Many underestimate what grandmothers can do with their hairstyles, but I love the playful cuts. One of my favorite clients was able to retain her wedding hair for her daughter’s wedding in 2006. While she was explaining wanting something new, I could sense her in trepidation. However, we went for a bob, which was a lot more daring than anything she’d had since her twenties. Tears streamed down her face, but it was not too extreme. She had just been so liberated.
The ideal aim with these cuts is to find styles that frees up your time in the mornings and reflects your current stage of life. Length, color, and texture may vary but I want to offer as many styles as I can. In my mind, there should be no two women walking out looking the same, and that is exactly how it should be.
#1: Textured Short Bob with Soft Bangs
What about this bob captures that laid-back, easy-going look, kind of like the women I often observe in the West Village on a Tuesday afternoon? The soft bangs appear to distract from the face, but they actually do the opposite by pulling your focus away from them. My favourite part is how the ends look a little bit textured, so that she doesn’t look overly styled, which is a nice change. It has an honest vibe to it. If your hair has any natural wave at all it would look really nice after a wash. I recommend not using any products, except maybe a little bit of texturizing spray scrunched into it while it’s damp. This will help create the wave.
#2 Soft Ash-Blonde Layered Chin-Length Bob with Face-Framing
The subtlety to this style is very soothing. The ash-blonde is beautiful! I appreciate that it doesn’t try to hide the gray, and instead befriends it. The babylights make it look like it was meant to grow like this. The little outward flip at the ends lifts the whole cheek area, which most people won’t notice, but it completely changes the vibe of the face. I would say that this style is so movable and the shape is so forgiving that if your hair is on the finer side, you may want to have some internal texturizing done, so the movement doesn’t fall completely flat by the afternoon. A round brush and about 5 minutes, and you’re all set.
#3 Warm Auburn Shoulder-Length Layers with Airy Fringe
The first thing that caught my eye was the fringe and small center part that gives an unintentional widow’s peak effect. Although this looks small, it gives an effect of peekaboo on the forehead without being comitting to a fully parted bang. If you’ve been on the fence about getting a fringe, I think this is such a clever way to do it. The warm auburn color looks beautiful with more mature skin tones. Although I will be honest, red fades faster to almost all the other color family. A clear gloss will help you to stretch your appointments out longer.
#4 Soft Blended Shoulder-Length Bob with Face-Framing Layers
I love this haircut and how it handles gray hair with self-restraint. The beige-silver root melt means you won’t have to watch a solid line grow at your part every few weeks. The weight line inside offers a flattering soft turn in at the jaw that gives structure without stiffness. To get that smooth curve consistently it’ll take a bit of heat styling, and you’ll want a toning gloss from time to time to keep the brassiness down. Other than that, this is a low maintenance style.
#5 Mid-Length Feathered Layers with Soft Face-Framing Fringe
I see the hidden crown cowlick; I like how it is incorporated into the layers so it’s more of a volumizer than something you have to fight with every morning. That’s good cutting! The layered feathering gives softness around the face that is natural and not made. And with the root soft melt, you won’t be on a six-week color cycle. The rolled ends just need a little bit of help, a round brush blow out with a light styling product, and we are talking minutes, not a huge effort.
#6 Soft Layered Shoulder-Length Blonde with Feathered Fringe
What gives personality to this cut are the feathery bangs. They are soft and not too overpowering, but give an overall purpose to the look, as if it was really thought out. The look has an element of movement and still feels thick and full, which is the result of some interior layering and light nape graduation, especially so with fine to medium density hair. The bangs are going to need daily upkeep and that is just the nature of bangs. There are a few grey hairs at the part line so if that bothers you, you may want to stay on top of your color to keep the blend looking good.
#7 Warm Burgundy Layered Mid-Length Shag with Face-Framing Fringe
You either love shag hairstyles or hate them. I personally love this one. The layered heights and curtain bangs really keep your face front and center, plus provide some extra lift at the crown. The silvery roots in this shag show great depth. Instead of being a color that wants to be hidden, the burgundy warmth is a great addition. Just keep in mind that red tends to be more high maintenance. To help keep that warm burgundy looking fresh between salon visits, try a color-depositing shampoo.
