These Medium-Length Hairstyles Will Look So Gorgeous on Older Women
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As you get older, you might consider chopping off some of your hair. (It's certainly not required, though, which Ree Drummond will tell you: "Maybe I'm simply used to being a girl with long hair, or maybe I'm clinging to my youth!" she jokes about her signature red locks.) If you're not ready to try a short haircut, that's okay—the best medium-length hairstyles for older women will give you the perfect in-between with a good amount of length that's still super easy to manage.
So, which medium-length haircut in our collection is right for you? When you head to the hairstylist, it's important to be realistic about how much time you're really willing to put into your hair, as Ree knows first-hand: "I once got the Jennifer Aniston Friends cut‚ short and stacked in the back—and I couldn't style it for the life of me," she says. Low-maintenance styles like a lob (long bob) are perfect if you want an effortless look that has room to grow out, while dramatic haircuts featuring bangs will likely require a trim every two to three weeks.
Read on for the best medium-length hairstyles for older women that will look great on any color. Once you've found your perfect new cut, protect it with the best heat protectants and make sure you know how to properly blow-dry hair. For more inspiration, check out these ombré hairstyles and tips for transitioning to gray.
Loose Push-Back
This hairdo seen on Gillian Anderson involves combing the hair backward ever so gently. You'll want to leave in some height and make it appear as if your tresses naturally lay this way. Use a bit of hairspray to maintain the style through the day.
Barely-There Layers
Julianne Moore's soft, medium-length waves benefit from subtle layers throughout. Tucking front strands behind the ear also makes for a simple change from your day-t0-day hairdo.
Shag With Bangs
The oh-so-trendy shag is just the right amount of chic and mussy with choppy ends, layers near the top, and plenty of texture. Ciara even finished off her style with piecey bangs. This one works great on almost every hair type and texture, too.
Flipped-Out Lob
Inspired by the '60s and '90s, it's no surprise that the flipped-out look is back. Rosamund Pike's lob goes glamorous with slicked hair at the top and blunt ends that flip up. You can achieve this by drying with a round brush or by using a straightener.
Pinned Curls
Kerry Washington's bouncy and perfectly mussed up curls are made even better by the glittering accessory that pins back one side. Just look at how the style works to highlight her facial structure.
Straight Layered Locks
Long framing layers add shape and movement to an otherwise straightforward 'do while drawing attention to the face. To get Gwyneth Paltrow's look, you can simply blow dry your hair with a round brush or use a straightener.
Crimped Waves
Strategically messy waves with a hint of barely-there crimped pieces offer the seemingly natural style that we all strive for. Salma Hayek's texture can easily be made with a mousse or beachwaver.
Messy Updo
A perfect day-to-night hairdo, the messy bun takes away the struggle of making sure every piece is in place but still leaves you feeling beautifully put together. Here, most of Sandra Oh's locks are pulled up while her tousled bangs are left down for added allure.
Voluminous Curls
You can't go wrong with some curls and a whole lot of teasing. Just take it from Reba McEntire whose layers and bangs look incredibly full and healthy thanks to this fluffy style.
Blowout Curls
The iconic blowout look is back in a big way. For a voluminous style of loose curls that scream effortless glamour, just like Angelina Jolie, try using hot rollers or a hair dryer brush.
Lightly Tousled Tresses
Michelle Pfeiffer's shoulder-hitting, tousled tresses are the epitome of effortless style, and the perfect middle ground between straight and wavy. Try using a sea salt spray for added texture.
Polished Waves
Kyra Sedgwick's polished look gives a hint of Hollywood glamour without being over the top. Her deep side part frames her face and adds to the drama.
Side-Swept Waves
Diane Lane's side-swept style is super flattering for any face shape. Tuck one side behind your ear for an even more sophisticated look (and to show off some cute tassel earrings!).
Curly Bob
A curly bob never goes out of fashion. Viola Davis' look is playful, feminine, and easy to style whether you're dressing it up or down.
Sleek Lob
Maya Rudolph's lob is made even more sleek and stylish with an of-the-moment middle part. If you're wondering how to get shiny hair like Maya's, try a product with ingredients like argan oil and grapefruit extract, celebrity hairstylist Marissa Marino recommends.
Curtain Bangs
If you're contemplating bangs but not sure you're ready to make the commitment, consider Elizabeth Banks' soft, layered look. Longer curtain bangs like these will add dimension and texture to your medium-length look without requiring too much maintenance.
The Wet Look
Juliette Binoche's wet-hair look is chic and hot. You can achieve this style by applying a high-shine pomade to damp hair and blow-drying it straight back.
Layered Lob
Face-framing layers add interest and texture to Diane Keaton's simple hairstyle. It looks great in gray, if you ask us! (Check out our collection of the best gray hair color ideas for even more inspiration.)
