33 Incredible Long Hairstyles For Women Over 50

Time for an honest heart-to-heart: long hair looks surreal, but if it is lifeless, it just ruins the day.

But as you grow older than 50, your long hair seems to become duller, breakage-prone, and lifeless. Expert licensed hair stylist Jessica Shults says, “As we age, our hair loses the ability to retain moisture which makes it lifeless and damage-prone. Using a moisture shampoo, conditioner, and daily leave-in conditioner is key in repairing your tresses.” Also, some long hairstyles for women over 50 can accentuate your tresses to your advantage. These hairstyles can make your mature hair look lush, bouncy, and voluminous without having to compromise the length. So, scroll down to check out these long hairstyles for women and show the world that being over 50 doesn’t mean your experimental hair days are over!

Before You Get Started

• Long hairstyles are bold choices for older women. As you age, your hair starts to weaken and become unmanageable. If you still decide to go for it, rest assured it makes you much cooler by default.
• Layered haircuts look most flattering on fine hair types. However, do not overdo it.
• Make sure you do not strain your natural hair too much.
• Consider how much time styling would take against how long it will last. You do not want to get something flashy to the point of exhaustion.
• Avoid heavy hair accessories. Instead, go for silk scarves and ties.
• Avoid heat styling as much as possible. If you need to use heat, always use protectants before it and follow up with a moisturizing product.
• Make sure you have a regular hair care routine in place to keep your hair healthy. Deep conditioning masks and regular trims are non-negotiable.

33 Incredible Long Hairstyles For Women Over 50

1. Salma Hayek ( Bouffant Updo With A Headband)

Salma Hayek often loves to experiment with her look and has sported some of the most trendsetting hairstyles to date.

How To Get The Look

The stunner opted for a neat, center-parted bouffant updo and accessorized it with a gleaming headband. Create a center parting and wear a headband approximately half an inch away from the forehead. Now, use a comb to tease your hair at the roots and comb back from the crown to create volume. Gather your hair and gently push it upwards before tying it into a bun and securing it with hair pins.

2. Jennifer Lopez (Slicked Half Updo)

Jennifer Lopez is a style maven! She looks absolutely stunning and elegant in this sleek half-updo.

How To Get The Look

The singer wore her hair in a half-up ponytail that created the illusion of a headband. Separate the hair into two sections from ear to ear. Gather the hair from the upper section and tie it into a ponytail by securing it with an elastic. Pull the hair tight and let the remaining hair fall loosely to create the illusion of a headband.

3. Michelle Pfeiffer (Layered Cut)

Michelle Pfeiffer has aged gracefully. This beautiful actress knows which hairstyles work for her.

How To Get The Look

Michelle Pfeiffer’s hairstyle is the layered cut. Get layers that begin from your shoulders.

Spray heat protectant and hairspray on your hair. Using a curling iron, curl your hair. Pick up 3-inch sections of hair at a time and keep your hair in the curler for about 5 seconds. Wait for your hair to cool down before you touch it.

Part your hair down the middle. A middle parting helps cover your forehead and cheeks without hiding them fully.

4. Sandra Bullock (Side Ponytail)

Miss Congeniality Sandra Bullock is a total queen. She has always changed her red carpet look and rarely commits a style faux pas.

How To Get The Look

Part your hair on one side.

Tie your hair in a low ponytail. Make sure it’s tight. Flip the ponytail over one shoulder and pin it in place if you want it to stay that way throughout the day.

5. Michelle Pfeiffer (Messy Curls)

Michele Pfeiffer sure knows how to work those messy curls to create a youthful look.

How To Get The Look

This hairstyle is a nice twist to the classic layered hairdo.

Apply a heat protectant to the ends of your hair. Using a curling iron, curl the ends of your hair. Keep your hair in the iron for about 3 seconds.

Place a round brush under the hair at the top of your head and brush it outward to create volume near your hairline.

6. Diane Lane (Short Layered Cut)

Diane Lane is one cool cat! Her hairstyles make her look evergreen and youthful. There are plenty of short hairstyles for women over 50 that are stylish and easy to maintain. This is one of them!

How To Get The Look

Diane Lane has a short layered cut with the ends flicked outward.

Place a round brush on the underside of your side bangs and brush outward. This creates some height near the forehead, which will make your face appear elongated.

7. Helen Hunt (Wavy Hair)

Helen Hunt is one of those fearless classic beauties. Her hairstyles, while being simple, also make her look young.

How To Get The Look

This is a layered hairstyle with waves and side bangs.

Ask your hairstylist to give you a layered cut with side bangs.

Use a curler to create soft waves. Keep your hair in the curling iron for about 5 seconds, unclip your hair, and allow it to cool. Run your fingers through your hair to create an effortlessly tousled look.

