Are Truly Age-Defying (2)

Finding the perfect, most flattering haircut is a challenge for all ages. You want a style that is going to make you feel your most confident, flatter your features, and help you look your best. "When we age, we want to have a more glowing effect with our skin and our hair," says expert Natascha Hemple. "When I have clients that want to change their look to appear more youthful, I ask them what they dislike about their look now. Then, I focus on their face shape and the areas that seem to make them look older." But going back to the cut you had when you felt your youngest probably isn't the best route to go. So instead, test out the ageless styles that Hemple and fellow expert Brian Zinno recommend.

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Long Pixie Cut

10 Youthful Hairstyles That Are Truly Age-Defying (3)

Hemple recommends trying a shortcut with some volume, like Halle Berry's long pixie here. Her pro tip? Keep the strands tousled and soft, rather than spikey.

02of 10

Stacked Bob

10 Youthful Hairstyles That Are Truly Age-Defying (4)

Try a stacked bob that is shorter in the back and longer in the front like Cameron Diaz's cut here. Hemple says that the asymmetric cut will complement practically any face shape. Plus you can wear it straight, curly, or tousled.

03of 10

Pixie Cut

10 Youthful Hairstyles That Are Truly Age-Defying (5)

"A lived-in pixie that has a little length around the face is a flattering style for short hair. It's particularly youthful because it's a no-fuss hairstyle," says Zinno. He adds it works on many face shapes, and is particularly low-maintenance, which means you don't have to stress about styling it every single day. When looking for a celeb picture to bring to the salon, we think Kris Jenner is a no-fail option.

04of 10

Tousled Bob Cut

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If you're most comfortable with bob-length hair, go for a chin-grazing style that incorporates layers. "It's youthful because while it's a bob length, the layers around the face keep it soft and flowing without the usual angular lines of a bob, and the layers in the crown or around the perimeter give lift and movement." We love Viola Davis's soft, layered, and tousled bob, while Zinno says that Helen Mirren is another example of this gorgeous look.

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Shoulder-Length Cut With Layers

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"Jennifer Aniston has had this length, and what makes it look youthful is when the ends are shattered to keep it from looking blunt and heavy around the perimeter," says Zinno.

He suggests longer angles around the face and below the jawline to keep the look flowing and soft.

06of 10

Medium-Length Cut with Long Layers

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Eva Longoria has also demonstrated soft, shattered angles in the past, which she seamlessly wore between sleek and straight styles and in effortless, loose waves. Hemple says long layers always give off a youthful appearance. She adds that off-center or side parts that "fall naturally in place can make the eyes seem wider to give you a more youthful appearance."

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Medium-Length Cut with Side Fringe

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"A favorite timeless hairstyle for long hair is cascading layers flowing from a shorter length around the face — a long fringe or side bang — to longer to the back," says Zinno. "This creates movement in the style and opens up the face." He suggests this cut styled in soft waves just like Julia Roberts.

08of 10

Long Cut with Waves

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As far as how long is too long? Zinno suggests keeping your length around the breastbone area. Hemple adds that waves or bouncy style, like Christie Brinkley's here, "open all facial features to compliment a bright open look that makes you look rested."

09of 10

Low Messy Bun

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Zinno says that youthful-looking updos should be kept slightly undone and casual and never too tight or polished. We love this low coif seen on Keri Russell.

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High Ponytail

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Jennifer Lopez's high, snatched ponytail has a lifting and tightening effect on the face. Curl the ends to give the style a soft, effortless vibe.

Updated by

Tessa Petak

10 Youthful Hairstyles That Are Truly Age-Defying (13)

Tessa Petak

Tessa Petak is a Brooklyn-based writer who helps to cultivate InStyle's illustrious news coverage across a wide range of topics including celebrity, fashion, and entertainment. She also produces and composes celebrity profiles and features for the site and InStyle's digital issues.

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10 Youthful Hairstyles That Are Truly Age-Defying (2024)

FAQs

What hairstyle makes an older woman look younger? ›

Medium-Length Cut with Long Layers

Hemple says long layers always give off a youthful appearance. She adds that off-center or side parts that "fall naturally in place can make the eyes seem wider to give you a more youthful appearance."

What are the four haircut mistakes that instantly make you look older? ›

Jack Miles and Rosie Myers have decades of experience cutting and styling hair. Between them, they have said four types of layers can age someone. These are layers that are too short, layers that are too long, layers that are too uniform, and having too many layers.

What hair length is more youthful? ›

Does short or long hair make you look younger? Long hair can enhance facial features by diverting attention away from wrinkles or age spots and adding volume to your hair. Short hair does not need to age you, though, as the style and texture of shorter hairstyles can add a youthful appearance.

