Shoulder Length Hairstyles For Women Over 50

Hair is about confidence, and your signature cut should make you feel your best. Sometimes as we get older, the styles and looks we’ve come to rely on to look flattering and make us feel comfortable can begin to change. While the change can be a little intimidating, we have some expert tips to help you make your next shoulder-length haircut feel great, no matter what your age.

Experts are not included

• John Moroney is senior vice president of global education for Beautynova
• Giles Robinson is a celebrity stylist and Color Wow ambassador
• Michelle Cleveland is a professional hairdresser

How Our Hair Ages

We know we get gray as we age, but our strands go through more than just a color change. “Aging also affects hair’s elasticity—hair becomes finer, drier and more prone to breakage due to reduced oil production and structural changes in the follicle,” adds Beautynova’s senior vice president of global education, John Moroney. “That’s why mature hair needs more care: more moisture, nourishing treatments and protective ingredients to keep it strong and shiny.”

That also means that your haircut may need to change to accommodate fine strands, with shoulder-length hair being a good choice. “Medium length styles are incredibly flattering and versatile,” comments celebrity stylist and Color Wow ambassador, Giles Robinson. “They give shape without commitment, are easier to maintain than long styles, and bring softness to the face, which can be especially flattering as we age. It feels modern but not trying too hard.”

Shoulder Length Hairstyles Perfect For Women Over 50

According to hairstylist Michelle Cleveland, creating movement and dimension flatters women over 50. “A textured bob or face frame with well-placed layers will help create movement that directs the hair up and away from the jawline,” she said. “These pieces redirect the eye up and away from the parts of the face that tend to show the effects of aging more.”

For shoulder-length hair, you can easily draw the eye up by applying texture, choosing a bang-framing bang or styling with a round brush. “I like a soft, shoulder-length bob with a bit of movement, styled underneath with a round brush or curled in a certain way,” says Robinson. “It’s timeless, fresh and easy to update based on mood or occasion.”

When styling, remember that your hair’s needs may begin to change as you age. Robinson recommends opting for thicker treatments and swapping out heavier products for lighter options as hair starts to improve. “A light touch of Color Wow Style on Steroids ($30) adds body to dry hair without weighing it down,” she adds. “Mature hair will often need moisture, density and control.”