Hair color is something many people are open to changing throughout their lives, but when it comes to style, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut. While a drastic change isn’t always necessary to achieve a younger appearance, it can make a significant difference when it comes to disguising gray strands or framing a slimmer face shape—natural parts of the aging process. Many hair experts have shared their opinions on the best styles for mature women, but one industry professional claims to have narrowed it down to a trio of universally complimentary haircuts—and they’re not all in favor of short lengths.
Sharing his wisdom on YouTube, hairstylist Justin Hickox stated: “After working with thousands of clients, I’ve discovered three hairstyles that stand out. Clients love them because they’re flattering, they help address some of the things that happen as we age, which means the people who wear them look more youthful, and the styles are timeless!” Justin’s expertise is well-placed as a stylist with 29 years of experience dealing with clients, 85 percent of whom are female, and more than 90 percent of them over the age of 40. He asserted that these three hairstyles are specifically designed for this age range and are styles mature women “absolutely love.”
The expert’s first recommendation was a long layered cut, defying the common belief that shorter styles are the only way to flatter a mature complexion.
1. The Long Layered Cut
According to Justin, it’s essential to focus on visual styles when visiting a hairdresser with an idea, rather than relying solely on the name of a haircut. This is because stylists might interpret terms differently from what’s intended, making images the best reference. As for why the long layered cut is a “really solid option,” the hair expert suggested that the layers allow for lots of movement and texture, while simultaneously removing excess bulk from the bottom of the hair strands. Justin explained: “Many times on longer hair shapes, the heaviness of one length can get very heavy at the top and full at the bottom, creating a triangular shape that brings your eye down.” This also prevents adding unnecessary volume to the hair to balance a slimmer face shape. However, with the right layers, even thin hair types can look “fantastic” both up and down, while still maintaining softness around the cheeks.
2. Layered Bob
Justin highlighted a key difference between a ‘bob’ and a ‘layered bob,’ emphasizing that the layers “play a huge role in why this is so effective and why women over 40 love this.” He pointed out that the bob style remains timeless through every decade, with one form of the style always being very current. The layers address the same shape concerns posed by long layered hair—the triangle shape created by hair that’s full at the bottom. According to Justin, layering a bob takes the bulk out of the sides of the hair because there’s “simply not enough hair” for it to get too full at the base. When done correctly, the volume is concentrated at the top of the hair rather than the bottom, thanks to the layers that graduate the hair to a thinner texture where it’s needed. The hair expert praised this shorter style for working with any outfit—it can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. “They’re so timeless and never go out of style,” said Justin.
3. Pixie Cut
Although daunting, the hairstylist explained that “the key to this length range,” regardless of the length, is where the volume sits. According to Justin, women who are inclined to cut their hair to a shorter pixie style could benefit from having a little bit of extra length on top and a little more tapered inwards on the sides. Justin said: “This alone makes a massive difference in where volume sits—it really forces volume to sit right in the temple to highlight cheek structure and lift the face a lot more.” Adding a soft fringe is also very effective in creating a more youthful appearance and drawing attention to the eyes. When the hair is tapered inwards towards the face on the side, the shape remains in the right areas without actually having to style your strands. This is a style donned by many mature celebrities including Jamie Lee-Curtis, Michelle Williams, and Charlize Theron.
