31 Fresh, Modern Haircuts That Can Help You Feel More Youthful

Reviewed by Nigella Miller

Age is just a number and it has just as little impact on how you live your life as it does how you wear your hair. Whether it be short, long, close-cropped, or you choose to flaunt none at all—people should feel empowered to get whichever haircut they choose. A great haircut can change your life at any age or stage and an even better stylist can work with your preferences to create the most flattering shape and structure for your features. If a more youthful visage is what you're after, there are certain tricks of the trade that will showcase your most loved assets and turn down the volume on what you'd rather not lead with.

To reveal just what could be aging you in terms of your hair, we asked professional hairstylists Marc Trinder and Sam Burnett to reveal the most anti-aging styles on the circuit.

Meet The Expert

• Marc Trinder is the co-founder of Trinder Hair Studios in the U.K. Previously, he was an official stylist at the BAFTAs and an ambassador and educator for L’Oréal Professionnel.

• Sam Burnett is the owner and creative director of Hare & Bone salon in the U.K. He has worked with celebrities such as Dua Lipa and Charli XCX.

French Bob

A French bob is sophisticated perfection at any age. You might be most familiar with Anna Wintour's classic iteration, but we love how Kerry Washington turned up the edginess on her own chin-grazing bob and bangs combo. The lived-in texture is oh-so fresh.

Rounded Layers With Fringe

Rounded layers might be trending, but, as far as we're concerned, they never went out of style. Penelope Cruz's rounded, mid-length layers and wispy bangs are all about framing the face with youthful bounce.

Ultra-Long Waves

Nicole Kidman's ultra-long, ethereal waves couldn't be more sprightly. Mono-length tresses can often fall flat and be quite harsh around the face, but this subtly crimped texture lends structure and shape that balance out the length.

Curly Shag

Soft, bouncy, fluffy goodness—Christina Hendricks's 70's shag absolutely exalts her natural curls. Frankly, it's the stuff of most curly-girl dreams. We love how the choppy layers are diffused by the texture rather than looking too jagged.

Asymmetric Lob

Mindy Kaling's glossy, angled lob is a masterclass in chic 'dos. The asymmetric length flatters the face while creating an epic collarbone moment all in one.

Feathered Shoulder-Length

A shoulder-length cut is not too long and not too short, making it just right for Heidi Klum here. “Shoulder-skimming styles are super flattering, as they graze the décolletage and gently frame the face,” says Burnett. They're also completely customizable, meaning your hairstylist can work with you to create the perfect layers or face-framing look.

Modern Bob

No matter your hair texture, face shape, lifestyle, or age, there's a bob for you. “The modern bob has a defined outline that sits around the jawline, framing your face and directing the eyes toward your best features. Textured layers and a choppy fringe just above your eyebrows create even more of a playful feeling,” Burnett tells us.

Full, Blunt Bangs

Bangs are a great way to switch up your look but the key is to find the length and style that best suits your face shape and features. “A full, blunt fringe can be dramatic, but it will hide lines and can completely frame your face and draw attention to your eyes,” reveals Trinder. However, unless you have a long or oval face shape, stick with a softer gradient fringe, he adds.

Byrdie Tip

When drying bangs, using the right hairbrush is key. We suggest opting for a boar-bristle paddle brush over a round brush. Wrapping your bangs around the latter can yield dated "bubble bangs."

Wavy Lob

As Julia Roberts demonstrates, a lob can go in multiple directions. One of our favorite iterations, though, is a wavy lob with a deep side part. “Lobs are one of the best ways to create the illusion of thicker, fuller hair, which is incredibly youth-boosting," Burnett tells us. Use it to show off a colorful earring or to better frame your face and try an easy DIY technique to create bouncy waves.

Sleek Mid-Length

A mid-length cut is universally flattering. But that doesn't mean it has to be boring. Just note Salma Hayek's sleek and sexy take on the classic cut as proof.

Short and Natural

Viola Davis embraces her natural texture in this curly crop. “Going shorter will automatically give you a more confident and youthful look,” says Burnett. Meanwhile, curls add a certain softness to an otherwise bold look. To keep frizz at bay and curls defined, try moisturizing your mane with lightweight oils like argan.

Long With Curtain Bangs

A lengthier mane—or anything that goes beyond the shoulders—can add to a style's youthfulness. Throwing in a few strategically placed highlights and curtain bangs like Catherine Keener, are a fun addition, too. And according to Trinder, “Fringes that curve around and frame the cheekbones will give contour and lift."

Layered With Blunt Ends

Layered hair is polarizing. Too many layers can leave you with a dated look but the right kind of layers—like Padma Lakshmi's here—can add body and movement to straight tresses. Trinder recommends: "Keep [layers] long and have the weight removed using slicing or razoring techniques that will create a more natural, graduated effect."

Razored Pixie

Cool, short cuts look great no matter your age. For pixie styles, a decent molding paste or wax, like Living Proof Style Lab Amp Texture Volumizer ($30), is essential for landing tantalizing texture. Without it, your hairstyle could fall flat to your head or, on the contrary, appear too poofy.

