As a stylist, I truly value the relationships I build with my clients. It is always interesting to see the diverse ways my clients describe their hair goals, and I recognize that to achieve those goals, different approaches will be needed. For example, I have clients over fifty who have embraced their natural waves instead of straightening their hair with irons and chemical relaxers. One of my clients told me how throughout the 90s and 2000s, she would blow-dry her hair straight every single morning. When she finally decided to allow me to style her hair to work with the waves, she cried. I was able to achieve a great look that made her very happy, and she was quite surprised when I told her that she could have such a beautiful style.
I do wavy hairstyles for all ages, but I would like to be clear that my clients are not trying to look younger. There are numerous misconceptions around older clients and their real, natural, hair texture. I love it when people think their hair is natural is thin and limp and coarse because that is almost never the case. As we get older, hair does weird things to all of us. It may get wavy, coarse in some random spots, and the right cut can actually help with that. I want to share some of my favorite wavy cuts that I believe showcase this well. I have some great styles that I want to share with you, and there are things I want to tell you before adopting any of those styles.
#1: Chestnut Stacked Bob at the Chin with a Long Side Fringe
I really like this one, it is a chin length bob with beautiful chestnut coloring and a really long side fringe that sweeps across the face so elegantly. The stacking in the back gives the cut a rounded, full look and the internal point cutting helps keep the ends looking light. The soft micro-lowlights and strategic root shadows create depth without being overly dramatic. This is one of those cuts that you leave the salon feeling like a new person. I do want to mention that the cut requires some styling in order to achieve the desired looks. It is not a wash and go type hair cut and you will have to put in the effort to achieve the same look every time like a blow out with a round brush. This will probably not work well if you have a lot of fine hair or very tight curls, but if you have thick hair with a natural wave, this will probably be the best cut for you.
#2 Airy Chin-Length Waves with Feathered Layers and a Soft Side Fringe
Although this style may appear straightforward, a lot of detail goes into it to make it look effortless. The inner layers are feathered to give movement to the hair, and the side bangs are wispy enough to provide softness without an extreme commitment. nnI have to mention the crown cowlick: it acts like built-in volume, and people normally consider that a problem, but a good stylist will use it in your favor. The hair color is warm blonde multidimensional with a root shadow for depth. You’ll need to book gloss services every few weeks to keep the blonde looking fresh. Expect to round brush the bangs and use a diffuser on the ends to maintain the waves. It’s a commitment, but the payoff is worth it!
#3 Wavy Lob with Crown Volume and a Soft Root-Blending Balayage
This hairdo is perfect for anyone with grey hair, waves, or frizz. This shoulder-length lob has some layering on top which gives you some volume without needing any extra product. This colouring technique makes your natural grey hair look intentional and softens the look of your roots. I love low maintenance colour and this look is so stunning. The waves look great but this style takes work to look like this. If you want this look, you have to put in the work. Elastic mousse and diffused drying are needed to keep the waves from turning to frizz.
#4 Rose-Gold Shoulder Lob with a Soft Root Shadow
This is beautiful but I do have to give a little warning before you run with this. The rose-gold is a bit softer and more pastel than it looks in these photos, but the blend has some gray hairs in a more seamless way than it just fighting it. The actual haircut is a basic lob that grazes the shoulders with soft layering on the insides and a nice long side sweep. The thing about rose-gold is it will come with needing to fully pre-lighten, and that means a lot if your hair is dark. Pastels fade super quickly (we are talking a noticeable difference within a few washes) so be prepared to do some bond-repair treatments and a heat protectant because the lightening can be really rough on your hair. Because of this, it is a super high maintenance color but the cut is low maintenance, just a heads up.
#5 Copper Shoulder Lob with Interior Layers and Face-Framing Texture
This style looks great for a client who wants some movement with out a lot of sculpting. The internal layers and point cutting the ends make natural 2A/2B waves feel bouncier and more weightless. There’s also a subtle face framing graduation that naturally sweeps the hair out of the eyes. I appreciate that you could air dry this and it would still look good, which is not something I say about every cut. The copper colour is bright, warm, and super flattering on so many skin tones. Just a heads up, though, copper tones fade quicker than almost any other colour family. If you’re good with the upkeep of the tone, go for it! If that sounds exhausting, a warmer brunette might be a better option.
