Pixies, shags, and bobs of all sorts are most flattering short haircuts for older women with thin hair that gets fine and limp as they age. Who says you have to be young to have fabulous looking short hair? Age is just a number. If you’re looking to take years off your face, add life, volume, and youthfulness to your hair, then you’ll want to keep it as short as you can with lots of layers and textures. Below are photos of the most popular short hairstyles for older women where you’ll find your next inspiration! If you’re wanting a more youthful look, then considering covering your grays with rich hues of red, brown or gold.
Short Spikey Pixie
This spikey pixie features a longer length on top for maximum versatility with minimal hassle for older women with fine hair. With this cut, you can keep your gray hairs and flaunt them with confidence!
Long Pixie with Side-Swept Bangs
This is a classic shape with a little more weight and length on top and a closer, tapered length on the sides. This cut is so versatile – it can be messy and textured for a casual look or slicked down for a more refined, elegant look.
This is a great transitional cut for straighter-haired clients who want to cut their hair short but aren’t ready for a full-blown Mia Farrow pixie. The longer bangs provide a little “security blanket”, and the sides could be left longer as well. The back should always be the shortest part of any shorter haircut this gives a beautiful silhouette.
Any face shape can wear short hair, and my only rule of thumb is the stronger the jawline, the longer the crown area should be for balance. There should always be a good amount of texture, more so for very thick hair to avoid the “cap” effect. A texture spray or texture powder on dry hair is usually all that is needed to style a great short hair cut!
Classic Bob for Thick Wavy Hair
This look is a short A-line bob. The best thing about this look is its versatility. A waved bob is a new take on a classic haircut. It’s short, sassy, and can translate a wide age span!
When considering short haircuts for older women you need to consider a few different aspects of your daily life. (With any haircut really.) In particular with a bob, think about the amount of time you are willing to give to styling your hair.
Considering a ponytail wouldn’t be possible. A waved bob is probably the best for any texture, thickness, or wave pattern.
Starting with blow-dry, try Tigi small talk as a blow-dry cream. With curling, a 1″ curling iron is the best for bob length haircuts and Paul Mitchell’s Awapuhi ginger shine spray to leave the hair with shine and a light hold.
Layered Graduated Bob
Consider a layered graduated bob with some fun highlights to accent the textured layers. This short hair can be playful, especially with the tousled layers.
If you have very fine hair, use both Powder Dry Me and Puff Me. Using the two together creates lots of natural volume without having to tease. Sulfate-free shampoo and conditioners are always best to maintain the color and integrity of the hair.
Many different hair textures and face shapes can wear a graduated bob. It’s a very versatile style.
Blue Steel Pixie for Asian Women
I would best describe this style as a blue steel, disconnected pixie. My favorite aspect overall would be the creativity and unique originality involved with the entire color and haircut process. This was her first appointment with me and she really gave me the green light to explore her requests.
Consultations with new clients who wish to explore “outside the box” usually takes me about 15 minutes so that we can really touch base on their hair history and possibilities. Also, it’s not very often that I get such requests from an Asian woman over 40 years old wanting a short haircut.
There are five products I highly recommend to maintain this style and hair/scalp integrity in between appointments. First, any client whose color service requires “on scalp” bleaching will definitely benefit from using an aloe vera aerosol spray. It is inexpensive and will help relieve any after burning sensation or discomfort.
My top pick for a protein-based shampoo is Melu by Davines, and a custom blue Fabuloso color conditioner by EVO to infuse pigment to your at-home color maintenance regimen. For styling, I’d use a few spritzes of Bona Fide’s texturizing spray before blow drying to give the hair a bit of grit. This step really helps prep the style so there is minimal use of pomade and heavy residue. Lastly, for thick Asian hair, I love Davine’s Strong Hold Dry Wax for longevity and texture, finishing with their extra strong hairspray.
I recommend this and color combination for clients who aren’t afraid of making a statement. It’s always wise to ask the client about their work environment, budget and timing to ensure that a “creative vivid” color/haircut service is right for them.
