10 Youthful Hairstyles That Are Truly Age-Defying (2024)

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From pixie cuts to long, angled layers.

By

Victoria Moorhouse

10 Youthful Hairstyles That Are Truly Age-Defying (1)

Victoria Moorhouse

Victoria Moorhouse is a writer, editor, and consultant based in Brooklyn, New York who focuses on beauty, fitness, and health. Victoria was previously the Senior Beauty Editor at InStyle.com and a Senior Editor at POPSUGAR. Her work can also be found in notable publications such as Shape.com, The Zoe Report, Forbes.com, and Well+Good. She graduated from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Professional Writing.

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Updated on March 6, 2024 @ 04:04PM

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10 Youthful Hairstyles That Are Truly Age-Defying (2)

Finding the perfect, most flattering haircut is a challenge for all ages. You want a style that is going to make you feel your most confident, flatter your features, and help you look your best. "When we age, we want to have a more glowing effect with our skin and our hair," says expert Natascha Hemple. "When I have clients that want to change their look to appear more youthful, I ask them what they dislike about their look now. Then, I focus on their face shape and the areas that seem to make them look older." But going back to the cut you had when you felt your youngest probably isn't the best route to go. So instead, test out the ageless styles that Hemple and fellow expert Brian Zinno recommend.

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Long Pixie Cut

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Hemple recommends trying a shortcut with some volume, like Halle Berry's long pixie here. Her pro tip? Keep the strands tousled and soft, rather than spikey.

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Stacked Bob

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Try a stacked bob that is shorter in the back and longer in the front like Cameron Diaz's cut here. Hemple says that the asymmetric cut will complement practically any face shape. Plus you can wear it straight, curly, or tousled.

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Pixie Cut

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"A lived-in pixie that has a little length around the face is a flattering style for short hair. It's particularly youthful because it's a no-fuss hairstyle," says Zinno. He adds it works on many face shapes, and is particularly low-maintenance, which means you don't have to stress about styling it every single day. When looking for a celeb picture to bring to the salon, we think Kris Jenner is a no-fail option.

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Tousled Bob Cut

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If you're most comfortable with bob-length hair, go for a chin-grazing style that incorporates layers. "It's youthful because while it's a bob length, the layers around the face keep it soft and flowing without the usual angular lines of a bob, and the layers in the crown or around the perimeter give lift and movement." We love Viola Davis's soft, layered, and tousled bob, while Zinno says that Helen Mirren is another example of this gorgeous look.

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Shoulder-Length Cut With Layers

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"Jennifer Aniston has had this length, and what makes it look youthful is when the ends are shattered to keep it from looking blunt and heavy around the perimeter," says Zinno.

He suggests longer angles around the face and below the jawline to keep the look flowing and soft.

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Medium-Length Cut with Long Layers

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Eva Longoria has also demonstrated soft, shattered angles in the past, which she seamlessly wore between sleek and straight styles and in effortless, loose waves. Hemple says long layers always give off a youthful appearance. She adds that off-center or side parts that "fall naturally in place can make the eyes seem wider to give you a more youthful appearance."

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Medium-Length Cut with Side Fringe

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"A favorite timeless hairstyle for long hair is cascading layers flowing from a shorter length around the face — a long fringe or side bang — to longer to the back," says Zinno. "This creates movement in the style and opens up the face." He suggests this cut styled in soft waves just like Julia Roberts.

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Long Cut with Waves

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As far as how long is too long? Zinno suggests keeping your length around the breastbone area. Hemple adds that waves or bouncy style, like Christie Brinkley's here, "open all facial features to compliment a bright open look that makes you look rested."

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Low Messy Bun

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Zinno says that youthful-looking updos should be kept slightly undone and casual and never too tight or polished. We love this low coif seen on Keri Russell.

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High Ponytail

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Jennifer Lopez's high, snatched ponytail has a lifting and tightening effect on the face. Curl the ends to give the style a soft, effortless vibe.

Updated by

Tessa Petak

10 Youthful Hairstyles That Are Truly Age-Defying (13)

Tessa Petak

Tessa Petak is a Brooklyn-based writer who helps to cultivate InStyle's illustrious news coverage across a wide range of topics including celebrity, fashion, and entertainment. She also produces and composes celebrity profiles and features for the site and InStyle's digital issues.

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10 Youthful Hairstyles That Are Truly Age-Defying (2024)

FAQs

Which hairstyle makes you look younger? ›

Loose waves are more younger-looking, while straight hair can be aging. Play around with face-framing layers to give your hair some softness and movement. Layers can also make your hair appear to be more luscious and healthy. Parra recommends asking your stylist for perimeter layers that are cut in a straight line.

