I know some people are not going to like this, but I have very strong opinions when it comes to women over 60 with shoulder length hair. I cannot tell you how many women come into my salon thinking that once they start to go gray, they have to chop all of their hair off. As if there is some kind of social expectation that when you turn 60, you have to get a pixie cut, wear orthopedic shoes, and buy a pair of sensible walking sandals. I think abandoning all of these hair and fashion options for a shoulder length haircut is a crime against humanity. Having shoulder length hair is a good compromise. It gives you enough hair to prevent your style from looking messy, but without the commitment of a full style. Plus, you don’t have to spend 45 minutes every morning to blow dry it to keep it looking good.
Years ago, I had a client named Diane, and she had long enough hair that she could have styled it, but she had one of those tiny cropped hairstyles because her daughter told her that long hair was “aging” her. I convinced her not to do a crop and to keep it to her shoulders with some layers, and I swear she walked in looking 10 years younger than she walked out. Two weeks later, I received a text from her about her class reunion, and she said three people asked if she’d had work done. That’s the power of the right cut at the right length. That is why I have been a shoulder-length enthusiast for the over 60 crowd. I have really enjoyed these things recently.
#1: Chic Layered Silver That Actually Looks Intentional
This is one of those effortless looking haircuts that is also completely intentional. The fine, subtle layers are doing their job that gives fine hair some movement, rather than just hanging there looking sad. What I really love here is how the silver hair is not fighting the cut, but is the complete personality of the look. If your hair has gone silver and you have been thinking of dyeing it, look at this first and think again. A little light mousse scrunched through your damp hair and you are good to go.
#2 Curly and Textured and Not Trying to Be Anything Else
I want to remind my beautiful girls with curly hair to embrace what they have naturally. Just look at this stunning shoulder-length look. So effortless! You could never create this type of curl with a curling iron. I’ve tried on my clients with stick-straight hair and it never turns out as good. All you’ll need is a moisturizing curl cream. Hopefully, you’ll be able to resist the urge to touch your hair as it dries (I know this is going to be really challenging). A humid day will test your patience but just think about all the volume you’ll have and how worth it is to embrace some frizz!
#3 Silvery and Sleek Without Looking Like You’re Trying Too Hard
A simple, straight, shoulder-length cut in all silver looks like confidence and self-awareness. Masterful execution. At first glance, this style looks low-maintenance, and mostly it is. The subtle layers are almost imperceptible, but when she moves, she does one of those mesmerizing swishes. The most important part is to be diligent about deep conditioning because dry silver hair degenerates into straw and we are not doing that.
#4 Soft Grey Layers That Make You Look Like You Have a Really Good Life
What gets me with this one is the color, a beautiful grey that is deeper in color without any lighter pieces. The natural wave of the hair is doing a lot of work here and the layers are simply allowing it to move. I would call this the ‘I summer in Maine’ haircut because it gives off the type of vibe of someone who sips wine on their porch overlooking the ocean. It will require a little effort with a round brush to get some nice bounce, but we are talking about ten minutes, not a whole thing.
#5 Warm Tones and Soft Waves That Actually Suit Real Life
I like this choice because it looks less like a \”hairstyle\” and more like amazing hair that falls just so, which is the hardest look to pull off. The warm tone is doing great things for the skin, the layers are light enough that you won’t wake up on day two looking like a completely different person. Everyone with even a little natural wave is going to love this as it will be a wash and go style, and for those without the wave, about an 8 minute loose wrap with a 1.25 inch curling iron will get you there.
#6 Face Framing Bangs That Are Actually Doing Their Job
I am selective with bangs for ladies over 60 since bad bangs take months to grow out of. These are the right bangs, and I don’t anticipate there being any awkwardness with these bangs. They are wispy so definitely won’t look like a helmet, but are just enough to frame and soften the face. The entire cut is airy and does phenomenal things for fine hair. If you’ve been debating bangs, bring this picture to your stylist. This is what you want, not the blunt straight-across situation.
#7 Gentle Waves for When You Want to Look Pulled Together Without Actually Pulling Anything Together
Walking past women in a grocery store and turning heads with looks and hair, is easily achieved with great hair cuts and layered styles. You may also want to consider not washing your hair every day. Careless waves are what make it look like a casual event. You also don’t want to look like you’re going to some fancy affair when you’re really just going to come some coffee. Just add a little dry texture spray, give it a good scrunch, and you’re set.