#8 Soft Shoulder-Length Shag with Brow-Grazing Micro Bangs
Micro bangs take this hairstyle to another level! Without the micro bangs, this hairstyle would just be a lovely gentle shag, but they give it a little perspective shift. The crown graduation gives it a nice lift, it looks so effortless, and the ends have been razor thinned so it stays nice and lightweight! If the gray hairs are coming in and you want to ease into it instead of fighting it, the root-softening technique here will be a lovely way to go about that! The bangs will need to be trimmed every three to four weeks, so yes, you will have to trim them often, and if you have fine hair, a lightweight root lift will be required.
#9 Soft Face-Framing Layered Shoulder-Length Lob
It seems like one of those easy cuts, which means it likely has a good clean cut. The curtain layers do their job by keeping the face open but without looking too layered and the interior graduation keeps the crown just elevated enough to avoid everything looking too flat. What I appreciate most is that it air dries nicely, which every lob unfortunately is not true for. The ends look perfect with a round brush blowout but even without one you’d look good to go. The warm babylights and root smudge give it warmth without the upkeep.
#10 Soft Silver Pixie with Feathered Fringe and Textured Crown
A pixie cut offers plenty of freedom when getting this hairstyle done, while also being extreme. The side-swept, feathered bangs soften the look and there is enough volume at the crown to avoid a look that is too flat or head-hugging. I tell all of my clients that it is all about removing hair from the nape of their neck, and this tapered nape has been so nicely done. It also suits people who wear glasses, which is a fabulous and practical detail. Light styling paste will help hold this look in place, while silver shampoo will keep the hair bright.
#11 Soft Layered Chin-Length Textured Bob with Feathered Crown
This style looks tailor-made for you, not something you just picked up out of a magazine. The soft internal layers along with the feathered crown, create lift as if you have natural volume. The soft micro-fringe does a little something around the eyes, which really makes a difference. The razor texturizing at the nape keeps the back from getting bulky, which is always my concern with chin length bobs. A bit of styling product in damp hair would do the trick and you could let it air-dry.
#12 Playful Copper Textured Chin-Length Bob with Soft Side-Swept Wave
The aged copper skin’s warm tones are beautiful, and it’s rare to see such colors. I think this chin-length bob suits you well. The left-side asymmetry that covers up hollow temples is a nice touch. The wave creates lot’s of movement and personality, and is effortless. The root shadow is advantageous because you won’t have to worry as much about grow-out. The vivid copper will fade, so plan on using color depositing conditioner or glossing appointments.
#13 Rounded Blonde Chin-Length Bob with Soft Micro-Fringe and Root Melt
This bob has rounded edges which gives an optical illusion of added density and keeps the finer textures uniform rather than scattered. The inner stacking gives us some lift, and the slight underturn at the edges gives a nice flattering frame to the jaw. The root melt with silver blended with cool blonde is a great option for low-maintenance regrowth. You’ll want to round brush blowout to keep it polished, and if you want it to remain cool, you’ll need a gloss refresh.
#14 Soft Copper Chin-Length Layered Bob with Natural Crown Lift
I’m a fan of how the cowlick at the crown is being embraced here rather than fought. Many people see cowlicks as an issue, but with the right cut, they become your built-in volume, and that’s exactly what is happening in this bob. The warm copper is very flattering to the face, and the short interior layers provide some movement without detracting from the overall shape. With a demi-gloss, the red will look intentional rather than faded. You will want to give the crown a bit of attention with a brush to maintain that natural lift.
#15 Textured Copper Pixie with Micro-Bangs
Short pixies, like this one, really show some skin, which is great in this case. The micro bangs don’t hide the forehead. They soften the entire look. The choppy layers bring in point cutting. The crown cowlick is great for natural volume so you don’t have to do any backcombing. That means less work and product, which is amazing. Day to day, you would really only need a light paste. The copper is really nice and brightens the complexion. Since it does shift, you will want to refresh it with a copper demi-gloss.