8. Sharon Stone

Sharon Stone is a maqnifique diva! Her hairstyles always look stunning.

How To Get The Look

This hairstyle is a blunt cut with heavy waves and a middle parting.

The middle parting helps cover wide cheeks.

The waves near the hairline add volume to her hair and make her face look long.

Keep your hair in the curler for about 7-8 seconds and sprits on some hairspray to achieve this look.

9. Diane Lane (Chic Waves)

Diane Lane looks effortlessly sexy and youthful with her hair styled in chic waves.

How To Get The Look

Wavy hair softens the strong features of your face like wide cheeks, a pointy jawline, and a high forehead.

Using a curling iron, pick up messy sections and curl your hair. Spritz on some hairspray and part your hair on one side.

Run your fingers through your hair to create a seductively messy effect.

10. Julianne Moore (Straight Hair)

Juliane Moore is a red-headed goddess. This gorgeous woman always looks incredible, and so do her hairdos.

How To Get The Look

This hairstyle involves a simple U or V cut with feathered ends. Straighten your hair and apply some serum to get rid of any frizz.

The middle parting seems to be a favorite among many actresses over 50. This is because it looks flattering irrespective of your face shape. If you have a large forehead or wide cheeks, allow your hair to fall freely. If you have a small forehead, a simple hair tuck behind the ears can solve that issue.

11. Helen Hunt (Blowdried Curls)

Helen Hunt is one amazing actress. It’s no surprise that she knows how to floor people at a red carpet event with her hairdos.

How To Get The Look

The best part about this look is that whether you have short, long, or layered hair, this hairstyle will work perfectly.

Air dry your washed hair at least 50% of the way through. Then, wrap the ends of your hair around a round brush and blow dry to create these loose, bouncy curls.

Part your hair on one side to finish off this glamorous look.

12. Julianne Moore (Texturized Waves)

Julianne Moore’s hairstyles have always accentuated her facial features. This texturized wavy style is no different.

How To Get The Look

This hairdo is a wavy layered cut with the layers beginning near her jawline. The layers are feathered which gives her hair a voluminous look.

If you have wide cheeks, a middle parting with side bangs will easily cover them up and make your face look slimmer.

13. Sandra Bullock (Side-Swept Curls)

You can’t deny it – Sandra’s hairstyle game here is on point.

How To Get The Look

Spritz on a good amount of hairspray on your head. Curl your hair with a jumbo-sized curling iron. Allow your hair to cool down before you style it.

Sweep all your hair onto one side. Using pins, secure your hair so that it remains on the side throughout the day.

14. Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett is one classy lady, and we love her sense of style when it comes to her hair.

How To Get The Look

This hairstyle is a loose ponytail with side-swept bangs.

Brush your hair down and tie it into a low ponytail. Take some hair from the ponytail and wrap it around the elastic band to cover it. Flip the ponytail over your shoulder to finish off the look.

15. Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker is a fashion icon and rightfully so! Her hairstyles are pretty awesome too.

How To Get The Look

Nothing works better than what God has blessed you with, so go with your natural hairdo.

Add a few highlights that are a few tones lighter than your natural hair color. They will frame your facial features nicely.

The dark roots add height to your face, making it look long and slender.

16. Jennifer Aniston (Wavy Hair)

Jennifer Aniston has amazing, shiny hair that is always styled to perfection.

How To Get The Look

As you age, your hair loses its texture. Wavy hair is the best solution. You can curl your hair using a curling iron or a straightener.

The light hair color perfectly accentuates the color of her eyes.

The middle parting draws attention to her eyes and mouth.

17. Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep’s classy hairdo is perfect for any fancy occasion.

How To Get The Look

More often than not, a classy updo is all you need to solve your hairstyle dilemma.

Tie your hair in a simple low bun and allow your bangs to fall freely and frame your face.

Quick Tip

If you have long hair, investing in a high-quality hair brush is a great idea. Choose one with natural bristles.

18. Nicole Kidman

This Aussie beauty always wears hairstyles that are absolutely fabulous.

How To Get The Look

This hairstyle is a fishtail braid. Unlike a regular braid, a fishtail braid has only two sections. Divide all your hair into two sections. Take some hair from the outer corner of one section and merge it into the inner corner of the other section. Repeat this step alternately until you’ve braided till the end.

Tug at the hair to pancake it.

Leave out some hair at the front to frame your face.

19. Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet has floored us with this lovely vintage hairdo that looks oh-so-elegant and sophisticated.

How To Get The Look

This is a classy updo. Whether you have long hair or short, you can make this hairstyle work. Curl your hair and part it on one side.

Roll your hair upwards and inwards. Once you reach the nape of your neck, pin the hair in place.

20. Sandra Bullock (Center-Parted Hair)

How To Get The Look

This a messy layered hairdo.

