6 Stylish, Age-Defying Haircuts For Women Over 40 With Curly And Wavy Hair
With the assistance of professional hairstylists and hair experts, we have compiled a list of six effortlessly chic, stunning, and ageless haircuts for women over 40 with curly or wavy hair who seek to revamp their appearance in preparation for the festive holiday season.
To aid you in your quest, we have crafted a guide featuring celebrity examples of everything from youthful shags to bobs to wavy lobs for you to reference during your upcoming salon visit.
Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles, Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and Founder of Phenix Salon Suites, Michelle O’Connor, professional hair stylist and artistic director at Matrix and Rodrigo Galvao, professional hair stylist at Gem House in Brooklyn, NY.
6 Chic Curly And Wavy Haircuts For Women Over 40
1. Curly Lob with Rounded Bangs
As seen on TikTok's BeautyTok and social media in general, many women with curly or wavy hair over 40 are embracing a trend of a bouncy, rounded fringe for a fresh and youthful appearance. A stylish example is Zendaya's sleek hairstyle above, as suggested by O'Connor, which can accentuate your facial symmetry and radiance.
"The halo fringe cut is at the height of popularity right now as curly girls are declaring, 'yes we can have bangs,'" O'Connor says. This look is best when worn as voluminous as possible, she says, and with long, windswept curls.
2. Wavy Bob with Sideswept Fringe
According to Galvao, one of the most universally flattering and anti-aging haircuts is a tousled, wavy bob with sideswept bangs. Referring to the base of the haircut, he explains, "The shape is usually more rectangular or square, with a very defined linear design, which brings a more modern and sophisticated look with a minimalist style."
Additionally, he says, "in some versions of the cut there are more layers that add movement and give those cool young vibes." As seen here on Glenn Close, this voluminous wavy style can give a boost to finer, thinner and normally flatter strands for a youthful feel.
3. Shaggy Wavy Lob
A shag is "another amazing cut" for women over 40 and anyone with wavy tresses that is "well-recognized for being versatile," Rivera says. A quintessential collarbone-length shag, as seen on Taylor Swift, offers "nice variations for both longer and shorter hair." She also notes that "adding a bang can add a fresh surprise to this look."
For those with longer hair, she says that "an added choice is to shorten the hair up a bit to the collarbone or above" to create some texture by adding subtle layers to soften.
4. Rounded Curly Pixie
If you're struggling with thinning hair or hair loss over 40, Abdullah recommends getting a circular or rounded, layered pixie like Audrey Tautou. "If you're thinning in the crown, consider a short haircut that's styled in a circular fashion or a swirl around the head," she advises. "A pixie like this can work wonders here," she says, as it "puts the attention of the eye somewhere besides the thinning top."
Another trick she says you can use is to "ask your stylist to cut short layers into your hair," she concludes. "These are cut on a slight angle and are meant to help create volume."
5. Asymmetrical Lob
A textured asymmetrical lob or bob is a "terrific choice" for mature beauties" with wavy hair, Rivera explains, since it's a perfect blend of classic yet still modern and trendy.
"This style [seen on Charlize Theron] is so hip that it’s perfect for making our ladies in their prime look super chic," she says. "Removing a bit of length from the hair, [adds] movement and creates a youthful appeal."
When it comes to styling, Rivera notes that "texturing the hair" creates an "opportunity to remove some of the damaged ends and weight which bring more life to the hair as well."
Additionally, Rivera advises that it’s best to always "consult with your stylist on a maintenance schedule but for those trying to regain hair health, make sure to trim every 4-6 weeks."
6. Curly Pompadour Pixie
As we grow older, a common issue that arises is thinning hair at the crown. If you possess curly or wavy locks and have an interest in experimenting with a stylish pixie cut, then Halle Berry's tapered and layered hairstyle above could be an excellent choice.
This cut, Abdullah says, "naturally curves under at the tips and for this reason, it brings the length of your hair away from your scalp, creating volume." It also cleverly draws any signs away from thinning or aging hair while highlighting your facial features.
Overall, Abdullah recommends taking a moment to consider your facial structure and desired focal points before selecting a haircut to enhance your naturally wavy or curly hair.
While the preceding list highlights six trendy and chic techniques to add some dazzle to your locks, there are countless other options to explore!
So, before you book your appointment at the salon, take some time to assess your features and select the ideal cut for the holiday season.
