Hairstyles That Can Add Years to Your Face

The Pixie Cut

A pixie cut has always been in fashion, but go too short, and you could end up looking severe. Of course, this isn't a bad thing, as some people prefer to look more mature, in charge and professional. A shorter cut can flatter the sharp cheekbones of a thin face, which previously went unnoticed due to long layers.

The Bouffant

While anything European is always a classic, this style can ultimately make you look like you've stepped into the wrong side of the century. Of course, the bouffant, with its traditional teasing process and careful spraying, is a challenge to master, but if you do want to try it, make sure you pair it with a classic, sharp outfit.

The Chelsea Cut

Having a shaven back of the head is fine for youngsters but can add years to a woman by drawing attention to any wrinkles lurking on the back of the neck. It is also quite a thin cut, which emphasizes the loss of vitality and movement in the hair follicles.

The Front Quiff

This is a perfect look for the 1950s, but should it stay there? Many people are on the fence because, of course, it's a lovely throwback that softens the face and adds something different. However, it can age an otherwise modern outfit, so if you're looking to refresh a look, this is a no-no.

Excessively Light Blonde

Being too near the lightest shade of grey can add years to your face and leave you looking less textured. It can also strip the bounce, shine, and movement from your hair. However, it can look particularly striking next to an all-black outfit if you did want to embrace this look.

Short Pin-Up Curls

Marilyn Monroe curls don't always equal a Marilyn Monroe century. Just because you have a vintage, preppy look, it doesn't mean that you're naturally going to want to look mature. You may even come across as unique and quirky — just ensure that you embrace the curls carefully, rather than going for an old-lady perm.

The Tiny Fringe

This fringe will not knock years off your face, and the reason for this is that it'll be so high up, any fine lines will be on display. It also gives the impression that your forehead and eyes are where you want people to be looking, which is naturally where most people have wrinkles.

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Too-Short Curls

Baby curls are hard to style because there's really only a few things you can do with them. If you ask for very short layers at the hairdressers, you may suffer from the problem of looking a little too severe. There's not a lot you can do to save this style, apart from growing it out, so be warned that you'll be stuck with it if you do go for it.

Long Layers

What was once fashionable can now add too much weight to your hair and stop it from looking fresh. This cut, popular in the 1970s, isn't lacking thickness, but it lacks movement. It may seem quite dated, but if you have an oval-shaped face, it may just flatter you.

A Wispy Fringe

This thin kind of fringe doesn't cover fine lines on the forehead and also emphasizes that your hair is not as thick as it once was. For more volume, shine and body, try asking for thicker bangs instead. Your hairdresser will be delighted to rise to the challenge of bringing some of the hair from the parting to the front in order to enhance the look of more movement and thickness.

Center Parts

A person's choice of where they part their hair can cause them to appear dramatically older or younger. A straight middle part is one of those styles that never really falls out of favor. However, it places all facial features — positive and negative — on display, which can age some people. A soft irregular part is generally a much more flattering style.

Tight Buns and Ponytails

Putting the hair up in a tight ponytail or bun is another style that highlights every element of the face. Additionally, these updos give off a much more stern, mature look. However, this does not mean that older adults should never put their hair up. Instead, opt for loose looks such as messy buns or ponytails with some free locks of hair.

Blunt Bobs with Bangs

The blunt bob with bangs may be a classic look that style icons have worn throughout the decades, but it is probably time to leave it in the past. Because the cuts are so harsh, they place a lot of emphasis on the eyes and jawline. These also happen to be locations where the signs of aging are most apparent.

Jet Black Hair

As we age, our skin tones change. Because of this, many hair colors that once looked great are no longer viable. This is most evident with deep, dark hair colors and fairer skin. Darker hair hides depth and dimension and can make shadows on the face from wrinkles and age lines more visible.

Keeping it Too Long

If someone's been holding on to their luxurious locks for many years, it can be difficult to part with them. However, extremely long hairstyles often age a person well beyond their years. Hair tends to become more brittle and thin with age, and long hair only highlights these changes.

Mullet

With celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, Rihanna, and Doja Cat rocking mullets recently, many people may feel like bringing back the party in the back. However, without professional-level styling and incredible quality hair, the mullet is still a forbidden existence. For most people, a mullet creates more of a "can't let go of the past" impression rather than a cutting edge one.

Precise Cuts

Avoid any cuts with sharp edges or well-defined lines. This includes many bobs, close crops, or long, super-straight locks. Even the least noticeable lines on a face become more evident thanks to these styles. Plus, these cuts tend to exaggerate hair thinness and show off more of the neck, which often has visible signs of aging.

A Helmet of Hair

It can be pretty intimidating trying to adopt a new style, so many women choose hairstyles that feel "safe." Especially in the case of short haircuts, this often results in a hairstyle that shapes itself to the head. While this may have been in style at one point, now it simply makes its wearer look outdated. Thankfully, all it takes is a bit of styling to give these cuts a youthful look.

Flat Hair

Incredibly straight hair can look shimmering and beautiful on certain people, but most of the time, it simply looks dull and flat. If a person is using a flat iron to achieve the look, they could be frying their hair and making it look even more one-dimensional. Try using styling products to add some volume and life.

Over-styling and Over-setting

While under-styling can age a person, over-styling is often just as bad. Big, wild hair may have been all the rage in the ‘80s, but now it just looks passé. Many women also use a multitude of products to hold their hair in place to hide signs of thinning. Unfortunately, stiff hair tends to make its wearer look older. Try for mildly styled hair that has some movement.