I enjoy creating styles for short, wavy hair on women over seventy because that is where I do some of my best work. As hair gets older and begins to grey, the texture can change. In some cases, the hair actually holds waves better than it did when it was a different color, creating very soft movement. This is often difficult to achieve with younger hair because it is usually thicker and more resistant.
A few years ago, I worked with a client named Dorothy who thought that because of her age, she had to wear all of her hair straight because her waves had become so “messy”. I was able to persuade her to work with a different approach. I shaped her hair so that the waves could fall and flow as she wanted. Two weeks later, she came back and reported that her daughter had asked whether she had any work done. Her daughter wasn’t talking about her face! It was just the great cut that finally let her features show. That’s what a short wavy style does, it opens up all the features. While each of these twenty-four looks is different, that is the main idea.
#1: Soft Wavy Bob That Sits Right at the Chin
The way that layers shape the overall look is so clever. It allows the overall look to have some lift without it being flat, and without advertising that it’s a layered haircut. Chin length cuts look great on all face shapes as they keep the look open. Finer hair may require a little more effort, especially with round brush styling, to obtain a desired wave look, and it’s definitely a style that requires a lot of maintenance to keep polished.
#2 Silvery White Waves Just Barely Touching the Shoulders
The color shows everything in the design. When the silver turns completely white like this and you have a natural wave running through it the texture becomes everything. The soft layers frame the face in a more relaxed way than styled and the length gives options without entering maintenance territory. This probably isn’t your cut if you prefer sleeker looks, but for someone who wants to let their hair do the talking, it really works.
#3 Loose Waves with Crown Volume for Finer Hair
I would direct someone to this cut if they told me their hair used to have a lot of body. While it’s subtle, the layering on the crown is doing something very specific. It’s creating height where fine hair typically lays flat. The loose relaxed waves underneath look great, and I believe it’s the right energy to match this length. To keep the shape between washes a light volumizing mousse will be needed, but after you get the hang of it, daily styling is minimal, and the cut will do the work for you.
#4 Jawline-Length Layers with a Soft Wave Pattern
The wave pattern in this style has a good flow, is rhythmic, and has a good degree of uniformity. It adds subtle dimension to the face. The jawline is a spot I revisit often with clients who have fuller faces as that makes a visual line that balances everything out. This type of hair is very mobile and it moves around a lot. The layers stop it from being too wispy which is a concern with reduced density.
#5 Defined Curls on a Shoulder-Length Gray Bob
This is more of a curl than wave look and that is an important distinction. Defined curls give an almost architectural framing to the face, whereas softer waves do not. The grey is a stunning cool tone that really helps the curls pop. I will be honest, maintaining this level of definition is a commitment. It will be regular refresh days with a curl cream and most probably some diffusing. If that sounds like too much, a looser version of the same cut would still be really nice and require half the work.
#6 Above-the-Shoulder Waves with an Airy Finish
Your description is excellent! The owner has simple yet neat hair that can be worn anywhere. This hair is a good cut and holds a nice wave giving it versatility and a good texture that isn’t flat. The length is practical with nice movement that keeps it from being plain. The hair is a good cut that can be worn everyday.
#7 Wavy Bob with Color Dimension
I love the subtle contrast of color woven through the waves. Whether natural or not, soft color changes can make wavy hair appear much fuller. The layers are soft and framing without being annoying. The greatest compliment I can give a haircut is the style will look good when you put effort into it and the next day when you don’t.
#8 Textured Pixie with Soft Wave
People appreciate this decision and we do too. The way the waves move becomes more about texture rather than actual movement. A straight pixie doesn’t achieve this but it adds a softness to the entire cut. It really opens the face and exposes some bone structure that may have been concealed at lengths more than this. Not everyone will pull this off and that’s ok, but when it is right for someone, it is very right.
#9 Just-Above-the-Shoulders Crop with Layered Lift
You’ve got a great balance between length and layering! It’s long enough to have some hair left to style, but short enough that it won’t drag down. The layering is designed so that movement is created without excessive thinning. The wave works with that. The color variation is subtle, but it helps a lot in a wavy cut to read as more dimensional. The maintenance is a little tricky at first, but once you learn how your hair reacts to it, it will be straightforward.
#10 Chin-Grazing Wavy Bob in Light Gray
The length starting at the chin is one of those subtle choices that does a lot. It gives a line that your eye follows easily, which on a fuller face balances proportion that longer or shorter cuts can miss. The waves here look natural rather than styled, which I suppose is the whole point. The gray is warm which stops it from feeling harsh. A nice everyday cut that you could dress up or down without changing much.
#11 Below-the-Chin Wavy Bob with Relaxed Layers
I like that there is no overthinking energy here, and thank you for keeping this so effortless. Hair that is longer below the chin is more low-key than a bob that is tighter, and the layers make it feel active without being overdone. If your hair is fine to medium and has a natural wave, you could achieve something like this with minimal work — maybe a touch of texture spray and you’re all set!
