Many people think that when someone with tight curls reaches adulthood, styling the hair will get easier. This is usually not the case, in fact it is the complete opposite. Curls that once formed a defined style for days, for adults, require a lot more encouragement and way more styling products to achieve like goals. Therefore adults with tight curls often have to fight with their curls more than they did as children. A perfect example is one of my clients who had tight spiral curls as a child and as an adult. She would come into my salon and complain if her curls were not bouncing all over the place because she had the expectation that they should be tighter and bouncier than what they were. This phenomenon also happens because hair naturally changes as one ages into their 60s and 70s.
The more one understands what is going on with their hair, the easier and more fun the haircuts and styling becomes. A layered hair cut with a little internal graduation can bring back all the bounce and volume you felt you lost. I actually wish I would have recommended lightweight protein curl cream to my older clients sooner. They do help more than just regular styling products. When looking at styles, the ones that you feel an emotional response towards will most likely be the good styles for you.
#1: Textured Curly Bob for Gray Hair
This fashionable curly bob has much to offer to women aged 60 and over. The short length highlights your natural curls and adds volume and movement to your hairstyle. Gray curls are good at displaying the texture of your hair. This hairstyle works well with fine to medium hair of any density. For tighter curls, as well as wave definition, curl cream and a diffuser are recommended. This cut is ideal for busy individuals because of its youthful appearance and requires little upkeep.
#2 Full Bouncy Ringlets at Shoulder Length
This haircut will consist of layers to create what may appear to be a simpler style with light ringlets. The gentle layers that fall around the face are very flattering, and on hair that is fine to medium, this kind of definition is done on purpose and not by coincidence. It has a nice movement as you turn your head, and this style has the kind of versatility that looks just as good three days after coming from the salon as it does right after. It’s even better if you add a little curl cream to it!
#3 Short Curly Crop with Ringlet Texture
I believe that this cut sits at the perfect spot for curls like these. It captures the optimum height for curls because you get all the volume and movement without the weight dragging everything down. The ringlets are soft and bouncy and look extremely defined without the crunch. So whoever styled these knew how to achieve the perfect amount of product and then leave it alone which is honestly half the battle when it comes to styling curly hair. This is one of those cuts where your cheekbones suddenly become very prominent and people can’t quite put their finger on what it is that’s different about you. They just know you look stunning.
#4 Cropped Curls with a Bit of Attitude
I love it when people go this short with their curls! It’s a big change for the hair and the texture, and everything just becomes so much more sculpted and intentional while still keeping all that softness that curls have. The volume is right where you want it at the top, rather than out to the sides, and on finer hair this length even looks thicker, which is a bonus. The only product you should need is a curl defining cream on damp hair, but other than that, it’s super low maintenance.
#5 Soft Curly Bob That Frames Everything Right
This haircut seems simple, neat, and easy! It looks like a style you wake up with and poof it’s done. The layers provide a lot of movement! The curls are soft and not tight which makes all the difference for a shoulder length style. If you’ve noticed your hair getting finer as you’ve aged this is a beautiful way to lean into that instead of fighting it. The shape of the haircut really does all the work!
#6 Light and Airy Pixie with Curl Definition
The color of the curls is what first grabs my attention. The lighter shade brightens the curls and gives them a beautiful quality that is less noticeable with darker colors. The cut itself is clever; it’s short enough to be super easy to maintain, yet long enough to show off the curl pattern, and that kind of balance is harder to achieve than people think. I’d say this works particularly well with hair that has a natural wave that wants to be a curl, but needs a shorter length to really commit to it.
#7 Defined Ringlet Bob with Root Lift
Due to the lift at the roots, I can tell there is some hidden subtle under layering, possibly very smooth, and soft in texture, that will make a difference in how the entire cut sits. The ringlets are very well defined and the length is just right to remain in a fresh but low maintenance state. This is absolutely a cut that rewards you for leaving it be, in fact, once dry, the less you touch it, the better which is what I reckon most of us want at the moment.
