From Pixies to Bobs, These Styles Look So Good on Women Over 50

When it comes to one's body, time takes its toll on just about all of it. And although we know all too well what ageing does to our skin, when it comes to other areas of our beauty regimens, age is rarely factored in. From swapping in serums that tackle fine lines and wrinkles to acid treatments that work against age spots and pigmentation, products that cater to ageing skin seem to be everywhere. But what about our hair?

It turns out that besides going grey, ageing can affect our hair in a number of ways. From thinning to dryness, the ways in which our hair deals with getting older means that as time goes by, we may need to change up our routines. And one of the most effective ways we can do that is by trying out a new haircut.

This haircut is both short and stylish.

As hair ages, it’s normal for it to become a little more difficult to style, meaning that it’s often all too appealing to chop it off. As we get older, keeping hair short comes with its benefits. Not only does it keep locks looking healthy, but it also makes increasingly difficult-to-manage strands a lot easier to deal with.

Keep scrolling for all of the expert advice and inspiration that you might need if you’re over 50 and considering going short with your hair.

What Happens to the Hair As You Age?

The bob is a timeless haircut that looks good at any life stage.

As we get older, so does our hair. Over time, the rate at which our bodies produce melanin (the thing that gives our hair pigment) slows down and eventually may even stop altogether, causing hair to lose its colour and appear grey.

Alongside the loss of pigment, grey hairs often appear wiry and dry as a result of diminishing oil production by the sebaceous glands in the hair follicle. Jonathan Soons, creative ambassador at Headmasters, explains: "The ageing process changes the texture of hair so that it appears brittle, wiry and frizzy. Commonly, the longer the hair is, the more this becomes evident.”

To deal with ageing hair, Soons recommends switching up your products. "Older hair can be more fragile, so use a gentle brush such as Manta (£20). To help keep grey hair fresh and remove yellow tones, I swear by Revlon Professional Nutri Color Crème in 1002 (£21). As well as helping with colour, it also acts as a mask to keep hair super moisturised,” says Soons.

Why Does This Make Shorter Styles More Popular?

As older hair becomes gradually more difficult to deal with, many women feel that going shorter helps to minimise the upkeep. Valerie Maine, a hairstylist at Live True for Redken, reveals: "Short hair gives a feeling of a more youthful look. As you get older, your hair will sometimes thin and become weaker. Shorter hair is often easier to style and can fit in better with a busier lifestyle.”

Besides the fact that keeping hair short minimises the appearance of age-induced damage that might be more evident with longer styles, going for the chop can also help disguise the side effects. "Short hair will often give the illusion of fuller and thicker hair and will disguise this,” says Maine.

We're saving this haircut inspiration from Jada Pinkett Smith.

Things to Consider…

As with any hair change, it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into before you go ahead. Of course, going short comes with the usual considerations such as whether or not your cut of choice will work with your texture and thickness. However, when it comes to going short, there are other things to consider too.

As a rule, short hair tends to have to be styled more frequently than longer hair, and the general need for upkeep tends to be greater. When it comes to a short look that needs constant styling, it’s more important than ever to take the texture of your hair into account. "Consider the natural texture of your hair—if it is coarse, fine, straight, curly, etc. If you go for a style that ignores this, it will cause styling issues. Use your new short haircut to put emphasis on your favourite feature and showcase the areas you like the most. It could be your eyes, lips or cheekbones, for example,” says Soons.

What Short Styles Are Best?

If you know that you want to go short but are unsure of where to start, worry not. Keep scrolling to discover exactly what short hairstyle is right for you along with all of the celebrity inspiration you might need.

1. Pixie

If styling your hair is the last thing you want to think about in the morning, this low-maintenance cut could be for you. "For an older woman that has a natural curl or wave, the pixie cut is the best choice, as it uses the hair’s natural pattern to create texture and volume. They are also relatively easy to style and maintain on a day-to-day basis,” says Maine.

Considered the queen of pixie cuts, Dame Judi Dench’s textured cut creates the illusion of thick locks.

Emeli Sandé's cropped pixie is simply divine and totally elegant.

Short, straight and iconic. Jamie Lee Curtis is forever serving timeless hair inspiration.

Tilda Swinton opts to keep her pixie cut long on top so she can achieve her signature swept-back look. 

Kristin Scott Thomas's feathered fringe gives her pixie cut a beautifully soft finish. 

