Our hair naturally changes in texture, colour, and volume as we age, which is why choosing the right haircut can make a world of difference in how vibrant we look. However, some styles can unintentionally add years to our appearance. If you want to maintain a youthful look over 50, you might want to avoid these 18 haircuts.
Super Tight Curls
Natural curls “look gorgeous on any hair length, colour, and texture,” says Good Housekeeping. But, if styled into super tight, uniform curls, they can look outdated and overly formal, adding years to your look. Instead, embrace a more relaxed curl pattern or soft waves to give a modern and fresh vibe.
The Too-Short Pixie Cut
While pixie cuts can be chic and stylish, going too short can sometimes backfire. Extremely short pixie cuts can accentuate fine lines and wrinkles, making the face appear more angular and older, while a softer, slightly longer pixie with some texture can provide a more flattering frame to the face.
Severe Bob with a Blunt Fringe
A bob can be a timeless classic, but a severe bob with a blunt fringe can be too harsh for mature faces. This style can draw attention to every line and wrinkle, and the blunt fringe can also shorten the face, making it look less lively.
One-Length Long Hair
Long hair can indeed be stunning, but if it’s all one length and lacks volume, it can drag down your features and make you look older. Flat, lifeless, long hair can emphasise thinning and lack of body, so adding some layers and movement can rejuvenate long hair.
High Ponytail
It might seem like a quick fix for an instant facelift, but a high ponytail can also draw attention to the neck and jawline in an unflattering way. This style can be quite severe and is often associated with younger, more casual looks.
Extreme Asymmetrical Cuts
Edgy and fun, extreme asymmetrical cuts can also be too stark and severe for mature faces. This style can highlight uneven skin texture and fine lines, making you appear older, while subtle asymmetry or softer layers can provide a modern touch without being too harsh.
Flat, Centre-Parted Hair
Flat hair parted down the middle can look uninteresting and lifeless, especially on mature faces. It can emphasise a lack of volume and make your hair appear thinner, so you might want to try a side part or add some volume at the roots to create a more lifted and vibrant look.
Slicked-Back Styles
Although they can be very sophisticated, slicked-back hairstyles can also reveal every detail of your face, including lines and wrinkles. This can make you look older and harsher, so instead, opt for styles that add volume and softness around your face to maintain a youthful appearance.
Unkempt Shaggy Hair
A shaggy haircut can be fun and playful, but if it’s too messy or unkempt, it can make you look dishevelled and older. A well-styled shag with defined layers and a bit of texture can add a modern, youthful touch without looking untidy.
A Heavy, Straight Fringe
If you’re going for a dramatic look, a heavy, straight fringe can do the job, but it’s also very ageing. It can create a harsh line across your forehead, drawing attention to lines and sagging. Light, wispy fringes or side-swept fringes are more forgiving and can soften your features.
Extremely Layered Hair
While layers can add much-needed volume and movement, too many layers can make hair look thin and straggly, giving an impression of frailty and age. A few well-placed layers can provide a youthful bounce and fullness without overwhelming your look.
Overly Teased Hair
Teasing your hair for volume can sometimes lead to an overly dramatic, dated look. Big, teased hair can seem stuck in past decades, instantly ageing you. Modern techniques for adding volume, like gentle backcombing or using volumising products, can give you a lift without the harshness of old-school teasing.
Bowl Cut
The bowl cut is a dated style that rarely flatters anyone, especially mature women. Its rounded shape can emphasise facial roundness and lines, making you look older, while more contemporary, layered short styles are a much better choice for a fresh look.
Stiff, Set Curls
Curls set in place with lots of hairspray can look overly rigid and unnatural, and such a dated style can make you appear older by creating a helmet-like effect. Embrace softer, touchable curls that move naturally and frame your face gently for a more youthful result.
Dramatic Colour Changes
Going for a dramatic hair colour change, like jet black or platinum blonde, can be too harsh and draw attention to signs of ageing. Subtle highlights or lowlights that complement your natural hair colour are a better option. They add dimension and softness, helping you look more radiant.
Overly Long Fringes
If you have a fringe that’s too long and hanging too much into your eyes, it just looks unkempt—and can also be impractical and annoying. Keeping your fringe at a manageable length, just above the eyebrows or swept to the side, can open up your face.
Tight Updos
Tight, severe updos can be very formal and ageing, as they pull your hair and skin taut, accentuating every line and wrinkle. Softer, looser updos with some face-framing pieces can create a more relaxed and youthful look, suitable for both everyday wear and special occasions.
The In-Between Stage
One final hairstyle that can make you look considerably older is when you don’t necessarily have a style at all! If your hair looks like it’s constantly at that awkward in-between stage where you don’t know what to do with it, it can look boring, dated or even work against your overall personal style.