#8 Textured Bob with Highlights That Actually Work
I can be a little picky when it comes to highlights on curly hair since sometimes they can look a little patchy but these are really nice. The highlight colors reflect light beautifully on the outer curls, giving dimension to the curls without looking too stripey or overdone. The cut is soft, sitting just above the shoulders, with layers that shape the curls without making it too poufy and that’s a fine line to walk with curls. A little anti-frizz serum on the ends and you’re good to go!
#9 Elegant Mid-Length Ringlets
The ringlets have a lovely, springy quality. Each curl looks distinct, but they all come together. Each layer falls as it should, and that’s a result of the stylist cutting the hair while the curls are dry. The length is versatile, long enough to be pulled back but short enough that it doesn’t weigh the curls down or drag them out. I think this style looks better as it grows out a little, so the time between appointments is less stressful.
#10 Crown Volume with Soft Layered Curls
What makes the cut work is the volume elevation at the crown. This creates an overall lifted look with nice fullness without being big (if that makes sense). The layers are adding some texture and movement through the mid-lengths, and prevent the ends from getting scraggly. A lightweight mousse at the roots before you diffuse should help keep that lift going all day. If you have flat hair, this is one of those little things that makes a big difference with a cut like this.
#11 Easy Curly Crop with Natural Texture
I would recommend this hairstyle to people who want to spend less time styling their hair. Short hair is easier to maintain than longer hair and requires less effort to keep it looking nice. Since most people don’t love using hair products, this hairstyle is great because their hair will stay in place without extra work on their part. Expect to get more trims with this haircut to maintain the nice shape, about every five to six weeks. This is about as wash and go as it gets for curly hair!
#12 Chin-Length Curls with Subtle Layers
This chin-length cut offers enough room for the curls to bounce without spreading too wide. The gentle layers make the shape neat while still avoiding that cut-in or over-styled look. This style gives the impression that you have great hair naturally, and that is the highest compliment a cut can receive! The reason the texture is so soft and touchable, as opposed to stiff, is most likely due to the light product used by the stylist, as well as the fact that the hair was allowed to air dry at least part of the way.
#13 Warm-Toned Curls with Bouncy Layers
Examples of warm tones include gold, yellow, orange, and red, among others. These types of colors tend to ‘pop’ as the finish is able to reflect light. Warmer tones also act to enhance the natural glow of your skin which is particularly lost in cooler shades of color. With age, this is definitely something that a lot of women overlook and should definitely be considered. The soft curls are darling and the layers give that bouncy, swingy, and swirly look – where the hair appears to be in motion, even when you’re completely still. For medium to thick hair, this cut is great at managing density because of the way it has been finished. You end up with so much fullness, yet none of the weight that can make curly hair feel like it is wearing you, instead of the other way around.
#14 Lively Curly Bob with Natural Movement
This cut has great movement! I love how each curl goes a different way. These layers frame the face and make it more flattering but still won’t impose the shape of the style. The length is still manageable and the face framing layers are not too fussy. I recommend keeping this cut moisturized. A leave-in conditioner is going to do way more than any styling product to keep these curls looking their best day after day.
#15 Shoulder-Length Curls with Face-Framing Bounce
The face-framing curls are a great touch, adding softness to the jawline and cheekbones and are flattering overall. The medium density gives it the natural bounce we all dream of! A few highlights in the front pieces will add some depth and contrast to the solid color starting to silver.
#16 Tousled Mid-Length Curls with Soft Body
I appreciate how the hair looks unpolished and a bit messy and I think having a refined and ‘lived in’ look is more difficult to achieve than a polished look with loose curls. I think the crown and mid lengths have good volume and the ends look soft and a bit messy which contributes to a really effortless look that will look great for the rest of the week. I think hairstyles like this tend to look best when less precision is used so it is good to go with a less styled look overall.
#17 Bouncy Mid-Length Cut with Crown Lift
The crown lift really transforms the overall look by changing proportions and adding fullness to the top, which many people lose over time. The curls are smooth and bouncy, not crunchy, and the length is just right – easy to manage but still has plenty of hair to style. In humidity, this haircut is ideal because you can apply a curl- enhancing product to damp hair before you leave the house to avoid afternoon frizz; otherwise, it’ll get really frizzy.