Ever so slightly longer than a traditional pixie cut, Ellen’s short-back-and-sides style is perfect for those who like to keep their hair regimens minimal.

No pixie roundup would be complete without Jada. With a style that's cut closer at the sides, Jada has a penchant for slicking the hair on the top of her head over to one side to create an androgynous look. 

Like Ellen, Kris's pixie crop is slightly longer than Judi's and Jamie's, but this extra length affords her the chance to add height to her crown. 

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2. Long Pixie

If the pixie cut seems a little too much of a statement, keeping a bit more length could be the perfect answer. A longer pixie style is also a great option for those who want to create an illusion of volume. Maine explains, "Longer layers can add volume, which is ideal if your hair is thinning and falling flat. The long pixie also gives a feminine touch when paired with a sweeping fringe.” 

I’m head over heels for this swept-over style, which proves that a long pixie is one of the best cuts to create volume.

A pixie cut enhances natural texture beautifully, as Lupita Nyong'o demonstrates.

I’m not sure I could be any more obsessed with Emma Thompson’s bleached, swept-back cropped ’do. It oozes sophistication.

A long pixie haircut swept into a side parting is a stylish take on the hairstyle.

Sweep your fringe to once side for easy glamour, much like Glenn's red carpet–ready look. 

If you hate spending too long on your hair, this grown-out pixie style is perfect. Just a bit of styling paste is all you need.

Holland Taylor bridges the gap between the pixie cut and the blunt bob with her short hair, complete with a cool side parting. 

This side-parted, grown-out pixie cut is the epitome of cool. Plus, styling it out is more or less effortless.

Helen’s sweeping fringe adds the ultimate feminine touch on a longer pixie style.

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3. Blunt Bob

Want to keep things simple? "A blunt bob keeps ends looking as fresh as possible. It can look quite quirky, a bit cool, and it’s really easy to style. This style works on wavy, straight, fine, medium or thick hair, but for curly locks, go brave and cut to the jawline,” says Soons. But be warned, a blunt bob requires commitment. To keep it fresh, it’s advised that you book in for a trim every six to eight weeks.

Although we might know Iman best for having long locks, for a brief period, she sported this side-parted bob—blunt but still slightly choppy to create more shape. I'm obsessed.

I just have one question for Monica Bellucci: How does she get that shine?

Okay, Sharon Stone, you win. Blow-drying a blunt bob back off the face and with serious volume is the perfect way to update a classic style.

Short, sleek, straight and fringed. Viola’s bob is just about as sophisticated as they come.

Jodie Foster demonstrates how a blunt lob provides endless styling options. Perfect for those who like to switch up their look.

A blunt bob really highlights Naomi Campbell's bone structure.

If anyone knows what's stylish, it's Anna Wintour, who has become known the world over for her timeless blunt-bob hairstyle.

Angela Bassett's centre parting makes her bunt bob look even chicer (if that were even possible). 

For the evening, a side-parted bob with a loose curl is a super-chic option.

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4. Shaggy Bob

"For women who want to keep their length but add some life to their limp hair, the bob is a suitable haircut, as it still gives the feeling of having long hair whilst creating volume. Shaggy Bob Cuts are very popular, as they break the traditional bob-haircut rules and create a more adventurous look. To create volume at the root, I use Redken Rootful (£25) and Pureology Clean Volume Mousse (£24),” says Maine.

To give your bob an edge, take it a little shorter like Cate Blanchett did. Just above the jawline is usually the sweet spot.

Adding in a subtle fringe to her shaggy bob, Gayle King demonstrates perfectly how to add a classic touch to a timely style.

Make like Robin Wright and add texture to your shaggy bob with a spritz of salt spray. 

Curls look equally beautiful cut just above the shoulders, with face-framing layers around the hairline and fringe, as this haircut by hairstylist Charlotte Mensah shows.

Loosely curl your hair, and then add a styling paste to the ends to create a full and bouncy bob, like Jessica Lange's. 

Ellen Barkin’s side-parted, bleach-blonde locks are igniting serious hair envy.

Chin-grazing and with a side parting? Alfre Woodard's shaggy bob is as chic as they come. 

Shaped around the face and styled into laid-back curls, Meg Ryan’s shaggy lob (long bob) is totally timeless.

Now totally iconic, Jane Fonda’s super-layered bob might require daily styling, but I think it’s totally worth the work.

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This story was originally posted at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Next Up: 5 Hair Colours That Don’t Do Thin Hair Any Favours—and 5 That Absolutely Do