Calista Flockhart's Best Mid-Length Hair Cuts Are Perfect For Older Women

Calista Flockhart has mastered medium-length haircuts that are so flattering on older women. By playing with subtle highlights, different hues, and soft layers, the actor has demonstrated how to achieve some of the most chic looks. Throughout her acting career, the "Ally McBeal" star has served up plenty of lob inspo, ranging from the retro '70s brunette blowout she wore in "Feud" to the mod, multi-tonal blond style she rocked in "Supergirl."

The lob is a pretty versatile cut that suits just about everyone when styled right; however, the shape of Flockhart's face makes her the perfect muse for a mid-length cut. "Someone with a very square face shape will look better with a layered lob, especially around the face-framing area, as this gives a more textured look," L.A. hairstylist Nicole Pascual told Bustle.

As a member of the fine hair club, Flockhart also shows how the right cut can transform a sleeker-looking 'do into a sophisticated, volumized look, something that is perfect as women age. Photographed below, the "Brothers & Sisters" star traded her shoulder-length style with long, wispy layers (left) for a shorter lob with texturizing layers that created more volume and dimension (right) – ultimately making her hair appear thicker and more dynamic. According to Rob Scott, a senior stylist at Larry King's London salon, incorporating shorter and delicate invisible layers tends to give the "illusion of fullness around the face," as he told Glamour. "This also adds width to a hairstyle, which is vitally important to those with finer hair."

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Although she's known for consistently styling her lob with loose, textured waves for a voluminous and trendy look, Calista Flockhart also has a styling technique that always gives her an edge. Whether she shifts from blond hues to lighter shades of brown, one thing remains the same: she always opts for a subtle multi-tonal look with darker roots. This is a great approach for women as they grow older, as  hair thinning and hair loss often occurs.

"When dealing with a client who has fine or thinning hair, I always recommend adding a deeper root with just a few highlights, which helps hair look fuller and thicker — especially at the roots where you want some volume," celebrity colorist Erick Orellana told Today. "Highlights are great for adding volume, but if you go too light at the root, you can actually cause more breakage to the hair, which means thinner hair. You can still stay very blond, especially on the ends, but try to avoid the root," Orellana explained.

Attending FX's "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans" New York premiere in January 2024 (below), Lockhart's look for the night, courtesy of her longtime hairstylist, Enzo Angileri, combined all the elements of her signature hairstyle. Flockhart looked elegantly chic, boasting smooth, loose waves with textured layers, featuring multi-tonal highlights with a darker undertone and roots. It's one of the most youthful haircuts for older women with a timeless appeal.

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