Looking for a new short hairstyle to refresh your look? We’ve collated 60 of the best short hairstyles for women over 50.
According to our hair loss specialists, each of these styles can help you look and feel more confident — whether it’s because you feel younger, need a restyle due to a female hair loss condition, or just love your new do.
Let’s take a look at the top hairstyles for women over 50 in this photo gallery. With expert insights from hair loss specialists, you’ll learn how and why each of these styles works well for older women, many of whom are affected by hair loss and thinning.
Age isn’t a factor in whether a particular hair length suits you. For most people, any cut that gives you confidence is likely to make you look your best.
That said, there are many reasons why women over 50 opt to cut their hair short:
Ready to find your perfect short hairstyle? Check out these fabulous shoulder-length-or-shorter hairstyles for women over 50.
Let’s start simple. A lob — or long bob — is a great way to transition from longer hair to shorter hair if you’re not quite sure about going the whole hog just yet. Cut in some layers to add texture and bounce around your shoulders.
What our hair loss expert says:
“Lobs make the most of your hair, especially if you have some light thinning. It’s feminine, chic, but doesn’t make your ends look straggly like some longer styles.”
This popular hairstyle is classy and sophisticated — perfect for women over 50. It works best if you have fairly thick, straight hair, so the rounded style falls into place without too much extra styling.
“Rounded bobs came back into fashion in the 2000s, with iconic turns from women like Michelle Obama and Tilda Swinton. While they’re less mainstream now, they’re still very popular among older women as they’re so easy to wear. Layers build volume, which is ideal if your hair isn’t as thick as it used to be.”
Cate Blanchett perfectly demonstrates the stylish side-parted bob here. This jaw-skimming look is ideal for those seeking a sophisticated short hairstyle that’s easy to maintain. Add a long fringe and layers for shape and volume.
“Side partings are timeless. Use heatless curlers to add volume to your side-parted bob without damaging your hair, particularly if it’s prone to dryness or frizz.”
Thick, wavy hair is perfect for a tousled bob. This chic, beachy look is easy to style — just add a little salt spray or mousse and run your fingers through your hair for a fabulous heat-free finish.
“This carefree style is modern in all the best ways. Chic, low-maintenance, and perfect for all occasions. Skim the ears to add buoyancy and lift that can help even thin hair feel full and vibrant.”
Treat yourself to a salon blowout for a special occasion. Ask your stylist to blowdry your hair to add bounce and volume to your bob. Any bob can benefit from a semi-regular blowout to make you look and feel your best.
“A blowout is the perfect way to make you look and feel a million dollars. Maybe not one for everyday wear, but it’s an excellent way to style your hair for a special occasion, or treat yourself just because.”
Perms remain a popular way to style short hair for women over 50. It’s a good way to make your bob hairstyle easy to maintain — but consider the risks of getting a perm. Perms involve using chemicals to alter the hair texture, so they can lead to hair breakage on the crown and even scarring alopecia if the chemicals are misused [3].
“Perms aren’t for everyone — they can do real damage if your hair isn’t suitable. So always talk to your stylist and tell them of any treatments you’ve had previously. But if you’re a good candidate, a perm can give you a gorgeous volume boost without the daily maintenance of hot or heatless curlers.”
This modern cut is ideal for those with naturally straight hair. Try to avoid using straighteners or other heat styling tools to achieve this look regularly, as overuse of heat can lead to hair loss.
“A sleek bob can lay a little too flat in some cases, meaning it won’t give you the requisite volume you need to hide any thinning. But it’s also a very stylish, elegant cut, so weigh up the pros and cons based on your specific hair type.”
Mousse or styling wax can help you achieve this tousled, textured lob. It’s a flexible style that works with all hair partings. Cut it shorter at the back for a modern twist, or keep the lengths even for a beachy look.
“Light feathering through the lengths of your lob adds stunning texture for a modern twist on a classic cut. There’s a slight danger that heavy products (or product overuse) will weigh down your hair and expose any thinning regions. To avoid this, use a light mousse or salt spray to texturise your long bob.”