This particular style can be achieved on most hair types. We’re so fortunate that Olaplex’s technology has allowed more wiggle room to push the boundaries when it comes to aggressive color services. I believe that confidence is the main component for pulling off this hairstyle or any hairstyle for that matter. Anyone, no matter your race, size, gender, and age would look great in this look as long as they feel it from within.
Carefree Pixie With Glasses
This look was is designed to be carefree and soft. My favorite thing is how it enhances her features softly contours the structure of her face. The lines compliment the features.
Due to the natural texture and wave to the hair, this style is maintained with a light styling product for short wavy hair similar to Redken’s Ringlet, Ouidad’s Texture Taffy or a sea spray. If the hair has natural wave or texture, no blow dry is necessary.
Due to the carefree nature of this style, cut and color, I find this is most flattering for women with naturally textured hair and sharp facial features. This look is no hassle, no fuss and always ready to go!
Low-Maintenance Pixie
Opt for a pixie that’s edgy and low maintenance, but fun for all ages. The best thing about it would be that you can style it to look textured and messy or more flat and sleek.
It works for women with very fine hair, but also thicker hair.
It’s a great look for women who don’t have a lot of time in the morning to do much with their hair. All it needs is a quick blow dry and a little product, then you’re out the door!
A heart or an oval-shaped face is ideal, but with a little bit of confidence anyone can pull it off.
Spunky Pixie for Over 50
A spunky pixie is one of the best short hairstyles for women over 50 who are busy and need a fairly low-maintenance look! From the color to the cut, style time is minimal and it’s super versatile.
The rooted color lets you go longer between sessions so you’re not in the salon every four weeks for color. It’s young, it’s spunky, and it works well for any lifestyle!
It’s great for a fast style that’s still trendy and you aren’t spending an hour on your hair in the morning. It’s quick and fun, but still a put-together look!
Easy to Style Short Wedge Bob
My favorite thing about this short haircut is that it’s absolutely timeless! Even with all the constantly changing styles, this one never goes out. It’s such an easy-to-style, but one of the edgier and fashionable hairstyles for women of all ages!
The best product I’ve found for long lasting, touchable volume is Moroccan Oil Root Boost. I just apply it lightly to the roots and use a round brush for extra volume while I blow dry. For heat protection (and since I live in Oklahoma, the humidity protection it provides is also a plus!), I always use Amika Style Shield right before I run the flat iron over the ends.
This style definitely works better for people with fuller hair because it makes a beautiful stack. Although, with the right products and tools, it can be super cute on thinner hair also!
It is a great choice for moms who don’t necessarily have a lot time to do their hair, but still need a look to make them feel feminine. It’s also for the women who just want something fun and different! The best thing about A-line bobs is how many different ways you can cut/style it to flatter all the different face shapes.
Liberated Grey Hair Shag
This look is sassy, messy, fun, and chic.
This look is very low maintenance. The babylights brighten her color and emphasize the shaggy layers with some disconnected layers, especially around the face.
This haircut on thinner hair is recommended for women with an oval, triangular or heart-shaped face. All lifestyles would be perfect for this look as long as the person is less detailed and more into the lived-in, undone, messy hair look.
Color That Gray Bob
I would describe this look as fun and spunky, something that says age is just a number and that every women has their own kind of sass.
I highlighted with Joico Blondelife and lowlighted her with a Joico Intensity mix of magenta and pink. When styling, I used the Loma Volumizing Mousse and round brushed her out.
I feel this style is completely ageless. Anyone can enjoy this look, but I mainly recommend it for anyone with really fine hair looking for a fuller look. The cut is definitely suitable for most face shapes and the pop of color is for a client looking to embrace their spontaneity.
Layered Wavy Bob
Opt for a short layered bob with waves. It will give your hair texture and body because if you have very thin fine hair.
This wavy bob is great for many hair types. With this cut, you can use different lengths depending on the shape of your face.
For a rounder face, make sure the length is slightly below the chin. For someone who has a long and thin face, try to keep the length at chin level. Overall, this is a really great look for many face types as well as different types of hair.
This particular short layered cut requires styling. The time of styling always depends on how thick the hair is. To style, use mousse before blowdrying and a bit of dry hairspray at the end.
Professional Chic
This look is professional and chicm but can also be worn casually and edgy with little effort due to the fun texture! You can play with this style in many different ways.
