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The Editors
Published on April 12, 2022
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There’s an old-fashioned belief that long hair signifies youthfulness, so, older women should avoid it because it’s no longer appropriate for their age. That’s an old school way of thinking, and older women can look awesome with longer tresses. See these 40 head-turning ideas with long hairstyles for older women for ultimate proof!

Long Haircuts and Hairstyles for Older Women

Updos with tucked in ends, such as low buns, chignons and French knots look elegant and can be worn as a casual or formal hairstyle. However, you don’t have to wear an updo all the time. Often, a nice cut and well-placed highlights is all you need to make sure the long hairstyle is not dragging you down. Here are the inspiring examples!

1. Long Layered Brunette Hair with Face Framing Balayage

Youthful Long Brown Hairstyle for Women over 40

Instagram / @nothingobvious

Classic long seamless layers with curtain bangs look graceful and timeless. Ask your hairdresser to add some face framing highlights to achieve that sun kissed look.

2. Blonde Balayage and Full Textured Bangs

Blonde layered locks and a textured fringe always look fab, no matter your age. Switching from regular foil highlights to softer, more blended balayage will give your hairstyle a modern vibe.

Long Hairstyle with Bangs for Older Women

Instagram / @rodrigues_ricardo

3. Warm Auburn Soft Textured Waves

We all know how picking the right hair tone instantly makes us look better even with no makeup. Besides that, fresh color always adds gloss and that healthy, revived look to your locks.

Mature Woman Hairstyle with Soft Waves

Instagram / @bailey_aesthetics

4. Naturally Curly Silver Hair

Gray hairstyles rock and the trend is certainly not giving up its position. However, gray hair strands tend to be coarse, dry and tricky to manage. Hence, we highly recommend using plenty of moisturizing products including masks and serums to tackle this issue.

Long Curly Gray Hairstyle

Instagram / @curlprosb

5. Gray Layered Locks

A layered haircut is ultimately the best way to keep your long locks in a good shape at any age. Blow-dry your hair with a round brush and use plenty of moisturizing cream to make your locks look sleek and looked after.

6. Soft Shag Sunkissed Look

Adding some volume and face framing layers to your hairstyle is a perfect way to create a modern and youthful look. Also, the combination of strawberry blonde and bleached highlights look both fresh and flattering.

Flattering Haircut for Thinning Hair

Instagram / @danielsunghoonkim

7. From Artificial Dye to Natural Gray Hair

Although the transition from dyed hair to your natural gray can be long and expensive, this is so worth the effort! Also, the investment will pay back as a major saving on all the future color appointments that you won’t need to have.

8. Super Long Wavy Hair

If you have thick hair, it seems natural to grow it long and wear it down. However, even twenty years ago, there wasn’t such an option for those with fine hair. Luckily, now you have an amazing opportunity to add extensions and wear those full, sumptuous waves no matter your hair’s natural length or texture.

Long Hairstyle with Extensions for Older Women

Instagram / @texturedbymeg

9. Modern Shag Cut with Textured Bangs

Do you fancy giving your long hair some oomph? Go for the modern shag haircut with a full textured fringe and plenty of face framing layers. This hairstyle is perfect for natural curls.

Trendy Shag for Women over 50

Instagram / @nothingobvious

10. Long Blunt Cut with Full Bangs

No matter how old you are, a long hairstyle can look flattering and totally appropriate. From a certain age, hair can become dryer and more fragile though. A medium length blunt cut will help to keep your strands in a good, healthy condition.

11. Soft Layers and Side Swept Bangs

Perfect for any face shape and hair type, a soft layered haircut is one of the best hairstyles for more mature women. Style it with a large barrel curling iron and gently break up the curls with your fingers without brushing them.

Layered Cut with Side Swept Bangs for Older Women

Instagram / @chanterosesalon

12. Warm Balayage Highlights and Oval Bangs

Warm tones soften facial features and look refreshing and flattering, while some barely-there highlights add texture and definition. If you have an elongated or oval face shape, an A-line fringe like this would be a great addition to the style.

Long Brown Hair with Subtle Balayage

Instagram / @diegomarcsant

13. Long Gray Afro Hair

A low ponytail is a go-to hairstyle for any occasion. Part it in the middle to keep up with the current trend and complement the look with bright lipstick. We love the way different colors are coming through when you put hair up. The salt and pepper hair color, as well as natural afro texture, gives this hairstyle plenty of dimension and character.

