Honey, as a hairstylist who’s seen it all, I’m here to dish some real talk about those blast-from-the-past hairdos that might not be doing you any favors. We all love a nostalgic moment, but some retro styles can add years rather than charm once we reach a certain age. Let me walk you through 20 throwback hairstyles that might be better left in your photo albums rather than on your head.
1. The Feathered Farrah Fawcett
Oh, how we swooned over Farrah’s iconic wings in the ’70s! However, those heavily feathered layers can actually emphasize fine lines around your face.
Instead, opt for a softer, less structured feathering that gives movement without the harsh, dated effect.
2. The Beehive Bouffant
Darling, while Audrey Hepburn made this sky-high style legendary, a towering beehive after 50 screams ‘stuck in time’ more than ‘timeless elegance.’
Though I admire the dedication it takes, that excessive height and hairspray can look harsh against maturing skin.
3. The Blunt Bowl Cut
Trust me, I’ve given plenty of these in my day! That perfectly round, one-length bowl cut might have worked for The Beatles, but it tends to create a helmet effect on mature faces.
Where’s the softness? Where’s the movement? Your beautiful features deserve better framing!
4. The Crimped Craze
Remember spending hours with that zigzag iron? While Y2K styles are having their moment again, crimped hair on mature women often reads as damaged rather than deliberate.
Moreover, those sharp angles highlight every strand of gray and can make hair appear brittle and frazzled.
5. The Wedge Cut
Dorothy Hamill made us all want this triangular precision cut! However, this severe, geometric style has zero forgiveness for thinning hair or changing face contours.
Though once revolutionary, the stiff, angular shape now tends to harden features rather than complement them. Time to soften things up!
6. The Mall Bangs
If your bangs need their own zip code, we might have a problem! Those mile-high, heavily sprayed front bangs from the ’80s aren’t doing mature foreheads any favors.
Besides drawing attention to fine lines, they scream ‘I haven’t updated my look since Bon Jovi was topping the charts.’
7. The Mullet Revival
Though making a hipster comeback, the ‘business in front, party in back’ approach rarely translates well for the over-40 crowd. Where younger folks look ironic, mature mullet-wearers often just look confused about which decade they’re in.
Why not choose a style that’s entirely current?
8. The Harsh Perm
While I’ve given thousands of perms in my career, those tight, uniform curls from the ’80s can age you faster than bad lighting! Tight perms create a dated, matronly effect on mature women.
Furthermore, the processing damages already-vulnerable aging hair, creating a double whammy of unflattering results.
9. The Poodle Cut
Honey, if your stylist is creating small, tight curls all over your head, run for the hills! This bubble-like shape adds years instantly and screams ‘I’ve given up.’
Although convenient, this rounded, uniform style lacks the contemporary edge that keeps mature women looking current and confident.
10. The Pageboy Flip
Think early Jackie O with those perfectly curled-under ends. While immaculately groomed, this rigid style lacks the movement modern cuts offer.
Though once the epitome of sophistication, today’s pageboy can look like you’re trapped in a time capsule. Loosen up those ends for a fresher approach!
11. The Stiff Bouffant Bob
If your bob requires an entire can of hairspray to maintain its shape, we need to talk! That 1960s perfectly rounded bob with teased crown adds unnecessary volume where most mature women don’t need it.
Furthermore, all that backcombing and product damages already fragile hair.
12. The Crinkle Perm
Unlike its cousin the spiral perm, these crinkly, zigzag waves can make mature hair look fried and frizzy rather than fashionably textured. I’ve seen this style make even the most youthful clients look decades older!
Additionally, the maintenance is brutal on already-delicate hair.
13. The Blunt China Doll Bob
While Anna Wintour makes it work, most of us aren’t fashion magazine editors! This severe, one-length bob with heavy bangs creates a harsh frame that emphasizes rather than softens aging features.
Without layers or movement, it can make your face appear drawn and angular.
14. The Rachel Cut
Though we all wanted Jennifer Aniston’s famous layered look, this heavily layered, face-framing cut now screams ‘1995 called and wants its hair back.’ Those chunky, highlighted layers require youthful volume to avoid looking flat and dated.
Modern layering techniques are much more flattering.
15. The Rockabilly Pompadour
Unless you’re actually in a retro band, this dramatically elevated front style with slicked sides can look costumey rather than classic after a certain age. While I appreciate the boldness, the extreme height and structure often fight with mature facial features.
Consider a softer version instead.
16. The Stiff Helmet Hair
Ah, the immovable coif! While popular among certain political figures, this shellacked, never-moves hairstyle ages you faster than admitting you don’t know how to use a smartphone.
Hair should have natural movement! Those rigid, overly processed looks scream ‘set and forget’ rather than ‘stylish and current.’
17. The Jheri Curl
Though iconic in the ’80s, these chemically processed, super-glossy curls haven’t aged well as a style choice. Beyond the constant product maintenance, the wet-look finish tends to appear dated rather than deliberate on mature women.
Modern curl techniques offer much more flattering options.
18. The Extreme Pixie
While pixie cuts can be fabulous, those super-short, almost shaved versions often accentuate every facial contour – for better or worse. After 50, such severe cuts can highlight skin laxity and neck issues many would rather downplay.
A slightly softer pixie offers more forgiveness.
19. The Frosted Tips
Remember when every boy band member had those bleached spiky ends? While youthful on Joey Fatone, frosted tips on mature folks look less ‘NSYNC and more ‘trying too hard.’
Instead, consider more sophisticated highlighting techniques that blend naturally with your base color.
20. The Fountain Ponytail
Creating that high ponytail sprouting like a fountain from the top of your head? Cute on a cheerleader, not so much after 40. This style creates unflattering tension on your face, essentially giving yourself an instant facelift – and not in a good way!
Lower positions are much more flattering.