I was consulting with a member recently. She’s 73 years old and says, “I just feel like I’m supposed to keep growing it out.” I interrupted her and said, “GIRL, WHO told you that?!” People seem to think older women need to keep their hair longer like it’s some kind of security blanket. I can assure you that this is false. Some of the most stunning clients of mine over 70 have said, “you know what, cut it.” The look of release and the feeling of freedom when they see their new self? It is so gratifying.
I once had a client who had been ironing and straightening her hair for FIFTY YEARS because her mother considered it “presentable.” When she was 72 she came into the salon and told me she wanted to wear her hair natural for the first time since she was a child. I gave her a fabulous little curly crop and we both started crying. Not just the two of us, but the lady next to me as well. Short styles with beautiful natural curls look stunning on older women because the curls are bursting to be free. I cannot wait to show you all of this!
#1: Soft Coily Crop That Just WORKS
The side layers add movement to the entire cut so it doesn’t look so boxy and uniform. Natural coils have the perfect depth to fill out the shape and that is what you want. If you have a rounder face this is ideal as it softens the jaw area without the entire head looking round. You will most likely need a trim every 5 to 6 weeks to maintain the shape but this is a wash and go cut in between visits.
#2 Soft Waves That Look Like You Tried (But You Didn’t)
What I appreciate most about this look is how simple it is. With the hair’s natural curl pattern those beautiful defined waves? Brilliant! This is great if you have fine hair since you’ll have lots of volume and stunning dimension without the weight of everything weighing it down. I’m obsessed with that gray hair! The light silver color gives it such a lovely cool editorial feel. All you have to remember is to scrunch some curl cream in so the waves don’t go flat.
#3 Curly Crop with That Perfect “I Woke Up Like This” Energy
With this hairstyle, you’re letting the curls do the magic. These tight coils are going to give you enough volume and movement for a free-flowing style, which means there’s no need to blow dry your hair every day just to create some shape. The gray coming in is beautiful and adds a depth to the style that no dye job would replicate, no matter how high the budget. On humid days, I would keep a little anti-frizz serum handy as these tight coils can puff up quickly, but other than that? This is about as easy as it gets!
#4 Playful Tapered Cut That Takes Years Off
What stands out is how the top length creates a stunning contrast to the shorter sides. It gives off the impression that you’ve got PLACES to be and things to do, which you do! The soft gray highlights are interlaced to appear natural and add depth, making the cut look pricier. If the hair is finer, this shape will give more volume than anticipated. Just keep up with your trims because once a tapered cut grows out even a little, it starts losing that magic.
#5 Silver Tapered Curls That I Genuinely Can’t Stop Staring At
Let me tell you, if I were to sit in my chair and you asked me my thoughts on the silver tapered cut, I would feel a little TOO passionate– this is one of my favorite things to do! The curls on top give all the volume you need and help keep those clean close sides from looking overgrown or messy. This is perfect if you have thinner hair! You don’t have to rely on density to style your hair, the shape and style do all the work. The move is a lightweight curl gel to keep things defined without that crunchy look.
#6 Silver Curly Crop with the Cleanest Edges
Just check out the EDGES! That taper is so clean it looks like she stepped out of the salon five minutes ago. The curls on top look great, and they are not being too manipulated which is the exact vibe you want, because no one over 70 should be spending an hour on their hair every morning. I’m sorry, but that is just an undeniable fact. If your hair is finer, this is a great option because it creates visual fullness where you need it most, at the crown. Just keep in mind that those edge are gonna need a touch up every couple weeks if you want to keep them THIS sharp.
#7 Twisted Bob That’s Giving Understated Glamour
The Face framing twists make it look like you have kept some length while keeping it looking fresh and short. If you have thick hair this look is going to be really nice on you. The twists are going to compliment what you already have going on. Just be mindful that after a while the twists will look fuzzy and will need to be refreshed.
#8 Silver Pixie with Coils That Have PERSONALITY
Thank you for the coils; they look intentional. Each curl has a reason. In all honesty, the silver tones are beautiful. However, with the lighter gray hair, don’t be shy about using a purple shampoo to avoid that dull appearance. It’s a small adjustment, but it can really transform the look. Regarding the volume on top, it helps a lot, but then it taps and shows your cheek and jawbone.
