Choosing the right hairstyle as we age can be tricky. What looked fabulous in your 30s might not complement your features now that you’re in your 50s. Hair texture changes, and certain styles that once worked wonders might now age you rather than flatter your evolving beauty. Let’s explore which hairstyles to reconsider and which ones to avoid completely.
1. Super-Long Straight Hair
Extremely long, straight locks can drag down your features and emphasize fine lines. Hair thins as we age, making lengthy styles appear stringy rather than luxurious.
Consider a shoulder-length cut instead, which provides movement while maintaining some length.
2. Severe Pixie Cut
Razor-sharp pixie cuts with harsh lines can accentuate facial angles that naturally become more pronounced with age. The severe edges draw attention to neck wrinkles too.
A softer pixie with textured layers frames the face more kindly.
3. Franja sem corte
Heavy, straight-across bangs create a harsh horizontal line that can emphasize forehead wrinkles. They also require constant maintenance to look polished.
Wispy, side-swept bangs offer a more forgiving alternative that softens facial features beautifully.
4. Jet Black Hair Color
Solid black hair creates stark contrast against aging skin, highlighting every line and wrinkle. The unnatural darkness often looks harsh rather than youthful.
Softer dark browns with subtle highlights bring warmth to your complexion instead.
5. Platinum Blonde All Over
Uniform platinum blonde can wash out mature skin tones and appear brassy or damaged. The maintenance is also incredibly harsh on aging hair.
Creamy blonde with lowlights creates dimension and complements mature skin much better.
6. The Permed Poodle Look
Tight, uniform curls reminiscent of 80s perms add years to your appearance. This dated style creates a helmet-like effect that ages rather than refreshes.
Looser, varied waves look more modern and flattering on mature women.
7. The Wedge Cut
This geometric style with a heavy, angled back and shorter front can look dated and severe. The sharp angles draw attention to neck wrinkles and sagging jawlines.
Graduated bobs with softer lines offer the same low-maintenance appeal without the aging effect.
8. Overly Teased Crown
Excessive volume at the crown screams outdated style from decades past. This artificial height draws unwanted attention to thinning hair and can look like you’re trying too hard.
Gentle root lifting products create natural-looking volume without the dated effect.
9. One-Length Bob With No Layers
A completely uniform bob without layers can look heavy and drag down your features. The lack of movement emphasizes jowls and neck laxity in your 50s.
Adding even subtle layers creates softness and movement that lifts your entire look.
10. The Mall Bangs Revival
High, teased bangs that stand up from the forehead are firmly stuck in the 80s. This dated style draws attention to forehead lines and can look costume-like on mature women.
Soft, side-swept fringe offers a modern alternative that’s much more flattering.
11. The Dorothy Hamill Wedge
This iconic 70s bowl-cut variation frames the face in a way that emphasizes rather than minimizes signs of aging. The dated silhouette can look matronly rather than stylish.
Modern pixie cuts with textured edges offer the same ease with contemporary appeal.
12. The Graduated “Karen” Bob
The steeply angled bob that’s shorter in back and longer in front has unfortunately gained negative associations. Beyond that, the harsh angle often emphasizes sagging jawlines in women over 50.
Gentle graduation creates a more flattering silhouette.
13. Crunchy, Gel-Defined Curls
Wet-look, product-heavy curls that appear crunchy and stiff age you instantly. This dated styling technique draws attention to frizz and makes hair look perpetually unwashed.
Soft, touchable curls defined with modern products look much more current and flattering.
14. The Feathered Farrah Fawcett
While iconic in the 70s, heavily feathered layers flipped away from the face now read as dated rather than classic. This style often emphasizes thinning hair and requires constant maintenance.
Modern layering techniques create movement without the time-capsule effect.
15. The Tight, Slicked-Back Ponytail
Severely pulled-back styles create tension that emphasizes every facial line. This harsh style can also contribute to hair loss along the hairline, which is already a concern for many women in their 50s.
Looser, lower ponytails with face-framing pieces offer a more flattering alternative.
16. Spiky, Heavily Gelled Short Hair
Short hair spiked straight up with heavy gel creates a dated, harsh silhouette. This style screams 1990s boy band rather than sophisticated mature woman.
Textured short cuts with modern styling products create contemporary edge without the time warp.