Waves With Center Part

Jennifer Garner's wavy layers look especially great because of how the shape—and her face-framing highlights—opens up her face. Ask your stylist to round-layer the hair, which enhances hair texture and softness.

Wavy Bob

Loose waves and strategic layering give Charlize Theron's bob a fun and flirty appeal. “Layers that are too short can instantly make a haircut look old-fashioned due to the roundness in shape that it creates,” says Trinder. Meanwhile, "Fewer layers and breaking up the blunt outline with some freehand cutting keeps it fresh and modern,” adds Burnett.

Voluminous Curls

Take a cue from Eva Mendes and try over-the-top volume for a youthful look. To add lift, use foam rollers at the crown and concentrate product on the ends of hair. Finishing with a volumizing hairspray won't hurt, either.

Short and Textured

A short, textured 'do can veer from casual to glam, as seen here on Lena Headey. If you have medium to thick tresses, ask your stylist to frame your face with layers to add dimension. Choppy side-swept bangs also add a nice touch.

Tousled Ultra-Long Layers

Age should not, and does not, dictate how long your hair can be. JLo's tresses are longer than long and beachier than ever with a matte, tousled texture.

Old-Hollywood Bixie

Somewhere between a too-short bob and an overgrown pixie resides the much sought-after bixie. Halle Berry's asymmetric approach is all about Old-Hollywood glam and Art-Deco allure. We love how lush and bouncy her curls are at this length.

Shoulder-Length Curls

Consider putting away your irons and skipping the professional straightening treatment. Letting your natural curls shine à la Thandie Newton will emphasize youthfulness—just don't forget to invest in a quality curl cream. Utilizing a stark middle part provides a nice contrast to voluminous curls and adds a 1970s flair.

Slicked-Back Bob

Cate Blanchett's beautiful androgynous bob makes us feel things. Its rough, slicked-back texture looks effortlessly cool while keeping hair out of the face. A weightless, water-based pomade (we like Rudy's Shine Pomade, $22) will work to keep hair back without weighing it down.

Piecey Bob With Bangs

Robin Wright's piecey, almost shag-like bob is youthful and fashion-forward. Bangs work double-time by concealing forehead wrinkles—in case that's a concern of yours—and drawing attention to the eyes. To achieve a similar look, use a dry shampoo—we like Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo ($42)—on unwashed hair and tousle with fingers.

Long and Curly

Follow Iman's lead and brighten up your hair—and complexion—with highlights. A lengthy mane and free-flowing curls will also lend a youthful aspect to your look. And when it comes to the part, change it up. “If you’ve had your parting in the same place for a long time, it can make your hair sit extremely flat,” notes Trinder. If you normally wear your part straight, try combing your hair back at a diagonal angle, and allow the hair to fall down in a new position.

Blunt Lob

A blunt lob is the epitome of fierce. With razor-sharp ends, the cut is all about communicating a bold sense of strength. Eva Longoria totally nails the look with a teased crown and volume throughout the body—both are great tricks to boost thin or thinning tresses.

Long Layers

Jennifer Aniston's cool surfer-girl look comes courtesy of bright highlights, long layers, and a natural center part. To add an extra youthful feel, add a texturizing product and rough up the hair a bit for a lived-in appearance.

Long Locs

Lisa Bonet's long locs likely came as the result of many years of hard work and patience—but what a result! For healthy and moisturized strands, turn to a product like Murray's Gel Loc-Lock ($7), which won't dry hair out.

Beach Wave Bob

A great beach spray comes in handy for Kelly Ripa's short waves. For a surf-to-sand look, invest in a product without any stickiness or heaviness so that hair can shine. We recommend IGK Beach Club Volume Texture Spray ($16).

Long and Feathered

For a modern take on Farrah Fawcett's iconic feathered 'do of the 1970s, take a page out of Christie Brinkley's book. Here, highlighted blonde hair is only slightly feathered outward with plenty of body and layers throughout to add structure and shape.

Platinum Braids

Jada Pinkett-Smith's braids are young and hip. That's due in part to the color (hello bright, platinum blonde) and also to the style. Rather than wear her braids loose and long, she fashions them into a bun. The resulting look places the texture and intricacy of each strand on full display.

Long and Straight

Demi Moore's signature long hair looks great worn straight, and even better with a cool-girl side flip. It adds an instant boost of volume that can revitalize limp locks. Finish with a shine spray to take strands from dull to glossy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will having long hair or short hair make me look younger?

If you have medium to thick hair, a lengthier mane can give off an air of youthfulness. But if your hair leans thin, it's best to go with a cut that's mid-length or shorter to lend natural volume to your look. If you opt for shoulder-length, modernize your cut by incorporating long layers to create movement and texture.

What age-defying haircut is good for thin hair?

Blunt bobs are a trendy and timeless style that will flatter thin hair by making it appear thicker than it really is. Depending on your face shape, you may also consider a longer bob, or lob, with blunt ends. In general, avoid any cuts that may remove density and volume from thin tresses, such as heavily layered styles.

How should I style my hair if I want to appear younger?

Typically, loose messy styles will allow you to achieve a youthful aesthetic. They can help soften your features and create a cool, effortless look. You may want to avoid super tight, pulled-back styles since they can appear severe .

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