Curly Updo
Nicole Kidman's voluminous updo is softened by curly tendrils that frame her face. For a casual take on this look, use an oversized clip (or as Ree would say, chip clip!) to secure your hair at the top of your head.
Curled Under Lob with Bangs
A shoulder-length lob with gently curled-under ends would look good on anyone, and can be easily achieved with a hot air brush. Heavy bangs add a feminine finishing touch.
Softly Layered Bob
Meg Ryan's layers add dimension to her shoulder-length style. Marine Cosseron, a hairstylist and colorist at Jean-Claude Biguine Salon in New York City, says the low-maintenance look is especially great for natural waves. To keep it in tip-top shape, get your cut refreshed every two to three months.
Middle-Part Bob
Nadia Vassell, owner of Nadia Vassell Salon in New York City, loves a middle part for a twist on the classic bob. If you go for a super-sleek style like Angela Bassett's, make sure to use a heat protectant before flat-ironing.
Rock and Roll Fringe
Cate Blanchett wore this blunt bob for Ocean's 8, but you don't have to be on a movie set to rock the dramatic look! You should aim to get bangs cut every two to three weeks, says Cosseron, but you can also grow them out and wear them as framing or curtain bangs (which require less maintenance). To style bangs like these, run your fingers through your hair for a not-too-done look, or touch them up with a saltwater spray.
Soft Waves
A softly angled collarbone-length bob draws attention to Julia Roberts's face. "You're lucky if you have natural waves, but you can also create them with a curling iron or thin flatiron," says Cosseron. Bonus points if you wear a Pretty Woman-inspired polka dot ensemble. 😂
Barrel Waves
How gorgeous are Octavia Spencer's bouncy waves!? To achieve the glamorous look, hairstylist David Stanwell told Hype Hair he prepped Octavia's hair with Dove Style+Care Curls Defining Mousse, blew dry it with a round brush, then curled small sections with a 1¼" curling iron.
Multilayered Bob
Even though Charlize Theron's bob hits at her chin, it has the same dimension as a longer cut, thanks to lots of layers. "Our hair changes as we age," Vassell says. "Adding soft layers will it give some fullness and movement."
Natural Curls
Angela Bassett's haircut falls just at her shoulders, framing her face, and a side part gives the voluminous style some shape. The key to Angela's healthy curls? "Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!" says Cosseron.
Face-Framing Layers
When in doubt, add layers! They're universally flattering and add movement and life to your style. "Just check out Martha Stewart at 79—stunning!" says Vassell.
Lob
Lob = long bob! Although you can style it however you want, Vassell loves an effortless beach wave like Jennifer Lopez's slightly tousled 'do. "It's perfect for older women because it's super easy to style and maintain," she says.
Bob with Bangs
French actress Sophie Marceau makes this medium-layered bob look easy breezy! To replicate Sophie's look, you can either let your hair air-dry or style it with a blow dryer and round brush, says Cosseron. Keep in mind you'll need to trim bangs every two to three weeks.
Sleek Middle Part
A center part is a great way to disguise thinning hair around the hairline, says beauty expert Cheryl Kramer. Face-framing layers also create flattering movement around Jennifer Aniston's face.
Half-Up, Half-Down
"This hairstyle will give you a natural lifted look," says Vassell. Robin Givens's pretty tendrils also draw attention to her amazing cheekbones.
Curls with Bangs
If you have curly hair like Viola Davis, you absolutely can get bangs, says Kramer. Just opt for wispier styles instead of a blunt bang. An added bonus for the 50+ crowd: "Bangs hide forehead lines," she says.
Chic Side Part
Lucy Liu's healthy-looking blunt cut is especially great for naturally straight hair. Just make sure to get regular trims to prevent split ends!
Beachy Waves
"Our hair’s density and texture change as we age, so layers throughout can help create more depth," says Kramer. Laura Dern's hairstylist Creighton Bowman swears by Bumble and Bumble's Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray for her beachy waves, he tells E!
High Pony with Bangs
Halle Berry pairs a more relaxed pony with wispy curtain bangs. You can use a bobby pin to secure a strand of hair around your ponytail like Halle.
Shaggy Layers
Padma Lakshmi is known for her long waves, but she debuted a bold layered cut with sideswept bangs at the Emmys a few years ago. Hairstylist Jeanie Syfu left the ends straight to show off the piecey texture of her haircut, reports People.
Natural Waves
Blythe Danner shows that you can rock a slightly longer medium-length style at any age. Light layers and a subtle bang highlight the natural movement of her wavy hair.
Barely-There Bangs
If you want to get bangs without the commitment, take a page from Real Housewives of New York City star Luann de Lesseps. The slight side bang echoes the layers in her trademark shoulder-length cut.
High Ponytail
"Try a high pony—it pulls back loose skin like a quickie facelift!" says Kramer. Jennifer Lopez's slicked-back style is great for second-day hair, too.
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