As we embrace the wisdom and grace that comes with being over 50, it’s essential to find hairstyles that not only suit our age but also flatter our facial features and hair texture.
However, some haircuts can have the opposite effect, making us appear older or drawing attention away from our best attributes. In this blog post, we’ll explore 26 hairstyles that women over 50 might want to avoid.
From outdated styles to those that simply don’t flatter mature features, this guide aims to help you steer clear of hair faux pas and find a look that truly enhances your beauty.
The Classic Bob
The classic bob, while timeless, can sometimes appear too severe for women over 50. This style, with its sharp lines and uniform length, may lack the softness that many women desire at this stage of their lives.
For those with thinning hair, a classic bob can further emphasize the lack of volume. Instead, consider a layered bob that offers movement and dimension.
Additionally, a side-swept bang can add a touch of modern flair, softening the face and providing a youthful look. Avoid going too short, as longer layers offer versatility and style options.
The Pixie Cut
The pixie cut, especially when cut too close to the scalp, can be unforgiving for older women. This style might accentuate fine lines and lack the volume needed to flatter mature faces.
While pixie cuts are edgy and fun, opting for a slightly longer version with layers can be more flattering. Layers add dimension and help maintain a youthful appearance.
Consider adding soft bangs to frame the face gently. This approach balances the style’s edginess with the softness needed for a more harmonious look.
The Bowl Cut
The bowl cut is a style that rarely flatters anyone, regardless of age. For women over 50, it can look especially outdated and unflattering, emphasizing roundness in the face.
This cut offers little in terms of style versatility and can make the hair appear lifeless. Instead, think about longer layers that offer movement and the ability to style in multiple ways.
Adding some texture or waves can breathe life into your look, creating a modern, flattering appearance that enhances rather than detracts.
The Mullet
The mullet, with its short front and long back, is often considered a relic of the past. For women over 50, it can come off as awkward and dated.
This hairstyle tends to emphasize the neck and can make facial features appear harsher. A better alternative is a long bob or layered cut, which provides a balanced look.
Such styles highlight your features without overwhelming them, offering a modern twist that’s both fresh and fashionable. Opt for haircuts that allow for easy styling and maintenance.
Ultra-Short Bangs
Ultra-short bangs can be a risky choice for older women. They tend to draw attention to forehead lines and can appear harsh against softer facial features.
Opt for longer, side-swept bangs that offer a gentle framing effect. This approach softens the overall appearance and can hide any lines you’d prefer to minimize.
Moreover, side-swept bangs blend seamlessly with most hairstyles, providing versatility and a touch of elegance. They can be styled easily and work well with various hair lengths and textures.
Severe Middle Part
A severe middle part can create an overly symmetrical look that’s often too harsh for women over 50. This style tends to draw attention to facial imperfections and lacks the softening effect of a side part.
Consider opting for a side part that adds volume and balance, enhancing facial features without being too strict.
A side part can give your hair more body and movement, which complements a mature face beautifully. It also allows for more styling versatility, making it a great choice for those seeking a sophisticated look.
Flat Ironed Straight
Flat ironed straight hair can look lifeless and emphasize thinning or fine hair, which many women experience over 50. This style often lacks dimension and can make hair appear unhealthy.
Instead, consider embracing your natural texture or adding soft waves to create movement and volume.
Using a curling iron or texturizing spray can give your hair a fuller, more vibrant look. The key is to avoid overly processed looks that strip hair of its natural body and shine. Aim for styles that celebrate your natural beauty.
Overly Layered Cut
An overly layered cut can make hair look thin and uneven, especially for those with naturally fine hair. It can create a wispy effect that lacks the desired fullness and movement.
Instead, opt for a few well-placed layers that add volume and shape without going overboard. This approach provides fullness and a more polished appearance.
Consult with a stylist to determine the right amount of layering for your hair type, ensuring a complimentary and stylish look that adds to your elegance and charm.
The Mohawk
While bold and expressive, the mohawk can be challenging for women over 50 to pull off gracefully. It often appears too stark and dramatic, detracting from a mature elegance.
Instead, consider a more subdued, edgy style with softer elements, such as a chic, layered cut with a subtle undercut.
This look maintains a fun, adventurous spirit without being overwhelming. It offers a modern twist to traditional styles, allowing for personal expression while complementing age and sophistication.
Tight Perm
Tight perms, popular in past decades, often result in hair that looks overly curly and unnatural. For women over 50, this style can add years to your appearance and seem outdated.
Opt for looser curls or waves that provide a natural bounce and texture. This softer look is more flattering and less harsh on facial features.
A modern perm can add body and volume, creating a lively, youthful appearance. Consult with a stylist for techniques that enhance your natural hair texture and provide effortless style.
High Ponytail
A high ponytail can pull facial features upwards, accentuating lines and making the face appear drawn. This style might not be the best choice for mature women seeking softness.
Instead, try a low ponytail or loose updo that gently frames the face and adds softness. These styles offer sophistication and are less harsh.
Adding some volume at the crown can also create a more balanced, elegant appearance. Consider using accessories like hairpins or clips to enhance the look without compromising comfort.
The Shag
The shag haircut, with its uneven layers and messy appearance, can be challenging for older women. It might emphasize thinning hair and lack of structure, leading to a disheveled look.
Consider opting for a more structured cut with subtle layers to maintain volume and shape. This alternative offers a polished, contemporary style.
Working with a stylist to customize the cut can yield a flattering look that enhances your features, providing a fresh, modern twist to classic styles.
