Long Hair Over 50? Why Not? Here's How to Flaunt It If You've Got It (2024)

Kathy Ireland's flawless blowout

Who hasn't envied 60-year-old Kathy Ireland's voluminous mane? You can achieve a similar blowout at home with a boar bristle brush (these brushes are great for women with thinning hair, as they're gentle). "Invest in some great hair tools, like a curling iron with a larger ceramic barrel," suggests Sarah Potempa, Celebrity Hairstylist and founder of The Beachwaver. The ceramic barrel helps reduce frizz, adds shine and "will help you to achieve a beautiful salon blowout look, with a nice loose, effortless wave," at home, she says.

Lucy Liu's flowing locks

54-year-old Lucy Liu's Rapunzel-esque hair is the picture of health. It's easy for hair to look drab and dull due to a variety of factors, like weather and excessive use of heat styling tools. Luckily, you can revive your strands with a hydrating coconut oil hair mask. A mask featuring avocado oil can also be a good call. Potempa recommends her Beachwaver Inner Strength Avocado Oil Protein Mask (Buy from Beachwaver, $25.20) — "It will help reduce frizz, make the hair softer and more manageable and add shine," she says.

Lynda Carter's bouncy barrel curls

Wonder Woman actress Lynda Carter, 71, has beauty-pageant curls that instantly add glam to an everyday outfit. Trying to figure out which specific long hairstyle would work best for you? Try this trick from Aviva Jansen Perea, Founder at Day Rate Beauty and celebrity, editorial and red-carpet hairstylist — "Think about the last time you got dressed up and loved the way your hair looked. Try and work with that style, experimenting with different silhouettes and finishes," like matte versus shiny or straight versus wavy.

Beverly Johnson's wavy mane

Show your hairstylist a picture of Beverly Johnson, 70, if you want a low-maintenance cut that will look as good on the fifth day of not washing it as it will when you walk out of the salon. "I recommend looking for reference photos of hairstyles you like on people that have a similar face shape and hair color as you," says Potempa. "This will give you a good idea of how this style will look with your hair."

Janet Jackson's sky-high ponytail

At 57, Janet Jackson's hair has changed a lot over the years, but she's recently preferred longer hairstyles. Fortunately, long locks keep her looking youthful. Jackson adds a twist to her ponytail by wrapping hair around the base of her updo to visually lift features for a youthful look. We'll definitely have to try this hair hack the next time we want to add a stylish twist to our regular old ponytail. Being able to wear your hair up or down is one of the key ways long hair adds versatility to your look.

Sarah Jessica Parker's messy side ponytail

A messy ponytail is our go-to lazy-day hairstyle, but at 58, SJP proves it can be elevated with a few simple accessories. A bright-colored top and a cute hair ribbon transform a hairdo you usually reserve for running errands into a chic pony that you could totally wear on a date night. Pulling out a few strands in the front softens features and slims the face.

Elle Macpherson's glossy hair

Even though her enviable physique earned the 59-year-old the nickname "The Body," supermodel Elle Macpherson's luscious blonde locks deserve some attention, too. So, what's the secret to Macpherson's long, healthy hair? "I fill my swimming cap with [conditioner] while doing my laps [in the pool], or in summer I like to walk around with my hair coated with it. It’s a nice wet-look style," she told Get the Gloss in October 2018. You can also try a serum like Beachwaver's Shine Bright Vegan Keratin + Argan Serum (Buy from Beachwaver, $23.40) to add a healthy, youthful sheen.

Elizabeth Hurley's highlighted curls

Subtle highlights are the perfect way to add depth to your hair without committing to a full head of bleach. English actress and model Elizabeth Hurley, 58, shows us how it's done with understated honey-hued highlights that blend in perfectly with her chestnut-brown hair. Adding a few soft curls makes the highlights look even more natural.

Vanessa Williams' tousled waves

There's something oh-so-effortless about 60-year-old Vanessa Williams' soft waves. This hairstyle for long hair is perfect for days when you want a delicate curl but you don't want to dry out your hair with too much heat. To achieve the same look, use a curling iron with a larger barrel alternating the direction of the curl. Also, skip the hairspray so the curls will fall into loose waves. Your hair will look even better the next day!

Jane Seymour’s piece-y fringe

Jane Seymour, the former Bond girl and star of the hit show Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, is known for her stunning auburn hair, which she’s still rocking at 72 years old. Seymour’s piecey bangs beautifully frame her face while hiding any lines on the forehead. Potempa notes how important it is to choose a style that complements your face shape. "Not all long hair looks the same," she says. "Face framing, layers, bangs and more can make such a difference when it comes to long hair looks."

