Are you a woman over sixty wanting to try a new hair color? Here are 30 easy and stylish ways to get a little ‘California Blonde’ — which could mean anything from a lightened up hair with soft and warm honey tones to bright and cool platinum. Let your inner California girl shine!
Just the other day, I was mixing some color for one of my clients, who has been coming to me for about 12 years. She showed me a picture of a woman who was very naturally blonde and said, “I want to look like I’m trying you know?” To be honest, I loved that description of blonde for women over 60. The most beautiful California blonde looks like she has never had to sit in the salon for three hours. This is what we call intentional dimension. It is warm highlights and strategically placed dimension that achieves that sun-kissed look. When done right, this is what we want to achieve.
I’ve noticed a trend in women in their sixties who decide to dye their hair blonde, where they begin to get directed towards very safe and ashy blonde tones. Likely because some stylist decided ashy tones are more age appropriate. I think that’s a shame. The right amount of warmth in the right places does more for your skin than any foundation can. At this age, the California blonde thing works because it’s not about being bold or platinum. It’s about looking like the light just has a nice attraction to you. Of the twenty-five examples I have, I truly believe some of them will surprise you.
#1: Modern Textured Bob with Subtle Highlights
There’s a lot more going on than you may think. The highlights have been positioned to create the most fullness, without the telltale signs of over processing. The length sits right above the shoulders so it’s still moveable, and won’t get stuck in your collar. If your hair feels flat, this type of texturizing at the ends, can really change the way it falls. After blow drying, use a lightweight texturizing spray. Just scrunch and leave it, and it will make all the difference.
#2 Chic Shoulder-Length Blonde Bob with Subtle Layers
I really like the subtle layering. This makes the curtain bangs sit in a face-framing soft floaty way so it makes the overall look a little more chilled. The color contrast is also not too harsh which is sometimes underestimated. This blonde is also a case where you would hope your stylist knows the difference between lifting for bright vs. lifting for a more chalky white which gives a very different result.
#3 Modern Blunt Bob with Soft Blonde Highlights
I love blunt bobs way more than I should, but when someone manages to pull it off in a commercial, it’s so satisfying. The usual worry is not having a blunt cut, but the weight line is clean and the highlights keep it from looking too severe. It hits at the collarbone so there’s enough length to tuck behind the ears or pin back your hair if you want to have options. The deep side part also does a lot here. If you are someone who usually goes for a center part, I would really encourage you to shift it over, sometimes just that one change makes a cut feel brand new.
#4 Soft Layered Blonde Hair with Natural Volume
This is what we in the industry refer to as an \”effort-less cut.\” It’s the good kind of effort-less haircut. The good kind focuses on cutting techniques to create internal layers as opposed to styling products to create body. I can recognize the technique done in this cut, and I want to point out how it is going to be super beneficial to someone whose hair tends to shift to a straight position by mid-day. The right layering at the end of this cut is going to take care of that problem, and we won’t have to struggle with that using hairspray every single day. I love the color blend as well. In the root area there is some depth variation which is great. It stops the color from being a single flat tone.
#5 Textured Wavy Lob with Sun-Kissed Highlights
This image gives me the impression of “I spent the weekend at a cute coastal Airbnb and came home looking fire,” which is an awesome vibe. The waves complement perfectly imperfect and the whole thing feels staged. Highlights done like this look like realistic because they’re sun-kissed, and believe it or not, that is a colorist thing that gets missed a lot. A lob like this can probably work on pretty much Everyone and the length is forgiving. It is that inclusive. You don’t even need any particular face shape or hair type It. You would want a sea salt spray for this though, that’s non-negotiable.
#6 Textured Blonde Bob with Soft Fringe
This style is all about the excitement of the fringe, and I get a bit giddy when people over 60 are open to bangs because they can really change the look of someone’s face! These are soft and wispy enough to feel like a commitment you can take back, plus they blend away to the sides so they’re more of a suggestion of fringe than a full heavy bang. The balayage that is underneath is really warming up her entire complexion in a way that a single-process blonde just wouldn’t do. It’s a beautiful lived-in look and it’s the kind of thing that gets better between salon visits rather than worse.
#7 Textured Short Blonde Cut with Flattering Layers
The layers around the jawline help soften the look and create a more blended appearance. Her warm blonde color brightens her complexion and does not distract from her natural tones. Finally, the cut and layers will create the illusion of fine hair being super thick, and I know that sounds like an exaggeration, but I promise it is not.