The slicked back bob has been seen a lot on the red carpet in recent years — and Helen Mirren shows women over 50 can wear it just as well as younger women. Pair with a red lip and statement earrings for a glamorous Hollywood finish.
“Slicking back your hair creates the impression of sky-high confidence. Plus, there’s the added bonus that it can hide thinning around your parting and mid-scalp, which is a common symptom of female pattern baldness.”
This carefully coiffed style is great for hiding hair loss. Sweeping your hair across your head in different directions can conceal any bald spots created by alopecia areata or another hair loss condition. But it also looks fabulous on women with healthy hair.
“Frontal thinning gets more common as you get older. It’s not usually anything to worry about, but you might feel self-conscious when you look in the mirror. Pristine styling (and a great cut) can help you hide any areas that don’t make you feel your best.”
Taraji P. Henson pairs her stunning asymmetrical textured bob with a statement necklace for a glamorous look. Borrow her style by tinting and tousling the ends of your hair for extra volume.
“Playing with hair symmetry is an amazing way to bring your style up-to-date. Asymmetrical bobs are perfect for more mature women, since they add volume without giving up your personality and style. Just be aware you’ll need to get your hair trimmed regularly to keep it tidy.”
Add drama to this classic style with a swept-back blowout that adds major volume to your hair. Wear this style with fresh glowy makeup and classy accessories to achieve Jane Fonda’s sophisticated elegance.
“A favourite among older women — and with good reason. This high-volume bob hides any thinning areas without compromising your class. Hold your hair in place all day with a light but firm hairspray.”
Accentuate your cheekbones with this simple yet fabulous jaw-skimming bob. To keep your bob looking short and sharp, get regular trims to remove split ends that can give your hair an slightly unkempt finish.
“This cut might not be as flattering on women with hair loss, since there’s nowhere for thinning patches to hide. But if you’re unconcerned about hair loss, this sharp, edgy hairstyle is a winner.”
This long bob is a great way to switch from longer tresses to a shorter cut. Borrow Julia Roberts’s beachy vibes with some blonde highlights and soft tousling. Don’t be afraid to let your roots grow through for a natural balayage effect.
“Low-maintenance hair doesn’t come any easier than this, especially if you’re transitioning from a longer hairstyle. If you have shorter hair and intend to grow it out, note that the added weight can expose thinning around the parting. But don’t let that stop you from trying out this fab fuss-free look.”
Fringes need a lot of maintenance, but they also add style and youthful sophistication to any short hairstyle. These brow-skimming bangs are a playful way to refresh your look without too much commitment to a shorter style.
“A fringe is a foolproof way to hide a minor receding hairline. Women with frontal fibrosing alopecia may benefit from cutting in a fringe to make their hair loss less visible.”
Don’t underestimate the styling needed to wear this sleek bevelled bob (unless you have naturally straight, full hair). However, a thick fringe is a great women’s hairstyle for a receding hairline, so it could be a good option if you have any frontal thinning.
“Sleek hair isn’t as effective for hiding thinning as blown-out curls and waves. But going for a blunt cut will remove any damaged ends that are weighing down your hair. Plus, a full fringe can draw attention away from your hairline to your eyes.”
Channel your inner Jane Fonda with this stylish layered flicked-out bob. Highlights look great with this style, as the layers and texture reveal all the tones of your hair. Set your flicked-out ends with mousse or hairspray.
“This Hollywood hairstyle is super elegant. Flicks and layers add stunning texture that’s guaranteed to make your hair look thick and full.”
If your hair is straight or unlayered, you can still achieve a fancy flicked-out bob, as demonstrated by Naomi Watts. A perfectly centred parting and sleek, shiny hair makes for a fabulous uniform bob.
“Like other sleeker styles, this one isn’t always easy to wear if you have more substantial hair thinning, or naturally fine hair. But those who want a simple, elegant hairstyle will find this gorgeous bob hard to beat.”
Add regal style to your look with this feathered bob, as popularised by Queen Camilla. Soft feathering around the face creates a gentle look that many women over 50 favour. For an edgier look, consider tinting your bob.
“Perhaps not the most modern style, but sometimes the classics are the best. It’s perfect for boosting volume and softly framing your face, without adding too much drama.”