#16 Chestnut Textured Chin-Length Bob with Feathered Micro Fringe
Micro fringes tend to soften the appearance of wrinkle lines on the forehead and don’t have the heaviness that bangs can have which is why I prefer this length. There’s something honest about leaving the gray runners at the temples and the soft root shadow. The texture in your waves is enough, so you don’t have to do the faux, but the fringe and crown will need a bit more work as they grow to avoid looking too heavy. A lightweight cream towards the ends should do the trick.
#17 Warm Rounded Chin-Length Bob with Soft Brow-Length Fringe
Most bobs don’t have internal concave graduations which is why this one is different. It adds an inner curve at the edges which creates that rounded, polished look overall. The fringe is eyebrow length which makes the face framing that much easier. Ideally, to achieve this style, the hair should be straight or slightly wavy, since the bob’s shape is really dependent on the hair falling in the direction you want post blow dry. On mature, porous hair, auburn fades quicker, so a lightweight styling cream along with root shadowing will assist in color maintenance.
#18 Rounded Auburn Chin-Length Bob with Blunt Fringe
What I absolutely love about the blunt fringe is that it adds a sense of decisiveness and commitment to the style. The internal stacking at the nape creates a lovely soft inward curve and avoids a stiff look in the bob. I appreciate that a small crown cowlick is hidden in the layers; it shows that the cutter was super meticulous. The graduation also appears to give added fullness without the use of product if you’re experiencing any thinning. The vivid auburn color is beautiful but will require glazing from time to time to maintain its liveliness. A quick blow dry with a round brush will pull the whole shape together.
#19 Breezy Face-Framing Textured Chin-Length Bob
This bob is one of those bobs that just breathe. The point-cutting at the ends means it won’t look blunt or heavy, and the face-framing opens the temples more effortless. The root shadow and balayage lets natural silver come through without looking neglected, and is a relief for those tired of the constant cover-up cycle. It air-dries nicely too, which I can’t say about every chin-length cut. The one thing I’d mention is that if you have a rounder face shape, you’d want to be careful not to over-texture because that can widen rather than lengthen things.
#20 Cropped Copper Pixie with Wispy Fringe and Crown Texture
A Copper Pixie has a special charm that can transform any look. Wispy bangs, along with some soft crown layering, will keep your look feeling cute rather than stuffy, and with an airy, natural crown whorl, this style will lift itself without requiring added product. The sides are left short to highlight your bone structure. Achieving this with a crop is often the goal, and it won’t come off too masculine. Reds are often high maintenance, and if your hair is coarse you may need some extra thinning to help this style behave.
#21 Soft Platinum Pixie with Side-Swept Fringe and Crown Lift
I love the way the left side graduation detail which extends and tucks behind the ear looks. It gives you something to play with and breaks up the uniformity of the entire cut. The root softness combined with the melt gives some nice dimension, and doesn’t make the hair look flat or one-dimensional. The platinum color is also a nice modern touch. This look will need a daily blow dry if you want to maintain that volume. If you prefer to towel dry and walk out the door, this haircut will likely require more maintenance than you want. However, if you are willing to spend around five minutes using a rounded brush and hairdryer, this cut will definitely reward you with volume!
#22 Short Copper Side-Swept Pixie with Crown Lift
Crown feathering gives this pixie an added touch of uniqueness, creating purposeful height and direction to the style. The warm red base color with beautifully rich root-smudge lowlights is stunning in the sun. The clean and smooth nape and tapered sideburns, combined with the soft sculpted, finished the look perfectly. To maintain height, the crown will require some lifting, and so a light mousse will be recommended. Also, expect the red tones to fade quite quickly.
#23 Short Textured Copper Crop with Soft Fringe
I thank the stylist for being thoughtful about the client’s features and not going against them, as with this cut that works with the client’s lovely crown cowlick. The crown area razor point cutting has just the perfect amount of texture, and the short tapered nape is super clean. The cut really allows for air dry to be effortless. The copper is so warm and vibrant! Reds do shift, while the fringe will need maintenance as even a quarter inch of growth alters the whole look. Overall, the warm reds shift quickly. The color and fringe will need maintenance.