My favorite thing about this cut and style is that it’s beautiful, weightless, easy to maintain, and very versatile.
To recreate and maintain this look, I recommend blow drying with a brush or tilting your head upside down using a mousse or styling cream gel such as Paul Mitchell’s Sculpting Foam or Fast Form.
The type of client I recommend this cut for is almost anyone! It takes little effort to maintain as long as you don’t mind regular visits to the salon between four to six weeks. This is a good option for anyone with fine to medium hair texture. It is also good for anyone from a sporty lifestyle to a professional lifestyle. No matter what kind of life you lead, it’s simple to take care of and style!
Soft A-Line Bob
I would describe this look as a soft A-line bob with minimal layering. My favorite part of cutting a graduated bob is the skill and precision it takes to create a beautifully balanced shape.
To maintain this style, I recommend TIGI Bed Head Small Talk as a wet product to thicken up the hair for a soft hold when blow drying. I also recommend TIGI Superstar Queen for a Day at the crown as a thickening spray mousse for added volume when round brushing. To finish the style, I recommend TIGI Head Rush for minimal shine and light separation.
This cut and style is ideal for medium to fine hair textures. This cut will naturally build up weight in the crown best for creating volume and lift.
In this particular bob style, I have added a texturized fringe to bring a youthful feel to this classic shape. Bobs are minimal styling maintenance, but often require more frequent cuts to maintain the shape.
Super Short Crop of Elegance
This is a short, chic cut that has effortless style and elegance. My favorite thing about it is how it compliments the bone structure and head shape.
To maintain this look, use products like a styling lotion or cream that you like and rub it backwards through the hair when damp, then brush through and air dry or blow dry.
I recommend this look for women with thick, straight hair that doesn’t want to fuss too much with their hair but still loves style.
Layered A-Line Bob With Lowlights
I would describe this look as a layered A-line with light stacking in the back. It’s very versatile because the client actually has gorgeous short curly hair, so the layers help lighten up the curls. Believe it or not, we are trying to grow out her bangs.
This look gives her the freedom to wear her hair straight, curly, or put some fun twists into it (my personal favorite). The color I use is Wella. I love getting to place the lowlights! We add them for depth and dimension, mainly around the face.
I am a big fan of Unite products. I used 7 Seconds to start her off. It’s a great leave-in conditioner that’s not too heavy and has a U.V. and thermal protectant. I then sprayed Texturiza at her roots. It gives it this AMAZING fullness with a touch of grit. My favorite round brush a 1-inch Olivia Garden to finish out the blow dry.
One tip that I love is to round brush the entire crown forward. Once the hair and scalp have cooled off, flip back in sections and enjoy the volume and the beautiful swept bangs! Finally, a touch of Unite’s U-Oil is the perfect finish to bring out that extra shine. Once you are happy with how you have everything styled, I always set the style with Big Sexy Hair Spray and Play.
Honestly, this cut can be worn by anyone. It works for the young blogger mom who is trendy and can play with pop colors or wants to be an all-over pink, and it also completely works for women that are more current and on trend.
It’s a fun style because it can be worn sleek and straight, messy and undone, or even curled to perfection. Any face shape can wear this cut. I feel like it really depends on where the front line hits the jaw that matters, but ultimately you can have fun with the angles and the layers within the cut.
Do keep in mind shorter hair is more maintenance and does need to be kept up because it will fall flat and out of shape faster than long hairstyles typically do.
Youthful A-Line Bob with Wispy Bangs
Opt for a youthful a-line bob with wispy bangs. It’s a chic, easy, bouncy, and voluminous cut. It can be sassy or classy. You can add texture to it to give it a piec-y look, or wear it straight and more professional looking.
This pixie isn’t for women who are very thin in the front around their hairline or women who are thinning on the top of their head. You need the length in the front to be able to achieve this look. This cut isn’t recommended for older women with thin hair that easily falls flat.
This hairstyle is very easy to style if you want to just wash it and go, round brush it under, or even put some curls in it.
Textured Bob With Soft Layers
This is a sharp but textured bob with soft layers to give the illusion of more volume.