Use heatless curlers to achieve Meg Ryan’s gorgeous curly bob. Heatless curlers are less likely to damage your hair than curling tongs or straighteners, and will give you all the volume and bounce you want.
“Loose curls can help you make the most of even the thinnest hair. But if your hair is damaged, don’t be tempted to use curling tongs or straighteners to create this look, as they can make thinning worse.”
A unique look, the pageboy bob is great for women who don’t mind a bit of upkeep when it comes to haircuts and styling. You’ll need to keep your fringe and lengths trimmed to maintain the signature shape of a pageboy cut.
“This androgynous cut creates lots of volume which is helpful if your hair is a little thin. The fringe can also help disguise any recession along your hairline, making the pageboy a great cut for those with less full hair.”
Ready to embrace your natural hair? It’s time for the big chop. Cutting your Afro hair short can help you remove any treated or damaged hair, getting you back to a healthy crop of natural curls. Go as short as you dare.
“Many women with Afro hair can benefit from restoring their natural curls, particularly if you’ve been using relaxers or other chemical treatments. This will not only remove any damaged ends, but can also stop the problem travelling up the hair shaft and causing further breakage.”
Thinking about a pixie cut, but not quite ready to go all the way? This half-bob half-pixie cut is a good place to start. Keep your hair longer over your ears and around your nape to distinguish this from a classic pixie cut.
“A long pixie cut gives you plenty of volume up top, helping to hide any thinning around the parting. Use a little styling wax for chic messy styling.”
Opt for Judi Dench’s signature style with a sharp, spiky pixie cut that’s perfect for women of all ages. The classic pixie cut is just that — a classic. That’s why it’s been worn by celebrities including Kate Hudson, Winona Ryder, and Jennifer Hudson.
“Many women opt for a pixie cut as they get older, as it’s easy to maintain and style on a daily basis, and you don’t need to worry about straggling lengths or hair damage.”
This face-framing pixie cut is ideal for bold older women. Use hair gel or spray (sparingly) to keep your hair in place around your face. Excessive hair gel may damage your hair, so try to limit the amount you use.
“This confident pixie is fun and feminine. The hair framing the face covers up any temple hair loss. If your hair isn’t naturally straight, you might find it tricky to maintain the characteristic sleekness, so consider if you have the right hair texture to pull off this look.”
Jada Pinkett Smith has struggled with alopecia totalis in recent years. But that didn’t stop her from rocking this stunning blonde curly pixie cut. Keep your hair longer on top so you have enough length for optimum curls.
“Use heatless curlers to achieve this look if you’re worried about hair damage or alopecia. Shaving or fading your sides is a surefire way to modernise and embolden any cut.”
Keep your pixie cut neat and playful with a wavy style like Toni Braxton’s. It’s a great way to show off any statement jewelry, and it’s easy to achieve if you have naturally curly or wavy type 2a hair.
“This cute pixie cut is relatively low maintenance if you have natural high-density curls. You won’t need to add any extra product to boost your volume or hide sparse patches with this style.”
Feeling bold? Opt for this stylish pixie undercut. Keep the sides shorn for maximum impact (although if you don’t love your new style, you can always grow out the sides for a fabulous faux hawk).
“An undercut is a great way to blend in any areas of hair loss so they’re less noticeable, particularly around your temples. Plus the drama of the faux hawk detracts from any subtle thinning.”
Looking for a cute, artsy look? This flat pixie cut is fabulous — and it’s incredibly easy to style. Just comb some hair wax or gel through your hair to keep it flat and in place. Get it trimmed regularly to prevent mullet-like growth over your ears and neck.
“This adorable style is simple yet original, low-maintenance yet easy to wear. That said, it’s a good idea to avoid flat haircuts like this if you’re worried about exposing your scalp or hair thinning — you need plenty of volume to disguise this.”
Add height and length to your pixie cut for a modern twist on the classic look. This allows you to add more layers to your hair, giving you a great hairstyle that can hide any thinning on the crown or around the top of the scalp.
“There’s plenty of bounce and edge in this bouffant pixie, making it modern and effective. The more layers you add, the taller your hair will look. Experiment with different layering options to find your perfect style.”
