25 Beautiful Travel-Friendly Haircuts That Stylists Call Magic for Women 50+

Women over 50 can look great traveling with the right hairstyle. Experts say there are 25 “magic” haircuts to achieve this. These “travel-friendly” haircuts are stylish and easy to manage for women who are always on the move.
Last week, when I was about to leave for a trip, I saw myself in the mirror and immediately started thinking about what I would do with my hair. It’s always been an issue of mine. For a long time, I thought it’s because women look great when getting off a plane. The truth is, it’s most likely an issue of the haircut. A great hairstyle is a hairstyle that looks great on its own. There’s no need for good hair products, fancy rituals, or a silk pillowcase. If the haircut is good, the ends will look amazing without anything done to it. Many clients have heard me say this: you can (and should) do nothing to your hair. The moment you leave your room you will look awful.
I have 25 miraculous hairstyles in mind. Some are my absolute favorite, while for others I’m not fully sold, but I will indicate which ones I would do. Let’s go!

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#1: That Cool Effortless Crop That Makes Everyone Ask “Who Does Your Hair?”

I’m not exaggerating when I say that I’ve had several clients get this haircut and *everyone*, and I mean *everyone*, compliments them! That’s the beauty of the *lightly defined layers* cut; it gives shape and definition without looking *too overdone*. If your hair is *fine* and has a bit of a wave, this cut will be perfect for you and you’ll be *adoring* it. The subtle, woven highlights break up the monotony of flat looking hair, adding *dimension* and *light-catching* magic. The best part of this hair cut? It’s basically a wash and go! Just run your fingers through the hair, maybe use a bit of texturizing spray and you’re good to go! Really go. Not the “Oh I am done with my hair, but I hate this look” done.

#2 The Bob That Looks Like You Weren’t Even Trying (In the Best Way)

This bob is effortless, but in actuality, it is constructed with very intricate layering. Although your ends will not appear thin, the subtle layers will give the hair more movement. Those with fine to medium hair understand how difficult this is. Since it rests just at the shoulders, you can easily pull it back. On hot days, you can toss it up in a clip. The framing of the face is great because it’s not overdone. If you have been growing out a shorter cut, this style is perfect for you, especially if you are in the awkward phase because it looks styled without any effort.

#3 The Pixie That Actually Gives You Volume Instead of Taking It Away

How much fun is it giving clients a pixie cut and watching the lightbulb moment when they feel the weight of their hair??? That’s what this cut will do for you. The soft layering and texturizing on the ends are going to create an illusion of thickness which you simply can’t achieve at longer lengths when you have fine hair. It literally is a law of physics when it comes to fine hair. I know that the idea of going this much shorter is probably making you feel a bit anxious, but I promise you this cut has enough length so that it feels really feminine and soft, it’s definitely not harsh. Of course we all know this means you will be in the salon for trim appointments every 4-6 weeks to keep it looking fresh, but on the flip side you’ll be taking only 90 seconds to style it in the mornings. For me, that is a very good deal!

#4 Tousled Bob Energy for the Woman Who Wants to Look Good Without a Blowout

The best part about this cut is how well it works with the “undone” style. The soft layers give movement without losing any length. You retain the bob shape, but now everything is flowing. The warm highlights do a lot. They add dimension and make the waves look more deliberate. If your hair is naturally stick straight, you’ll most likely have to use a curling iron to create the waves, which will add time to your morning routine. If you have any natural texture, this cut practically styles itself.

#5 Bold Bangs Bob for the Client Who’s Ready to Commit

I can see people having mixed feelings about this style. The straight bob with bangs is elegant and effortlessly sleek. In terms of length, it provides zero compromise on style. Chin length is super trendy and classy. But I have to say, bangs are a commitment. You have to really dive in. They will grow out in a very strange way during humid weather, and that’s just the truth. If you travel to warm, humid places often, you’ll want to think about that. Moving from city to city? This is really fresh and definitely a good idea.

#6 The Blunt Cut That Means Business (But Like, Cool Business)

I love the look of a clean blunt cut with a subtle side part like this one! The straight lines of the cut will work on just about any face shape as they encourage you to shine rather than distract from your features. I would recommend this cut to medium to thick hair since the blunt edge really needs some weight to hit. Also get yourself a nice gloss treatment because this cut is SHINY and looks amazing!

#7 The “I Woke Up This Cute” Pixie

I absolutely love soft side bangs and how they highlight the eyes and cheekbones without being too obvious. The cut being slightly above the ears makes it the perfect length for a wash and go style, while still being long enough to not feel overly exposed. I have a client who got this cut before her two week trip to Europe and said she didn’t even pack a brush and just used her hands to style it. THAT IS THE DREAM. This cut is amazing for fine to medium hair.

