It is so nice to see women over 50 years of age rock wavy hair. It’s a lovely texture to have at any age. One of my clients told me that she straightened her hair for 15 years every single day. One day, I asked her, “Wouldn’t it be nice to start working with the natural texture of your hair?” She thought it was the craziest suggestion. In the end, we put in some layers, I showed her how to scrunch her hair, and how to use a diffuser. I was not being dramatic when I told her that for a week straight, she sent me selfies because she was so excited to see how much younger and more alive her new look made her feel.
The best part is the movement and depth added to your hair by waves. This is for all my ladies with a natural wave. This is especially for you if you have spent years fighting the waves in your hair with a curling wand. I am going to share with you some of my favourite cuts in a variety of styles, from shorts cuts to long layers and lobs. I can’t wait to share my ideas and opinions on everything!
#1: That Perfect Soft Wave with Bangs That Actually Do Something
I like how it all comes together including the loose waves, and the soft bangs that frame the face, as it all combines to create an effortless look. I love the way the darker roots transition to the lighter tips, it all looks so natural and like you’ve spent a summer in the South of France. If you’re on the fence about bangs, this is the style I’d recommend because they aren’t harsh or blunt. They just kind of blend into the face and you don’t have to think about it too much.
#2 That “I Woke Up Near the Ocean” Wave
The layers give off a vibe of “I don’t even try” the shape is killer and the light reflected from the color is everything. Running through is warm and nice. Looks luxe, like your hair’s been treated to some really good skincare. This is going to take some working, but honestly, the payoff is so good. You’re gonna need to get some grit and a bit of a squish to do it. It definitely looks effortless but we both know that isn’t the case.
#3 Light Layers That Give You That “My Hair Just Does This” Bounce
Haircuts that are effortless but still obviously took thought into them are my favorite, and this is EXACTLY that. The layers are subtle so you don’t end up with that ‘layered haircut’ look, but they give your waves some space to move. What I find most beautiful about this is those silver strands. They are not being hidden, and instead are adding dimension to the look that you just can’t get from a box color. If you’re starting to go silver and you’re unsure about it, a haircut like this makes the transition feel intentional and chic.
#4 Soft Layered Curls That Frame Everything Perfectly
Can I just say that the COLOR is making me want to warm up every client who sits in my chair this week? There’s such richness to it, making skin look glowing, and with the curls soft enough to not feel “done,” but structured enough to be polished. The side part is a small detail but it’s doing a LOT, pulling the eye right to the cheekbones, which is always, always a good thing after 50. This is one of those styles where you could roll out of bed, fluff it with your fingers, and look like you have your life together, which is the whole goal.
#5 The Wavy Lob That Makes Fine Hair Look Like It Has a Secret
Fine hair and hair waves. Many of you have been told that you can’t create waves because you have finer hair and look at me and look at this haircut and look at me and tell me that that is true. Because it is NOT TRUE! The layers are creating an illusion of a lot more hair and waves also create that fullness for fine hair that you have to fight for. I honestly get so excited to do cuts like these because the transformation from wet to styled hair is so extreme The shape will completely change your blowout game.
#6 A Wavy Lob with Layers That Actually Move
This hairstyle is great! I can imagine the soft layers that aren’t chunky at all. I can tell the waves are so full of life and aren’t all one length. I have Senior clients over 50 and I make sure to consider how not to make the features look older. This haircut sits at that perfect length where it’s long enough to pull back. But it’s not so long that it will bring your features down. A tiny bit of wave cream is all you’ll need to keep that from going flat by the end of the day. It literally takes like 30 seconds in the morning and you’re done!
#7 Silver Waves with Highlights That Make Them Shine
One less prominent perk of going silver/gray is that it is much more dynamic with waves compared to straight hair. Movement makes hair less flat, dull, and lifeless which is a common issue with silver tones. The highlights woven throughout the hair are great because they provide gray hair with the depth and dimension to look purposeful and contemporary. The length is good because it is long enough to feel feminine and have that lovely wave pattern, but it also isn’t so long that the weight pulls the volume out.
#8 A Short Wavy Crop with Real Personality
I LOVE a fun shortcut, and this one totally vibes. The slight asymmetry gives it that special touch, and the longer pieces at the front keep it from being a generic shortcut. And can we appreciate that bright blonde color? It’s light enough to lift the entire face without being too harsh, which is super hard (for short hair with light colors). If you’re trying to go short and are worried about looking serious or older, show your stylist this picture because it’s the opposite. Some texturizing paste in the hair, a quick wave, and you’re good to go.