Use Natalie Anne New Heights Dry Volumizing Powder on the roots to create more volume with a soft hold. Through the ends, use the Natalie Anne Undone Perfection Dry Texturizing Powder. It gives a soft hold but creates the soft movement of the layers.
This layered bob is for women who don’t like to fiddle with their hair too much or have a busy lifestyle because you can toss your head over, use the recommended product, and walk out the door. It suits older ladies with fine hair to give them more volume and movement and it helps not to weigh the hair down.
This cut is highly recommended for older women with round faces to give the more elongated look.
Grey Textured Graduated Bob for Women Over 60
This look is a textured graduated bob with slight layering to create dimension and movement around the face, especially when the hair is pushed forward. It’s the ideal hairstyle for women over 60 with grey hair.
I cut at a 45 degree angle to create the base, then layered the top and gave her an edgy fringe. After blow drying, I took out some weight by using a couple of texturizing techniques to create movement.
I used two products to create this look. The first is called Black Caviar 12 in 1 Multi-Action hair cream by Mon Platin. The second is called Young.Again by Kevin Murphy. I sprayed the Black Caviar hair cream into damp hair, combed it through, then rough dried to about 85%. I then took two pumps of the Young.Again, emulsified it in my hands, distributed it throughout the hair, then combed it through and round brushed it with a large round brush to give fullness and volume.
The reason I used the Young.Again oil in rough dried hair is because I find it if I use it in wet hair, it just slides right off. All the product ends up on the cutting floor instead of the hair itself.
I find this look to be very versatile so it can be worn by women of all ages. I believe a bob can be pulled off by anyone if the stylist is skilled enough to make it work for the person sitting in their chair. This particular bob looks best on thick, coarse hair because it gives that lift in the back and fullness all around.
It’s most flattering on a heart-shaped face and on someone that has a narrow chin, but again, a skilled stylist should be able to create this look on any face. You can personalize the look with a full fringe or a side fringe to cater to the face shape. Young professionals or mature women love this look. I feel it empowers them.
Chic And Sporty for Over 60
This short haircut for women over 60 is chic and sporty, yet elegant. Its shape and ease of movement make it a look that is very versatile.
Although this bob is short because of its layering and texture, a lot of movement and height can be created, allowing you to transform this cut into different shapes. This gives you the opportunity to change your hair to suit your look for that day or evening.
For more texture, use a light spray wax. For more volume, a dry matte texture spray can be used. Of course, a hairspray to finish is always a must for that extra hold!
Because of the shape of the style (being that it has volume through the top and sides, yet is tapered through the neckline), this cut is wearable for most face shapes.
The fact that it’s short and layered makes it easy to work with and style, as well as keeps it versatile. Most hair types will work with this look as well.
Eccentric Feathered Bob
This look is very eccentric. The layering on this bob haircut helps out with volume. My favorite part is that after I am done blow drying this style, I then do a fast blow dry to create more bounce. This shows the layers beautifully.
To create this exact style depends on the individual. If the person has thick hair, I recommend using MoroccanOil Smooth Lotion to blow dry and MorrocanOil Molding Cream to piece out the layers. If the person has fine hair, it’s best to use a volume mousse and follow up with MorrocanOil Molding Cream.
This look is really great for all women who don’t like to spend to much time on their hair. Any woman with any hair type can pull off this style!
Fresh, Flirty and Versatile
This look is fresh, flirty and versatile! I love how it accentuates her face and her profile. It’s uplifting and updates her whole look in just a few snips!
My favorite thing about this look is that she can wear it scrunched for a relaxed weekend look, or she can wear it smooth and elegant for a wedding or special event.
For this look, I used SMOOTH.AGAIN leave-in smoothing treatment by Kevin Murphy. It is hydrating, smoothing and eliminates frizz, all while providing heat protection and creating a silky feel.
This look works best on fine to normal hair that’s not overly curly.
This cut can be easily modified for a variety of different face shapes since the length and the face-framing can be adjusted. For narrow faces, you might cut the hair at jaw-length to add visual width. For wider faces, you might shoot for shoulder length. This draws the eye downward and can also help those gals who have a softer jawline that they prefer not to highlight.
