These flattering hairstyles for women over 40 focus on short to medium-length cuts that can take years off your face. Thinning is the typical problem for maturing hair, but with today’s advanced hair cutting and dyeing techniques, you don’t need to fret about it! It’s all about flattering and working with your face shape, strong features, skin tone, and even your body structure.
Hairstyles for Women Over 40 That Suit You
The cuts and styles that suit women in their forties are all about adding shape and density to the hair and, at the same time, more space for versatility. One basic tip to take note of is that these rejuvenating hairstyles will need a bit more of maintenance because of your strands’ aging condition.
You don’t need a time machine to go back to your ripe years! Treat yourself to one of these trendy hairstyles and haircuts for women over 40, and it’s a guarantee you’ll look (and, more importantly, feel!) the most youthful and sassiest you’ve ever been!
Modern Chin-Length Bob
Couple bold bangs with a beautiful blonde hair color. This will definitely bring out your sexy side!
Edgy Razor Cut with Caramel Babylights
Babylights are coming back for women over 40. They’re ideal for your everyday pixie cut with a beautiful mix of brown and caramel hair color.
Over 40 Choppy Layers
The over 40’s choppy layers create a gorgeous mid-length hairstyle for women over 40. This one is for those who have thick tresses. The density allows the hair to support a voluminous, fuller-looking style. Achieve this by blowing the locks dry. Enhance the movement using a flat or curling iron if need be. Thanks to the blonde highlights—they create a trendy, youthful dimension, too.
Deep Side Part Bob
Join the rose-gold trend with enchanting rosy highlights added to a luscious caramel base. This is the perfect side-part bob for women in their 40s that will transcend time.
Blunt Bob with Side Swept Bangs
Showcase your wisdom; go gray! This is one of the best hairstyles for women over 40 who want to show up their natural silver hair color and roots.
The Classic Bob
Brighten your aura with chocolate brown highlights to create that classy yet trendy look. Plus, add that full fringe for a youthful outlook that every 40-year-old woman needs.
Long Layers with Fine Hair
When it comes to finding the best hairstyles for thin hair over 40, this is a must-try look to add more volume to thin hair. The burgundy color creates an illusion of depth hence, adding more dimension to your look.
Long Layered Bob for Round Faces
Doesn’t this soft, choppy lob for round faces look so refreshing? This cut’s flattering for extremely thick to release weight from her ends and also compliment her bright face.
Related: See more hairstyles for plus-sized women over forty.
Blunt Cut for Thick Hair
The look is a classic one-length textured bob. I would describe it as being beautifully timeless with some fun and flirty pieces to give it that modern edge.
This cut is that it requires minimal effort, but looks intentional. Which is perfect for the busy 40-year-old woman.
This particular look is suitable for all face shapes and doesn’t require lots of styling. It is versatile. It can be worn classically sleek with a slight bevel with a round brush or flat iron or fun and flirty with some texture. Embrace your natural wave by adding some loose curls with a 1 1/4 curling iron-very minimal work and finish it with a texture spray for some volume and hold.
Short Curly Hair
Q&A with style creator, Wendy Newsome
Hairstylist @ David James Salons in San Francisco, CA & Ceremony Salon in Portland, OR
How would you describe this look?
This short curly hair cut was inspired by a photo of artist Miranda July that the client brought with her to the appointment. It’s a fun and bohemian shape with an easy shattered bang that will grow out into layers effortlessly. The rounded layers were cut with a straight razor, removing weight for added movement and to boost the curls.
Any advice for someone considering it?
This look for women 40 plus, was styled with a leave-in conditioner to help with frizz and to add moisture and also a salt spray to boost the curls and add some texture. The shape is great for any curly texture of hair and the length of the layers and bangs can be customized to suit the taste of each individual.
Mid-Length Bob Cut with Center Part
This is a very versatile mid-length bob haircut. The layers are a round shape. The layers in this haircut are very long & “barely there” – just subtly framing the face and starting just below the chin. Thanks to texturizing techniques like slicing, this haircut has lots of soft movement & feels light while still looking full and voluminous.
The loveliest thing about this haircut is how easy it is. The subtle, long layers won’t require too much fuss. Texturizing in all the right places will make air-drying your go-to style.
This haircut looks great on most face shapes. Women with thin hair will achieve more volume with this look because of the mid-length that will leave enough hair to pull back into a casual ponytail but is just short enough to encourage bounce. Thick-haired women can opt for a more generous amount of texturizing so their hair feels light even with long layers.
This look can be as effortless as you make it. Feel free to let it air-dry after applying a light oil or even encourage waves with a salt spray. When a more polished look is in order, use a heat protectant then blow-dry, and use a 1 1/4″ curling iron to create loose waves, leaving about an inch of the ends out for a more modern look. Alternating the direction of each curl creates a voluminous, tousled look. Finishing the style with a dry texture spray ensures hold without any stiffness.
