The 35 Best Short Haircuts for Women Over 50, According to Stylists

The former First Lady was often seen wearing a variation of a shoulder-grazing lob—and for good reason. The cut is timeless and can easily transition from casual daytime looks to more formal evening affairs. As Reid tells me, this hairstyle is the “best of both worlds,” since the length allows for ample body and movement, and helps unite the proportions of the face, neck, shoulders and bodice.

“This is great for women nearing middle age as it brings about a level of sophistication, polish and youthful energy as the lob is in a prime position to bounce and sway with body and personality,” he says. Reid recommends using a lightweight leave-in conditioner, setting lotion or mousse before blow drying your hair with a round brush. Set with rollers and allow it to cool before topping with shine spray.

When it comes to the salon, you want to make sure your stylist cuts the layers and face-framing pieces so that they’ll suit your face shape and bust. This can mean getting creative with bangs and parts to create the lob’s oval shape. He does note that if you have an oblong face shape, be sure to ask for more layering and bangs than not.

How to get away with really good hair: Keep it curly and close to the chin for a foolproof fix against deflated strands. Reid notes that this hairstyle is lower maintenance since it has easy built-in styling. Plus, the bounciness adds a youthful appearance. He recommends blow drying with a round brush after you’ve applied a hydrating mousse or foam. You can employ a curling wand or iron to add some curls for texture. (Just don’t forget the heat protectant.)

When it comes to who can wear the bob, Reid tells me that it works well for all face shapes. “Square face shapes may opt for more layering and a side part and all other shapes can be customized with select partings and face framing bangs,” he shares. “Oblong faces may opt for a fringe or bangs to create more balance between the top and lower portions of the face.” To keep the shape of your cut, he advises going to the salon every six to ten weeks, depending on your growth patterns.

If you have hair like Julia Louis Dreyfus, a slightly longer style that hits your collarbones is a nice option because it won’t weigh down your natural curls. And for all the time you spent detangling your hair as a kid, know that they’re to your benefit now: “Curls create a fullness often lost in the face as we age,” Reid says. “Curls also soften facial features, providing balance and adding personality. A lob gives the perfect length to stretching shoulders creating a youthful profile.” He recommends styling with a leave-in cream, custard, foam or gel. If you have a round face, you can go with a straight lob or bob. However, Reid advises those with square, diamond and oblong faces to include some face-framing layers and/or bangs.

“Textured bobs are a great way to add a sophisticated edge for mature women and address concerns for those with fine and thinning hair,” Reid says. When you go to the salon, bring reference photos and communicate with your stylist re: your styling capabilities so they don’t give you a cut that’s too difficult to manage at home. For this, Reid recommends volumizing mousses and root-lifting sprays followed by a blow dry. (You can also set your hair with rollers.) Finish with texture spray or wax to amplify the ends.

Those with angular face shapes will rock this look. If you have a round face shape, Reid notes that you should ask for a blunt perimeter and a size part to balance the volume. You’ll also need a maintenance cut for the ends every five to ten weeks on average.

“This ‘off the face’ option is a great way to showcase strong facial features and balance out rounder face shapes,” Reid tells me. “The height of a side swoop can add length to rounder shapes, soften angular faces and showcase plump cheeks on heart shapes. It also adds a youthful ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ aesthetic signaling that you still like to have fun.” While it’s a versatile cut in terms of face shape, success does depend on your hair texture, so consult your hairstylist. The key to achieving the style is to use a volumizing mousse and setting your hair in a roller. Allow your hair to cool completely before removing.

Scared of scissors? A long, layered look will give your hair a bit of edge without the risk of an awkward growing-out period. Plus, it provides a lot of freedom to style, while still giving you the ability to put hair in a ponytail. Lofaro notes that it’s a low-maintenance style that will grow out well, so if you want, you can skip a hair appointment or two. But when you do go in, she advises requesting some long layers to give your hair movement. When it comes to styling, you have a couple options. Air dry with a light mousse, or blow dry with a round brush for a sleek finish.