This look works great air dried on wavy hair for the easy going type! It also looks lovely on the socialite that enjoys a beautiful blowout.
Edgy Pixie Cut
I describe this look as a short edgy pixie. My favorite thing about it is that it’s probably one of the most versatility short hairstyles for older women. This picture only shows one of the many ways this cut can be worn. You can also push it forward and down for more of the classic pixie look, or style it all up toward the center to make a fauxhawk with it.
I like to blow dry the hair using Aveda Thickening Paste to expand the hair strands. Really work it through the root area for some good lift. I like to follow that with Aveda Texture Tonic after the hair is dry to rough it up a bit more then mold into place.
To me, this look is all about personality. You just have to rock it and know that you’re going to look like a badass while doing so! That is what shorter hair is all about.
This cut takes minutes to style, so if you don’t like spending that hour or two on your hair in the morning, this look would be perfect for you. The only thing is that you have to be willing to come get it trimmed every four to six weeks to keep it in the perfect shape.
I highly recommend this cut for anyone with confidence or if you are looking for a boost. Start chopping!
Versatile Bob
I would describe this look as versatile. The underneath is disconnected, so there is no trouble with uneven hairlines or those fine unruly hairs found in the nape.
This look can be styled smooth, curly or textured. I recommend this look for people with medium to fine hair with medium density. Thick and coarse hair is ok, but may need to be cut differently.
The recommended products depend on how the client chooses to wear their style. For texture, use Redken Full Frame 07 with Redken Wax Blast 10. For smoothness, use Redken Velvet Gelatine 07 with Redken Quick Dry 18.
For this look in particular, I used the new Redken Glow Dry Shampoo and Conditioner. For styling, I used Redken Pillow Proof Cream with Redken Glow Dry Serum.
This style offers not only a wide range of styling options, but also a large selection of color options. This look is perfect for anyone who wants a style with multiple options and manageability.
Stylish LOB
This look is classic with a bit of fun and sass! I love it because it is easy to maintain while looking both stylish and relaxed.
I recommend using a light texture spray/volumizing spray while the hair is wet to give it some grit and texture. After the blowout, I used a 1-inch curling iron to give a bend to the hair and finished off with a light workable hairspray for hold.
This look is great for low maintenance clients with a fine to medium hair type. Dimensional hair is best to show more of that textured look. It styles quickly and easily for people who live a busy lifestyle. You do not have to try too hard to make this style look great!
Classic Pixie
This look was created specifically to fit this client’s personality. It’s a very sleek, sassy and classy pixie. The warm tones and dimensional blondes complement her complexion and beautiful freckles.
She maintains this soft look with a combination of products from R+Co, Kevin Murphy, and Davines. She uses R+Co’s Gemstone Shampoo and Conditioner, along with Kevin Murphy’s Smooth.Again for her set and blow dry. Her finishing product before her flat iron is Davines Oi Oil.
I recommend this look to a client that maintains a type of smoothing treatment such as a GK Keratin treatment and/or a relaxer. Women with any face shape can rock this style as long as they have the confidence.
This pixie is perfect for the woman over 60 who wants to take less than 30 minutes to style her hair each day.
Elegant Graduated Bob
This is a bob cut with graduation that is both elegant and modern. It will never go out of style. It’s a great look for independent, strong and confident women who don’t want to settle for “grandma’s hair.”
I always recommend products that help give volume and body and a pomade to finish the cut. Try products that enhance the natural texture and use a leave-in product to protect from heat styling.
This look is classic and feminine. The bob cut never goes out of style, and with different techniques, becomes more modern. This cut looks good on all women. I
t can be worn straight when you want the face to appear thinner. If the face is already thin, just create layers. Talk with the client so you can adapt the cut accordingly.
Attractive Silver Strands
I would describe this look at timeless and stylish, but with a twist due to the edgy color. The silver gloss color and root shadow effect give the style an updated and modern feel. My favorite thing about this look is how effortlessly stylish it is.
To maintain this color, I recommend L’Oreal Professional Color Corrector for Blondes. It protects your blonde highlights from brassiness with the anti-yellow Vitamino Color A-OX Color Corrector Blondes Cream. Your blonde hair color is corrected and any yellow highlights are neutralized, leaving behind a pure cool blonde. Really any silver correcting shampoo/conditioner is crucial.