#9 Tapered Texture That’s Cool Without Trying
Some styles have that cool, relaxed vibe and this one does just that! The short back and sides pair really well with a longer, more textured top to create a modern shape. This is what works best with coarser hair types as the natural texture is the style so you don’t really have to add much to it. I would keep a lightweight oil on hand to help give it some shine on the days your hair feels dry, but aside from this, it’s as easy as it gets! This is also a great style for round faces as the height on top will elongate everything nicely.
#10 Defined Curl Taper That Lifts EVERYTHING
There are numerous aspects that contribute to the quality of this cut, but let’s concentrate on how this looks. The top volume contributes to an upward lift and height. This is definitely more of what people need to be asking for. With the dimensions being modern and clean with current styles, the added easy look is achieved from the sides being cropped closely, yet not overly so. The gray highlights are subtle but do in fact add youthful brightness and help break up the color nicely. Finer hair will hold this shape really well as the hair won’t have to do much, the cut will do all the work.
#11 Twisted Short Cut for the Woman Who Has Better Things to Do
For a polished look that feels effortless, this is the style for you. You won’t have to spend much time on your look, as these twists take care of the volume and texture you need in one step. Plus, the shorter length means you won’t have to deal with hair getting stuck while washing. If you have fine to medium textured hair, the twists will hold really well without product! Just a heads up, if you want your twists to remain separate and not meld together, you’ll need to do some retwisting or wear a satin bonnet to bed.
#12 Silver Afro That Absolutely Commands a Room
If someone is going to rock an afro, we bet they’re gonna go all out. And this one is definitely being worn. The rounded shape is gorgeous, that silver color is catching the light beautifully, it looks as if it’s glowing. I can tell that a lot of work went into the curl shaping, and we appreciate the time spent on this because it was definitely a conscious decision to define the natural pattern rather than letting it be. Coarser hair really shines with this cut (literally) because you get that incredible fullness that finer hair just can’t replicate. This one does need some love, a good leave-in conditioner is going to be essential to keep those curls hydrated and happy.
#13 Curly Silver Crop with the Best Layering
One tip when getting a short curly cut is to examine the curls in the cut. Notice how the curls are *not* all the same length? There is movement in those curls as they fall at different lengths. The cut will give your hair an amazing shape that is soft and free rather than stiff. If you have medium density coily hair, this is the cut you should get. It will make you wonder why you waited so long to get it. A great curl cream is also a necessity. Without it, the curls will be undefined and you will end up with more of a poof than a style.
#14 Tapered Natural Cut for the Woman Who Knows What She Wants
I get your confidence! The cut is not super flashy or outrageous, but it doesn’t need to be because it is just a REALLY good cut on natural hair, and that is more than enough. The tapered sides trim down the overall look, and the textured top gives height where you want it and adds visual interest. I especially love this look on finer hair. The shorter length means gravity isn’t working against you so everything will stay full and lifted all day. If you have been thinking about going shorter, this could be your “gateway cut” because it is modern but not too intimidating.
#15 Rounded Natural Crop with the Bounciest Curls
Bouncy curls smell like so much fun. I’m lowkey jealous. This natural texture is the type of hair that can be left alone and still look good. This shape is super flattering! It looks like an angelic halo effect. I’m living for it. If you have tighter and coarser curls, this shape will come naturally. Just make sure your stylist is cutting with your curl pattern, it makes a difference! You will probably need to have some curl mousse to refresh things between washes.
#16 Tapered Curls with That Fresh-From-the-Salon Look
I believe this is a cut that looks great in photos and it looks great in real life, which is NOT always the case, trust me. The shorter sides offer a clean canvas for the curls to bounce around and provide some natural volume. The tighter taper combined with the looser curls gives so much dimension to the style without making it too complicated to style in the morning. I’m going to go out on a limb and say this is Made for oval face shapes; add a curl defining product and you’re literally good to go.