#8 Thick Curly Waves That Prove Volume Is Not the Enemy
When it comes to thick and curly hair, most people will say to thin it out, but that is not the way to go. This is what shoulder length thick curly hair looks like and it is not just another boring bob. It is very nicely shaped. These curls are lively and full of spirit and the most important part is that the shape is balanced and not done to stifle the spirit of the curls. It is true that curly hair comes with a bit more maintenance and I will never lie about that. However, the presence that curly hair has is something that straight hair just can’t replicate.
#9 Warm Toned Waves with That Golden Hour Glow
What I can’t stop looking at is the color. The warm undertone that runs through the whole look gives her skin a glow. That is not an accident, that is an intentional choice from a very good colorist. The wave style is soft, uncomplicated, and the texture seems natural, like she just slept on it and woke up looking like this, which honestly is the goal. If you have fine hair and have been sticking to cool tones, this is your sign to switch to warm tones. The difference is so much better for your complexion.
#10 Naturally Full Curls That Don’t Need Convincing
Here, the curls are obviously the stylist’s own, and they are letting the clients do what they wish instead of imposing other ideas onto it, which is what good haircuts should do. The layers are meant to work with the curl pattern to avoid triangling. That is the main issue I see with curly shoulder length cuts from non curly hair specialists. If this is your hair type, look for a stylist that does dry curly hair cuts, because the difference is massive and I’m not being dramatic.
#11 Textured Silver Layers That Feel Very European Somehow
To offer the highest praise possible, I don’t know what it is about this cut, but it reminds me of women in Paris with baguettes. The blend of your natural grays and silvers have a dimensional quality that highlighted hair attempts, and fails, to accomplish. The light layers, just enough texture to keep it interesting and not messy look perfect. If your hair is already doing this with the gray coming in, please for everything do not cover it up. Just get a cut that celebrates it like this one does.
#12 Fine and Wavy and Working Every Bit of What She’s Got
This haircut is great for fine hair because the wavy style gives the look of more hair due to the layering and how it was styled. I like that she looks really good without looking overdone, because with fine hair, if it’s over styled, it can look crunchy and dated way faster than any other hair type. With fine hair, the goal is to keep it simple and soft. It’s important to find a good lightweight volumizing spray. That won’t weigh it all down because that’s the whole game with fine hair.
#13 Soft Bangs and Layers Working Together the Way They Should
Unlike other hairstyles, this one is knotted together instead of splitting the pieces apart, which is an issue I come across far too often. The bangs are light and mesh into the face framing layers to avoid any clinical looking ends. For people with fine hair who want bangs and extra volume, this is the picture to take to your stylist, and ask for it to look exactly like this, soft and airy with way more hair than you really have.
#14 A Clean Bob That Doesn’t Need to Be Anything More Than What It Is
This is a great occasion for simplicity. It’s a bob, it’s silver, it’s clean, shoulder length, and free of unnecessary additions. I don’t know what confidence the stylist was working with, but going in there without adding layers or color is a choice. It works out here. With straight hair, there’s more of a tendency to complicate things, but this is a good reason to keep it simple with a precise and very technical cut.
#15 Subtle Texture with Layers That Know When to Stop
The control with layering is excellent. There is a fine line between, “soft layers that add movement” and, “I asked for layers and now my hair looks thin at the ends.” This cut stays on the right side of that line. The texure is soft and polished, while still looking touchable and real. If you want to look polished and put together, but not overly done, (there is a huge difference between the two), then this is your cut.
#16 Warm Golden Tones That Actually Make Sense for the Skin
The ability to match a person’s skin tone is what really sets a good colorist apart from someone who just picks a random color out of a box. They did a great job with the color match. The warm gold tone works perfectly here and isn’t too bright or brassy, sitting right in the sweet spot that screams expensive. The layers add movement, and while they aren’t dramatic, that is exactly what you want when the color is already doing a lot of work. Maintenance on warm tones means color safe shampoo is non-negotiable.
#17 Natural Gray with Layers That Move Like They Mean It
This woman’s hairstyle complements her linen attire, which appears nicely casual, polished, and effortless. Sure, it’s a little specific, but what’s wrong with that? The layers break up her silhouette so they don’t feel boring, which is a concern I often hear from clients worried about going gray. I think it’s great how naturally gray the hair is. A good texturizing paste {insert name} will keep the shape from falling flat between washes, and really, that’s all you need with a cut this good.