#24 Strawberry Ginger Textured Pixie with Feathered Fringe
This pixie’s strawberry-ginger color is warmer and more refined with a soft and more natural feel to it compared to regular copper shades. The wispy micro bangs clear the face, and the back crown layers are just the right length to allow some lift. I once had a client with a similar cut who told me that it was the first time in a long time that she felt her hair was in tune with her energy and I think that’s what a good pixie does. It’s all about having the right kind of movement and not looking messy, and that’s what point cut layers with soft razor texturing will achieve. The exposed nape and temples will require some styling paste to keep the shape between cuts.
#25 Soft Textured Short Pixie with Crown Lift
This style features a softness that few short cuts contain. The wispy side fringe softens the eye area, and the natural cowlick at the crown is utilized for maximum lift. The blended lowlights keep things low-key, no dramatic grow-out, no harsh lines, just subtle depth. It can’t be pulled back, which is something to consider if you reach for a ponytail often. But in exchange you get something that you can style with your fingers in about a minute. A sea-salt spray helps with the separation if your hair tends to clump together.
#26 Soft Stacked Bob with Side-Swept Fringe
Stacked bob haircuts might look easy to accomplish, but if done incorrectly, the complexity of the cut becomes very apparent. In this case though, the execution was spot on, and the rounded graduation at the nape of the neck gives the back of the head more volume. The side-swep t bangs also really add to the look. The small cowlick at the crown of the head is great as well, because it’s a great source of volume. A light blow dry is recommended once the hair is dry so the ends will lay underneath. Also, if the hair is thick, the inside can be texturized to avoid a puffy look.
#27 Short Feathered Copper Pixie with Soft Micro Fringe
The stacked crown is doing the heaving lifting here, creating volume and giving the impression of easy styling. The micro-fringe is flattering on most women, adds a touch of curtain fringe, and the layering on top calms what would be a very edgy cut. I appreciate the natural silver at the temples mixed with copper for a more interesting lived-in look, rather than painted. This look will need very precise razor point layering, so it will be important to find a stylist who is good with that. A semi-permanent copper gloss will keep the brass in check between appointments.
#28 Chic Long Layered Cut with Face-Framing Bangs
Some people may think that grandma shouldn’t have long hair. They believe there is an age restriction on how long or short hair can be. I personally think that long hair on older people is totally acceptable. Longer hair can look modern and effort less with the right amount of layers. With shoulder length hair face framing layers and bangs can be very defining without being too much. When you add a subtle warm balayage to the mix it really brightens everything up. Plus, the right amount of layers can take the weight out of the hair and make it easier to manage. It is totally worth the maintenance to have length that makes you feel like yourself. This is a stunning way to do it.
#29 Soft Layered Waves with Natural Volume
I like how relaxed this cut is; it looks very honest. The waves feel very easy and sit nice and effortless just below the shoulders. The less layering there is, the more freely the hair tends to move, rather than getting stuck and tangled. No matter how much texture you have, the good look will work for you. It’s possible you might need a cream to boost some waves, but when it comes to hair days, it will look a lot good.
#30 Classic Textured Bob with Subtle Layers
My favorite part of this bob is the shape with the rounded edges. The shape softens the face and gives an overall less harsh and less geometric appearance. The length is just above the shoulders – my favorite length – as it is long enough to feel feminine but short enough to be easy. This cut is also very clean and elegant as the subtle layers create movement without too much separation. If your hair is medium density, it will naturally sit really well in this shape. The ends will need a clean edge line and that means some maintenance every six weeks to a trim.
#31 Charming Curly Pixie Cut with Voluminous Texture
This is the cut to start embracing your natural curls instead of apologizing for them. It has a more relaxed, playful style. The curls will do most of the volumizing work, and without the height, you’ll have to spend less time controlling it. It shapes the face and has more of a playful feel instead of serious. I believe this will look best with medium to thick hair because thin curls can be limp at this hair length. The visible color will be quite striking, so you should consider more frequent touch-ups. On the other hand, this curly cut will be super low maintenance.
#32 Chic Soft Blunt Bob with Wispy Bangs
The bluntness and clean appearance of the bob are sharply softened by wispy bangs. Creating nice contrasts takes skilled looks like these. The layering is precise, intentional, and almost completely invisible. Rest assured though, the hair is layered, and would be moving in contrast to a truly one-length bob. Most women will find chin-length ideal, and this is a great example of why. It’s a low-effort style, but you’ll be coming back for regular trims to keep the shape probably every 5-6 weeks.