Short Layered Cut
Q&A with style creator, Whitney Kae
Stylist @ Whitney Kae at StudioK in Orem, UT
How would you describe this look?
Sassy, sleek and spunky! I love this look because it has the edge of youthful personality partnered with the refinement that comes with wisdom and age. This look can be styled with ease and personalized to what the day has in store. This is a cut that externalizes the dynamic characteristics of you!
Any advice for someone considering it?
A bold look that says – I look good! This cut calls for attention when styled to its fullest. The short length and shattered layers allow for this style to stay fresh throughout the day. Styled with Natulique Volume Mousse and Dry Shampoo, it has structure and body that can last. A great look for many hair types, and best achieved when particularly reducing weight in the right areas. Thinning out areas on medium to thick hair types allows for the visual of fullness.
This is a suitable cut for those who don’t mind taking the time to style it after freshly washed. Knowing that with a product and backcombing, the efforts will last throughout the day and be an investment into the following days until washed again, just needing to be refreshed in the morning!
This style likes some grit for ladies over 40! The dramatic A-Line brings flattering balance to more round face shapes and frames all face shapes emphasizing feminine features. The choice of a bang or not can be incorporated to personalized to preference and individual features.
Curly Bob for Medium to Short Hair
Q&A with style creator, Stephanie Nikolova
Curly Hair Specialist / Founder @ Curly Hair London in London, UK
How would you describe this look?
This is an example of medium length hairstyles for women over 40 with curly hair. The shape is unique with the addition of bangs, and it suits many different face shapes and body types.
Curly hairstyles with bangs can look incredible with flirty pieces over the eyes and free, bouncy curls around the face.
Any advice for someone considering it?
There’s nothing better than a medium length bob that looks stylish and youthful. It frames the face and adds definition to specific facial features. Bangs is a nice touch to finish the look. Using her natural hair color is the best way to keep the hair healthy.
Curly hair doesn’t always need to be long. It could look amazing in medium and short lengths.
There is a belief that bangs are not suitable for curly hair so the front hair always has to be long. I would like to promote that bangs are absolutely beautiful on curly hair.
Product-wise, I would suggest using sulfates and silicone free shampoos. The sulfates strip the natural oils and the hair gets dry. Some silicones are non-water-soluble and that is making product build up and cause the hair to break.
Short Choppy Cut with Thin Hair
Q&A with style creator, Zahava
Stylist @ Poza Salon in Charlotte, NC
How would you describe this look?
This short haircut for women over 40 is is a lose, shaggy pixie.
Any advice for someone considering it?
This is an ideal style on someone going from a short pixie to a medium length haircut or even someone who is too afraid to embrace a true pixie. This short choppy haircut is carefree and super easy to style! We used Kevin Murphy’s anti-gravity spray for light volume and finished up with Bedroom Hair, a dry texture spray by Kevin Murphy. This look is perfect for a low maintenance girl!
Beachy Wavy Long Hair
This cut provides lift at the crown and a balanced volume throughout the style, releasing weight while not comprising the fullness at the length. It’s one of the greatest long hairstyles for women over 40 with thick and heavy hair. The layers cascade seamlessly like a “waterfall.”
This cut suits women over 40 with all face shapes, hair types, and lifestyles. It also has the flexibility for the consumer’s favorite products. The possibilities are endless.
Medium Choppy Cut
This is a shaggy bob cut with bangs that are very reminiscent of the 1970s, Joan Jett, or even Lydia Deetz from Beetlejuice. It looks ideal with a medium brown color.
This choppy cut is great for almost anyone with a round, square-shaped, or smaller face. The length of the cut elongates the face, while the choppy face-framing complements the natural structure of the face. It is especially ideal for finer-haired women who are looking for something fun and different with tons of volume!
Cute Messy Cut with Wispy Bangs
There is a lot of dry-haircutting in the salon and this is a highly textured creation that sits as a shag with a fantastic textured semi curtain bang.
Get ready for texture, baby! If you are a woman over 40 and are considering this hairstyle be ready to become 100% more awesome!
The Pixie Cut
Looking for a crop that can transform you? Go for the pixie cut! Sometimes, cutting it all off can be the best way to create a new you. Pro Tip: Invest in a styling puck or two for your new chop. Try Davines’ “Medium Hold Finishing Gum” or Ouai’s “Matte Pomade.”
Long Shag for Ladies Over 40
A long shag for ladies over 40 is a staple for long-haired ladies who want to frame their faces and look younger while doing so. This cut is low-maintenance and the layering makes for easy daily styling. A long shag haircut can frame a face perfectly to accentuate your favorite features or diminish less desirable features. A long shag is perfect for hair with a little bit of wave as it lends itself to a more disheveled and natural look.