What are the four haircut mistakes that instantly make you look older? ›

Jack Miles and Rosie Myers have decades of experience cutting and styling hair. Between them, they have said four types of layers can age someone. These are layers that are too short, layers that are too long, layers that are too uniform, and having too many layers.

Does shorter or longer hair look younger? ›

Does short or long hair make you look younger? Long hair can enhance facial features by diverting attention away from wrinkles or age spots and adding volume to your hair. Short hair does not need to age you, though, as the style and texture of shorter hairstyles can add a youthful appearance.

What hair length makes you look older? ›

Mitch Stone, stylist to the stars, warns, "once hair has passes your ribs, it is officially making you look older." Trimming a few inches off your locks is an easy fix for this common hairstyle mistake, taking years off your appearance and revitalizing your look.

What color hair makes you look younger? ›

Ten out of ten colorists agree, shades that are warm-toned read more youthful than cool-toned hair colors. Spicy copper reds, rich caramel brunettes, and soft honey blondes will warm up your complexion for younger-looking skin (hold the retinol).

What makes an older woman look younger? ›

Moisturizing helps keep your skin hydrated and when your skin is hydrated it looks visibly plumper,” Dr. Lal explains. “So using things like hyaluronic acid and ceramides is going to help retain that moisture and give your neck and your hands a more youthful appearance.”

What hairstyle makes an older woman look younger over 60? ›

The pixie cut and the bob are both very popular with mature women. Pixie cuts have lots of sass, while the bob is incredibly versatile and adds youthful volume to mature hair.

Does a bob make you look older or younger? ›

“A bob is one of those styles that can make some people look younger—if done right. But when it's done incorrectly or done on the wrong face, it can make you look older.”

Should a 70 year old woman wear bangs? ›

A well-cut fringe can make all the difference when it comes to revamping your hairstyle — and women over 70 are no exception! Baby bangs. These super short bangs, also known as micro bangs, are super chic and perfectly flatter your facial features.

Do bangs make you look younger or older? ›

The idea that bangs make you look like a child or too old is a common hair myth. The reality is that there are so many ways to style bangs. Each and every one of these styles brings a youthful energy to your look in a different way. Bangs can be chic, sweet, sultry — it's all in how you style them.

What is the most flattering hair length for over 50? ›

One of the most versatile and universally flattering hair lengths for women over 50 is shoulder-length. This medium length allows you to experiment with different styles while still maintaining a youthful appearance.

What makes a face look younger? ›

Protecting your face from the sun is the single best way of keeping it youthful. Much of the damage comes from the UVA part of the light spectrum, so you need to put on sunscreen that protects against it and UVB light, which causes sunburn. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat is also a good idea. Creams and lotions.

How to fix old lady hair? ›

How women over 50 can combat dry or brittle hair
  1. Add Moisture to Replenish Natural Oils. As you age, it is more important than ever to add moisturizing products to your hair care routine. ...
  2. Reduce Heat Products. ...
  3. Add Some Shine. ...
  4. Get Regular Cuts. ...
  5. Look at Your Diet.

Does curly or straight hair make you look older? ›

As a curly girl, you already have a head start. Women with curly, textured hair tend to look younger than straight-haired counterparts as they age.

Which haircut makes you look younger? ›

Haircuts to look younger: A blunt bob

A short, bob style that ends right below the ear (as shown on Kambri Crews above) is not only the perfect low-maintenance haircut that takes 5 minutes to style, it's also ultra-flattering. And pairing it with side-swept bangs brings attention to gorgeous eyes.

Which hair part makes you look younger? ›

The Center Part

"The middle part is one of the most fashionable hair trends," Bergamy tells us. "It gives a more youthful look without looking childish." It tends to work best on faces that are more or less symmetrical, but can also help elongate shorter, wider face shapes.

Does straight or curly hair make you look younger? ›

The wrong hair color can make you look washed out, and a bad haircut can make you look dated, even when paired with the most up-to-date makeup and fashion trends. As a curly girl, you already have a head start. Women with curly, textured hair tend to look younger than straight-haired counterparts as they age.

What face shape makes you look younger? ›

Round-faced people tend to look younger for longer than others as they store fat in the cheeks and keep it there for a youthful appearance. Therefore, dull and sagging complexions will take longer to develop on round faces.”

Do I look better with long or short hair? ›

The answer is surprisingly simple. There's an easy, and we mean easy, way to decide if short hairstyles are in your future. We call it the 2.25 rule. Practically fool proof, this rule states that if the longest part of your chin is less than 2.25 inches from the tip of your earlobe, then short hairstyles are for you.

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