5 Hairstyles You Should Never Wear If You Are Over 40: Including Layers That Are Too Short

The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to your hair — at any age — is that whatever feels right for you is probably right for you. Even if one-layered hair with blunt bangs and a single-process color may be on hair experts’ lists of “mistakes” to avoid if you’re over a certain age, this look may be perfect for you and suit your personal style better than any other. Don’t give up what makes you feel your absolute best. 

But if you’re struggling to understand why your current hairstyle isn’t winning you over, and you’re ready and open to making changes and small adjustments in your hair, you can start by fixing five common hairstyling mistakes that hair experts like Justin Hickox say can age you faster.

Here are the mistakes to avoid and easy ways to fix them. 

Layers That Are Too Long In The Front

Are your layers super long in the front, or feature one side that’s longer than the other? This can create “blocky” hair that falls into your face without rhyme or reason. Correct the problem by asking your stylist to snip layers in a more unified way so that one falls into the next in a pattern that makes sense.

Layers That Are Too Short In The Front

Many times when we look in the mirror, we focus on what our hair looks like from the front, but the profile is just as important when finding a great haircut and hairstyle, Hickox argues. When your layers are too short in the front and your hair is much longer in the back, the effect draws the face down, Hickox says. Unless your goal is a purposely choppy look, like a modern-day mullet, the goal with layers is to create unified layers that work in harmony to give your hair life and volume.

Flat Hair Styled Toward The Face

Hair that falls flat on top is a common mistake — one that can be corrected with volumizing powders or sprays and a bit of blow-out technique assistance to lift roots. When hair is styled too close toward the face this can pull your face down and make it appear more rectangular.

Hair Color That’s Too Cool Or Warm For Your Skin Tone

A lot of people ask themselves, “can I really become a redhead?” Or “Would I look okay as a blonde?” But the question should actually be, “Which shade of red or blonde would work best with my skin tone?” You can rock more hair colors than you might think, as long as the shades in your hair are cool if you have a cooler skin tone or warm if your skin tone is on the warmer side. How can you figure out your skin tone? One of the easiest ways is to try on gold and silver jewelry. If silver suits you best, you likely have a cool skin tone; if gold makes you glow, you’re a warm.

Your Hair Color Is All One Shade With No Dimension

Major caveat first: you do not NEED a full head of balayage to look more youthful — Katie Holmes is proof of this. But if your hair color is a flat shade of black or brown, it may appear as if it lacks dimension and depth. This can also make your hair look thinner in some cases. Adding a few highlights here can serve as a spotlight on your face and make your hair look fuller and shinier.

These small hair changes can make all of the difference if you’re looking for ways to modernize your hair.