Bleach Blonde
Bleach blonde hair can often appear damaged and overly processed, particularly for women over 50. The harsh color might not complement mature skin tones, leading to a washed-out look.
Opt for softer, warmer tones like honey blonde or caramel that enhance your natural beauty. These colors add warmth and vibrancy, creating a healthier appearance.
Regular conditioning treatments can help maintain hair health and shine, ensuring that your new color looks as good as it feels.
The Rat Tail
The rat tail, characterized by a thin strand of long hair at the nape, is rarely flattering, especially for older women. It tends to look unkempt and outdated.
Instead, consider a classic bob or a chic pixie cut that provides a polished, sophisticated look. These styles are timeless and easy to maintain.
Avoid styles that draw attention to less desirable areas. Focus on cuts that highlight your best features and offer elegance and simplicity.
The Faux Hawk
The faux hawk, a playful variation of the mohawk, can still be a bit too daring for women over 50 seeking elegance. This style might seem too trendy, detracting from a mature image.
Instead, opt for hairstyles that blend edginess with sophistication, like a layered bob or a textured pixie. These choices offer a touch of modernity while maintaining grace.
Embrace styles that allow personal expression without compromising the elegance that comes with age and wisdom.
The Beehive
The beehive, with its towering height, can appear old-fashioned and overwhelming for women over 50. This style might add unnecessary volume, detracting from a balanced look.
Consider more contemporary updos that offer elegance without excessive height. Styles like chignons or low buns provide sophistication and simplicity.
These looks are timeless and suitable for various occasions, allowing for creativity without going overboard. Balance and proportion are key to maintaining a flattering appearance.
Crimped Hair
Crimped hair, with its small, tight waves, often appears outdated and unflattering for mature women. The texture can emphasize frizz and lack the sleekness desired in modern styles.
For a more contemporary approach, consider gentle waves or curls that add body and movement without the harshness. Tools like curling irons or rollers can achieve this effortlessly.
Embrace styles that complement your natural hair texture, offering a polished, refined appearance that aligns with your elegance and style.
Spiky Hair
Spiky hair, styled with gel to stand upright, can be too severe for women over 50. This style might highlight facial lines and lack the softness needed to complement mature features.
Instead, try a textured pixie cut with soft layers that provide volume and a gentle framing effect. This approach adds a youthful vibrancy without harshness.
Consult with your stylist to find a look that balances edge with elegance, offering a fresh take on a classic style.
The Pageboy
The pageboy haircut, with its straight edges and rounded shape, can sometimes appear too rigid for older women. It lacks the movement and flexibility that flatter mature features.
Consider a layered or asymmetrical bob for a more dynamic look. These styles add interest and can be tailored to suit different face shapes and hair textures.
Embrace styles that provide versatility and movement, enhancing your natural beauty while offering easy maintenance and styling options.
Teased Hair
Teased hair, known for creating volume, can result in a dated appearance for women over 50. This style might add unnecessary bulk, leading to a less refined look.
Opt for modern volume techniques, such as blowouts or root-lifting sprays, that provide a natural lift without excessive teasing.
Maintaining a balance between volume and softness ensures a polished, elegant appearance. These contemporary methods align with the sophisticated style many women over 50 seek.
The Dorothy Hamill
The Dorothy Hamill haircut, wedge-shaped and short, may appear outdated for contemporary women over 50. It lacks the movement and versatility of modern styles.
Instead, consider a modern bob or lob that offers length and styling options. These cuts provide a chic, updated look that embraces your natural texture.
Consulting with a stylist can help you find the right balance between classic and contemporary, ensuring a fresh, flattering style that enhances your elegance.
Frosted Tips
Frosted tips, with hair ends highlighted in a lighter shade, can appear harsh and outdated for women over 50. The contrast often lacks the subtlety needed for mature features.
Opt for balayage or highlights that blend seamlessly with your base color. These techniques add dimension and warmth without an overwhelming contrast.
Focus on enhancing your natural beauty with colors that complement your skin tone, offering a refined, modern look that highlights your sophistication.
Gelled Back Hair
Gelled back hair, with its slick, shiny appearance, can be too severe for women over 50. This style often lacks the softness that complements mature features.
Instead, consider softer styles like loose waves or a gentle blowout that adds volume and movement.
These approaches offer a refined elegance that suits various occasions, providing flexibility and sophistication. Balance is key to achieving a flattering, modern look.
Neon Colors
Neon colors, while fun and expressive, may overwhelm mature features for women over 50. These bright shades can clash with skin tones and distract from natural beauty.
Consider more subdued hues like rich browns, soft blondes, or subtle reds that enhance your complexion and add warmth.
Experimenting with color can still be enjoyable, but choosing shades that complement your natural beauty ensures a balanced, sophisticated appearance.
The Poodle Cut
The poodle cut, with its tight curls, can be overwhelming for women over 50. It often adds bulk and lacks the sleekness desired in modern styles.
Opt for looser curls or waves that provide natural movement and a softer appearance. This approach adds volume without the heavy texture.
Working with a stylist to achieve the right curl pattern and shape can ensure a flattering, contemporary look that complements your elegance and style.
Straight Across Bangs
Straight across bangs can appear too severe for women over 50, highlighting forehead lines and creating a boxed appearance. This style often lacks the softness needed for mature features.
Instead, opt for side-swept or curtain bangs that gently frame the face. These styles provide a softer, more flattering look that complements various hairstyles.
Consider bangs that blend seamlessly with your overall cut, enhancing your natural beauty while offering versatility and ease of styling.