#9 A Wavy Pixie That Feels Effortless
I understand that the term `pixie` can be a bit intimidating, but we are talking more of a grown-out pixie. Think really short bob with some waves and texture, and it is REALLY flattering. The soft layered cuts keep things airy, and for fine hair, this is ideal since the volume is built from the cut itself rather than products. That brunette color is doing beautiful things here too, there is a natural shine that makes the whole look feel healthy and vibrant. You WILL need regular trims for this one, and I mean every 5 to 6 weeks, because the shape is everything, and once it grows out even just a little, you lose that magic.
#10 Long Silver Waves That Feel Modern and Free
If someone tells you that you can’t have long hair after 50, show them this picture and don’t talk to them anymore. Because THIS is beautiful. The framing layers prevent it from looking like you are “just growing your hair out.” They give it shape and purpose and show off your features instead of hiding behind a lot of length. The silver longer hair is beautiful and I love women who own it. The waves prevent it from looking heavy or old. I will say that if your hair is fine, you may want to use Volumizing mousse at the root to keep the top from looking flat while those beautiful waves do their thing at the ends.
#11 Pink Wavy Crop, Yes PINK, and It Works
The latest trend features soft pastels, soft pastel pinks more specifically. What’s nice about this trend is that you can be fun and flirty without being super loud and alerting the whole classroom as you walk in. The crop is short and has wavy styling, and is stunning. The layers are also stunning. They give a particular vibe to the hair and prevent it from appearing too prim and proper. And the volume that this style offers to fine hair is insane. Honestly, lighter and fantasy colors will require maintenance and upkeep because the color fades quickly. In between appointments, you can use a color depositing shampoo to keep it looking great, but if you need a little joy in your life and want to do something fun, this is it.
#12 A Textured Wavy Bob That Sits Just Right
The combination of a bob that hits at the jaw and has waves is achingly classic but also so modern at the same time and this does it perfectly. Here, the subtle layers around the face are essential, because without them, you’d just have a bob with some waves, but with them, there’s this beautiful detail that draws the eye to exactly the right spot. It works best on medium to thick hair because the waves help reduce that “helmet” look that is always my concern with bobs in thicker hair. If you have thicker hair and have been worried about going shorter, a bob is a really nice and safe option to start with.
#13 Shoulder-Length Blonde Waves with That Golden Glow
The light blonde waves are beautiful! I want to touch them. This is the kind of hairstyle where the color and the cut are equally important. The texture of the waves really brightens up your entire face! If your hair is straight by nature and I won’t lie, you will need to really like a curling iron or some sea salt spray to achieve this look. But the cut is really easy to maintain because the layers are soft and grow out nicely. That’s what I always think about with cuts, how is this going to look in 6 weeks when you haven’t come back to see me yet!
#14 Soft Waves with Subtle Dimension That Looks Expensive
The best part? It looks like you dropped some serious cash, but trust, it takes almost no effort to style. The waves are simply soft bends, so no need to worry about crazy, beachy, ringlet curls. The movement in this style is to die for! The color adds tons of dimension, and the blended tones are just so perfect. If you have fine or medium hair that tends to lay a bit flat, this cut with some soft layering and the waves will totally transform your look!
#15 Waves with Layers That Actually Fight Frizz
I notice a lot of ladies over 50 are getting some new frizzy textures. With the right layers, waves can be very low-maintenance and hands-off. This cut was done with the right layered placement to keep the cut light and airy without giving the poofy triangle shape that nobody wants. The highlights are really well done; just enough to give depth and brightness without being stripey and out dated. With this cut you will most likely want a good anti frizz serum because the cut itself will do most of the work.
#16 Bouncy Wavy Curls That Frame You Like a Painting
These curls look great! They have the perfect amount of bounce as if you did them yourself. The face-framing curls soften the look which adds to the romantic charm especially beautiful for women over 50. Curls can be quite the effort, but with the right tools like a diffuser, a wand, and curl cream, you’ll master the look in under 10 minutes.
#17 Layered Waves That Work for Date Night AND Tuesday Morning
I call this a “versatility cut” because you can style this haircut in a lot of different ways, and look planned and ready for anything. That’s honestly the mark of a solid cut. The way the layers brush the cheekbone is on purpose, that is a stylist who KNOWS what they’re doing. The waves give this a lot of movement so it always looks interesting and not boring, but she also dialed it in enough that you could walk into a nice dinner and feel ready. There’s definitely some time involved in styling this, maybe 15-20 minutes with a curling iron to get the waves this soft. However, there’s no question that this cut really does work for every situation, so it’s a great cut for sure.
