The Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 50 (2024)

Many of us spend our lives growing our hair, only to lop it all off when we reach a “certain age.” Something of an unspoken rite of passage; in the past, women may have have felt obliged to limit their hair’s length as they hit middle age. But if the first few of years in the 2020s have given us anything (anything at all), it’s a welcome move towards embracing our true selves, shunning societal expectations around how we “should” look in favor of what makes us feel good. The option to grow waist-length hair at 70 is very much a part of that.

“We are moving away from the ideology that women of a certain age need to have their hair cut short,” agrees Dom Seeley, Color Wow's international creative director. “It’s all about what makes you feel confident; what defines your style and personality. There is nothing wrong with going short when you get older, but don’t conform to society’s beliefs about how you should feel or look.”

Those in the public eye sporting long hair are reason enough to consider all avenues when it comes to your hairstyle at 50 and beyond. The list is rather exhaustive: Sarah Jessica Parker, Monica Bellucci, Julianne Moore, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jennifer Lopez, and Naomi Campbell all wear their hair below their shoulders. “Jane Seymour has a soft fringe graduation around the face and great color, while Michelle Pfeiffer’s hair is soft and wavy, always worn slightly tousled,” says hairstylist Paul Edmonds. “All of these women look great for their age, without trying to look like they’re 20.”

The one rule of long hair—whatever your age, but especially as you get older—is to ensure it is in excellent shape. It’s easy enough to look after cropped hair, but as it grows, more attention needs to be paid to the mid-lengths and ends to prevent hair from looking unhealthy and dull. Instead of a rigid schedule of trims every six weeks, Seeley advises staying in tune with your own hair and its habits. “Everyone’s hair grows differently, and how you look after or maintain it factors into how often you need to cut it, too,” he says. “I think a more proactive approach is to think of a broader timeframe than the regimented six weeks.”

The Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 50 (2024)

FAQs

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 should I wear my long hair in my 50s? ›

Soft Waves. A modern, crimped-style wave adds pretty texture to long lengths. Plus, the added volume throughout the ends gives you the thickness that can be lost as we age. "Any time you can add softness through texture you'll instill a more youthful look.

What hairstyle is best for a woman over 50 with a long face? ›

Shoulder-length haircuts are often the most flattering style for a long face, no matter whether your hair is straight or wavy. But watch out if your hair is quite fine - longer styles tend to suit those with thicker hair. A blunt fringe might be a way to get round this though as it'll help to pad out your cut.

Is long hair good for women over 50? ›

Long hair is now more than just a sign of youth and fertility. Instead, a lot of women over 50 are embracing the length and style of their natural hair as a way to express themselves and feel more confident.

Which hair length makes you look younger? ›

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.

What hairstyle suits a 55 year old woman? ›

While pixie cuts and bobs beautifully frame a mature face, so can lobs, medium-length cuts, and long, back-grazing strands. “I like to say 50 is the new 40 — hair is all about expression and individual personality,” says celebrity hairstylist Angelo David, owner of Angelo David Hair Salon in New York City.

Should a 60 year old woman wear long hair? ›

Frequently Asked Questions. 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.

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

Are bangs in for 2024? ›

Curtain bangs continue their trend cycle domination; we named them as one of the biggest hair trends for 2024, and Carpenter's fringe is the perfect example, especially when paired with her enviable blowout.

Do chubby faces look better with long or short hair? ›

Long Hair for a Slim Look

If your hair are long, don't make them short because length of your hair conceals roundness of your face. Long hair, whether straight or wavy, both work for a chubby face.

Should long faces have short or long hair? ›

Go short. If you fancy going for a short style, you could go for a look which keeps the face framing pieces longer to pull the style down and avoid too much height at the crown. Asymmetrical styles with precision cut angles ensure facial features are highlighted and the face shape is effortlessly complimented.

How to style long hair after 50? ›

Try switching the part to create a little lift at the roots and height at the crown. Center parts are trending for long hair, and that's noticeable in celeb photos. However, an off-center part — even slightly off-center — is more flattering to most women and gives the same look.”

When should women 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.

Is long hair in style in 2024? ›

'In 2024, I can see long layered hair making a comeback,' Eagland agrees, who has noticed an uplift in clients asking to maintain their hair length again of late.

What hair length is most slimming? ›

As far as hairstyles that make your face look thinner go, long hair is one of the easiest options. "Long hair instantly slims most face shapes. Think about getting semi-permanent hair extensions to speed up the process," says Lopez.

What hair length is most attractive on a girl? ›

Traditionally, long hairstyles are associated with femininity and it's thought that most men prefer them on women. A poll of 3,000 men by The Daily Mail in 2008 found that an overwhelming 43% of men preferred a long and wavy hairstyle.

Do I look older or younger with short hair? ›

Does short hair make you look younger or older? The right short cut can take years off your look when it flatters your facial features, complements your face shape, and celebrates your hair texture. But dramatic cropped cuts can age you if they expose flaws, lack softness, or overpower petite features.

Does longer or shorter hair look thinner? ›

The main reason is that shorter styles are less likely to accentuate your hair's thin appearance, especially at the ends. The longer your thin hair is, the thinner it will look.

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