Short Haircuts For Older Women That Still Look Fresh

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No matter your age, a new haircut can feel like the ultimate beauty reset, especially when going shorter. Not only does shorter hair make maintenance a breeze, but the right cut can highlight your best facial features, add volume to thinning strands, and deliver a boost of confidence. However, after 50, we know how daunting a major chop can feel. It no longer feels as simple as showing your hairstylist one of the many famous women who look amazing with short haircuts as inspo and calling it a day. 

Picking a fresh short hairstyle over 50 requires a more personalized strategy, so Women.com spoke to hair expert Eric Marshall Wright, Senior Stylist and Owner of Eric Marshall Salon in Nashville, Tennessee, who primarily works with clients over 50, to break down what older women should keep in mind before going short and the haircuts that flatter best. Let's begin by mentioning something our expert emphasized: "As someone who does [the hair of] a lot of women over 50, just remember to keep in mind something soft around their face."  

As women age, facial features soften and shift, hair density changes, and subtle cosmetic tweaks or facial procedures become more common. That said, Marshall explained that going too short without considering how it will frame the face can create a severe silhouette or draw unwanted attention to areas that should be gently balanced. Instead, our expert suggests focusing on soft layering, clever length placement, and face-framing texture to ensure a short cut feels fresh. 

While there's no doubt that a classic bob will forever be timeless, choosing the perfect version from all of the bob haircut varieties that are flattering for older women can make all the difference when going shorter after 50. You can get a bob that's blunt or choppy, with lengths ranging from chin-length to the collarbone. 

However, for a style that feels fresh, our hair expert Eric Marshall Wright noted that he "always adds softness to [his] shorter haircuts" to give the look a lighter, more forgiving silhouette both when you step out of the salon and as the cut grows out. Stylists often achieve this by point cutting or feathering the ends rather than shearing them in a straight line. This style will allow the hair to move naturally and hug the contours of your neck and jawline. 

A quick tip our expert wants to give our readers when you have decision paralysis on whether to go blunt or soft was: "A blunt cut has very strong lines and keep that in mind if you have strong features. If you want to enhance that look keep it blunt, to soften the look point cut or soften." That said, softening a bob with point cutting prevents the cut from boxing in your jawline or pulling down facial features as they naturally soften over time. 

You want to make sure your short haircut not only suits you, but is also versatile enough to adapt to your needs. If you're the kind of person who loves to switch from wearing it down to pulling it back into an effortless bun or half-up style, keeping a few soft, wispy pieces out around the face prevents the look from feeling harsh or pulled too tight. Our expert Eric Marshall Wright is a big fan of bangs for that very reason when it comes to short haircuts, to give the style softness regardless of how you wear it.

Also, if your forehead is on the higher side, adding soft fringe is the ideal trick to balance your proportions without committing to heavy, rigid lines. Marshall points out that bringing gentle texture to the front prevents hair, when pulled back, from looking overly stark against maturing features. "I would keep in mind if you have a higher forehead to make sure to have some sort of bangs, or some sort of softness even if you pull your hair back — to make it not look so severe." 

Whether you like the style of a sweeping side fringe, curtain bangs, or delicate wisps, keeping that light framing around the temples ensures your short haircut brings out the best of your eyes, softens your forehead, and remains effortless. 

A bixie cut is one of the most flattering haircuts for women over 50, and there's good reason for it. It's the perfect in-the-middle hairstyle for anyone who can't decide between a full-length bob or the weightlessness of a super short pixie. The lifted volume through the crown with soft, wispy layers along the perimeter gives a bixie a fresh silhouette that never feels too cropped, dated, or harshly stark. 

According to our hair expert Eric Marshall Wright, keeping a bit of length around the sides is essential if you want to balance your natural proportions. Keep in mind ear size, considering whether they stick out or are longer in shape, Marshall advised. And it's not just about balancing ear shape; leaving soft pieces around the hairline and temples is a clever trick for mature women who might be navigating cosmetic touch-ups or facelift recovery. It's something Marshall loves to do when styling his clients. 

"These scars are very inconspicuous, but can still be shown and can cause women to be self-conscious," Marshall shared. A bixie cut will not only give you weightless ease and crown volume, but also the reassuring coverage of a bob right where you want it. 

If you want to go short, finding that perfect short haircut is important, but something just as crucial is prioritizing the overall health and luminosity of your hair. Sure, finding a style that balances your natural features, is easy to maintain, and works for your lifestyle is essential for a great cut, but keeping your strands vibrant and healthy is what truly will make your hair stand out. 

Our expert Eric Marshall Wright said, "More than anything, if your hair is shiny, the rules are endless for keeping length." You can take that plunge and go for a bixie or opt for a soft textured bob, but dry and brittle locks will dull even the most expert cut. So, stay on top of keeping your hair hydrated! 

Incorporate a hydrating hair mask like the highly-rated MAREE Deep Conditioning Hair Mask into your weekly routine to restore moisture. If you want to focus on shine and lightweight moisture, the R+Co High Dive Moisture and Shine Creme is an exceptional leave-in option that you can just put on and go about your day. As our expert reminded us, healthy strands are what give you the ultimate freedom to wear and style your hair however you'd like.