#18 Copper That Actually Commits to Being Copper
I appreciate it when people go copper, and when they really do, as opposed to going for the shy reddish-brown that feels like a mistake. This is fully committed and it’s stunning, the color is beautifully complex and the gentle waves catch the light in a way that is just gorgeous. If you’ve been wondering about red tones but have been too afraid to do it, this is the one that is appropriate for women over 60 as it is rich and warm without being costumey. I will say that copper fades faster than almost every other color family so you need a color depositing conditioner in your rotation, no exceptions.
#19 The Blunt Cut That Doesn’t Need Your Layers
From time to time, I do a blunt shoulder length trim with no layers, and for about three seconds, the client panics before glancing in the mirror and realizing it’s the most elegant haircut they have ever gotten. This is that haircut. With blunt ends, fine hair appears more voluminous, the silver is absolutely stunning, and everything is so polished and sharp that layers would completely ruin it. A leave-in conditioner is great to prevent the ends from looking dry, and that combined with the silky finish will keep the styling routine to a minimum.
#20 Bouncy Warm Waves That Have Actual Life in Them
I’m not sure how I can put this. However, I believe this hair, for lack of better words, looks happy to be here. The bounciness of the waves, flirtatious warmth of the color, and the effortless energy of entire hairstyle is stunning. It looks amazing while not taking hours to do. The layers are perfectly placed for optimal movement, and there is plenty of it. The hair bounces as she moves her head. If your shoulder length cut looks lifeless and dull, this is evidence of what is most likely a layering problem.
#21 Light and Textured with a Face Framing Situation I’m Very Into
This is great face framing that hits the mark. It doesn’t scream “I have face framing layers” but simply improves the overall look which is what good face framing should do. The lighter color with the natural highlights provides lots of dimension and nearly brightens the skin complexion. It sounds funny but the appropriate hair color can really alter the appearance of your face. The modern texture throughout the ends keeps it fresh and when you show this picture to your stylist, make sure to tell them you want the layers soft and blended, not chunky.
#22 Gray Curls with Body and Personality for Days
When I see this type of haircut, it makes me want to stop the woman and ask her where she’s going because she seems to be going somewhere really fancy. The curls are bouncy, and look really good. They definitely don’t look crunchy, which is the hardest part about styling curls. The stylist got it right. Your gray hair has so much volume and texture that it doesn’t even need to be dyed. If your curls look less defined as the day goes on, I recommend a curl refresher spray. It will bring your curls back to life without having to restyle them.
#23 Silver Layers and Bangs That Actually Complement Each Other
I hope every bang style could do what these bangs do. I love how they draw the eye while not covering the face and not looking too childish. They integrate well with the side layers and the entire cut has a cohesive look which tells me the stylist designed it as one look instead of looking at it in different sections. The color is sophisticated and the rich. If you are keeping your silver at home, a purple shampoo once a week will help control the yellowing.
#24 That Copper with the Bangs, Yes, All of It, Every Bit
I love this look and I’m not going to be objective about it. The color of her hair, copper, and her blue-green eyes, is a great combination. She also has soft bangs, and those look great, too. I can tell this is a woman that walked into the salon and said, “make me feel something,” and was not disappointed. I can tell that the hair is healthy, and that matters because copper hair color can look muddy if the hair is damaged. Maintaining this color takes commitment, but the result is worth it.
#25 Lavender Highlights for the Woman Who Isn’t Afraid of a Little Fun
I understand that for the past three appointments you’ve sat in this chair claiming you want to do “something different.” I have been trying to get you to do something different. The lavender isn’t going to be so noticeable that it looks like a costume but will stand out enough that people will compliment you. That’s the sweet spot to hit when you’re trying to achieve a fashion color on older women. The base cut is a classic shoulder length with soft layering. While it’s a lovely cut on its own, the lavender gives it a little extra something to allow it to shine. Yes, lighter fashion colors will fade, and yes, they do require a little more maintenance than other colors. But life is too short to have hair you don’t love, and you should be smiling every time you look in the mirror.
Enter your email and get this picture and description straight to your inbox, and you'll also get new hair ideas ❤️
🔒 We don't spam or sell emails. See our Privacy Policy.