#17 Soft Tapered Cut That Flatters Everyone
For a haircut to suit every single person is a true rarity, but the balanced proportions of this cut make it easy to translate to everyone! The soft texture makes it more versatile – you can make it more defined, or leave it a little more undone, either way, both look amazing! My fine haired ladies, you aren’t going to be fighting for volume – it will literally feel like a breath of fresh air because the shape of the cut creates it for you! This will likely mean you need trims every 4-5 weeks to keep the shape intentional, not grown out.
#18 Silver Crop with Waves That Catch the Light
How could I not love silver hair with some texture? While straight silver hair can be boring, silver hair with soft waves really comes alive. The light reflects off different angles and different textures, creating a beautiful multi-tonal look. It’s amazing how the different textures create that effect even though it’s all the same color. This look is ideal for finer hair because the waves create the fullness without the weight, and with a texturizing spray you will be set. Just a little at the roots, and you are golden.
#19 Full Silver Afro That I Am LIVING For
This style is definitely BOLD and takes a lot of confidence to pull off! The outrageous volume and perfectly round shape is a timeless look. If you have a heart or oval shaped face this style will balance out your facial features really well. The width of your cheeks will be complemented by the fullness of the afro on the sides so the proportions will all work really well together and there won’t be any fighting. There is no denying that an afro this gorgeous will need a lot of moisture! If you don’t want the curls to look dry (and nobody wants that) you need to deep condition regularly to keep the curls hydrated and defined.
#20 Curly Top with an Edgy Undercut
Giving an undercut at this age? A privilege! A big high five! How chic is this style with the soft curls on top, plus, those amazing cropped details underneath! From all angles, this has a different attitude. It has that “I raised three kids and now I can do whatever I want with my hair” and I love it! This will be low maintenance for you if you have fine to medium density hair, as the undercut will remove a lot of bulk. All you’ll need to do is keep your maintenance appointments because that undercut will grow out quite a bit.
#21 Bantu Knot Style That’s Playful AND Polished
We want to see Bantu knots on older women even more! This style is ageless! These knots
are done right. The uniformity and placement makes a fun style look so polished. If you have med
density naturally curly hair, the knots will stay in without too much worry. I will say, doing
this style is pretty time consuming as each knot needs to be secured or they will come undone.
But the time spent creating this style will definitely pay off!
#22 High Top Taper with ALL the Attitude
Having a good height at the crown shows off a great silhouette and a close shave at the sides makes your bone structure the focal point. If you have great cheekbones (and you do), then that’s exactly what you want. Coarse hair textures work best for this because the hair will remain upright and hold that height without the need for excessive product. The sides will need to be tidied up every few weeks so be prepared for that. If that isn’t a problem, then you’ll have a real statement.
#23 Natural Afro with the Prettiest Taper at the Nape
Here’s a small detail I’d like you to see: the tapering at the nape. It elevates this look from just growing out your hair to having style, and that differentiation speaks volumes! The soft, fluffy curls at the top are perfect and are doing what they should, which is framing your face beautifully. If your hair is of medium density and coarser, you’re in luck because this will feel really natural. Nothing will feel forced and you won’t be texture fighting. A bit of curl refresher spray on day two or three hair and you’re good to go!
#24 Clean Tapered Cut with Gorgeous Gray Dimension
I enjoy the gray on this one. Some people try to hide it, but I appreciate that this one leans into the gray. The natural tones in the hair give so much depth and dimension that you wouldn’t get if it was dyed. The tight curls give this tapered shape just the right amount of structure and the edges are so clean. I love this. This is an excellent cut for low hair density, because you don’t need a ton of hair for it to look full – the shape really does all the work. Just stay on top of your edge maintenance and this will look crisp for weeks.
#25 Voluminous Gray Crop with the Perfect Crown Lift
The most interesting detail on this cut is the crown lift. It gives wonderful form and balance to both square and oval face shapes. The closely cropped sides anchor the overall appearance while the top gives height and volume. The grey blend is nice and modern light silver and has a more intentional look than faded and dull. Fine to medium hair is going to love this the most. It will feel light and easy while still giving the appearance of a lot of hair. Keep up with your trims because a cut this precise will lose its shape quickly as it grows out.
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