If you’re looking for a cut that doesn’t require much styling, the pixie is right up your alley. The key is to ask for a cut that’s longer on the top and shorter around the sides and back, Lofaro explains. Then, styling is as easy as running and light wax or pomade through your hair. Erinn Courtney, StyleSeat hairstylist and natural hair expert has previously told PureWow that this is also ideal for those experiencing thinning hair. “It lays flat on the head and doesn’t require much volume. It’s also great to cover thinning or balding areas that may be visible with longer hair.”

Fact: Full, rounded bangs can make you look younger. Keep them at or below your brow line to prevent '80s flashbacks. Lofaro, who says that any face shape can rock a full fringe, recommends asking for a wispier cut that hits your eyebrows and avoiding a cut that’s too thick. Be sure to bring in reference photos for your stylist—this will also help you understand where the bangs will begin and end. To style, use a 1-inch round brush on the fringe, directing heat to the ends as you rotate the brush.

It doesn’t get breezier (or easier to style) than a buzz cut. A buzz cut is another great option for ladies with thinning hair because balding spots won’t be as obvious as they may be with longer styles. The best thing is that you’ll never need to dedicate time to styling. When you go into the salon, Lofaro’s insider tip is to ask for a 3-guard on the clippers.

Nothing says chic like a French bob. The stylish cut sits right above the jaw, while bangs add a nice touch to make thin hair appear fuller. When it comes to communicating with your hairstylist, Lofaro says, “[Ask for] shorter layers to create volume and texture while keeping the length to the jaw—no shorter or it will be a pixie.” While a bob is a fairly democratic hairstyle, she notes that those with rounder faces will complement the texture of this cut. For styling, she recommends a round brush or curling iron to give it volume and mask any thinning.

An extreme side part is a surefire way to make it look like you have more hair. As Philip B., founder of Philip B. Hair Care, previously shared with PureWow, “Brushing your hair to one side creates the look of volume and will help add balance while drawing attention away from the top of the scalp.” Potempa adds that it can also soften facial features—particularly the cheekbones and chin (heart-shaped faces, this one’s for you). In the salon, it’s crucial to communicate with your stylist about where you want the part to fall and at what length. For styling, special occasions call for a glam wave, which Potempa likes to achieve with the Beachwaver B1 curling iron and some hairspray.

Speaking of creating volume, this slightly uneven cut makes thin hair appear fuller at the ends. So, forget your usual middle part and opt for a deep side part instead for some instant dimension. Potempa advises consulting your stylist about which side to keep longer, as your facial features may affect how the hair falls. It’s a particularly good pick for round and square faces, she notes, as the cut adds angle and helps balance your face shape.

Another longtime member of the shoulder-length hair club? None other than Kelly Ripa. Potempa notes, “The face-framing layers help soften facial features and create a more youthful appearance.” You can ask for a long bob (shoulder length) with soft, rounded layers. She recommends it for heart-shaped faces and likes using a 1.25- or 1.5- inch curling iron to add the textured, bent look.

What do you get when you mix a classic cut with the latest trend? The pixie shag, which is a take on the classic shag. “This effortless cut creates a youthful glow with layered textures that enhance facial features,” Potempa says. In the salon, you’ll want to work with your stylist to decide the length, layers and texture. Potempa tells me that the pixie shag looks particularly great on heart-shaped faces, as the cut accentuates the cheekbones. To rock the look like Lisa Rinna here, invest in a paste that defines the layers and ends. You can also opt for a volumizing spray like Beachwaver’s Team Texture Dry Finishing Spray to add body and lift.

Speaking of shags, this curlier iteration is another classic cut that enhances texture and movement, lending an air of playfulness. Featuring plenty of choppy layers around the face and crown of the head, you maintain tons of texture and volume. Potempa says you’ll want to request choppy, textured layers that are longer in the back and shorter in the front. To style, a curl-defining mousse can quickly add shine and definition.

No shade to Gen Z, but center parts were a thing well before TikTok ever existed. A center part looks especially polished with a shorter bob, as Regina King shows us here, as it creates a visual sense of balance. If you add curls or waves, salon owner, trichologist and hair extension specialist Carrie Prowant says, that can add a softness to the overall style. As someone who wore a center-parted bob for almost a decade, I can attest that this is a super easy style to maintain. My favorite hack is blow drying upside down for volume without the necessary dexterity to use a round brush. If your hair is fine and thin (like mine), opt for a blunt cut. If you have higher hair density, ask for some layers. (And above all, bring in those reference photos.)