Older Woman with Long Natural Nair

Instagram / @vickieheath_

14. Layered Shoulder Length Hair

You can’t go wrong with mid length layers – one of the most popular contemporary hairstyles of all times. Wear it with a center part of sweep your bangs on one side to add some movement, your hair will always look on point.

Modern Rachel Cut for Women over 40

Instagram / @evahairstylistmt

15. Modern Shag with Pink Root Blend

The good news is: if your hair is gray you don’t need to bleach it before using pastel colors (or very minimal lightening would be required). This subtle yet sassy pink root dye will look amazing in summer.

Older Women with Long Hair Pink Root Shadow

Instagram / @nothingobvious

16. Curly Cut with Curly Bangs

Just below the shoulders and layered is the best shape to embrace the curly hair texture. Forget about forehead wrinkles, think about the curly fringe trend!

Curly Blonde Bob with Bangs

Instagram / @_ggstyle

17. Lob Haircut with Blunt Ends

As we know, gray hair changes its texture and becomes coarser and drier. Cutting all the hair to the same length can help to make your haircut look sleeker and more polished.

18. Long Layered Haircut on Gray Hair

It’s unbelievable what a change can the right hairstyle make. Heavy layers are great to make thick and coarse hair more lightweight and manageable. For fine hair, opt for longer layers and some face framing.

Octopus Haircut for Women over 50

Instagram / @roshan_hairlove

19. Wolf Haircut with Highlights

Shift the weight from the ends to the roots with this edgy modern cut. Use some volumizing mousse and blow dry your hair straight or add some loose waves with a flat iron.

Wolf Haircut for Older Woman with Round Face

Instagram / @brentdanielbasore

20. Gray Layered Bob

To achieve this Diane Keaton style look, ask your stylist for a shoulder length layered bob. As for the color, the process of dye removal may take several hours, so it’s helpful if you grow it out as much as possible.

21. Long Bouncy Layers

If you are looking for the best way to give your hair some volume without making a dramatic change, long layers are your best bet. Lightweight, bouncy, and voluminous is all you need for a youthful look.

Long Layered Cut for Thick Hair

Instagram / @tarasiegel50

22. Low Chignon Bun for an Older Lady

Wearing your hair long gives you that nice option to put your hair up – whether it be a cheeky top knot for a workout or a sleek, classy updo like this.

23. Textured Shag Cut with Soft Balayage

A heavily layered and full of texture shag cut looks best on the thick hair type. Add some subtle highlights to give it additional dimension and movement. We also love a good fringe to bring all the attention to your eyes.

Low Maintenance Cut with Bangs and Razored Layers

Instagram / @angelatanghair

24. Unicorn Color Ombre for Any Age

Who said vivid colors are only for the young? If your hair is in a good condition and you pick a tone that is complementary to your skin tone, it will look totally smashing. This pink hair color is a gorgeous example.

Long Face Framing Layers for Women Over 50

Instagram / @bleachedandblown

25. High Messy Bun on Silver Hair

Throw your hair up in a bun, leave some bits down to frame your face and your perfect weekend hairstyle is ready. Use some root powder and backcomb your strands first if you would prefer to have more volume.

High Messy Bun with Faux Bangs

Instagram / @sylver_bel

26. Brunette Layered Cut with Blonde Highlights

One of the best ways to upgrade your hairstyle is by adding some highlights. The truth is, lighter hair makes us look younger, and whilst you may not be willing to go blonde all over, some highlights around the front line can seriously uplevel your hair game.

Medium Length Cut with Blonde Highlights and Wispy Bangs

Instagram / @nathaliatofoli_

27. All Over Gray Shag

One of the edgiest long hair styles for women over 50, an all over silver shag cut can be styled smooth or messy. Use some volumizing mousse and leave your hair to air dry or blow dry it with a round brush depending on your mood today.

28. Cornrows into High Braided Bun

Cornrow braids that are going across the front and join in a high bun, look elegant and classy. Also, this hairstyle can prevent damage and help you tame coarse hair.

Protective Hairstyle for Older Black Women

Instagram / @stylzofu

29. Bobble Braid for a Silver Fox Look

Very long hair can look untidy and dishevelled in a ponytail. A few elastic bands put along the lengths will create that sassy bobble braid look and keep your locks in place.

Older Lady with Long Bubble Ponytail

Instagram / @flygrannybk

30. Lovely Low Bun

A low bun is a great updo option in the collection of hairstyles for women over 60. The dress code for the event you are attending will determine the degree of messiness within your style: messier for casual settings and sleeker for formal affairs.