#18 Layered Curly Pixie with Soft Fullness
I love the curly pixie that goes beyond the typical short and wavy look. This one really goes for it and that’s what makes it great. The layers add volume exactly where it is needed, and the curls are so well defined that each one is distinguishable. This creates texture and interest to the entire cut. For fine to medium hair this is a really smart choice. The short length concentrates volume where it’s needed and the curls look fuller than they would at a longer length. Little optical illusion type things are really beneficial in this case.
#19 Curly Bob with Warm Color and Soft Bangs
What makes this haircut work is that it draws softens the forehead and draws eyes to the bangs. This is something straight styles cannot do. And working with curly bangs can be very tricky. But when it works, it really works! The color of the curls is also warm and rich with depth so it won’t be flat and one note at all. That richness will play beautifully with the texture of these curls. Now, I won’t pretend that this haircut doesn’t require some upkeep, and if you’re putting in the time, the payoff will be great! So the good news is that this look will only take about 10 minutes to style! Those bangs are going to need regular trims and the curls are going to need some product to stay defined. But at the end of the day, it will take about 10 minutes to style this.
#20 Textured Curly Lob with Easy Movement
This length is great for curls because it is not a bob and not long hair, plus this sweet spot really shows off the texture without the curl getting weighed down, and springing up to too short. The layering is soft, and you can see it in terms of how the curls fall to different lengths so they aren’t all landing on one line, this is what creates that effortless vibe. I really like how this cut creates the illusion of more hair on finer hair without adding bulk and without requiring a thirty minute morning routine to diffuse the hair.
#21 Textured Shag with Chin-Length Curls
It makes me happy to hear more and more people over seventy years old are asking for shag haircuts. The shag shape is super cute on older women, especially on those with curly hair. The curl helps the layers create movement starting from the crown and goes all the way down. A chin length shag keeps everything looking clean and intentional. The texture is beautiful and while it looks polished, it is not overly defined. It looks great without an hour spent styling it. This is a great cut that looks like there is low maintenance effort involved, making it ideal for someone who has fabulous hair naturally and without all of the work.
#22 Short Curly Crop with Rich Warm Tones
The warm tone is enhancing your look by giving depth and fullness to your curls. This looks way better than a flat single-process color. The cut is short and practical and your natural curls do all the work. That is the best scenario if you want to make your routine easier. With periodical trims, this will continue to look sharp, and from your appointments, you’re basically home free. Just scrunch & go.
#23 Soft Curly Bob That Moves
Look how much this bob moves! Such bouncy curls add a youthful and fun feel to the style as they swing and change with the angles! It grazes the shoulders and the layers appear to be just light enough to allow the curls to do their thing. I would imagine a refresh would be pretty easy too – just a tiny spray of water and a scrunch. I see a lot of people making the mistake of putting more product in their bobs.
#24 Voluminous Layered Curls with Bright Dimension
Your highlights look great! Highlights are ideal on textured hair as they are on the curls that sit at the front and reflect light. The layered cut offers volume while keeping the shape in control. This medium length cut offers enough curls to provide visual impact but not so many that it becomes a frustration as with longer hair. I like that this cut is forgiving between appointments. I like to space my trims to six to eight weeks, so I appreciate that.
#25 Natural Texture Curly Bob
What makes this haircut honest is that it does not attempt to “do more” with the hair like add colors, etc. Instead, it focuses on the positives of the hair and trimming it to a more flattering length. The simplicity and confidence to be this straightforward is arguably what makes the hairstyle most appealing. It is a clean bob that allows curls to bounce and keeps everything neat and in place. This type of haircut is what makes you excited for the change when you’ve been straightening/styling your hair to combat the waves for such a long time.
#26 Face-Framing Curls at Shoulder Length
The amazing face framing pieces have that elegant soft curl that is very flattering, especially with the way it curls around the face and draws attention without being too much and that is the beauty of layered cuts on curly hair. It really is perfect, not too little not too much, enough volume to be healthy but not enough to be an overdo, and shoulder length is just enough to give the perfect amount of swish while walking. It really is the type of cut where the layers grow out nice and you don’t feel the need to run back to the salon every 4 weeks, honestly that’s a lot of what goes through my mind when cutting someone’s hair because the best cuts are the ones that still look good when life gets busy.
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