#6 Chin-to-Shoulder Textured Lob with a Root Smudge
Your new style brings a lot more warmth to your look, and the balayage brightens up your face even more. Plus, the root smudge means you won’t have to worry about regrowth for a while. The face framing layers will help soften your jaw too. If I’m being honest, you’ll probably need a wand to get those S-waves, and the mid-shaft texturizing is really important because if you skip it, the ends can look thin and wispy in a bad way. The internal graduation will give you a lot of crown lift, which a lot of my clients over 50 love to get.
#7 Bouncy Mid-Length Wavy Lob with Natural Crown Lift
I appreciate the flow that this style has, as well as the structure that supports it. The longer internal layers define the face nicely, and the subtle clockwise crown growth pattern creates voluminous body, and that is a good thing to have. This looks great with medium-thick wavy hair, as long as it is the sort of texture that has enough body to sustain a wave without needing too much product. The waves will look good, heat styling will be absolutely necessary, and you will not have the ideal conditions if the humidity is high. That said, if you are willing to spend a few minutes round brushing or using a barrel, this style will get you a lot of compliments.
#8 Ginger Shoulder Lob with Wispy Fringe and Natural Texture
I really love the copper tones, and this ginger lob is gorgeous! I think the soft, wispy fringe looks wonderful. The fringe is a tad longer than expected, which helps to keep it from feeling too heavy on the face. The soft internal layers contribute to the movement in the overall style. There’s a little crown cowlick that was purposefully cut in to give some lift, and that is the sort of thing I love; working naturally with what is there instead of trying to fight it. The gloss on the copper is so nice and keeps it enhanced, and just remember that red fades the fastest out of all colors, so you’ll need to come in for touch-ups more frequently. To keep those waves looking fresh between washes, I recommend using a good texturizing product, or if you want to have a more beachy style, go for a barrel that is about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
#9 Feathered Shoulder-Length Waves with Easy Crown Volume
This haircut is great because it looks like it takes effort when really it is quite the opposite. The warm tones are a great addition that also help disguise grays. Also, if your hair is naturally wavy and of medium density, this cut will suit you perfectly. You’ll still get the weight on the ends that you love. To maintain that look you will need to round brush blow dry the ends to create volume. If you have fine hair, it may feel heavy on the ends, but will look great. Also, if you like low effort hairstyles, this may be the perfect cut for you as the internal layers will require minimal effort to style.
#10 Warm Copper Lob with Feathered Face-Framing
I appreciate this copper shoulder lob and the way the feathered pieces frame the face. The shallow off-center part gives it a laid back feel. From what I’ve seen, styles that sit right at the collarbone are universally flattering, and with the internal graduation plus a subtle root shadow, you get lift and low maintenance regrowth. To achieve this look, all you need is a diffuser or 1 inch barrel to enhance the waves. The only thing I’d caution about is the feathered ends may get a bit frizzy without a smoothing cream, so keep one in your rotation.
#11 Auburn Layered Waves with Volume and Feathered Ends
My favorite hairstyles are those that move and don’t make the hair look thin or overdone. In this look, you can see long blended layers and interior point cutting which gives the hair movement at the mid shaft. The ends are softly flippy which adds a charming retro touch to the style. This cut works best for medium to thick hair that is wavy and uses a natural crown cowlick to help create some height which I love! The warm auburn gloss looks stunning, but it will need to be refreshed often to maintain the look. To keep it looking great, the style will need a round-brush blowout with some light heat to keep everything in place. For women over 50 looking for volume without bulk, this is one of the best options I can recommend.
