What Are the Best Haircuts for Women Over 50?

The classic shag is a low-maintenance, messy chic hairstyle that can shave years off your look. Unlike blunt cuts, this hairstyle has wispy ends that soften facial features and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. The stylist uses a razor to chop in chunky, textured layers, injecting effortless volume to fine or thin hair.

Chic, shorter length shag hairstyles frame and soften the face, highlighting the eyes.

This easygoing shag style adds soft, wavy curls for a carefree and fresh look.

Change things up with this wavy shag, similar to Natasha Lyonne's famous tousled locks.

An off-center part and soft waves add just enough volume to this adorable shag style.

Jaw-length shags without bangs soften angular faces and draw attention upward to the eyes.

Hair that flips up at the ends is having a moment once more. Celebrities of all ages are currently flipping out over the retro flip hairdo, which has its roots in the 1960s — think Mary Tyler Moore and Betty Draper of Mad Men.

While the big bouffant flips of yore are best left in the past, curled up ends can add buoyancy to the layers of an otherwise boring bob.

The easiest way to achieve this look is to spray freshly washed and dried hair with hairspray, then use a large-barrel curling iron to hair outward, segment by segment. Allow your hair to cool completely, then break up the curves, so your flipped out ends look natural.

No curling iron? You can use a blow-dryer and a round brush, or even a flat iron in a pinch.

Whether you dress it up or dress it down, this flip is versatile perfection.

A messy part and wispy, swept-to-the-side bangs make this bobbed style a trendy classic.

Super-straight, razor-cut, unstructured bangs bring a modern edge to this retro-flip hairstyle.

For thicker hair, try a shoulder-length flip style for added shape and volume.

Above-the-shoulder, layered cuts flipped out at the ends add texture to thin, fine hair.

Curls weighing you down? Consider lightening your load by lopping off a few inches. Short, curly hair is not only cute, but it's also freeing — you stay cool when temperatures fluctuate, use less product, and cut way down on styling time. It's an easy-breezy, low-maintenance hairstyle that will keep you light on your feet and add a spring to your step.

Just make sure you keep your spirals loose and bouncy, so they frame your beautiful face.

A short cut with soft curls will do wonders for bringing back your youthful glow.

Well-defined, hydrated curls add luster to a modern shag cut and soften facial features.

Short bobs with tousled, soft curls are contemporary, timeless, and fit any occasion.

Round, curly bobs are fun, flattering, and easy to maintain between hair salon trips.

Add volume to fine, kinky hair using a pick to lift hair at the roots.

Long, straight hair might be the end goal of flat iron owners around the world, but it can be a hard look to pull off, no matter what age you are. Blunt-cut tresses tend to drag down your entire face, which ⁠— let's face it ⁠— is the opposite of what you need right now. Chopping in a few long, softly angled layers below your chin will give your whole look an instant lift.

To style, simply blow dry your hair with a round brush for smoothness and to create a slight curl at the ends.

Lucky women with luscious curls will love how the faux hawk accentuates hair textures.

Spiked faux hawks fit everyone, but favor women with strong jawlines or oval faces.

Faux hawks not only elongate facial features, but they also add a high-class edge.

Jada Pinkett Smith has rocked many different hairstyles, but people love her faux hawks.

The perennial pageboy might be the classic go-to, no-nonsense 'do, but the blunt cut often ends up looking like helmet hair — and that adds years to your look like nothing else.

If you want a more youthful take on this simple style, go androgynous and add a little oomph with short, wavy layers.

Short, layered tresses remind us of the posh-yet-adaptable hairstyles of actress Carrie Ann Moss.

Take a basic pageboy from lovely to absolutely fabulous by simply adding swooped bangs.

Low-maintenance, yet sassy and fun, this cut is fully adaptable for business or pleasure.

Shoulder-length locks are a perfect fit for women not ready to go short but in need of a change.

Layered, highlighted, and ready to go, short, trendsetting cuts are always fabulously fashion-forward.

Who said short hair had to lie flat to be flattering? Take a page out of Cynthia Nixon's book and add a little height to your short hairdo with the pompadour pixie. This look is easily achieved by sweeping hair upwards and away from the face and around the sides. A dab of strong-hold styling gel will keep your coiffure shaped and in place.

Pixies withstand the tests of time because women over 50 wear them so well.

Super-short cuts bring out all the shades of grey and leave us wanting more.

Short sides, with tousled tresses up top, add height and elegance to pixie cuts.