#12 Face-Framing Layers on a Soft Wavy Cut
The layers that frame the face are the standout feature here. They are soft enough that no harsh lines are created. They appear intentional. The clarity and simplicity of the rest of the shape of the cut means the face-framing pieces are free to shine. Excellent for someone after a neat look without anything too rigid.
#13 Easy-Wearing Wavy Layers at a Manageable Length
With this haircut, we’ll be able to make it effortless for you. We’ll give you the look that’s all the rage while making it easy for you to manage. There is no need to talk about it anymore! Come get it done! As it grows out, this cut will still look great. There’s no need for you to worry about this cut lasting until you are able to get back into the salon. It is perfect for people who are looking to save time on their hair.
#14 Bouncy Curls with Wispy Bangs
The bangs change everything! Without bangs it would basically just be an average wave cut, but now it gets a lot more interesting. The bangs make the forehead less prominent and in a really flattering way draw attention to the eyes especially on rounder face shapes. The curls are also really nice and the length is just right to give enough movement but not too much weight. The fine hair (which is usually a negative) works to your advantage in this type of cut because it allows the curls to spring up instead of being weighed down.
#15 Gentle Waves with a Lifted Crown
The haircut looks great! It is not done in an extravagant way The hair has been cut to a nice length and looks good with a wave. The cut on top has some lift which gives a bit of volume and shape so that the haircut does not fall limp. It gives the haircut a nice rounded shape. The best haircuts are great in a way that is hard to pinpoint because they often leave the sense of something looking right, even when the floor was cut.
#16 Shoulder-Length Waves with Playful Layering
I love how the layers are so airy and free flowing, and how they interact with the wave. For fuller faces, the shoulder length does create vertical movement, which is good, because it draws the eye down instead of out. If your hair is on the finer side, a volumizing shampoo would help a lot with this cut. It will help the body and volume from falling flat between washes.
#17 Below-the-Chin Waves with Delicate Volume
The proportions on this cut are perfectly balanced. The chin length is feminine and the subtle volume at the crown doesn’t seem to be adding height but just lifts. The slight waves look ethereal and defendere as to seem to be not there. Fine hair does this best, as it holds a soft wave without going too heavy. This cut is a good choice for polished without styled.
#18 Fuller Waves on Thicker Hair at Shoulder Length
Your hair is likely thicker for this one. The density is working with the waves instead, which is what good layering should do with fuller hair. There is real body happening, and the layers are not meant to create a puff, but encourage movement. The weight has somewhere to go when it is shoulder length with thicker wavy hair. You will most likely still have to control the volume on humid days, but it is well structured.
#19 Classic Wavy Cut with Quiet Texture
Many clients walk in saying something along the lines of “I want to look like myself but better.” Well here it is. The waves are neutral, the layering adds some texture and avoids looking too plain, and chin lengths are perfect for fuller faces so it won’t draw anymore attention. Nothing flashy. Just right.
#20 Playful Waves with Textured Movement
This cut is hard to describe. You could say it is messy, but it is also intentional in a way. It captures what wavy hair aspires to. The layered cut has a lot of bounce and changes depending on which way you move your head. The shoulder grazers’ length hits and photographs well, and for some reason, that really matters.
#21 Wavy Bob with Soft Highlights and Upward Movement
What I like about these highlights on this cut is that they catch light on wave peaks which gives an illusion of more volume. On a fuller face, the way this cut draws the eye upward through the crown and almost looks like it’s softly lifting everything is nice. The waves are rigid enough to be defined but not so much that they look stiff. For highlights on gray or silver hair, if that’s something you’re considering, this is a good example of how subtle they can be while still having an effect.
#22 Cool Blonde Curls on a Medium-Length Bob
The cool blonde impact here is really something. It brings a brightness to the face that warmer tones don’t do as much on silver or white hair, plus it plays off the curl pattern beautifully. The curls here are more defined than most of the other cuts on this list, which gives it a more dressy feel even though the cut is casual. There is no getting around the fact that you’ll need to put some effort into styling this, but if maintaining the curls is something you will enjoy as opposed to something you will dread, then this style has the potential to be really satisfying to wear.
#23 Defined Waves with Face-Brightening Color
Your example is where a face framing lighter color is used, which is smart to try to do more often as it really brightens everything and adds warmth to the complexion that an all-over color just can’t. The definition in the waves and curls, plus the mix of structure with some more than others, reads as a natural finish as opposed to set. Texture is particularly advantageous here for fine hair as it gives the illusion of more fullness. Keeping up with regular trims will ensure this one stays looking intentional, rather than just grown out.
#24 Soft Front Layers with Natural Wave Movement
The first layers of this cut are what really shine. The cut actually works with the face rather than just sitting next to it and that’s the difference between a good haircut and a great haircut. The waves look effortless as if this is how the hair wants to fall when you just let it. The length keeps things young without being a stretch. I would recommend this to someone with a natural wave pattern she’s been hiding and is willing to finally let it go.
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