#12 Silver Pixie with Wavy Top and Side Sweep
This look may not be for everyone, but I appreciate its conciseness and beauty. The airy wavy top is really nice, and I like how it tapers to the nape. If you have an oval face, this style is ideal, and it works even better with fine to medium wavy hair. It’ll give you so much more lift and texture in the hair than longer cuts will achieve. The pearl-silver toner here is perfect because it not only cancels out any brassy tones but it gives the silver hair a gorgeous shine. There is a forward-skewed top that gives a subtle asymmetric lift around the temple which is a small detail, but makes a tremendous difference. The only downside is the daily styling needed to recreate the waves. You’ll also have to have regular toning to keep your silvers looking fresh and cool. If you’ve been considering going shorter, this is a very classy option!
#13 Burgundy Mid-Length Waves with a Deep Side Sweep
This rich burgundy color will enhance the beauty of women in their fifties. The long internal layers provide a subtle crown lift while the S-shaped ends are kept soft and minimal. There is no denying that burgundy conceals grey hairs beautifully. I advise my clients that red tones will always fade faster than any other tones, so if you want your hair to feel healthy initiate an appointment for a demi-gloss or toner. You can expect to have color refresh appointments more frequently than if you chose a brown shade. A round brush blowout, or a large barrel wand, will give you the same wave effect.
#14 Silver Shoulder Lob with Internal Layers and a Center Part
This hairstyle is ideal for older people since it has a very classy appearance, but also maintains a sense of style. Long layered bobs that wrap around the face are very chic and the silver and warm tones are an interesting color combination. When people see this color, they will think that you either dye your hair silver or that it’s your natural color. To style, use some product, and either blow dry it with a diffuser, or use a round brush and blow dry. The cut will grow out and show, so you will need a gloss to refresh the ends and give a soft and natural finish.
#15 Shoulder-Length Wavy Layers with Soft Curtain Bangs
This is a great example of curtain bangs highlighting wavy hair as they blend in seamlessly. The short layers at the crown give you volume, and the graduated layers provide movement to the mid-lengths and ends. The curtain bangs also soften the temples in a youthful (if that makes sense) manner. The warm chestnut balayage around the face offers depth in the right spots. Bangs definitely require upkeep and you’ll need trims every few weeks. If your hair is fine, you may need to add some texture or a light perm to keep everything from falling flat. Style using a 1 inch barrel (or diffuser with light mousse) for the best results.
#16 Copper Wavy Lob with Face-Framing Graduation
Graduation from the face is about 1.5 to 2 inches, and it opens the face and gives a nice soft frame around the cheekbones. The internal point cutting encourages S-shaped waves and a subtle crown lift. The copper tone is warm and rich and makes everything feel alive. It’s a lovely cut for natural wavy texture and medium density and I think it’s especially nice for women over 50 who want body and not a lot of layers. The warm red will require periodic gloss and root-melt touch-ups; plus, a 1-inch wand or diffuser will be necessary to reshape the waves between salon visits.
#17 Long Layered Waves with Face-Framing Babylights
Below the shoulder length hair with longer internal layers and feathered ends styled into soft waves with a root melt colored soft with face framing babylights, that brightens at the temples and blends beautifully with natural silver, is one of the better options if the maintenance is a priority. The root shape is really nice here, lifted, and natural with no product buildup, or crunchy volume tricks. This will require heat styling for the polished waves, and because of the length, your drying time will be longer, which I understand bothers some people. The movement is gorgeous and with the low contrast regrowth, you won’t be in the salon every six weeks panicking about your roots.
#18 Sun-Kissed Brunette with Long Face-Framing Layers
I see your hair is long and wavy with face framing layers that reach the mid chest. I would like to discuss the inner layers which are cut at low angles with point texturizing, that is what gives you movement without losing end density. The off center part will give you some root lift, so you won’t have to do anything else for volume. The hair color around the temples is doing something wonderful, the warm lowlights and subtle depth at the roots really open the eyes and disguise the gray nicely. If your hair tends to be really fine, you may find the ends looking flat by the second day. Likewise, you may need to use some product or heat to re-wave it. For medium to thick hair, this will be very low effort for a high payoff.