For styling, L’Oreal Professional Liss Unlimited Double Serum is everything! It provides protection from frizzy hair and flyaways. With a formula enriched with Pro-Keratin, Evening Primrose Oils and Kukui Nut Oils, the Liss Unlimited Double Serum works to give the hair a sleek and softened finish, while blocking humidity as well.
I recommend this for is someone who craves a stylish look but a simple styling routine. The color is fairly high maintenance, so making sure their timeframe and budget allows them to keep this up is important.
I love this because it flatters so many face shapes with minor personalized tweaks to balance any shape. This cut looks amazing when styled straight, wavy or curly!
Asymmetrical Flair
I would describe this look as playful and modern. My favorite thing about this asymmetrical pixie cut is the smile she gets having it.
The asymmetrical shape adds an element of flair that compliments her natural color, texture and personality.
Regular trims are important. She comes in every three weeks for a reshaping. We use AVEDA Phomollient, then blow dry and finish with a dab of AVEDA Defining Whip to piece out her fringe and add some more texture without adding shine or weighing it down.
This is one of the most ageless short hairstyles for older women. It works best on someone who is on-point with regular appointments as it requires regular upkeep. It is not matronly, yet short enough that it is easy to style. So often as we age, hair gets shorter because it is easier to manage. This cut lets that short hair be more expressive.
This can be a wash and go style if desired. Coarse hair would be a good candidate for ease of styling, and those with fine hair will find they need to use more product to get the same look.
I think confidence is key. If you feel confident, you look confident and you can pull off any hairstyle. Find a stylist you connect with, talk about your day-to-day routine and remember…it is your hair! You aren’t defined or locked into any parameters when it comes to expressing yourself through your style.
The Short Shag
This is a variation of the short shag haircut with soft, undone texture.
This is a great cut for women with fine hair who want body and fullness. The airy choppy layers are also a great complement to square jawlines.
To style, use a volumizing mousse at the root and blow dried it in with a round brush, focusing at the crown to get plenty of volume.
Then, use Kevin Murphy’s Doo.Over and sprayed the mid-lengths and ends to get a separated look.
This look is all about the texture and to amp it up, use Doo.Over because it has the texture of a dry shampoo with a touch of hold.
Triangular Bob
This cut has been made by utilizing the triangular bob technique. I personalized the line in order to give a short and sharp shape on both sides, which is the part that I absolutely love. It gave me the freedom to enhance my client’s features.
This will sit this way for at least five to six weeks, therefore if the client would like to maintain a straight hair line, it wouldn’t need any particular recommended products.
However, if she wants to play with this style, a clay wax product is actually able to create movement in order to achieve a funky modern style.
I recommend this look for people who want to give a firm shape to their features. It would suit all of those who have slim and gentle features. I wouldn’t suggest it for those who have thick hair, but rather for those who have shockwave strong features as it would drastically expose their cheekbones and jawline structures.
This look matches perfectly stylish people involved in fashion. In my opinion, however, it is very versatile as it can fit in formal environments.
Chin-Length Stacked Bob
Feel a youthful thrill with a freshly layered, graduated chin-length cut. Some wispy bangs in front will surely complete this rejuvenating look!
Long Side Swept Bangs
A great short hairstyle idea is to add long side swept bangs with a tapered neck that blends up to volume enhancing layers at the top. The front is kept longer for a stunning side bang that frames the face beautifully. This look is very soft and wearable!
If bangs seem to bother you when you’ve had them in the past, opt for short bangs above the eye or longer ones that you can easily tuck behind your ear.
Thick Wavy Hair
This side swept, short wavy bob is super cute and a great idea for a more formal short hairstyle.
How to Style:
- Section up half of your hair so you can access the bottom half of your hair easier.
- Grab a 1-inch curling iron and curl the under part of your hair.
- Drop down the top section of hair and continue curling until your entire head of hair is curled.
- Use a flat iron to smooth bangs over to the side.
Lock in your look but keep it soft and flexible with Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Touchable Weightless Hairspray. It smells great, too!
