Hair expert shares 4 ‘flattering’ hairstyles to make women over 50 look younger

No single hairstyle can last a lifetime while being universally flattering, but there are a few timeless looks that women should consider as they mature.

Laura Elliott, an expert head stylist at haircare specialists Neäl & Wølf with over 20 years of experience, explains why hairstyles that boost volume, texture and dimension are key to achieving a youthful look.

She said: “As we age, changes like shedding, slower growth, dryness, frizz, and greying roots can occur. Regular trims every six to eight weeks can also help manage breakage often experienced with mature hair.”

As for what to ask for in the salon, Laura assures women they don’t have to cut their hair short to flatter their complexion. 

While she recommends a bob to cheat the appearance of a fuller, rounder face, “extra long” hair also features in her top four hairstyles.

Tousled midi bob

The shoulder-grazing midi bob is a low-maintenance and versatile hairstyle, perfect for quick and easy styling. Plus, the mid-length is ideal for those looking to balance the ease of short hair and the styling options of longer hair.

Laura explained: “Falling just above the shoulders, the midi bob adds instant volume and movement to your hair, which is especially flattering as hair naturally thins with age. 

“Try styling this cut with tousled texture for a youthful yet polished look, and finish with a texturising spray to lock in volume.”

Soft layers

This style is less about changing the length and more about working with the tresses you already have.

Laura said, “An ideal choice for keeping length is to incorporate soft, simple layers with face-framing highlights to add depth and warmth and brighten up complexions.

“Unlike blunt cuts, which can emphasise texture and age-related changes, soft layers add movement and dimension while maintaining length, helping to disguise thinning hair.”

A source of inspiration – be it a photo or a celebrity icon, is worth taking to the salon to discuss where the shortest layer should fall. 

Extra Long

Perhaps the most surprising style on the list, extra long hair is a favourite of Laura’s. Though often ignored as an option for mature women, Laura says: “For those who have always had luscious long locks, there’s no reason to cut it short once hitting a certain age.

She added: “Long hair is timeless and can soften the face, creating a flattering frame. However, it can weigh down facial features if not styled correctly, creating a heavy appearance.

“To avoid this, consider incorporating long, round layers to add movement, which also makes styling easier, as air-dried textures will look more polished, and thin hair will gain extra volume.”

Curls or waves are easy to add and help to prevent hair from looking too flat and long, adding both volume and “a youthful touch”, said the hair expert.

Laura noted, “To keep long hair healthy, get regular trims every six to eight weeks, use nourishing formulas, and always apply heat protection when styling to prevent heat damage and brittle ends.”

Textured bob

Another kind of bob worth trying is the textured bob. Similar to the tousled midi version, this one is a little shorter and focuses on the cut to add shape and volume, says Laura.

She added: “It’s a fresh modern take on the classic bob, adding a playful edge to hair. In contrast to a traditional blunt bob, the textured bob incorporates soft, layered cuts throughout to create a lived-in, tousled look that’s full of dimension.”

Laura elaborated: “This low-maintenance style gives hair a fuller appearance, which is great for finer hair types. To style the textured bob, start with damp hair, apply a volumising mousse, blow dry with a round brush for lift, create loose waves with a curling wand, finish with a texture spray, and embrace the slightly messy but easy-to-maintain look.”