Wrap your hair around a curling iron just once and for about 5-7 seconds to get those crisp waves. This will give your tips a pointy look as well.

Run your fingers through your hair to give it a messy look. You can also flip your hair and shake it up a bit.

21. Jennifer Aniston (Straight Hair)

This hairstyle is lovely and makes a statement. Jennifer Aniston’s hairstyles are always perfect!

How To Get The Look

This hairstyle is a long layered cut with a slight side parting.

Blonde highlights help add definition to her face.

The shortest layers in the front act like side bangs, accentuating her facial features.

22. Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett looks like an absolute queen in this braided updo.

How To Get The Look

Take some hair from one side and weave it in a braid.

Tie the rest of your hair in a ponytail. Take a hair donut and insert it at the end of your ponytail. Arrange the tips of your hair around the donut and slowly roll it upwards towards the base of your ponytail. Pin the bun in place.

Wrap the braid around the bun and pin it in place. If you have wide cheeks or a large forehead, leave some hair out in the front to frame your face.

23. Andie MacDowell

Andie MacDowell is a curly-haired vision, and we can’t get enough of her gorgeous hair!

How To Get The Look

Curl your hair using rollers. Spritz a good amount of hairspray and apply a curl defining cream before putting on the rollers.

Leave your hair in the rollers for a couple of hours or overnight. Run your fingers through your hair after removing the rollers and roughly part it on one side.

24. Demi Moore

Demi Moore’s hair has been the envy of many women. Her stunning dark hair is always styled
impeccably.

How To Get The Look

Spritz on some volumizing spray and hairspray and roughly curl your hair.

Part your hair down the middle.

Tie all your hair in a loose half ponytail. Tug at a few curls to pull them out and frame your face. This step adds to the style of the hairdo.

25. Diane Lane (Fancy Updo)

Diane Lane is one of those women who has flawless taste in hairstyles.

How To Get The Look

If you have curly hair, this is an incredible formal event hairdo for you. If you don’t have curly hair, use rollers to curl them.

Simply wrap your hair in a low bun at the back. Before you pin it in place, push it up to create a pouf on top.

Allow some curly strands to fall out and frame your face.

26. Lisa Kudrow

Lisa Kudrow has been gifted with incredible hair, and she sure knows how to flaunt it!

How To Get The Look

This is a simple U cut with the layers starting way past her shoulders.

If you don’t have straight hair, simply use a straightener. Spray on some heat protectant to keep your hair safe from heat damage.

27. Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz’s lush blonde hair is always styled to make her look like the goddess that she is.

How To Get The Look

Take some hair from the crown of your head and backcomb it. Neatly comb down the hair at the top of this section and pin it at the back.

Tie the rest of your hair in a low ponytail to finish off the look.

28. Nicole Kidman

This Aussie beauty’s hairstyles are always fabulous.

How To Get The Look

Wrap your hair in a simple mid-level bun with a side parting in the front.

Curl some sections of hair in the front and allow them to fall loosely and frame your face.

29. Laura Dern

Laura Dern has luscious blonde hair, and her style is impeccable.

How To Get The Look

This is the classic Hollywood hairstyle with waves and a side parting.

Using a straightener, curl your hair in big waves. Spritz on some hairspray to keep them in place.

30. Marcia Cross

Marcia Cross’ red hair is an asset that makes her look youthful!.

How To Get The Look

Part your hair on one side using a rat-tailed comb.

To get this hairstyle, you need to make the ends of your hair wavy. You don’t want full-on waves but really mild ones, just enough to add volume to your hair. Keep the ends of your hair in a straightener or curler for a few seconds to give them a mild wavy look.

31. Sandra Bullock (Poker Straight Hair)

How To Get The Look

This is a layered cut with the layers beginning below the jawline.

The light highlights help frame the face and add definition to her poker straight tresses.

The middle parting accentuates her jawline and makes her features look sharper.

32. Meryl Streep

This Oscar-winning star’s hair is always on point and elegant.

How To Get The Look

Pick up hair from the sides and pin it up at the back.

Leave your bangs to fall out.

33. Halle Berry (Soft, Bouncy Curls)

Halle Berry has constantly mesmerized her fans with her minimalist yet elegant hairdos. This one is no different and accentuates her lovely cheekbones.

How To Get The Look

First, wash your hair properly and use a 25 mm curling rod to get the effortlessly bouncy curls. Start by dividing the hair into different sections, then take one section, and work with the curling iron. Wrap the strands around it, keeping it away from the hair, and curl in a single go.

Once all the sections have been styled, spritz a light setting spray to ensure the hairstyle stays intact and the curls don’t open easily.

Quick Tip

Using too many hair care products can weigh already heavy hair down. Hence, use minimal hair products to keep your locks healthy and bouncy.

