4 Long Haircuts That Are So Flattering On Older Women (Who Says You Can't Keep Your Length?)

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There's no reason that you have to cut your hair as you get older. There seems to be an unspoken message that after a certain age, women cut off their length and embrace short 'dos. There are some legitimate reasons for this. Shorter hair can be easier to maintain, which can be beneficial if you have a busy schedule. Or maybe it's just tradition, as we see other women going for cropped cuts. But what if you love your length and want to keep it? There's no reason why this can't happen. In fact, we've sourced several long haircuts that look flattering on older women.

To get the best take on this topic, Women.com spoke with Celebrity Hairstylist & Founder of Hollywood Hair Guy Academy Dean Banowetz, aka Hollywood Hair Guy, who offered us four different variations of long hair for women who cherish length and don't want to part with it. After all, hair is a big deal no matter what your age, and as you get older, it can be even more meaningful. There are gorgeous hairstyles for older women who want to stay youthful. If super long hair isn't your thing, there are medium length hairstyles that are also flattering on older women. Heck, there are even bob cuts that are super flattering on older women if you want to experiment. But what we're interested in right now is length, and there are ways to achieve that no matter how old you are.

One of the most classically flattering long haircuts on older women is a long, layered cut with face-framing highlights. It was Dean Banowetz's first pick, particularly for women with straight to wavy hair, and those with fine to medium texture. "This cut maintains overall length while adding layers throughout to create movement and volume," he told Women.com. He said that face framing pieces were a great idea, because they helped to lift the face and soften features around the jawline and cheekbones. Plus, highlights add warmth. "Add highlights or lowlights around the face to create dimension, which gives the illusion of fullness and helps to brighten up skin tones," Banowetz said. The tones are warm in this look, and the cut is gorgeous.

For those who are interested in trying a bob but are hesitant to commit to a short length, a textured lob with invisible layers is a gorgeous option. Dean Banowetz recommended the cut for women with thicker hair, including straight to wavy textures. "This cut ideally would fall right below the clavicle or collarbone and gives the illusion of longer hair, but it's easier to maintain and style," Banowetz told Women.com exclusively. He stressed the importance of invisible layers — long, internal layers — because it removes excess weight that thick hair tends to carry. Plus, it gives the cut a soft, airy feeling without losing any volume. "This is great for women dealing with bulk or density changes," Banowetz added. As a final flourish, Banowetz suggested that one use a flat iron or curling iron to add some movement for an undone look.

For those with curly or coily hair (ranging from 3b to 4C), Dean Banowetz suggested a long cut with rounded layers. "For people with naturally curly or coily textures, the key factors are silhouette, balance and shape," he said. Banowetz raved about rounded layers because they still allow for full volume while creating a flattering shape — no triangle hair here! On top of that, the particular layers keep curls bouncy and youthful. "A longer cut with graduated layers helps preserve curl integrity and elongates the silhouette," he added. Banowetz's hot tip was that women with curly or coily hair should get hydration treatments every 8 to 12 weeks to keep hair looking healthy and fresh.

For women who want to keep their length, a long shag with curtain bangs is an excellent option. Dean Banowetz recommended it for women who have wavy to curly hair with medium to thick density. "The long shag is all about that modern rocker softness," he told Women.com. "It embraces natural texture, it also gives volume at the crown, which is ideal if you want a little lift." Banowetz added that curtain bangs were a great hack because they enhance the eye shape without the commitment of full fringe, though he did warn that they require more maintenance. His hot tip was to use a gloss on greying hair to capture that shine.

For those with fine, straight hair, Dean Banowetz recommended a straight cut with blunt ends and subtle layers. "It is common that too many layers can make fine hair appear thinner, so a long, straight cut with blunt ends gives the illusion of thicker hair," he exclusively told Women.com. Banowetz stressed that the secret to this look was subtle, internal layering, because it kept the hair voluminous without being weighed down. His hot tip was to use a volumizing product — think a root spray or mousse — for either a blowout or hot rollers, if you want a more glam finish to this lengthening look. Keranique Lift and Repair Treatment Spray is one highly-reviewed option. Banowetz also suggested crimping the hair at the scalp, particularly if your hair is fine, to add more volume.