#18 Natural Curls at Shoulder Length That Just WORK
We have to say how lucky you are with naturally curly hair! Yes, there are challenges such as shrinkage and frizz, but when a curly cut is done right, it is one of the most stunning things and this is a perfect example. The layers here enhance the best in what the curls already want to do. They are fighting the curl pattern, but celebrating it. This is a strong example of “work what you have” and the result is stunning, lively, and full hair that requires little to no styling. On humid days you’ll want a frizz control product, but other than that the styling is done! This hair does a lot of the work, and all you have to do is rock it!
#19 Warm Brown Curls with Layers That Keep Things Light
Over the years, I’ve advised my clients with curly hair to get layers to enhance their curls. What happens though is that cuts need to be executed by people who understand the movement and shrinkage of curly hair because poorly executed layers can ruin the cut. This particular style shows how the layering is done correctly because the bulk is removed from around the face and there are no weird gaps or shelves that are created because some people treat curly hair as straight hair when cutting it. A warm brown tone like this is really flattering as it reflects light and makes the curls appear almost caramel tinted, boosting the overall dimension of the look. If you’ve been coloring your hair forever and wondering where to go from here, I’d definitely say this rich warm brown on curly textures like these is the way to go.
#20 A Wavy Bob with Crown Volume That Changes Everything
Hair thinning is normal as one ages, particularly after the age of 50, and unfortunately not many people talk about it. One day, you might just look and see that all of your hair has flattened down at the crown area. This haircut makes it easy to disguise this change because the layers at the crown are cut so you can create some volume and look younger. The front has some softer layers that frame the face and taper down to the rest of the hair so there isn’t a really obvious harsh line. The shoulder length hair is just right so you can tuck it behind the ears and clip the top part up, and it looks good down and wavy in its natural state too. You may require to style your hair on a daily basis to keep it looking voluminous and wavy and it shouldn’t take you more than 10 minutes to do so.
#21 Textured Waves with Highlights That Add Depth Without Drama
I see the waves and the highlights work together seemlessly to create depth. The waves create peaks and shadows that catch light in different ways. Chef’s kiss. Ever gotten highlights that looked flat or one-dimensional? This is the answer. The shoulder length with textured layers is universally flattering. I’ve done this cut on hundreds and hundreds of women and it works every time. The sweet spot we love to achieve is minimal effort, maximum results.
#22 A Wavy Textured Cut That Grows Out Gracefully
Can I share with you something I love about this haircut that you may not have thought of? It grows out WELL! Many hairstyles look beautiful the day you leave the salon but then two weeks later you’re annoyed with your hair again. Since the layers are cut so they are soft and blended with a wave running through them, you will have about 8-10 weeks until you really need to come back. If you have fine or medium hair, the texture gives you an illusion of fullness so you look like you have way more hair than you actually do, and you won’t have to tease, backcomb, or use clip in extensions. The waves also don’t have to be perfect, in fact, the slightly undone, imperfect waves are what you should be going for. If a couple waves fall differently each day, the more the better!
#23 An Ashy Blonde Wavy Bob That Brightens Everything
I love that ashy blonde! It brightens up a person’s complexion and doesn’t go super warm or yellow which is something I get asked about a lot with my clients over 50. The wrong blonde can wash you out completely so I love this choice. The waves in this bob add so much texture and dimension, and for fine to medium hair, this length and weight is ideal because it’s heavy enough to have some movement but light enough that it’s not pulling all your volume down. The soft invisible layers are amazing. You can’t really SEE them but you can feel their effect in how the hair moves and falls, which in this case is incredible. If you’re medium or dark blonde right now and are planning on going lighter soon, bring this photo to your colorist! This is how to go brighter without looking like you’re trying to be 25 again.
#24 Easy Everyday Waves That Don’t Ask Much of You
Everyone wants an easy to manage haircut that also looks good, and this is one of those cuts. The waves are voluminous and look good. The cut has layers that make the hair look good and more natural. What is good about the haircut is it looks good and natural as if this is how the hair is supposed to look. That is a great compliment to the haircut and it is a win. The density and length are perfect to be able to lift up the hair, but also long enough to keep it off your face and looking nice when you see yourself in the mirror. This is the haircut that is similar to having a really good pair of jeans. It just works.
#25 Wavy Layers with Face-Framing Detail That Pulls It All Together
I can tell that the face framing layers are definitely working with this style, and I want to be sure that you see it, because fantastic haircuts can go from “fine” to “wow, she looks stunning” because of small details like these. These types of cuts start at the cheekbone and blend into the waves, which is good because they draw the eye towards the center of the face. The shoulder length is perfect because it will allow enough waves to see the pattern without needing to go super long. The layers make sure that the cut is not heavy at the bottom finally where the wavy hair is supposed to lose balance and shape. If you would like to do more with this cut, then I would suggest some highlight pieces in the front because they will catch the light a lot, but for now it is a solid cut and it will be good as is.
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