All hail Michelle Yeoh, and her perfectly tousled lob. The sexagenarian proves that longer locks can work at any age. I love the lob because it’s another low-maintenance short haircut for women over 50…or any age. Personally, I cut my hair maybe once a year, and knowing a bob will grow into a chic lob is a plus. Depending on your face shape, consult your stylist as to whether you’d benefit from face-framing layers or bangs to complement the look. When it comes to styling, I like to add some curls for texture and volume.

Similar idea, but with softer, more relaxed waves. This medium-length style has all the bounce you’re looking for—and then some. If you have straight hair, you can create loose waves with a curling wand or iron. But if you have a natural wave pattern, this is also your chance to take advantage of it, Prowant says.

“This style is best achieved by blow-drying with a diffuser by placing the diffuser under the hair and pushing up while drying. After the hair is completely dry, the use of a deep waver where needed will help create a soft wave pattern,” she notes.

At the salon, Prowant advises those with thinner/finer hair to consult with their hairstylist regarding the best texturizing products to add volume and body. Those with thick hair will want to ask for “shattered” ends (as shown on Roberts above) to draw attention to the shape of the haircut and soften the appearance. This is a great cut for oval-, triangle-, rectangle- and heart- shaped faces.

It’s not quite a bob, and it’s slightly longer than a pixie. The Bixie is the emblematic haircut of the ‘90s—and a great short haircut for women over 50. “The tousled [quality] gives a youthful appearance and the tapered sides [help soften the cheekbones],” Prowant says. She recommends the cut for square and round faces, and in regards to the actual chop, would amp the volume at the top of the head with a soft fringe over the forehead. Run a lightweight styling paste through your hair to create a soft, tousled finish. Note: For shorter styles like this, you will need a bit more maintenance (aka monthly trims) to keep the sides and back from getting too long.

Volume and texture are a perfect match. This type of cut will raise your cheekbones and draw the eyes upwards, Prowant tells me. It’s a great haircut for triangle- heart- and V- shaped faces. As most curly-haired folks will already know, it’s paramount to find a salon and stylist that specializes in natural hair. To keep your curls from being weighed down (and thus, weighing down your features), ask your stylist to cut your hair in layers, without thinning things out too much.

A little bit of length + a little bit of styling = a whole lot of timelessness. “This style is ideal for mature women as it offers both swing and movement, along with a classic blunt perimeter. The blunt edge creates a stronger weight line, which gives the hair a thicker appearance,” JB Shelton, a Keranique brand ambassador, award-winning salon owner, celebrity stylist and TV personality, explains.

Prowant adds that it’s a great style for softening facial features on face shapes like the oval, heart and triangle. To achieve Christine Baranski’s gentle waves, use a large-barrel curling iron (at least 1.5 inches). If you have a strong jawline, Prowant recommends lengthening this cut slightly past your jaw, as the blunt ends can make it appear wider.

Per Shelton, this is a great short haircut for women over 50 with highly textured hair because it enhances volume and lift. “Curly hair naturally has a lot of texture and movement, and a bob that falls around the shoulders helps avoid the heaviness that can weigh curls down,” she explains. When styling, a hot tool can help reduce frizz in addition to providing curl definition, Shelton explains. Finish with a shine spray or lightweight serum for moisture.

Halley Berry turned heads when she debuted a side-shaved pixie a few years ago (and gave us some Storm flashbacks with this platinum ‘do). Turns out the 58-year-old was on to something. “This haircut is perfect for those looking to inject some fun and texture into their look while enjoying a low-maintenance style,” Shelton says. It does require regular trims—think every four to five weeks—[but] the day-to-day styling and maintenance is breezy. “To enhance the texture and add shine, I recommend using a spray wax or a lightweight pomade. This will not only help define the style but also give your hair that polished finish.”

Here’s another famous Gen X’er showcasing a center parted lob. This gives you two things: movement and flair. “This is an easy haircut to wear away from your face, which is also another option for a more youthful look,” Shelton adds. By tucking your ends behind both ears, you can visually open up your features. When styling, she recommends root lifters and a blow dry brush. Or, you can add some curls with a curling iron.