#19 Long Waves with Mid-Face Layers and Temple Babylights
The mid-face layering is of course the winner. It’s gentle, but gives a nice lift around the cheeks. The temple babylights are nice for opening up the eyes, and don’t require you to do an all-over color. The root depth melt is nice for disguising gray peeking out at the hairline. I like this for someone who wants to maintain their length, but still wants the cut to do more than just sit. The 2B wave pattern with medium-high density looks great here. My only concern is that longer lengths can weigh down very fine strands, and the babylights will need to be glossed periodically to keep the tone from becoming brassy or dull, but if you’re dense enough for it, I really love this.
#20 Chestnut Balayage Shoulder Lob with Curtain-Side Layers
This style is a classic clean shoulder-length lob with side curtain layers that start at the chin and add movement so it doesn’t feel too solid. The chestnut balayage is warm and quite subtle, and the root shadow gives grow-out a graceful appearance, which is always a consideration I take into account when planning a color. I love that the soft point-cut texturing and fine balayage panels really keep it natural. There is a small crown cowlick, which will benefit from root lift styling and some upkeep on the color, but other than that, this is a very easy everyday cut that still looks really nice.
#21 Caramel Face-Framing Lob with Internal Layers
This time, I want you to focus on the root-directional lifting at the back of the part. There is volume there without any teasing or product. That is built into the cut, and is the kind of detailing that makes a difference in how the hair moves. The internal layering keeps the length and removes some bulk. The caramel face-framing babylights soften the jaw and brighten the whole face. The root melt and babelight blend keeps regrowth subtle so you aren’t rushing back to the salon. You will have to do a bit of styling to get that wave pattern back, and if your density is on the heavier side, you may want some nape weight removal to keep everything balanced.
#22 Feathered Wavy Shag with a Wispy Center-Part Fringe
This shag haircut is such a dream! I love the razored feather layers starting at the cheekbones. The wispy center-parted bangs are also super effortless! The built-in crown height is also fantastic thanks to the shorter layers at the top. The slight flicks at the bottom of the layers will help to soften the look of the face as well. This haircut is perfect for hair that is naturally wavy and of medium to thick density. More fine hair will not work with this haircut as it will become stringy with all of the layering and height. The bangs will require some light shaping daily, but this can easily be done with just a few finger combs and some product. If your hair is thick, I would suggest some internal thinning to be done so the hair doesn’t feel too bulky. For this haircut, ask for feathered graduation and a soft root shadow. Hope this helps!
#23 Sun-Kissed Shoulder Lob with a Warm Root Shadow
I don’t have much to say because all the elements come together nicely! It’s a lob with waves that reach the shoulders, and the internal layers that are long and cut point wise. The warm balayage and soft root shadow hide regrowth and give that sunkissed look that is flattering on almost everyone. Naturally 2A/2B medium thick wavy hair will get instant fullness with nice framing of the face. For wave definition and brassy control, you will need product and toner but that’s it! Simple and nice.
#24 Feathered Mid-Length Waves with Soft Curtain Framing
This hairstyle falls to the shoulders and features long, feathery layers, framing soft layers which work beautifully for oval to heart shaped faces. The cut has some short internal layers that give the crown some height, as well as a subtle shadow root with fine babylights to lighten the look without bringing too much focus to it. I like the way it hides light thinning at the temples, which is a problem many of my clients have, and many people don’t want to talk about it. For that pretty soft ‘S’ wave, you’ll need a round brush and a styling iron of 1 to 1.25 inch diameter. Oh, and since you might want to keep the root babylights up for a bit of maintenance, and since the babylights will need to be that soft, you’ll need to do some maintenance, but it will be worth it for the softness and movement!
#25 Textured Side-Swept Wavy Bob with Warm Lowlights
This bob features an asymmetrical weight line that is about three-quarters of an inch longer on one side, which will accentuate the cheekbones in a subtly pleasing way (and most people won’t even know why). For fine to medium thickness, the short inner gradation along with longer framing layers will create more volume. The warm lowlights and root smudges work beautifully for gray hair blending, keep the eyes bright, and give that effortless beachy wave. My only caveats are that fine hair will need root lift and heat resets on the wave and if you enjoy high ponytails and updos, this cut will limit those.
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