Love the pixie cut look, but worried it will expose your thinning hairline? Consider adding a fringe to cover up any female hairline recession. Even a thin or wispy fringe can hide your hairline and give you a sophisticated modern style.
“This chic style is perfect for disguising a multitude of thinning areas. Even if you don’t have hair loss, a fringe is the perfect way to soften up a classic pixie cut.”
Add drama to your pixie cut with a long side fringe. You can wear this style straight or curly, making your shorter haircut super versatile. While an asymmetrical pixie cut is easier to achieve with thicker hair, it can also work if your hair is fine.
“If your hair is thinner on one side, an asymmetrical fringe will help hide this. Plus the drama of this cut can detract from any areas you’re concerned about. Get regular haircuts to keep this style looking its best.”
Brush back your pixie cut for a casual look that’s perfect for laidback ladies. It’s simple to style and looks chic. Add a bright or unique colour à la Mary J. Blige for an edgy, age-defying look.
“Restyling your pixie cut is easy, but it’s best to avoid brushed-back looks like this if you have hair loss along your hairline. Don’t worry if your hairline is a little uneven — nobody has a completely straight hairline, and it adds a little personality to the look.”
If the swept-back look isn’t for you, consider brushing your pixie cut forward instead. Keep some length through your hair so you have the option to brush it over your forehead like a makeshift fringe. Take a look at our hair length chart for inspiration.
“Unlike a swept-back pixie, a brushed-forward look works perfectly for those with a receding hairline. Fade the sides or keep them longer like Kris Jenner for a more feminine cut.”
Just because your hair is short, it doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with different styles. Emma Thompson’s carefully coiffed and pinned pixie cut elevates the style from cute to sophisticated.
“Hairpins are your best friend if your hair is thinning. You can position individual curls or pieces of hair over specific areas, helping to conceal any thin spots. Match your pins to your hair colour for a subtle coiffure, or use contrasting clips for a bolder look.”
Don’t have time for lots of styling? Choose a tousled pixie cut that just needs a little mousse (and a quick zhuzh here and there) to keep your look intact. This style is great for masking any light hair thinning.
“Tousling makes daily styling really easy. You don’t need tools — just the right product for your hair type. Mousse works well for naturally curly hair. Waves respond to salt spray. And clay or wax are best for flatter or straighter hair types.”
This choppy faux hawk is a punk-inspired short hairstyle that suits plenty of women over 50. Style with mousse or wax to keep your faux hawk standing tall all day long. Keep your makeup and accessories simple so your hair stands out.
“This style is popular with men and women alike. Many men wear this hairstyle to hide a receding hairline, since you can arrange the shorter frontal layers across the temples. Keep it longer through the sides for a more feminine finish.”
For a sophisticated twist on the faux hawk, crop your hair shorter at the sides and keep more length on top. Use mousse and hairspray to coax your hair into a bouffant faux hawk that’s both eye-catching and elegant. Learn more about hairspray and if it is bad for your hair.
“A tall hairstyle like this is fantastic for covering up hair thinning through the mid-scalp. It’s less effective for hairline recession, though. You’ll need plenty of product to maintain your hair’s height, so find a hairspray that’s safe and effective for your hair.”
Hitting 50 is the perfect time to embrace your natural hair. But you can still get a cut that favours your facial features while maintaining your individual style. Choose a cropped, textured cut that gives volume and shape.
“Add shape to your natural curls to optimise your hair based on the extent and placement of your hair loss.”
Hair accessories are a great way to enhance any short hairstyle. Choose a headband or Alice band that contrasts with your hair colour for a bold, bright way to freshen up your look. Match with other accessories for extra fun.
“While headbands are a fab accessory for many people, they can also help if you have hair loss. Knot your headband across bald patches, or wear a headscarf for a beautiful alternative to natural hair if you have total scalp hair loss.”
For vintage glamour, give a nod to the roaring twenties with short, stylish flapper waves. Halle Berry wears hers tinted, tousled, and drawn away from her scalp for a modern twist on the classic twenties style.
“Flapper waves are fun, retro, and versatile. Add as much volume and shape as you like.”