Blunt ends and a side part give Sandra Bullock’s lob a bit more oomph. This is another iteration that’s great if you can’t commit to a big chop, Shelton says. There are plenty of styling options with the side part. Two examples: You can braid and tuck it away from your face, curl or set with rollers for mega volume.

“Soft, side-swept layers frame the face elegantly, adding movement and polish,” Sunnie Brook, a celebrity hairdresser and Biolage global ambassador, notes. When communicating with your stylist, request a chin-length bob with soft layers and a deep side part, she says. For finer hair, keeping your strands single length and clearing the shoulders is a failsafe way to add bounce. This bob works well with oval, square and heart faces—if you have a round face, opt for a slightly longer length that dips below your chin.

Bring on all of the layers. As celebrity hairstylist Sally Hershberger once explained to PureWow, “The key to this style is the longer fringe, which highlights cheekbones and makes you look more youthful by softening features.” Brook likes it because the haircut adds volume and movement, making it a great pick for fine and/or thinning hair. She advises that those with a square face should request softer layers around the chin. When styling, a 1.25-inch curling iron will help you achieve those soft waves.

“[This haircut is] sleek and sophisticated, offering natural volume with minimal effort,” Brook says. It’s also perfectly in step with the ‘70s revival that’s been all over the runways as boho chic makes its return in a 2025 iteration. Brook advises to ask for a blunt, jaw-grazing bob with minimal layering to preserve structure. If you have a round face shape, you’ll also want to add a deep side part.

Whether she’s rocking a pixie or a bob, bangs or no bangs, actress Robin Wright, who is approaching 60, usually keeps things on the shorter side. “A tousled, effortless bob softens features and adds texture,” Brook notes. “[Ask for a] textured bob with piecey layers and a razor-cut finish for movement.” The cut works well on oval, heart and square faces; round faces can also wear the look, but will want to add a little length for visual balance. To style, Brook likes to prep the hair with Biolage Thermal Active Spray before using a flat iron to create some soft waves.

If a classic coif is more to your liking, it doesn’t get much better than Alfre Woodard’s buoyant bob. According to Brook, this cut “Enhances definition and structure for naturally curly or coily hair.” Similarly to the Beachy Bob, round faces will want to wear this look a little longer, so it’s OK if the cut hits your chin instead of your jaw. At the salon, request a rounded bob with volume at the crown, Brook says. When styling, use a curl-defining serum, cream or product of your choice, then diffuse for a soft look.

As the name suggests, the asymmetric cut has one side shorter than the other, making it an edgier short haircut for women over 50. According to Hinkle, a textured hair artist, this hairstyle can add movement and enhance the facial features of diamond and heart faces. She advises using a lightweight curl cream to enhance the shape of the cut without weighing it down. It’s best for wavy, loose and spiral curls.

The pixie cut works on many hair textures, and Hinkle recommends it specifically for wavy, spiral and loose curls, calling it “A modern, effortless style that showcases natural curls.” It can be worn by oval, heart and diamond face shapes, styled sleek or with a bump of volume. Hinkle tells me that the curly pixie has the ability to keep its volume while framing the face. When styling, opt for curl-enhancing gel and air dry. For extra lift, use a diffuser.

If you have loose waves, spiral or tight curls, you can try the layered bob. “Soft layers help distribute volume without overwhelming the face,” Hinkle explains. “A chin-length or slightly longer bob with layers to enhance texture. [It’s] a great option for those who want some length but easier manageability.” She recommends this cut for oval, square and heart faces. As for styling, grab a light curl cream to encourage bounciness and in the salon, make sure you avoid overdoing the layers, lest you lose the appearance of density.

With a shorter cut on the sides and back, with longer curls on the top, this hairstyle enhances natural curl shape and definition, Hinkle says. She recommends it for oval, round and heart face shapes. To style, use a curl sponge or your finger to coil the top section for added definition. 

“[This cut] adds movement and dimension, [making it] perfect for softer curl patterns,” Hinkle says. “[Asking for] soft layers will [add movement to your hair] without sacrificing density.” This cut is a great way to create an illusion of fullness with fine hair, and works well on oval and round faces.