Frame the forehead, highlight cheekbones, and enjoy the delight of a kicky, longer-on-top pixie.

A head-turning pixie cut reveals a lot about your attitude and sense of self.

Ever since it was immortalized on the sitcom Friends in 1995, "The Rachel" has been synonymous with the 90s aesthetic. Now that the decade is back in a big way, people are rediscovering why the hairstyle was such a universal hit. Choppy, face-framing layers look good on everyone, at any age. Not only can they be customized to flatter any face shape, but they add volume to thin hair and shape and definition to thick hair. Add a few highlights, and you're golden.

To bring the iconic look into the 21st century, make sure your stylist doesn't cut any layers above the earlobe.

Fringeless, layered, highlighted bobs that skim the shoulders are a timeless classic worth exploring.

Long, face-framing layers look exceptionally beautiful on most women, no matter what their age.

An off-center part adds volume to long layers that fall around a woman's face.

Women still love Farrah Fawcett winged layers because they bring attention to the eyes.

Multi-length layers that frame the face are not only trendy but easy to style.

If the thought of bangs gives you flashbacks to bad DIY haircuts of your youth, it might be time to reconsider them. Long, choppy, side-swept bangs that fall below your brow can take years off your appearance. They call attention to your pretty peepers, and away from potential problem areas such as your forehead and neckline. This ultra-flattering, casual chic hairstyle is so popular in France, it's known in beauty circles as the "French Fringe."

To achieve the "undone" look, simply move your bangs from side to side with a round brush as you're blow-drying them.

If you're not crazy about forehead wrinkles, scattered side bangs are just the trick.

Short, straight bangs flatter long face shapes, emphasize cheekbones, and widen long, narrow foreheads.

Feathered, wispy bangs suit most face shapes and add elegance to basic hairstyles.

Side-swept bangs accentuate softer facial features when paired with a ponytail or free-falling hairstyle.

Boost the glam level of an Oscar-level updo with bangs that frame the face.

Bobs have been huge since the 1920s, and they show no signs of slowing down. Bobs can bring definition to your face while also framing it enough so that, if you’re conscious about your skin, it shouldn’t matter. Diane Keaton wears the classic bob incredibly. Whether she wears it beach-choppy or sleek, this is a woman that knows the power of the bob. The classic bob lands just below the chin, and with some carefully-styled undercurl, sophistication will bow to you.

Short, feathered bobs take years off of the face and are easy to maintain.

Simple, short bobs flatter thin-haired beauties who aren't afraid to try a bolder look.

Fashion icon Anna Wintour got us hooked on these beautiful, bold-but-classic blunt bob hairstyles.

Sleek, smooth bobs that frame your jawline can be worn with or without bangs.

Bobs elongate and flatter rectangular-shaped faces and can be easily adapted for any occasion.

The kids don’t get to have all of the hair trends. Asymmetry has been a big thing for more than a decade now, and it doesn’t seem to be petering out any time soon. As we age, our hair can become thinner and more brittle. Having an asymmetrical ‘do can do wonders for volume, and they are also ridiculously simple to maintain!

A-line cuts add vibrant flow, volume, and energy to bobs, lobs, and everything in-between.

Women who love sleek, straight hair should start with a trendsetting, appealing A-symmetrical cut.

Free yourself from the burden of perfectly symmetrical hair with a captivating A-line cut.

A-line cuts often merge features of two different hairstyles to create an original look.

Blow-dry and add a quick spritz of texturizing spray for easygoing asymmetrical styles.

Sometimes, having short hair is the best decision. It’s a lighter load; there’s less maintenance due to less hair. Furthermore, there are some aspects to life that require it. But just because you have short hair doesn’t mean you’ll look any less womanly or less stylish. On the contrary, taking the chop is brave and, to be honest, almost always looks amazing on women over 50.

Active lives need easy hairdos and chopped styles are fetching five-star options that work.

Bold, cropped hairstyles that cut close to the scalp are chic, smart, spirited, and alluring.

Cropped hairstyles convey confidence and let people know you're ready for whatever comes next.

Super-short tresses make you look younger, emphasize the eyes, and enhance cheekbones.

Cropped hairstyles are unapologetically fabulous, plus they don't need endless hours of special care.

Pixie cuts aren’t limited to 20-somethings in Andy Warhol’s Factory. They are actually timeless, and you don’t need to be a specific age to have one. Jamie Lee Curtis’s pixie cut has been a staple for her throughout her career, and it’s possible that no younger actress could ever look that good. Pixies complement mature faces incredibly well. In fact, I challenge you to name one young person who looks quite as good.