#8 Curly Auburn Lob That Will Make You Want Red Hair Immediately

All I can say is I GET IT, but I must warn you, EVERY TIME I SHOW THIS TYPE OF CUT TO SOMEONE, THEY WANT TO GO AUBURN. The warm tones, playful curls, and soft bangs are to die for. This look is best for medium to thick hair because you need a lot of volume for the full curls. The length is also the sweet spot because it is long enough to pull back, but it looks intentional when it’s down. Having hair with bangs is an entire look. They do need to be styled, and all you need is some curl cream scrunched in while they’re damp.

#9 The Rounded Bob That Your Mom’s Friend Always Had But Now It’s Cool Again

The rounded bob has become very trendy. It is an approachable style that is flattering on every shape of face. The rounded look minimizes the boxy or helmet-y appearance that some bobs can have. The healthiest looking hair complements the style and most importantly contributes to the overall look. The shine on the hair shows that it is well maintained and adds to the overall spacious appearance of the hair. The versatility of this hair is perfect. It can suit a classy brunch as well as an evening meal on the move.

#10 Chin-Length Textured Bob That’s Giving “Fashion Editor on Her Day Off”

The most flattering length is just below the chin. I love how this sits just on the perfect spot which helps to elongate the neck while still giving enough weight to control it. The subtle highlights are so perfectly placed, adding depth where needed and making the whole thing look multidimensional without being obvious about it. For those of you who have had the same length for years and want to change it up without being too drastic, this is literally the cut I would point to. It’s such a refresh without an identity crisis.

#11 The Pixie with Waves That People Won’t Believe Is Low-Maintenance

This pixie cut is great to show off soft waves. It is one of those cuts that looks like you put in tons of effort when really you just put in minimal effort. The layers create so much dimension and movement that you hardly need to do anything. Just a bit of mousse and a scrunch through wet hair is all you need to let your hair do its own thing and create waves. This cut is one of my favorites for fine and medium hair because of all the illusion of volume that it creates. And that’s really what most of us want, let’s be honest. If you have an oval or round face, this style is especially gorgeous on you as the soft waves really do the trick.

#12 The Lob That Works for Literally Every Occasion You Can Think Of

I could retire if I had a dollar for every time I recommended a textured lob for someone who just said “I don’t know what I want” and that’s because THIS CUT JUST WORKS. The soft waves that are incorporated aren’t distracting, and they help frame your beautiful face. The layers really add movement without making your ends look thin, and the length is perfect because you can feel that you have a lot of hair while also making it short enough to be manageable. I love how that rich brunette color compliments the cut and adds even more depth to it. I will say, if your hair is straight, the waves are going to require some styling, but this cut looks great even if you just air dry your hair. The layers really do most of the work for you.

#13 Curly Bob with Fringe for the Fun-Loving Client

The length of the cut gives the curls enough room to bounce up and not create a bushy look while the soft fringe adds a more playful look. This cut is ideal for thick hair because you want the volume working in your favor. I’m not going to lie though, this cut does require some maintenance. A good curl refresher spray and some love is a must, especially on day two, but the vibe of this cut is so FUN and makes me so happy!

#14 Bangs and a Bob, the Duo That Never Lets You Down

I can’t explain it scientifically, but I’ve seen it happen a thousand times in my chair. Bangs soften everything, and draw the eye to your best features while the textured bob keeps things modern and interesting. This mid length gives you so much flexibility, you can tuck it behind your ears for a sleeker look or shake it out for more volume. For fine to medium hair, this combination is especially flattering because the bangs create the illusion of thicker, fuller hair up front. Yes the bangs need trimming regularly but the rest of this cut is basically cruise control.

#15 Wavy Bob with Layers That Make Your Jawline Look Amazing

What can we say about those face-framing layers? They’re sculpting the jawline beautifully; we need to tell more clients about this! The soft waves require no extra effort and add volume to fine hair. The whole look is super nice! This is one of those cuts that makes me think “that woman doesn’t overthink her hair” and I mean that as a compliment. Highlights would add dimension if you want to take it up a notch, but it stuns as is. With this one, medium density hair will have the easiest time.

#16 Wispy Bangs Wavy Bob, AKA the “Why Didn’t I Do This Sooner” Cut

I love the softness and lightness in these bangs. They are the opposite of thick, heavy bangs, and are therefore perfect for people who are moving around a lot and don’t want to fuss with their hair. The length is also perfect; hitting right above the shoulders, it is youthful without being childish. The layering at the ends adds body and dimension but keeps the cut from losing its fullness which is just brilliant because, for fine to medium hair, that’s the best a haircut can do. It is a cut that is suitable for a hotel check in; just shake it out and you’re ready for dinner. That is the standard I have for travel hair!

