10 Styles That Make You Look Older (Plus 10 That Bring the Youthful Glow Back)

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In the world of beauty and style, your hairstyle can be a game-changer.

It has the power to transform your appearance, often significantly impacting how youthful or mature you seem.

While some hairstyles might inadvertently add years to your look, others can rejuvenate your appearance, giving you that coveted youthful glow.

In this guide, we’ll explore ten hairstyles that may age you and ten that can refresh your look.

Severe Middle Part

Severe Middle Part
© Glaminati

The severe middle part may remind you of a regimented school principal, aiming for strictness and formality.

This style, characterized by its sharp symmetry, can accentuate fine lines and lack softness, potentially adding years. Instead of softening features, it highlights every angle with precision.

Moreover, it often draws attention to the hair’s thinning areas, if any. Those seeking a gentle appearance might find it harsh.

Consider experimenting with side parts or feathered layers to introduce a touch of youthfulness, as these styles tend to soften facial features.

Tightly Pulled Back Bun

Tightly Pulled Back Bun
© www.womansday.com

When hair is pulled tightly into a bun, it can create a severe and unyielding silhouette.

The tension often highlights the skin’s texture around the forehead and temples, making the face appear more angular and mature.

This style, while sleek, can unintentionally spotlight wrinkles and fine lines.

For a more youthful appearance, consider looser buns or soft updos. These alternatives allow for a graceful frame around the face, introducing movement and ease that can subtly rewind the clock.

Blunt Bangs

Blunt Bangs
© The Right Hairstyles

Blunt bangs can be a bold statement but might not be the fountain of youth.

The straight, heavy lines often cover much of the forehead, drawing focus to the eyes and cheeks.

While they can create an edgy look, they might also add a heaviness that contrasts with a young, vibrant appearance.

Opt for wispy or side-swept bangs to introduce softness and lightness. These styles can frame the face gently, adding a playful, youthful element to your overall look.

Grey Hair with No Highlights

Grey Hair with No Highlights
© Pouted Magazine

Embracing grey hair can be empowering, yet a completely uniform grey might age you. Without highlights, grey can appear flat, lacking dimension.

This consistency can subtly emphasize age-related hair thinning.

Adding highlights or lowlights introduces depth, creating a lively and textured appearance.

These enhancements can illuminate features and add a sense of vitality. For those embracing natural grey, consider these techniques to maintain a dynamic and youthful ensemble.

Tight Curls

Tight Curls
© The Right Hairstyles

Tight curls can add vibrancy, yet when excessively structured, they might seem severe. Such curls can overshadow facial features, creating a dense profile that lacks movement and lightness.

This style might inadvertently add years by drawing attention to its rigidity.

For a more youthful look, consider looser waves or voluminous curls. These options soften the appearance, allowing for a natural flow that enhances features while keeping the style lively and fresh.

Short, Stiff Pixie

Short, Stiff Pixie
© Davines Canada

Pixie cuts can be liberating, yet when stiff and unyielding, they might appear too stark. The lack of movement and flow in a short, rigid pixie can highlight facial lines, making the face seem more mature.

A softer pixie, with gentle layers or textured ends, introduces fluidity.

This variation can enliven the face, drawing focus away from lines and onto a radiant, animated expression. Consider these subtle changes for a rejuvenating twist on the classic pixie.

Overly Layered Hair

Overly Layered Hair
© lindaaltierirn

Excessive layers can create a chaotic, unbalanced look.

When layers are overly pronounced, they might draw unwanted attention to the neck and jawline, potentially exaggerating age.

The unevenness can make the hair appear thinner, lacking cohesion and harmony.

Opt for balanced layers that add volume and structure. These harmonized layers can frame the face beautifully, offering a youthful lift and an elegant silhouette that exudes vitality.

Flat, Lifeless Two-Toned Hair

Flat, Lifeless Two-Toned Hair
© marina2011

Two-toned hair can be trendy, but when lifeless and flat, it might inadvertently age you.

The stark contrast between colors can create a harsh division, adding to a tired appearance.

This style often lacks the volume and bounce that signal youthfulness.

To refresh, consider soft balayage or ombre techniques. These methods offer a seamless blend of colors, adding depth and movement, while creating a luminous, lively impression.

Structured Updo

Structured Updo
© Le Journal Catalan

Structured updos are elegant but can feel too formal and rigid, unintentionally adding years.

The lack of softness and movement in such styles often emphasizes the face’s contours and mature lines.

A more relaxed updo, with gentle tendrils or loose braids, introduces a softness that can rejuvenate the overall appearance.

This approach balances elegance with ease, resulting in a youthful, lively look that enhances natural beauty.

Extremely Long, Untamed Hair

Extremely Long, Untamed Hair
© tammyplummer67

Extremely long hair can be striking, but when left untamed, it might age you.