#33 Soft Textured Bob with Subtle Highlights
This bob has very subtle highlights that frame the face without altering the overall color story. It’s chin-length and features soft layering that offers fine hair the illusion of more volume, an ideal when density is lighter. It doesn’t look too polished and too precious, and the overall texture lends a real casualness to it. It this look works best with straight to slightly wavy hair and very little is required from you in the mornings.
#34 Stylish Pixie Cut with Soft Textured Layers
I like the way the struck layers give this pixie a light feeling, and it looks like it has good, bouncy movement that won’t be stiff. This kind of layering on fine hair, as well, provides the illusion of density, which is a fun trick. The length gives a time saving effect, and the shape is such that it doesn’t look like you’ve just given up on your hair, quite the contrary. With a pixie, you’re going to need more regular trims than you would on longer hairstyles, but the ease of styling everyday is a way better trade off.
#35 Modern Short Crop with Textured Top
I appreciate the self-assuredness of this crop. I would also mention the textured top is supplemented by the smooth sides which keeps it clean and intentional. A little bit of mousse or cream through the top layers is all that’s needed to define the texture. The soft shade lightens the face and is nice for this style. Given this length, it will need regular trimming because even slight growth changes the shape quite a bit. If you can maintain that cycle, it is a really low maintenance style.
#36 Chic Blunt Bob with Playful Pastel Pink Highlights
A few years back I had a client that was sixty-two years old and wanted pastel pink hair. She was really nervous about doing it, but honestly I thought it was one of the best color choices. The color really softened her look more than any of the natural tones would have. This blunt bob with pink highlights has that same nice quality. It is fun, but not too fun. The blunt cut balances everything out so the color isn’t too overpowering, and it gives a nice illusion of fullness if your hair is fine to medium. Just a warning, pastel colors do tend to wash out really quick, and the lightening process can be more drying, so you will definitely want to add moisture back into your hair.
#37 Chic Textured Short Bob with Soft Layers
I first noticed how this bob accentuates the cheekbones. The soft framing layers don’t cover, and the light fine hair makes it look airier and softer. Thicker hair doesn’t achieve this as easily. The highlights give dimension and contrast without being too obvious. This cut looks good from all angles which doesn’t happen all that often. To keep the bob looking sharp, regular trims are necessary but daily styling is pretty easy, just a few minutes running your fingers through it and adding a light product.
#38 Textured Shoulder-Length Waves with Warm Highlights
The warm highlights on this haircut add brightness without going overboard and are positioned to brighten around the face. The textured waves create movement on what could be simple shoulder-length hair, and the natural volume is not fake. Achieving that will not be possible without a little effort to keep the waves defined since you will need a defining cream or need to do a quick pass. on days which you want more polished waves. Even on days which you just let your hair dry, this haircut is designed so that the texture holds it up and so that your hair does not look bad.
#39 Elegant Textured Shoulder-Length Waves
A simple haircut can still be beautiful, and this instance shows beauty in simplicity. The shoulder-length hair has a natural fall, and the light layers create movement without too much thinning. The waves create a nice visual fullness, which is a nice benefit for fine to medium hair types. It gently softens angular features, and that subtlety is what makes it work. With a little more styling effort, the waves could be differentiated. That said, this style does not need a lot of maintenance.
#40 Effortless Feathered Hairstyle with Face-Framing Layers
Feathered layers help maintain the overall shape of the haircut and also give softness and movement at the perimeter. The light wispy bangs provide some interest without being a huge commitment and the shoulder length keeps it all easy. I really like how this cut can be styled in a polished way or left casual. With a bit of product and a round brush it’s dressed up, but if you let it dry it’s perfectly fine how it looks. You will need to maintain the layers regularly to avoid a shapeless look.
#41 Soft Layered Cut with Face-Framing Bangs
The bangs draw attention to the eyes and make the face the center of attention. The soft waves bring in that effortless touch. The medium density means the layers sit in place without a lot of effort. If you want a little bit of dimension to the look then it a few subtle highlights that would work, but it looks nice the way it is. A texturizing product will give that undone look and will help to keep that quality. Cuts like this look best on second-day hair which is nice to help maintain the quality.
