Finding the perfect hairstyle after 50 can feel like a challenge, but it’s also an exciting opportunity to refresh your look. As we age, our hair texture changes and what worked in our 30s might not be the best choice now. Let’s explore some dated styles to reconsider and discover fabulous modern alternatives that will have everyone asking for your stylist’s number!
1. Stick-Straight Long Hair
Ultra-long, poker-straight hair can drag down features and emphasize fine lines. The maintenance alone can become exhausting!
Hair thins as we age, making very long styles appear stringy rather than luxurious. Consider styles that add volume and frame your face instead.
2. The Stiff Helmet Bob
Remember those heavily sprayed, immovable bobs popular in the 80s? They’re aging you faster than your birth certificate!
These rigid styles create a dated, matronly appearance that adds years. Hair should move naturally, even after 50.
3. Blunt, One-Length Cuts
Harsh, single-length cuts without layers can look severe and emphasize facial asymmetry that comes with age. They also tend to fall flat.
These unforgiving styles highlight rather than soften signs of aging around the face and neck areas.
4. Super Short Pixies
Extremely short pixie cuts can emphasize facial fullness and neck issues that appear with age. Not everyone has the bone structure to pull these off!
Without the right shape, these cuts can look more like you gave up rather than made a bold choice.
5. Overly Teased Updos
Massive teased hairstyles scream “stuck in the past” and damage already fragile hair. The excessive height and stiffness look outdated and artificial.
These styles often require harmful backcombing techniques that thin hair can’t withstand anymore.
6. The Poodle Perm
Tight, uniform curls reminiscent of 80s perms age you instantly! These overly processed styles damage hair and create that dreaded “grandma perm” look.
The uniform curl pattern lacks the natural variation that makes hair look youthful and vibrant.
7. Harsh Blunt Bangs
Severe, straight-across bangs cut too heavy and thick can overpower your face and emphasize forehead lines. They also require constant trimming!
These unforgiving bangs draw attention to aging eyes instead of complementing your features.
8. The Mullet Revival
Despite its trendy comeback, the mullet remains challenging for women over 50. The dramatic contrast between short and long sections often looks disjointed rather than edgy.
This style typically requires a certain youthful attitude to balance its inherent awkwardness.
9. The Wedge Cut
The stacked wedge cut (shorter in back, longer in front) can look dated and create an unflattering triangle shape. Popular in the 70s and 80s, this style screams “time warp.”
The harsh angles often don’t complement softer facial features that come with age.
10. The Pageboy Bob
This uniform-length bob with ends curled under creates a helmet-like appearance that ages rather than flatters. The rigid shape lacks the movement and texture that mature hair needs.
This style often requires excessive heat styling, further damaging already delicate hair.
11. Soft Layered Bob
A shoulder-skimming bob with gentle layers creates movement while maintaining polish. The versatile length works beautifully for most face shapes!
Strategic layers add volume where you need it and can be styled straight or wavy for different looks.
12. Modern Shag With Curtain Bangs
Today’s shag combines textured layers with face-framing curtain bangs for a youthful yet sophisticated look. The choppy layers create incredible volume even in fine hair!
This low-maintenance cut works with your natural texture rather than fighting against it.
13. Pixie With Longer Top
A modern pixie keeps length on top while staying short on the sides for an edgy yet elegant profile. The longer crown creates styling versatility missing in traditional pixies.
This balanced cut flatters mature faces while still looking fresh and current.
14. Soft Blended Layers
Long, seamlessly blended layers create movement without the harsh steps of outdated cuts. These subtle transitions add bounce while maintaining length!
The soft perimeter keeps hair looking healthy and full, especially important when dealing with thinning.
15. Textured Lob (Long Bob)
The collarbone-grazing lob with textured ends offers the perfect balance between short and long styles. Its versatility makes it ideal for busy women!
This modern cut works with all hair textures and can be styled sleek or tousled depending on your mood.
16. Bandeau balayé sur le côté
Forget harsh straight-across fringe! Soft side-swept bangs gently frame the face and disguise forehead lines without looking severe. They blend seamlessly with layers for a cohesive look.
This flattering style draws attention to your eyes while softening facial features.
17. Modern Crop With Texture
Today’s cropped cuts feature piece-y texture and movement instead of the flat, one-dimensional styles of decades past. The intentional messiness looks deliberate and fashion-forward!
These crops require minimal styling—just finger-comb with a bit of product and go.
18. Soft Graduated Bob
Unlike harsh stacked bobs, today’s graduated cuts feature subtle elevation at the back with seamless blending throughout. The gentle graduation creates natural volume without looking dated.
This sophisticated style offers fullness where needed while maintaining a current silhouette.
19. Midi Cut With Face-Framing
The midi cut—falling between a bob and shoulder-length—offers versatility with lighter face-framing pieces that brighten your complexion. This universally flattering length works for straight, wavy, or curly textures!
The strategic face-framing creates a natural lifting effect.
20. Modern Layered Pixie-Bob
This hybrid style combines the ease of a pixie with a bob’s versatility. Longer than traditional pixies but shorter than bobs, it offers incredible texture and movement!
The strategic layering works wonders for thinning hair by creating the illusion of fullness and dimension.