Which hair part makes you look younger? ›

The Center Part

"The middle part is one of the most fashionable hair trends," Bergamy tells us. "It gives a more youthful look without looking childish." It tends to work best on faces that are more or less symmetrical, but can also help elongate shorter, wider face shapes.

What color hair makes you look younger? ›

Ten out of ten colorists agree, shades that are warm-toned read more youthful than cool-toned hair colors. Spicy copper reds, rich caramel brunettes, and soft honey blondes will warm up your complexion for younger-looking skin (hold the retinol).

Does shoulder length hair make you look younger or older? ›

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.

Does a bob make you look younger or older? ›

According to Thompson and Wilson, a bob is not only universally flattering but is also one of the hairstyles that make you look younger because “it softens facial features and opens up the face,” which, in turn, reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

What is the best haircut for a 65 year old woman? ›

We find it hard to choose between the pixie cut and the bob, both of which are very popular with women over 60. Pixie cuts have lots of sass, while the bob is incredibly versatile and can be smooth, feathered, side-parted, or flicked out at the ends.

What is the bixie haircut? ›

The Bixie haircut is a hybrid style that combines the best elements of a short bob with the texture of a pixie cut. It typically features shorter layers at the nape of the neck with a slight graduation and then longer, more textured layers towards the crown and fringe.

Do bangs really make you look younger? ›

The idea that bangs make you look like a child or too old is a common hair myth. The reality is that there are so many ways to style bangs. Each and every one of these styles brings a youthful energy to your look in a different way. Bangs can be chic, sweet, sultry — it's all in how you style them.

What makes a face look younger? ›

Sun protection.

Protecting your face from the sun is the single best way of keeping it youthful. Much of the damage comes from the UVA part of the light spectrum, so you need to put on sunscreen that protects against it and UVB light, which causes sunburn. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat is also a good idea.

At what age should a woman stop wearing long hair? ›

Age should never be the deciding factor behind a haircut.

You may decide it's time for a new look, and a short style might just offer that. But equally it might not! The only factors to consider should be your face shape, lifestyle, hair texture and, most importantly, what will make you feel great.

What hairstyle ages you? ›

12 Hairstyles That Make You Look Older, According to Stylists
  • Tight, stiff hairdos.
  • Blunt, short haircuts.
  • Extremely long hair.
  • Thick and blunt bangs.
  • Thin and short bangs.
  • Flat hair.
  • Teased hair.
  • Wispy layers.
Jan 2, 2024

What is the most flattering hair length for over 50? ›

THE 9 BEST HAIRSTYLES FOR WOMEN OVER 50
  • Chin-length bob. ...
  • Shoulder-length waves. ...
  • Textured crop. ...
  • Sleek lob. ...
  • Soft pixie cut. ...
  • Asymmetrical bob. ...
  • Textured fringe. ...
  • How does menopause affect women's hair? Menopause includes several hormonal shifts, notably a decline in oestrogen and progesterone levels, which can impact hair health.

Are side parts outdated? ›

After years of the side part being dubbed "uncool," the look is having another moment in the spotlight in 2024 with stars like Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa and Eva Longoria sporting the style at recent events — and the switch-up is good news for your hair.

What is the best hair length for a 65 year old woman? ›

What is a good hair length for women over 60? While the answer to this is very individual, short haircuts are very popular with women over 60, from cropped pixie cuts to longer bobs. There are no rules, though, and plenty of women choose to keep their locks long.

What is the most flattering hair length for an over 50 female? ›

Shoulder-Length Styles

One of the most versatile and universally flattering hair lengths for women over 50 is shoulder-length.

How can a 60 year old woman look younger? ›

Here are some anti-aging tricks that older adults can use to look younger in their 60s:
  1. Protect Your Skin from Sun Damage. Sun damage is one of the biggest contributors to premature aging. ...
  2. Stay Hydrated. ...
  3. Get Enough Sleep. ...
  4. Use Anti-Aging Skincare Products. ...
  5. Get Regular Check-Ups. ...
  6. Reduce Stress. ...
  7. Wear Bright Colors. ...
  8. Smile.
Feb 2, 2023

How to make old hair look younger? ›

12 Ways to Get Younger Looking Hair
  1. Go easy on wet hair. ...
  2. Keep things cool…. ...
  3. Protect your hair from the sun. ...
  4. Go au natural. ...
  5. Find the Perfect Cut and Opt for Additional Volume. ...
  6. Take your vitamins. ...
  7. Monitor your diet. ...
  8. Consider highlighting instead of all over color.
Jan 20, 2024

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