Summer is the perfect time to switch up your hairstyle, but not all cuts are created equal! As your friendly neighborhood stylist, I’ve seen countless clients walk in with outdated styles that add years to their appearance. Let me share which summer cuts might be aging you and introduce you to fresh alternatives that will have you looking younger and more vibrant in no time.
1. The Blunt Bob Without Layers
Harsh, one-length bobs create a severe line that highlights facial sagging. Trust me, I’ve seen clients age five years instantly with this unforgiving cut!
Instead, your face needs movement and softness to reflect light in all the right places.
2. Stuck-in-the-90s Chunky Highlights
Yikes! Those thick, stripy highlights scream ‘I haven’t updated my look since Friends was still filming new episodes.’ The stark contrast between colors creates harsh lines on your face.
Nobody wants their hair to look like a zebra crossing!
3. The Super Short Pixie Without Texture
Though pixies can be youthful, an overly short, non-textured version often makes mature faces look severe. Without some piece-y elements or soft edges, you’re left with nothing to soften those laugh lines.
Hard angles rarely flatter aging skin.
4. The Triangle Cut (Wider at Bottom)
Heaven help me when clients come in with this dreaded triangle shape! Hair that’s flat on top and wide at the bottom creates an optical illusion that drags your face downward.
Gravity is already doing that job—your haircut shouldn’t help it along!
5. The Poker-Straight Long Cut
While Marcia Brady made this work decades ago, super straight, unshaped long hair tends to drag down mature faces. Without layers or movement, it creates a curtain effect that emphasizes every line.
Your face deserves a better frame!
6. The Helmet-Like Wedge Cut
Nothing screams ‘I’ve given up’ quite like the solid, unmovable wedge cut that sits like a helmet on your head. This dated style creates a boxy shape that adds years instantly.
Hair should dance, not stand at attention like a soldier!
7. Over-Teased Crown Volume
Honey, the 1980s called—they want their poufy crown back! That excessive teasing at the crown creates a dated silhouette that screams ‘mature woman trying too hard.’
Volume is good, but there’s a fine line between lift and looking like you’re hiding a small animal up there.
8. The Single-Process Flat Color
Nothing ages you faster than a flat, one-dimensional hair color. Whether it’s box-dye black or that brassy blonde, single-process color lacks the depth that naturally youthful hair possesses.
Your gorgeous face deserves the dimension that comes with multi-tonal color!
9. The Overly Thinned-Out Cut
When stylists go scissor-happy with thinning shears, the result is often stringy, flat hair that accentuates aging. Those wispy ends make your already-thinning hair look even more sparse.
Fullness equals youthfulness in the hair world!
10. The Dated Mullet-Inspired Cut
Despite brief trendy comebacks, most mullet-inspired cuts (short front, long back) create an unbalanced frame for mature faces. The jarring contrast between lengths highlights rather than hides signs of aging.
Business in front, party in back? More like confusion all around!
11. The Textured Bob with Curtain Bangs
Hallelujah for the textured bob! Adding soft layers creates movement while curtain bangs frame the face beautifully. The combination lifts your features and gives a youthful bounce.
I’ve seen clients look ten years younger with this magical combination!
12. The Modern Shag with Soft Layers
Forget what you know about the shaggy cuts of yesteryear! Today’s modern shag features soft, blended layers that add volume exactly where you need it.
The textured edges create a playful, carefree vibe that instantly refreshes your entire look.
13. The Collarbone Lob with Face-Framing Pieces
There’s something magical about hair that hits right at the collarbone! This length elongates the neck while those face-framing pieces act like instant cheekbone enhancers.
It’s like a non-surgical facelift that takes years off your appearance!
14. The Pixie with Textured Crown
Unlike its severe cousin, this pixie keeps length and texture on top while staying short at the sides. The added height creates a lifting effect that counteracts sagging.
I’ve had clients swear they’ve gotten more compliments with this cut than any other!
15. The Soft Blunt Cut with Invisible Layers
Magic happens when we create a blunt cut with nearly invisible internal layers! The ends appear thick and healthy while hidden layers add crucial movement and body.
It’s the hair equivalent of ‘no-makeup makeup’—structured yet soft and incredibly flattering.
16. The Chin-Length French Bob
Ooh la la! The French bob sits right at the chin with slightly shorter layers around the face. This Parisian-inspired cut creates a youthful frame that highlights your eyes and cheekbones.
It’s effortlessly chic and surprisingly low-maintenance!
17. The Modern Layered Mid-Length Cut
Mid-length hair with strategically placed layers creates the perfect balance of sophistication and playfulness. The layers add volume at the crown while keeping movement throughout the ends.
It’s versatile enough for any age but especially flattering for mature faces!
18. The Soft-Angled Lob with Balayage
Slightly longer in front and shorter in back, this angled cut creates a slimming frame for your face. When paired with balayage highlights, it adds dimension that catches light beautifully.
The subtle color variation mimics how hair naturally lightens in the sun!
19. The Textured Crop with Side-Swept Fringe
Short doesn’t have to mean severe! This cropped cut keeps playful texture on top with a side-swept fringe that softens forehead lines.
The combination creates a youthful, pixie-like quality that works wonders for highlighting your best features.
20. The Layered Cut with Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs are the miracle workers of the hair world! Paired with long layers, they frame the face while drawing attention to your eyes.
The soft, center-parted style blends seamlessly with the rest of your hair for a lived-in, effortless look that’s universally flattering.