#17 Short Bob with Soft Bangs for the “I Want Easy But Cute” Client

My recommendation for a new customer who sits in my chair and says “I want something short, but I’m not ready for a pixie”, is this particular hairstyle. The soft bangs make the style look more friendly, and the layers are textured, adding a pop to the look so it doesn’ feel boring or basic. The face-framing tends to work very well for round and oval face shapes, and the shorter lengths means when your on holiday, there is little drying needed because you can towel dry and be ready to go. The soft layers in the medium and fine hair ensures the movement is just right without the ends looking too wispy. The only real commitment to this look is the upkeep of the bangs, but it overall looks so put together for the level of effort you put in and is absolutely worth it.

#18 Shoulder-Length Waves That Make You Look Like You Just Came from Getting Your Hair Done

Have you ever left the salon and thought your hair should always look that good? That’s the feeling I hope to create at home with this cut! The shoulder length soft waves are stunning and the face framing soft waves with subtle highlights look so warm and make your skin glow. This is something that most people don’t consider when choosing a color! The fine to medium density here creates that light airy feel where nothing looks heavy or overdone. If you want those waves, you are gonna need a large barrel curling wand or some good overnight waves techniques, just a heads up!

#19 The Copper Pixie That Made Me Gasp a Little

I really can’t think of a much better way to describe this color and cut than to say that it took my breath away. Just look at that warm copper color with a pixie cut – just WOW! The crown wispy giving a fun little lift and the longer pieces in the frame face keep it soft and feminine. This is one of those times when both color and cut are equally important and without either one of them, the look just wouldn’t be the same. For fine hair, this cut will add volume exactly where it is needed and the warm copper tones will also add warmth and liveliness to the complexion, which is a great bonus.

#20 Textured Lob with Face-Framing Bangs That I’ve Recommended About 800 Times

I’m serious when I say I recommended this cut countless times because it works for so many people. The lob with texture and soft bangs that hit right above the shoulders. That length is perfect because it looks intentional regardless of the style. The waviness around the shoulders is playful and modern. Also, the warm auburn color adds richness to the look that photographs really well which is helpful when traveling! If you have fine hair, this combination will give you the volume and movement you may lack. I won’t lie, the bangs do need upkeep, but the rest of the haircut is very forgiving between appointments.

#21 Gentle Waves Lob for the “I Don’t Want to Think About My Hair” Traveler

I like this style because it is worry-free. Once you create this style you don’t have to think about it. You also don’t have to fuss with it when traveling. The soft waves look young and fresh and don’t require much effort which is great if you have a natural wave in your hair. You also have this great shoulder length hair that can be kept out of your way with a quick updo and also looks great down. This style is ideal for medium to thick hair because some volume is needed for the waves to look great. If you have straight hair, achieving this style is possible, but be honest with yourself about how much time you want to use styling tools.

#22 The Pixie That Makes Fine Hair Look Like It’s Living Its Best Life

The effortless look is a crown volume of pixies that I like most. Finer hair rarely gets fullness at longer lengths, but the soft layers that frame the face add fullness. I have had many clients resist going short for years, finally do it, and they say, “why did I wait so long?” This is the kind of haircut that gets that response. It’s low maintenance, trims included, you can do it in under two minutes, and your hair gets out of the way so it’s not hiding your features. The big payoff is that you’ll need to go for trims every 4-5 weeks.

#23 Silver Pixie with Fringe, AKA “Embrace the Silver and Look AMAZING Doing It”

My favorite thing ever is when clients owner their gray hair. This silvered and textured pixie cut with soft fringe is the perfect example of this. The silver is the main focus and the cut supports this by having enough texture and movement to keep this new style fresh. The fringe does an excellent job at face framing and some texture cream rubbed through it will do the trick. This style suits a lot of face shapes and I think that is part of the reason why it has gotten so much attention. If you have been thinking about letting your gray hair come through, honestly THIS is the haircut that is going to elevate your style. And let’s get real, with this cut, you did not just give up. You leveled up!

#24 Warm Copper Bob That Makes Me Want to Change My Own Color

Warming up to the copper bob hair crisis! Maybe I should go copper too? The colour is stunning! The soft layers adds to movement, and I love the subtle layering at the crown, as it bounces the whole look up and is full. With fine to medium hair this cut is stunning! The rich tones give visual dimension which helps the hair look thicker. It’s forgiving for travel since it stays looking great between appointments. Just keep in mind to maintain the colour since coppers fade faster than other shades!

#25 The Classic Bob That Proves Simple Is Always in Style

We all tend to overthink things from time to time. This cut is a reminder that a simple bob will always be a winner. The subtle layers keep it from looking boring or too flat and give it that natural movement. Being shoulder length means you have the option to do an up-do or leave it down. This cut is one where the cutting quality is really important because with a style like this there are no shortcuts, so find a good stylist and keep it maintained. This bob will take you from a Tuesday Target run to a Saturday night dinner on holiday!