31. An Elegant Chignon

If you are a lady whose social calendar is packed with luncheons, cocktail parties and galas, you must try the classy chignon bun as one of your go-to long hairstyles for women over 50. It is classic and conservative enough for more reserved crowds, but it is far from being dated or boring.

low chignon for silver hair

Instagram / @laurenghairmakeup

32. Smoky Swirl

Older women with long hair who want a simple style that can last a couple of days without being retouched will enjoy this look. The best part is it works especially well with salt and pepper hair and creates a swirled appearance that is stylish.

natural hair braided hairstyle for older women

Instagram / @the_braidbar

33. Braided Low Bun

Less is more is not always the best motto when it comes to hairstyles as shown here. With bangs, braids and a messy bun, it may seem like a lot, but somehow all three elements work together. The long pieces at the end of the bangs instantly slim round faces.

34. Simple Side Braid

Standard long hairstyles for women over 50 need some twist that will instantly make them more exciting. Choose a side part with a neat braid on the smaller section and sweep your locks on the other side so that they cover your temple and ear for a pretty and stylish asymmetrical look.

long side parted hairstyle for women over 40

Instagram / @_hairbyb

35. Messy Bun with Romantic Strands

Older women with long hair want to avoid anything too structured as it can add years to their faces. This style is a perfect example of how to style your hair for a modern look. The strands with bangs frame the features beautifully and create a relaxed appearance.

Low Curly Bun With Bangs

Instagram / @swellbeauty

36. Tousled Side Ponytail with Bangs

Fringes are wonderful for mature women because they cover the forehead and distract from under-eye wrinkles. These bangs are complemented by a simple side half ponytail bun — producing a more playful look.

Side Curly Ponytail Hairstyle

Instagram / @hairbyjessielu

37. Elegant Cinnamon Roll Updo

The cinnamon roll is among the top choices for hair updos, especially for those who have long hair over 40. It’s fab on older ladies because it’s fuss-free, elegant and polished.

38. Voluminous Twisted Chignon

After 60 you can still rock updos that are elegant and classy, and the chignon is one of those styles that work great for women over 60. The chignon will compliment a wide range of face shapes, and it lends itself well to a variety of different settings, making it a top pick.

Formal Updo For Older Ladies

Instagram / @hairbyjennh

39. Elegant Updo with Soft Curls

Got a full head of absolutely beautiful tresses? Show them off! The combination of the braids and curls in this look make it the best updo for formal occasions like weddings. A great option for the mother of the bride hairstyle!

40. Swirled French Roll

If you like classics and elegance, go for a French roll with a modern twist. Update it with bangs, a delicious hair color with highlights, and play with the shape of the roll, adding a personalized detail, like this dynamic swoop, for instance.

Older Women's French Twist Updo

Instagram / @theblowoutparlor

All in all, the lesson to be learned is practically no style is off limits, no matter your age. As long as you stay true to your personal style and remain confident, never refuse from rocking your long locks.

Youthful Long Brown Hairstyle for Women over 40 Long Hairstyle with Bangs for Older Women Mature Woman Hairstyle with Soft Waves Long Curly Gray Hairstyle Long Layered Salt and Paper Hair Flattering Haircut for Thinning Hair Transition to Gray Hair Before and After Long Hairstyle with Extensions for Older Women Trendy Shag for Women over 50 Longer Cut for Women over 50 Layered Cut with Side Swept Bangs for Older Women Long Brown Hair with Subtle Balayage Older Woman with Long Natural Nair Modern Rachel Cut for Women over 40 Older Women with Long Hair Pink Root Shadow Curly Blonde Bob with Bangs Salt and Paper Hairstyle with Deep Side Part Octopus Haircut for Women over 50 Wolf Haircut for Older Woman with Round Face Diane Keaton Style Look for Older Women Long Layered Cut for Thick Hair Gray Hair Chignon Bun Updo Low Maintenance Cut with Bangs and Razored Layers Long Face Framing Layers for Women Over 50 High Messy Bun with Faux Bangs Medium Length Cut with Blonde Highlights and Wispy Bangs Silver White Shag for Women over 59 Protective Hairstyle for Older Black Women Older Lady with Long Bubble Ponytail low twisted bun updo for older women low chignon for silver hair natural hair braided hairstyle for older women side braid and low bun updo with bangs for women over 40 long side parted hairstyle for women over 40 Low Curly Bun With Bangs Side Curly Ponytail Hairstyle Elegant Chignon Updo For Long Hair Formal Updo For Older Ladies Blonde Curly Mother of the Bride Updo Older Women's French Twist Updo
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