The absence of shape and control can make the hair appear unruly, overshadowing the face’s natural beauty.

Consider adding layers or opting for a more manageable length to introduce structure.

These changes can create a balanced, youthful silhouette, infusing the hair with life and energy that radiates a vibrant charm.

Soft, Side-Swept Bangs

Soft, Side-Swept Bangs
© The Right Hairstyles

Soft, side-swept bangs can breathe life into a look. These gentle strands frame the face delicately, adding a playful yet elegant touch that complements any style.

The lightness and movement of side-swept bangs create a dynamic visual, enhancing youthfulness by softening facial lines.

Whether paired with long layers or a chic bob, these bangs introduce a refreshing vibrancy that can transform your appearance with grace and style.

Loose Waves

Loose Waves
© thehairstyleedit

Loose waves exude a carefree elegance that can rejuvenate any look. Their relaxed movement suggests a youthful, spontaneous spirit, lightening the overall appearance.

The natural flow of these waves adds dimension, creating a beautiful frame for the face that complements various features.

This hairstyle infuses energy and vitality, offering a versatile option that pairs well with multiple hair lengths and textures, always adding a timeless, youthful appeal.

Textured Bob

Textured Bob
© kairagc

The textured bob is a chic, lively choice that radiates youthfulness. Its tousled layers create volume and movement, adding an effortless sophistication.

This cut enhances the face’s natural angles, offering a modern and playful vibe.

Whether worn sleek or slightly undone, the textured bob remains versatile, enhancing youthful exuberance and style.

It provides a fresh, stylish option that suits various occasions, always ensuring a polished yet spontaneous look.

Pixie Cut with Soft Layers

Pixie Cut with Soft Layers
© tiffanyp136

A pixie cut with soft layers introduces a modern twist to a classic style. The gentle, feathered texture adds movement and softness, enhancing a youthful look.

This style highlights the face’s natural beauty while providing a low-maintenance, stylish option.

Its versatile nature allows for various styling choices, from sleek to tousled, catering to personal preference while maintaining its fresh appeal.

The soft layers offer a rejuvenating lift, perfect for those seeking elegance with a contemporary edge.

Balayage Highlights

Balayage Highlights
© First For Women

Balayage highlights add a sun-kissed glow that evokes a sense of perpetual youth. The seamless gradient of colors creates depth and dimension, enhancing the hair’s natural beauty.

This technique offers a subtle transformation, allowing for a customized look that complements the individual’s style.

Balayage not only brightens the face but also introduces a lively, radiant appearance that is both timeless and trendy, making it a favorite for those seeking a fresh, youthful update.

Curly Shag

Curly Shag
© junebugroberts

The curly shag is a vibrant style full of personality and flair. Its layered curls create a playful texture that exudes a carefree spirit, adding an instant youthful glow.

This cut offers versatility, allowing for various styling options that suit different moods and occasions.

With its lively movement and rich volume, the curly shag reinvents classic curls, providing a fresh, modern take that celebrates individuality and youthful exuberance.

Flat, Lifeless Hair

Flat, Lifeless Hair
© djdemandy

Lifeless hair lacks the volume and bounce that can signify vitality and health. This style tends to cling to the scalp, emphasizing any thinning or loss of hair that often comes with age.

While some prefer the simplicity of this look, adding layers or using volumizing products can transform the hair, providing a more youthful and energetic appearance.

It’s a style that serves as a canvas, waiting for creative touches to bring it to life.

Feathered Layers

Feathered Layers
© Goldsupplier’s Blog

Feathered layers introduce an airy, light texture that adds movement and volume to any hairstyle. This technique softens facial features, creating a balanced, youthful appearance.

The gentle layering provides a dynamic flow, enhancing the hair’s natural shine and vitality.

With its elegant simplicity, feathered layers offer a timeless option that rejuvenates the overall look, keeping it fresh and vibrant for any occasion.

Braided Crown

Braided Crown
© acunningham1776

The braided crown is an intricate style that exudes elegance and grace. Its regal appearance offers a youthful charm, framing the face with a delicate, intricate pattern.

This hairstyle creates a special allure, perfect for both casual and formal settings.

The braided crown not only adds a touch of sophistication but also plays with texture and form, making it a versatile choice that celebrates youthfulness with a unique twist.

Fringe with Wispy Layers

Fringe with Wispy Layers
© timpeg

Fringe with wispy layers is an enchanting choice for anyone looking to recapture their youthful essence.

The soft fringe gently frames the face, adding a dash of playful charm. Wispy layers create a sense of movement, making the hair look lively and full of life.

The airy texture softens facial features, providing a subtle yet noticeable rejuvenation.

As the hair dances in the breeze, it mirrors the carefree days of youth. It’s a style that celebrates individuality and brings a fresh, spirited look.

A timeless option, this hairstyle works wonders across various hair types and lengths, offering an effortless elegance.