There are many strange beauty ideas that are tied to aging. One of them? That women of a “certain age” should never have long hair. In the past, women may have felt obliged to limit their hair’s length as they hit middle age—but as the 2020s have ushered in a new era of acceptance, including a welcome move towards embracing our true selves, shunning societal expectations around how we “should” look in favor of what makes us feel good. The option to wear your hair however you want at 70 is very much a part of that.
“We are moving away from the ideology that women of a certain age need to have their hair cut short,” agrees Dom Seeley, Color Wow s international creative director. “It’s all about what makes you feel confident; what defines your style and personality. There is nothing wrong with going short when you get older, but don’t conform to society’s beliefs about how you should feel or look.”
Those in the public eye sporting long hair are reason enough to consider all avenues when it comes to your hairstyle at 50 and beyond. The list is rather exhaustive: Sarah Jessica Parker, Monica Bellucci, Julianne Moore, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jennifer Lopez, and Naomi Campbell all wear their hair below their shoulders. “Jane Seymour has a soft fringe graduation around the face and great color, while Michelle Pfeiffer’s hair is soft and wavy, always worn slightly tousled,” says hairstylist Paul Edmonds. “All of these women look great for their age, without trying to look like they’re 20.”
Without further ado, here Vogue takes a look at the best long hairstyles for women over 50, from past shoulder-length styles to mermaid-esque lengths.
Key Takeaways
- The best long hairstyles for women in their 50s are ones that define you and your personality.
- All experts say that long waves, pin-straight hair, and curtain bangs are just a few of the best hairstyles for women in their 50s.
- The key to any hairstyle is hair health. Be sure to use moisturizing products and heat protectant when styling hair.
Casual Glam
According to celebrity hairstylist and L Oreal Paris hair care and color ambassador Dimitris Giannetos, hair gets thinner, drier, and duller with age. When choosing long hairstyles, you ll want to wear a style that is not only healthy but also something that you feel confident in. We love this look from Nicole Kidman, who lets her long hair fall where it may in a casual glam vibe that works for anyone.
Balayage Dimensions
We love J. Lo s blonde balayage moment; the bright blonde adds depth and dimension to her honey shade. Pro tip: Edmonds also recommends a haircare routine that seeks to deeply nourish and smooth each strand—consider incorporating bonding treatments and hair masks into your routine. “If you stick to a great aftercare regime with heat protectors and invest in quality electrical tools to dry and style your hair with, then you won’t run the risk of making it dry and brittle, which is when you’ll need to cut it more often,” adds Seeley.
Embracing the Gray
There are many chic ways to let your natural gray hair grow in. We love Andie Macdowell s gray highlights, which pop against a darker base.
Curtain Bangs
Considered the universal bangs, curtain bangs work for any hair type, length, and stage of life. Elizabeth Hurley s long curtain bangs frame her face and add movement to her overall look.
Long Layers
Celebrity hairstylist at IGK salon Marc Ballance says effortless layers are a classic style for long hair. Salma Hayek wears her long layers with slight bends at the ends.
Sarah Jessica Parker
Layered and full of volume, Sarah Jessica Parker s long hair is the perfect inspo for that casual glam look.
Soft Ombré Waves
Giannetos loves a soft wave for long hair. “It looks relaxed but still put together,” he says. Here, Sandra Bullock wears her soft waves with subtle ombré tips.
Ultimate Shine
The key to ultimate shiny hair like Demi Moore s is hair health. It’s easy enough to look after cropped hair, but as it grows, more attention needs to be paid to the mid-lengths and ends to prevent hair from looking unhealthy and dull. Instead of a rigid schedule of trims every six weeks, Seeley advises staying in tune with your own hair and its habits. “Everyone’s hair grows differently, and how you look after or maintain it factors into how often you need to cut it, too,” he says. “I think a more proactive approach is to think of a broader timeframe than the regimented six weeks.”
Sleek Long
Naomi Campbell s signature long, sleek strands are legendary. To keep that length healthy and strong, Giannetos recommeands using something like the L’Oreal Paris Everpure Bonding System to strengthen strands and repair any damage.
Face-Framing Layers
Ballance says that face-framing layers can help give hair a fuller appearance. Julianne Moore wears long layers with slight bends at the ends for added volume.
Blunt Bangs
If you re ready to dive deep into the world of bangs, go all the way with a blunt cut like Monica Bellucci. The experts advise talking to your hairdresser about which longer hairstyles will suit your face shape and what length will suit you best. “Soft fringes and layers that draw attention to the eyes and cheekbones are always good,” says Edmonds, while Seeley recommends looking to those famous women for inspiration. “They (and their hairdressers) know how to accentuate the face through the use of color and different lengths that flatter and highlight the features—from the skin to the eyes—making them look more youthful.”
Classic Blowout
Using 90s queen Cindy Crawford as inspo, a classic blowout is timeless. Ballance agrees and says that the key to this—and any—style is healthy hair. “Healthy hair with natural volume and fullness will always look the most youthful,” he says. He recommends using a hydrating shampoo, like the Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner Duo.
Glam Curls
For effortless glam curls like Sandra Oh s, Ballance says you ll want to focus on creating lift and shape. Use a volumizing product like the IGK Body Language Rice Water Mist to add fullness and a strong hold. Then you ll blow-dry from the roots, set the hair with velcro rollers for soft movement, and finish with a flexible hairspray.
Going Platinum
Embracing your silver strands is striking on its own, but we especially love Kristen McMenamy s bright platinum shade. Add subtle waves to your do, as Giannetos says it can bring out your natural texture and make hair look fuller.
Effortless Waves
Easy to style but still refined, adding effortless waves like Halle Berry here is one of the best ways to dress up your long layers. Ballance loves using a flexible hairspray like the Redken Brushable Hairspray keeps its shape while letting hair move.
Bright Highlights
Jennifer Aniston s bright highlights add depth to long, dirty blonde hair. We love that it also frames her face for added dimension.
Pin-Straight Layers
If you re looking for a sleeker look, opt for long, pin-straight hair like Iman s. Add face-framing layers to add some movement.
Bouncy and Loose
If you re looking for a more casual glam look, opt for looser curls like Julia Roberts. Curls are not tightly wound (use a large barrel curling iron) and bouncy for added volume.
Added Details
If we were forced to choose only one hair accessory to wear for the rest of our lives, it would be the classic headband. It works for any occasion. Case in point: Helen Mirren. The black satin really pops against her silver strands for a chic look.
Old Hollywood Glam
When in doubt, go the Old Hollywood Glam route. Angela Bassett wears her long hair in brushed-out curls and a deep side part for a stunning look.
Cool Girl Waves
The less “perfect” the better when it comes to these waves. Take a cue from rock legend Alanis Morissette, who wears her waves tousled and a little messy for an effortless cool girl look.
Have a beauty or wellness trend you re curious about? We want to know! Send Vogue s senior beauty wellness editor an email at beauty@vogue.com.