#8 Textured Bob with Soft Waves and Subtle Highlights
These waves look like they could’ve been made with a curling iron, but if they did, the person making them probably knew how to stop at the right moment. It looks like the type of waves that you would dampen, braid your hair, and sleep on it. That imperfection is what makes it look natural. The waves also look good, and the highlights are also pretty good. They are capturing light toward the ends and mids which is great. They did not do a full highlight job and I like that. If you have medium to thick hair and you have been doing the same straight blowout for years, this might be worth the try just to see how much personality your hair actually has.
#9 Soft Layered Blonde Waves with Face-Framing Highlights
The face-framing highlights bring beauty and brightness to the hair by drawing the focus to the center of the face. A good highlighting job can make you look more awake and more like you. The layers of the cut mean that you can simply air-dry your hair and it will look intentional. At some point in life, that becomes the priority. It is the sort of cut that leaves friends trying to figure out what’s different about you without being able to put their finger on it.
#10 Stylish Textured Bob with Face-Framing Bangs
I like this haircut a lot. I understand that this might be the least interesting thing to say, but I see haircuts often and think, “that’s not a good haircut.” This is one of the haircuts I think, “that’s a good haircut.” The bangs are at the cheekbone length, and the chin length bob gives a framing effect that works like contouring. The warm blonde color she chose is perfect for her skin tone. This makes it cohesive and not like two separate entities. As for bangs, just know you’ll have to visit your stylist every four to five weeks for trims. I don’t think it’ll matter to you once you see the bangs, though.
#11 Modern Textured Blonde Cut with Gentle Layers
I like the openness and the general description she made. It doesn’t seem like she spends hours doing her hair. The aim in styling hair is to seem effortless. The layers are cut in such a way that she’ll maintain the same length, but she’ll bring in a lot more movement to her hair. That level of balance is really pleasant when collaborating with fine to medium hair types. I can see a lovely shine in her hair, which implies that either she’s using a really good gloss treatment in between her color appointments or her hair is just really healthy. Either way, it looks great.
#12 Chic Textured Pixie Cut with Soft Blonde Highlights
I love pixie cuts and this person is the ideal model for this type of cut! The highlights are bringing so much more life to the hair! Without those, this would be just a nice, simple, short cut, but these highlights are giving so much more dimension and depth to the hair. While pixie cuts are definitely thought of to be more low maintenance cuts because of the shorter length, and that is true in some aspects, it is important to note that regular trims are needed to keep the cut looking exactly how it was intended. The good thing about the cut is that it is ready to go once you style it. A little bit of pomade through the hair and you are out the door looking fabulous!
#13 Elegant Textured Blonde Bob with Subtle Waves
I love how this style is timeless. Instead of looking trendy or dated, it looks elegant in a way that is above whatever is going on on Instagram this week. The chin length of her hair looks good with the proportions of her face. The slight tousled texture keeps it from looking stiff or done. I’ve had clients with thinning hair who were apprehensive about bobs and were then shocked at how much fuller their hair looked after I added some texture and movement throughout. That messy on purpose quality is forgiving.
#14 Soft Blended Bob with Gentle Highlights
The way the colors were blended is beautiful. The highlights look like they were placed (or maybe hidden) by some type of magic due to the lack of streakiness or defined lines. You can tell that a lot of time and effort went into the highlights. The simple bob haircut is shoulder length and really doesn’t take much to style. This way the focus remains on the color, which is how it should be. The best part about this look is that it’s easy to maintain on a daily basis. All you have to do is wash and blow dry it. If you have a round brush, that’s all you need. Plus, the highlights will grow out really well and look good if you don’t like spending a lot of time in the salon!
#15 Stylish Short Blonde Bob with Subtle Layers
The length right above the shoulders looks spot on. It is long enough to allow some movement yet short enough to feel fresh and modern. The layers are super subtle, so you have to look closely, but they are there adding just enough life to the ends so it doesn’t all sit flat. The blonde is warm without being brassy, which is the perfect middle ground that so many people try to do but go too far one way or the other. If this is your first time going blonde, this could be a great photo for your stylist.
#16 Softly Layered Beachy Blonde Cut with Natural Waves
This hairstyle makes me want to move to the coast, learn how to surf, or at least sit next to someone who does! I want to say the beachy texture looks effortless, but I know it probably took effort. I would guess this took a diffuser with some curl cream scrunched through damp hair before drying. The layers are well done to make the wave pattern appear natural, almost like it’s not even there, and the highlights look sun bleached, which only a really good colorist can achieve that kind of tonal variation. If you have some natural wave in your hair already, you’re already halfway to this look.