Longer, side-swept bangs open up some extra styling options, even with a shorter cut.

Pixie cuts suit women who don't want to fight their hair while staying active.

Whether you're rocking curls, straight hair, or something in-between, a pixie cut looks stunning.

Avoid the helmet hair look by adding in some dramatic cuts and edgy angles.

Pixie bangs frame your face and can even hide some of those unwanted wrinkles.

The misconception that women over 50 should avoid having long hair is stupid. Long hair, like short hair, has no expiration date. There are plenty of women who are taking that misconception and putting it where the sun don’t shine on anyone who thinks they can’t have long hair. Women like Julianne Moore and Sarah Jessica Parker have redefined all of these silly notions. All longer hair over 50 means is that you know how to take care of it. And for that, you just need a good conditioner.

Draw inspiration from any of Demi Moore's styles to show off your long locks.

Dynamic curls at the end of your hair can elevate your look even further.

Combine your luxurious, long hair with some gentle highlights to better frame your face.

Women with thinner hair can rely on chunky layers to add a little volume.

Long hair has always been a signature of glamorous bombshells, so dress to impress!

Waves can make anyone look younger, fresh-faced, and ready-to-go. Including those in their 20s and 30s. Like the bob, waves are timeless and look great on long cuts and short cuts. They are also great for that just-got-out-of-bed look, as well as a tidier, more classic approach. Waves not only add volume to thin hair, but they can also give definition to the face that short, blunt cuts simply could never do.

A bright-colored lip paired with your waves takes your look from casually beautiful to glam.

If you're rocking thick hair, show it off by adding volume to your waves.

Viola Davis is the perfect inspiration for gorgeous wavy hairstyles at almost any length.

A nice balayage or flirty highlights can take your waves to the next level.

Waves and curls look incredible with some color variation, so embrace your natural gray!

Unlike waves, loose curls take a little prep. Whether you go to your stylist to get a loose perm or curl it yourself from home, however, they will always guarantee that awards show, contemporary chic. Curls hit all the right spots for you looking in the mirror and anyone that sees you. Just their existence has the possibility of feeling good. Just be sure to condition them regularly.

Curling irons can damage hair, so combine curl products with some heatless setting techniques.

After applying your styling product, scrunch your hair to accentuate the curls even more.

Whether it's a clip, hair tie, or bandana, curly hair looks fantastic with accessories.

Twist buns, relaxers, or coconut products are great options for loosening naturally tight curls.

Loose doesn't mean long, so feel free to take your hair a bit shorter.

The lob is the industry term for a long bob, and we’re sure it’s not the first time you’ve heard it. If you like having long hair but don’t want the pressure of maintaining too much length, the lob is an ideal shoulder-length that still appears long. Lobs can be wavy, straight or curly, but either which way you wear them, they’re going to look classy.

Lobs don't have to be perfectly even and a little shagginess will add to your look.

Show off your gorgeous statement earrings by simply tucking your lob behind your ears.

Lobs suit any hair type, but beachy waves and natural curls are hard to beat.

Try out a lob with some middle-parted long layers to frame your facial features.

Lobs are easy to style, making them the perfect choice for women on the go.

Despite the misconceived idea that volume in your hair will have you looking like Paula Deen, that could not be further from the truth. A little volume hurt nobody, and if you have thinner hair, it can be a way of making it look thicker. Volume isn’t always a hair-raising prospect. On the contrary, it can make you look like a million bucks.

Voluminous hair starts in the shower, so make sure to use volumizing soaps and products.

Adding volume to a bob can completely transform your look with the right styling products!

Combine volume with some wispy bangs for a face-framing style without committing to thick bangs.

Joy Behar is the queen of showing off volume while maintaining a professional look.

Layered styles are fantastic for maintaining volume without needing to style daily using various hair products.

Retro styles can be anything from pin curls to victory curls; there are plenty of options to choose from. Back in the day, women wore their hair the way they wanted to and the way that they could. Now, we have legions of products that can help us to achieve those same looks. And you know what? They can look great. After all: Why be Greta Garbo when you could be Margo Channing or Norma Desmond?

Throwbacks to previous decades are in style, so combine your hairstyle with nostalgic fashion.

Pin curls often turn out best when you use a curl-setting cream before styling.

Pin and victory curls are statement hairstyles, so wearing simple clothes may not match.

Set pin curls while drying to maintain your curls' shape even without the pins.

You don't always need the twin victory curls, try setting just a large one!