The buzzcut is the ultimate short hairstyle for daring women over 50. While it can feel like a dramatic move, many women say buzzing off their hair is a liberating experience — so if you’re looking for a dramatic change, a buzzcut could be the style for you.
“Perfect for brave, bold women, a buzzcut is a great way to completely resolve any concerns you might have about hair loss. If you’re unsure, consider moving to a pixie cut first, then braving the buzz when you’re feeling more confident.”
Don’t feel you need to go straight for a number one if you opt for a buzzcut. A longer buzzcut is another great option if you’re not ready for a full shave. Keep your hair at a single, longer length for a feminine take on a daring look.
“A longer buzzcut won’t hide hair loss as effectively as a short buzzcut, and you won’t have the length to add volume or style over any areas of thinning. So while it might seem similar to a standard buzzcut, carefully consider how this longer buzzcut will look.”
This retro-inspired hairstyle looks fabulous on experimental older women. As well as wearing your tapered bowl cut flat, styling wax and salt spray can be used to add texture and versatility to this unique short style.
“The bowl cut helps build volume around the top of your hair, creating contrast with the back and sides. It’s a fuss-free style that’s both chic and creative.”
Spruce up your colour with a pretty pastel shade. The most popular shades include pink and purple, though there are plenty of more daring options, too. Pastel hair is chic and stylish and suits sophisticated women over 50 as well as younger women.
“Unless your hair is naturally very light, you’ll probably need to apply bleach to achieve a pastel shade. Bleach can easily damage your hair, so it’s best to get this done professionally if you can.”
If pastel shades aren’t quirky enough for you, maybe it’s time to experiment with a bold new hue. Bubblegum pink, inky purple, or bright blue — if you’re ready for a real change, this could be the way to achieve it. Just be mindful that excessive dyeing or bleaching can lead to hair loss, so get professional advice before you start.
“Hair dye can be damaging, but there are ways to colour your hair more safely. Seek advice from a professional stylist and be sure to mention any previous dyes or treatments you’ve had so your stylist can advise you on the best approach.”
For a subtle yet striking effect, borrow Halle Berry’s iconic two-tone hairstyle. A black undercut and vibrant blonde highlights create an eye-catching look that’s ideal for bold women of any age.
“Create contrast to capture attention with your hair colour. Again, bleach use should be limited; toners can help you achieve the right blonde to contrast with your darker undertones.”
Platinum hair has taken off in a big way, which is good news for anyone whose hair has started to lighten or grey. Embracing your age with platinum white hair is stylish and on-trend, especially when paired with a modern cut like this low-maintenance tousled bob.
“Whether you want a silver shade, lifted purple tones, or a greyer tint, platinum is the perfect hair colour for older women, especially if you’re thinking about embracing your natural greys. Use toner to achieve the most complementary platinum tone for your skin.”
Hats can cover up any bad hair day — but they can also elevate your short hairstyle to a new level of sophistication. This baker boy hat matches Rita Moreno’s monochrome outfit to a T, but you can also experiment with berets, beanies, and fedoras.
“Hats are great for concealing hair loss, but if you’re consistently wearing a hat that’s too tight or rubs specific areas on your scalp, it could actually make matters worse. Be mindful of this when selecting and even buying hats.”
If you’re not yet ready to embrace the grey, highlighting your hair with natural blonde and brown tones will give you a gorgeous age-defying style. Be warned: bleaching your hair can easily go wrong, so it’s best to get a professional to recreate this look for you. Check out our expert tips for transitioning to grey hair with highlights.
“Getting highlights is a good way to limit the use of bleach compared with bleaching your entire head of hair. But you still need to be cautious, especially if you’re getting your hair bleached regularly. If you notice severe split ends or breakage, it may be time to slow down the bleaching.”
Want a short hairstyle you can wear to a wedding? This curly half-up half-down updo is elegant enough to wear on any special occasion. Use heatless curlers and hairspray to achieve robust bouncy ringlets without damaging your hair.
“It can be challenging to wear updos with shorter hair, but this option balances celebration with sophistication. The fringe is optional; if you don’t have a fringe, you can pull back all your hair into the updo, or leave tendrils loose around your face for a softer look.”
