Hey there, gorgeous! As a stylist who’s seen it all, from mullets to mohawks, I know a thing or two about what works for mature hair. While age is just a number, your hair tells a different story after 50 – it changes texture, density, and needs special love. These 20 trends might have been your go-tos once, but trust me, there are better options to enhance your natural beauty now.
1. Super-Long Straight Hair
Extremely long, pin-straight locks tend to drag down mature faces, creating a severe, aging effect. The weight pulls at your features rather than framing them beautifully.
Instead, consider a shoulder-length cut with some layers to add movement and vitality to your look. Your hair will thank you for the reduced maintenance too!
2. Jet Black All-Over Color
Whew! Nothing ages a face faster than harsh, inky black dye. Against maturing skin, solid black creates stark contrasts that highlight every line and wrinkle.
Soften your look with warmer tones or subtle highlights instead. A rich chocolate brown or deep auburn offers depth without the harshness of midnight black.
3. Crispy Perms
Remember those tight, frizzy perms from the 80s? They’re not your friend anymore! Those small, uniform curls add years and often damage already-fragile hair.
Modern, looser waves created with larger rollers or gentle styling tools give you that desired volume without the dated, damaged look of traditional perms.
4. Severe Blunt Bangs
Heavy, straight-across bangs cut too bluntly create a harsh frame that emphasizes fine lines around the eyes and forehead. They can look like you’re trying too hard to appear youthful.
Opt for side-swept or wispy bangs instead. They’ll soften your features while still giving you that face-framing effect you’re after.
5. Ultra-Thin Eyebrows
Okay, I know eyebrows aren’t exactly hair, but honey, those pencil-thin lines aren’t doing your gorgeous face any favors! They look dated and make your features appear unbalanced.
Fuller, well-shaped brows frame your eyes beautifully and create a more youthful appearance. Let those babies grow a bit!
6. The Helmet Hair
That stiff, unmovable, heavily-sprayed helmet of hair screams “I’m stuck in the 90s!” Movement is your friend after 50, darling!
Looser styles that allow for some natural bounce reflect light better and look more modern. Plus, nobody wants to be afraid of a breeze ruining their day.
7. Platinum Blonde Overload
Going too light can wash out your complexion completely. That icy platinum that worked in your 30s might now be highlighting fine lines and making your skin tone appear sallow.
Consider warmer blonde tones instead – honey, golden, or wheat blondes add warmth and luminosity to mature skin. They’re much more forgiving and flattering!
8. The Pixie Cut That’s Too Pixie
While pixie cuts can be fabulous, those super-short, boyish versions often emphasize jowls and neck issues. When there’s no softness around the face, every angle gets highlighted.
A slightly longer pixie with texture and face-framing pieces works wonders. It maintains that easy-care approach while still offering feminine softness.
9. Rainbow Hair Colors
Though I admire the boldness, vivid blues, pinks, and greens can look jarring against mature skin. These fantasy colors often fade quickly, leaving damaged, brassy strands behind.
If you crave color, try more sophisticated options like subtle lavender tones on silver hair or rich auburn highlights that complement your natural shade.
10. The Triangle Cut
You know that dreaded triangle – flat on top, wide at the bottom? It happens when layers aren’t properly cut for your hair texture, especially with curly hair.
Proper layering throughout creates balance and movement. A good stylist will remove bulk from the bottom while maintaining volume where you need it most.
11. The Mullet Revival
I don’t care what the youngsters are doing – the “business in front, party in back” look is not your friend after 50! Modern mullets emphasize thinning at the crown and often look disconnected.
Balanced cuts that blend beautifully all the way around are much more flattering and timeless. Leave the mullets to the twenty-somethings!
12. Crunchy, Gel-Coated Curls
Those ramen-noodle curls coated in crunchy gel are a definite no-go! They look dated and actually emphasize frizz once the gel cracks throughout the day.
Modern curl care focuses on hydration and natural definition. Cream-based products and proper curl techniques give gorgeous, touchable curls that move naturally.
13. The Poofy Bouffant
That massive crown of teased, sprayed height isn’t fooling anyone – it’s aging you faster than you can say “backcombing brush.” Plus, all that teasing damages already-fragile hair.
Gentle volume at the roots using modern techniques gives lift without the dated look. Think subtle root boosters, not Dolly Parton (though we love her!).
14. Chunky Highlights
Those thick, contrasting stripes of color popular in the early 2000s create a harsh, dated effect. They draw attention to themselves rather than enhancing your features.
Finer, more blended highlights that mimic natural sun-kissed dimension look far more sophisticated. Think subtle ribbons of light, not zebra stripes!
15. The Severe Center Part
Though trendy with Gen Z, a harsh, straight-down-the-middle part can emphasize asymmetry in mature faces. It can also highlight thinning at the part line.
Softer side parts or slight off-center parts are generally more flattering. They create a gentler frame and can even give the illusion of fuller hair.
16. Ignoring Gray Roots
That stark line of demarcation between your dyed color and gray regrowth isn’t a style statement – it just looks like you’ve missed your appointment! The contrast draws attention to itself in all the wrong ways.
Either embrace your gorgeous silver or maintain regular touch-ups. Better yet, consider a shadow root technique for easier maintenance.
17. One-Length Bobs Without Texture
A completely blunt, one-length bob can look severe and unforgiving on mature faces. Without any movement or texture, it creates a solid block that can emphasize facial fullness.
Adding even subtle layers or texture to a bob creates softness and movement. Think of it as the difference between curtains and drapery!
18. Scraped-Back Tight Ponytails
That super-tight, pulled-back ponytail is essentially giving yourself a temporary facelift – and not in a good way! It puts stress on your hairline and can lead to traction alopecia.
Looser, lower ponytails with volume at the crown and face-framing pieces are much more flattering and gentler on your hair.
19. Stick-Straight Ironed Hair
That ultra-flat, ironed-to-death look emphasizes every unevenness in hair density. After 50, when hair naturally thins, this style can make sparse areas more noticeable.
Styles with gentle waves or soft volume disguise thinning much better. Plus, they’re infinitely more flattering and youthful-looking than severe straightness.
20. The Matronly Shag
While modern shags are trendy, that dated version with too-short crown layers and excessive feathering around the face screams “I haven’t updated my look since the 70s!”
Contemporary shags feature longer layers and more blended transitions. They offer the same easy-care approach but with a much more current vibe.