Maintenance Tips For Long Hair

• Taking care of your hair also means taking care of what you eat. Yes, what you eat can affect your hair. This is because your body secretes sebum for your hair. If your diet isn’t right, there could be an increase or decrease in sebum production.
• Take multivitamin tablets every day. They help nourish and strengthen your hair. Taking biotin, vitamin B, and omega-3 fatty acids will help your hair grow and keep it healthy. Consider food alternatives like tuna and flax seeds.
• Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle the hair and prevent breakages. Brush your hair gently from the roots to the tips to enhance blood circulation to the scalp and give it a smooth appearance.
• Try to avoid all heat styling methods. If you want to curl or make your hair wavy, use rollers. If you do feel the need to use heat styling tools, apply a heat protectant before every use and condition your hair regularly to help it stay hydrated. This also means giving your blow dryer a rest sometimes and allowing your hair to dry naturally. This will go a long way in protecting your hair.
• As you age, you’ll notice your scalp and roots drying out very quickly. So, keep nourishing your hair with coconut oil. While applying it to your hair and scalp, massage your head as well. Make sure the oil is a little hot while using. Leave the oil in your hair for at least an hour before washing it.
• Wash your hair only 2-3 times a week so that you don’t strip off the natural oils.
• Keep hair coloring to a minimum. Choose highlights and lowlights over global coloring. These styles add depth to the hair and offer it a youthful appeal. You can go for henna or gray coverage colors. There are dyes made explicitly for gray hair that are better for your hair.
• Lighter colors flatter your hair more as you age. When deciding to color your hair entirely or getting highlights, it’s always better to choose a lighter color.
• Deep condition your hair. Apply conditioner only to the lower half of your hair. Cover it with a shower cap and then head for a shower. The steam from the hot water will help the conditioner moisturize your hair more. If you feel that your hair is really dry, deep condition your hair every two weeks.
• When using a conditioner, wash your hair with cold water. This helps lock the moisture in your scalp and roots.
• Trim your hair every 4 to 6 weeks to remove split ends and dry tips. This helps keep the hair looking healthy and shiny
• To give your hair a healthy shine, spray apple cider vinegar on your hair once in a while. This will give your hair a good and natural shine.

Danielle, a beauty and hair vlogger, shares about how she tried the ACV method on her hair and the results she saw after day 1, noting, “…it pretty much feels very similar to as it does when I use regular shampoo, it feels very very clean… it [the hair] does actually look a little bit shiner.” At the end of five days, Danielle rounded up her review of the method, saying. “I actually do find that my hair was starting to feel very soft for a while, especially in the beginning. It was a good detox for my head because it helps get rid of a lot of the residues that even a lot of the organic shampoos leave and I do feel it was kind of a good detox and a really good deep cleanse for my hair…(i).” However, for her, the smell of vinegar was a major con of this method.

Infographic: 7 Celeb Inspired Hairdos For Women Over 50

These celebs have shown the world that glamor is not just for the young. With their experience in the showbiz industry, they know what works best for them. If you look closely, you will notice a pattern in their styling. If you’re over 50 and want to steal a page from these celeb styles, we have something for you.

Check out the infographic below on some key hairstyling points inspired by these celebs for women over 50.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some easy hairstyles for women over 50 that require minimal maintenance?

Some easy hairstyles for women over 50 that require minimal maintenance are soft layers and loose wavy hair. These styles prevent the hair from looking flat and frame the face, enhancing its beauty.

Should a woman over 50 wear long hair?

Yes, a woman over 50 can rock any look with well-maintained and bouncy long hair.

Does long hair make an older woman look older?

No, thick and long hair makes an older woman look young and stylish.

Can an older woman wear a ponytail?

Yes, there is no age limit to wearing a ponytail. An older woman can wear a ponytail and style it the way she wants.

Illustration: Incredible Long Hairstyles For Women Over 50

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Discover the latest and trendiest hairstyles for women over 50! Check this video for inspiration and find the perfect hairdo that will look fabulous on you.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Jessica ShultsLicensed Hairstylist

   

Jessica is an expert hairstylist with over 20 years of experience. She specializes in all areas of hair color and is exceptionally skilled at balayage and best-in-class gray blending techniques. After two decades of hairstyling, she launched Twisted Scissors Salon, a full-service hair salon.

Read full bio of Jessica Shults

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

 

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

Read full bio of Anjali Sayee

Asmita DeAssociate Editor

Asmita De is an associate editor with over three years of experience. She graduated in English Literature from the University of Calcutta. She has collaborated with several digital companies and reputed publishing houses as an editor.

Read full bio of Asmita De

Bhumika DagaBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Bhumika is a content writer with 2.5 years of expertise in crafting articles across diverse genres. She graduated from the University of Delhi and completed her post-graduation from Indira Gandhi National Open University, Delhi.

Read full bio of Bhumika Daga