Chignons are often styled on women with longer tresses, but they can also be achieved with shorter hair. This sophisticated updo is truly versatile — wear it to work, on date night, or even to a wedding.
“When styling an updo with hair loss, make sure to carefully pin each piece of hair in place to avoid unexpected movement that might reveal any thinning or bald spots. Ask someone you trust to check your hair from the back for reassurance.”
Even the shortest hair can be twisted into a stylish updo with a little imagination (and plenty of careful pinning). Allow loose curls and ringlets to twist gently out of your hair for a playful messy updo.
“This is a brilliant hack for older women with short hair who want to do something a little different with it. Use heatless curlers to achieve short ringlets before interweaving them to create a unique faux-updo.”
Twist-outs are a great protective style for women of all ages — and best of all, they work on short hair as well as long hair. Twist-outs can keep Afro hair hydrated for longer, stopping hair becoming dry and brittle.
“Moisture retention is super important for all hair types, but particularly textured hair. Twist outs are flattering and genuinely protective, which is important if you have short hair that’s prone to dryness and damage.”
Tie back your hair in a messy bun or ponytail for a casual day-to-day look. Don’t tie your hair back too tightly, though; this can lead to traction alopecia, a type of hair loss caused by consistent tension on the hair follicles.
“Traction alopecia is all too common, and it’s so easy to avoid. Keep your ponytails tied up loosely. If possible, use a scrunchie or silk hair tie; these are gentler on the hair than hair elastics and coil ties.”
Enhance any pixie undercut with heatless curlers. Grow out your hair on top for a volume boost, then curl your tresses forward to get this pretty look. Adorn with an elegant hairpiece for weddings or other occasions.
“An edgy yet beautiful hairstyle for alternative women on special occasions. If you’re using a hair decoration or ornament, make sure it affixes to your hair in a safe way. Don’t tie anything to your hair roots too tightly, and make sure any clips feel comfortable.”
Boost your retro style with this messy pixie undercut. The beautiful shape of this hairstyle gives you fabulous volume across the crown and scalp, while the tousled, messy style is very easy to maintain day-to-day.
“This 90s-inspired style is fantastic for adding volume and texture to your hair. The layers, undercut and tousled top create stunning contrast that works even if you have moderate hair loss.”
Older women with thick, full hair who are looking for a shorter style often benefit from a wedge hairdo. With longer layers around the face and crown, and a shorter crop at the nape, a dramatic wedge style like this can make your hair much more manageable.
“This style isn’t commonly seen, not least because you need masses of hair to pull it off. Not many people — particularly people over 50 — have enough hair to create the wedge cut. But if you do, it’s a dramatic way to wear your hair.”
The mixie — a mullet/pixie — is a unique shorter hairstyle that works for any woman who wants a modern twist on the mod revival. Face-framing lengths and short hair at the nape characterise the modern mixie.
“Lots of women have worn modern mullets in recent years, from Miley Cyrus to Rihanna. Mixing it with a pixie makes it easier for older women to carry off, since you don’t need to worry about thinning or straggly lengths.”
Lots of women can seriously rock the bald look. Whether it’s a conscious style choice or driven by a health or hair loss condition, embracing baldness can be an empowering decision for lots of older women.
“If all else fails, going bald is a liberating choice for many. You’ll no longer need to worry about the visibility of your hair loss or trying to hide it.”
While the shade and density of your hair can make you look younger or older, hair length doesn’t necessarily have the same effect [4]. So cropping your hair short is a matter of style choice rather than age.
However, some other factors can come into play. Evidence shows that thinner hair does make you look older — so if cutting your hair gives you a volume boost, this could help make you look younger [4].
It’s normal for your hair to thin slightly as you age. But that doesn’t mean you have to put up with excessive thinning or bald spots across your scalp.
Menopause, health conditions, and nutrient deficiencies can all contribute to hair loss. So it’s important to discover what’s causing your hair to fall out — is it just natural hair ageing, or something more?
We understand how much your hairstyle can influence your confidence, no matter how old you are. So book a consultation at the Wimpole Clinic to discuss your hair thinning with our female hair loss specialists.
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