Salma Hayek’s shiny curls

It’s tempting to want to add highlights, lowlights, or any other kind of lights to get dimension in your hair. But actress Salma Hayek, 56, proves that you don’t need to go crazy with hair dye to achieve a fuller-looking head of hair. If you want to play up the shine, try an oil like Beachwaver's Bring Balance Organic Argan + Marula Hair Oil (Buy from Beachwaver, $28.80). "It will bring back some of the oils you lack due to age, nourishing both the scalp and hair strands," says Potempa.

Iman’s glossy side ponytail

Remember back in the '80s when side ponytails were all the rage? Model Iman, 67, shows that the nostalgic hairdo can be totally transformed so it’s appropriately modern. If a middle part doesn’t suit your face, try a deep side part like Iman’s to shorten the forehead and frame the face. Looking for a chic accessory to secure your strands? Try an oversized pin like the Power Pin (Buy from Day Rate Beauty, $25) to glam it up.

Marisa Tomei's rich auburn curls

We're totally inspired by the deep reddish-brown hue of Marisa Tomei's auburn curls — the perfect color for any season! The 58-year-old's messy part adds a bit of effortless cool to the look, making it the perfect easy-morning hairstyle. All you have to do is lightly curl it and then you're out the door. And remember, "The old misconception that at a certain age it's inappropriate to have hair that’s longer than, say, your collarbones is absolutely not true," says Aviva Jansen Perea.

Barbra Streisand's pin-straight locks

Women with straight hair always want curls, and women with waves always want straight hair, right? Well, we want 81-year-old Barbra Streisand's perfectly sleek hair! With a simple middle part, Babs' hair is fuss-free and easy. Her long strands also elongate her face, making her appear slimmer. In order to get that sleek and straight look, you'll want to reduce frizz. "Look for products that will add both moisture and strength to the hair," Potempa says.

Valerie Bertinelli's sweeping curls

At 63 years old, the actress could pass for someone 15 years younger — and her secret to looking ageless has to do with her hair. The volume at Bertinelli's roots is a trick to mimic if you have thinning hair, as it gives your locks the appearance of being thick, luscious and full of body. There are also a number of hair makeup tricks you can try, like hair-building fibers and scalp cover cream and powder, to enhance whatever you've got.

Sandra Bullock's blunt bangs

58-year-old Sandra Bullock's blunt bangs are another hairstyle trend to follow if you're looking to hide your thinning hair. Over time, your hairline can recede, but bangs — especially a fuller fringe — can completely cover your worry spots. The youthful style of this haircut is also a great reminder that you're never too old to wear your hair a certain way. "Any person can wear their hair at any length, at any age," Jansen Perea says emphatically.

Nicole Kidman's elevated ponytail

If you're not a fan of wearing your hair down, copying Nicole Kidman's stylish ponytail will leave you looking anything but basic. Kidman, 56, shows that with the help of a curling wand, your ponytail can take center stage. The key is to leave out a few face-framing layers for a delicate, romantic look.

Christie Brinkley's wispy bangs

At 69, Christie Brinkley's forehead-skimming bangs balance our her voluminous curls, making for the perfect long, layered hairstyles for women over 50. If you're unsure whether blunt bangs that are cut straight across will flatter your face, you can always opt for something like Brinkley's side-swept bangs. The nice thing here is that when your bangs get greasy or you simply want to change it up for the day, you can push your fringe behind your ears or pin it back. Now you've got a whole new look!

Julianne Moore's middle part

At 62, Julianne Moore's fiery mane looks healthy and full, and her middle part keeps her 'do youthful. Opting for a middle part is especially flattering for people with round faces. “If you have a round shape, the ideal part line is down the middle or a deep side part,” celebrity hairstylist Mika Fowler told Byrdie. “Both of these parts will give the illusion of length and create symmetry around your face.”

Demi Moore's sleek, straight hair

Demi Moore's sleek mane is inspiration for all ladies looking for long straight hairstyles for women over 50. Moore, 60, is proof that long locks can look good at any age. While it's true that our hair becomes duller and frizzier age, we don't have to let hat stop us from rocking long hair. Focus on hair health, Potempa says, and you should be able to cultivate a mane that's "shiny, smooth and beautiful."

Andie MacDowell's side-swept curls