#17 Textured Short Blonde Pixie Cut with Subtle Layers
I believe that the concern of women over sixty that a pixie cut will appear extreme or unflattering is totally untrue. The tousled finish on this cut gives it a softness and the layers are so dynamic that it will never appear helmet like. The lighter blonde color creates a soft glow around the face and elevates the whole look. Something I think people don’t speak about enough regarding pixie cuts, is how they shift the focus on the eyes – in a good way. Because of the lack of hair around the face, the emphasis shifts on the eyes as well as the bone structure and the smile. There is a styling element but there’s definitely a confidence element too.
#18 Modern Textured Pixie Cut with Soft Blonde Highlights
For this version of the pixie, the highlights do seem to make it stand apart from the rest. The way they are weaved in makes it so that they don’t stand out until she moves, almost in an understated way making everything better. In this case with fine hair, a pixie is actually the best possible option because it works with your hair’s natural tendencies rather than against it. You don’t have to fight for volume, and there is no wondering what caused your blowout to fall flat by noon. The shape of the haircut and how it is styled to keep it that way means you just have to maintain it with a cut every four weeks or so.
#19 Softly Curled Blonde Bob with Face-Framing Layers
These soft curls give me a warm and fuzzy feeling. They seem like they naturally formed while a story was being told at a dinner party. The layers that frame the face are cut to draw attention to someone’s eyes and cheekbones. The shoulder length prevents it all from feeling too fussy. The warmth of the color, which is better to mention, complements her skin instead of sitting on top of it. To achieve this look at home, you’re going to need a 1.25-inch curling iron and a desire to leave some curls imperfect. Leaving some curls imperfect is the whole point.
#20 Chic Blunt Bob with Subtle Brightening Highlights
Choosing between the highlights or the cut has been tough, but I think I prefer the cut. I find blunt bobs very appealing because they have an authority and confidence about them, and I appreciate the lack of apology to the shape; it’s just very clean and very committed. The highlights are smart because they add brightness without really changing the overall blonde look. The way they’ve left some pieces ‘lifted’ means the hair isn’t flat or dull and looks multidimensional. The clean cut lines do mean you have to get trims every six weeks to maintain the shape, but for styled hair, this is as low maintenance as it gets.
#21 Soft Blonde Bob with Gentle Textured Layers
A good goal for a layered cut is to look as natural as possible, and this texture is so good, it seems as if her hair grows this way. This layered look has a shoulder length vibe and has a natural swing due to the layers being cut at the right place and not at random spots. If the color of your hair isn’t radiant, it tells me your hair’s health isn’t great. If you’re blonde and you’re not using a purple shampoo once a week, start, it makes such a difference in keeping that brassiness at bay.
#22 Chic Curly Shoulder-Length Blonde with Textured Layers
These curls are so adorable and bouncy, not stiff and boring! The layered texture gives the curls volume control so it doesn’t build up and collapse in one area. The warm blonde is so beautiful and natural, looks like she’s always been a blonde! The subtle side part is a great way to frame the face and is more flattering than a middle part would be. Curly hair requires a bit more maintenance in the mornings. A lightweight mousse that defines each curl can help with that but it should become quicker once a routine is established.
#23 Classic Textured Blonde Bob with Subtle Layers
This type of haircut is given to women who are very smart as they know it will be low maintenance and work with ease over and over again. The chin length with a bit of layering is flattering on everyone. The blonde is cool toned and without being too icy, which is great if you have a pink or cooler undertone in your skin. My suggestion would be to mention a toning gloss to your colorist every few weeks so you don’t get a brassy look. As soon as you see how fresh and nice this cool blonde is, you’ll want to keep it like that.
#24 Chic Soft Curly Blonde Cut with Textured Layers
I love the bounce of these curls! It’s such a lively and energetic hairstyle. The light blonde color is perfect against her skin. The layered texture in her hair lets the curls do their own thing rather than forcing them into a pattern. A lot of short curly cuts have too much volume, but the layering here is just right. I think if you have any sort of natural waves or curls at all, this is worth exploring. You might be surprised at what your hair can do when you just let it!
#25 Chic Textured Bob with Soft Blonde Highlights
This haircut is great for everyday wear, and I mean great. It’s nice to have a style that doesn’t need too much explanation. The highlights are soft and mainly concentrated at the top and in the framing pieces at the front, which means maintenance is more manageable, as your colorist won’t have to foil your entire head. The soft layers prevent the ‘wig’ appearance that blunt bobs tend to have, especially with fine hair. This is the style that you blow dry and then shake it, run your fingers through it once and you’re done.
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