#42 Sleek Choppy Bob with Subtle Layers
Polishing of the bob comes from the jaw length, as well as the way the layers blend together instead of apart. Layers blend together using the clean lines to form a discreet texture. This shape works best on straight or gently wavy hair, particularly if your hair is of a medium to high density, as it will really hold the shape. For finer textures, a root volumizer is the way to go to avoid it sitting flat, however, the design of the cut is meant to work with minimal styling.
#43 Charming Curly Bob with Defined Curls
This bob is the perfect hairstyle to highlight natural curls. Chin length is the ideal length for curls; it gives just the right amount of space for them to spring up, and the added volume will be all the styling you will need. A curl bob will hug the face creating a frame, and this is surprising and gorgeous, especially on round features. Some curl-defining products can help you keep the polished, but slightly undone will still look just as good. The maintenance is regular, but the cut is forgiving in between. The style will look good as the curls grow out too.
#44 Chic Textured Pixie Cut with Soft Volume
The slight mess on top is what helps to give this pixie hair cut some personality, considering how layered pixie cuts can look it can give a sophisticated look and a look where it seems that you don’t care about your hair. These layers are designed to create volume that can be moved about which is especially good for fine to medium hair that can just sit there. This rich dark hair color contrasts beautifully with the skin and helps to draw attention to the neckline. This is a low maintenance cut that won’t need a lot of products or styling, just a few trims to keep the shape so the cut doesn’t lose its intention.
#45 Chic Layered Shoulder-Length Cut with Soft Face-Framing Layers
The little bit of volume at the crown is what elevates this from a simple shoulder length haircut to something more thought out. It lifts where most women find their hair falling flat, and the face framing layers do their job without being too obvious. One of the many strengths of this style, is how well it works with different hair types. It is best to maintain the shape to update the layers every couple months but, especially if you dry and suss the crown with your fingers, it holds itself together pretty well between appointments.
#46 Elegant Soft Layers with Subtle Face-Framing Highlights
The highlights are perfect since they are around the temples and on the part, they lift the face without too much color change. The shoulder length gives you options whether to wear it down, or to pull it back. The movement is added by the layers just so the hair never looks stagnant. The fine to medium density the layering creates the impression of fullness, which is still natural. Healthy ends and defined layers needs to be kept with regular trims, and this matters more as we age and the ends thin out.
#47 Soft Textured Lob with Subtle Face-Framing Layers
This lob gives an easy sophistication. The chin-length lob paired with soft, face-framing layers create a look that softly draws the eyes and gives a nice soft movement which I love. On fine, straight hair, the layered texture creates just enough interest to avoid that typical look you get with hair at this length. If you want more body, a volumizing product at the roots will work, but the cut is designed to look good on simple hair days.
#48 Playful Textured Pixie Cut with Feathered Layers
The lovely style lifts with nice shiny layers and the sheer youthfulness is stunning. The bed head look is essential, it’s not stiff and it’s free. It is fantastic how it accentuates the face and especially the cheekbones. The lighter the hair with fine/medium the more the light texture creates more volume than there is. Just a small amount of texture product and run your fingers through the hair and that’s all you need.
#49 Textured Curly Bob with Soft Volume
The subtle layers in the back of the curly bob offer so much more than what meets the eye. The layers create dimension to the style while also preventing the curls from piling up creating unwanted bulk. The lightweight look gets balanced out with the added shoulder lengths that frame the face. Also, the hair pattern coupled with the cut works in harmony to create that soft volume rather than working against each other and creating friction. While curls tend to appear messy, if lightweight curl cream is applied to the hair to define the curls, they will look very structured.
#50 Chic Textured Short Bob with Subtle Layers
I often find myself suggesting this bob cut style. It sits just above the shoulders, which allows the hair to fall and move naturally. With fine hair, more layers means more loss of body, but this cut has just the right amount of layering. The textured layers give the hair life, and more volume means you won’t see any harsh lines in the cut. This cut is versatile across many face shapes, and it looks even more polished with little to no styling. I would recommend trims every 2 weeks, but the haircut will mostly hold its shape, and will not require much effort to look good.
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