See These 25 Women In Their 50s Incredible Hair Makeovers

I love hearing stories from my clients, especially when they get to their fifties, my favorite age group. When a client walks in, sits in my chair, and says “I just want to feel like myself again”, I get their passion. The years spent doing a style out of habit, rather than a style they loved; it’s hard. I’ve done plenty of makeovers, and my favorite ones are not the ones where I focus on making them younger, but on making my clients look like they actually chose their hairstyle on purpose instead of looking like someone stuck in the same hairstyle for 15 years. One of my clients last year, hadn’t changed her hair since her youngest child started kindergarten. That child is now in college! She came in with a vacation photo from the early 2000s and said, “I want to feel like that again”. I told her what she felt in that photo wasn’t the haircut, but the confidence. I knew she could handle doing something big. We changed her hair color and style completely, and she cried when she saw her reflection. There was a lot of emotion in that room, and it wasn’t just because of the dramatic change. She had finally changed something that represented all those years she felt out of place, and that’s what these transformations remind me of.

Every one of the 25 women here discovered clothing that suited them impeccably, ranging from vibrant and bold hues to subdued and sophisticated styles, and they let go of things that weren’t working.

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#1: Warm Copper Pixie with Movement Through the Top

Most of the work done here is based on color, and it’s off to a great start. That copper has just the right amount of warmth to lift the whole face without it trying too hard, and paired with the short textured layers, it gives off this effortless yet intentional vibe. If your hair is fine to medium, a haircut like this will give you more to work with than longer styles, as the layers refract light differently and create the illusion of fullness. You’ll want to get trims every five weeks or so to avoid the shape from going soft, but on a day to day this cut styles itself.

#2 Clean A-Line Bob with a Little Bit of Dimension

I appreciate the simplicity. The A-line works and angles perfectly to frame the jaw. The highlights frame the face beautifully and catch the light well instead of looking stripy. With a cut like this, the technique trumps styling because a clean line means a clean cut. Whoever did this was skilled. The ends will need maintenance every six weeks because blunt ends show neglect. With upkeep, this style will look polished even if you do nothing.

#3 Silver-Toned Textured Pixie That Actually Looks Intentional

Pixie cuts on women in their fifties gives the impression that the stylist is just trying to manage the gray, but this one has real intent behind it. The longer top layers have enough texture to create some interest, and the silver and darker color contrast is quite a graphic and bold choice rather than a compromise. It is especially flattering on defined bone structures, so this cut will give the strongest cheekbones the most to work with. The tradeoff is how often you will need to come in for a trim because pixie cuts tend to grow out unevenly. The daily styling commitment will be almost nothing too.

#4 Shoulder-Length Lob with Soft Curl and Easy Color

It’s hard to pull off a look that seems so risky but is actually so safe. The loose curls will feel natural, but they are structured enough to frame your face. The highlights will give depth without the whole color situation to manage. This length with your natural waves or curls is the sweet spot. You might snag a good curl cream to keep things defined without crunch, but otherwise this look doesn’t ask much of you.

#5 Feathered Short Bob for Fine Hair

This is the kind of haircut I would describe as the most popular option. It is the kind of haircut I could do three to four times a week as it works so well on so many people. The feathered layers add movement to fine hair that makes it look a lot better than it usually does. The length hits just right so that it isn’t too short for women who don’t want to go for a pixie cut and still long enough to feel feminine. If you have thick hair, you might need more thinning and/or texturizing for the same look, and to be honest, at that point, a different cut might suit you better. For fine to medium density hair though, this is a really good option that ages well between haircuts.

#6 Cherry Red Blunt Bob with Just Enough Layering

I won’t pretend this color is low maintenance. You’ll need to come in more often for touch ups because reds fade quicker than almost any color. When the color is fresh, it is so rich and makes a person’s whole presence look amazing. The cut is awesome too. It is blunt enough to keep the lines strong, but the internal layers are just enough to keep it from looking too heavy on finer hair. If you really enjoy the ritual of maintaining a color, and you are willing to invest in a color safe shampoo, this is honestly worth it.

#7 Textured Bob Going Silver the Right Way

I appreciate that in this example the silver is resisting the cut, but rather is integrated into it. It seems the highlights are meant to be bright but not too high in contrast and the texture in the cut adds a lived in feel which works very well as your natural color grows out. It is above the jawline which keeps it lifted and for fine to medium hair this length and texture combination gives fullness without the need for too much product. Sure, it does require regular maintenance on the length, but the color will get easier as your natural silver grows in.

#8 Long Bob with Face-Framing That Does Its Job

These face-framing layers soften the look without making the cut too layered. At collarbone length, this cut suits most face shapes, and the slight color variation adds dimension without a complicated color service. If your hair is fine, you’ll want to use a volumizing mousse at the roots, and blow dry it. This cut needs to have a bit of body, otherwise, your fine hair may fall flat by midday, and the entire silhouette will change.

#9 Copper Bob with Waves That Feel Unforced

The first thing I noticed with this hair color is the impact that it has. It is certainly a color that transforms you and how you skin looks. I snapped the picture while they were styled in soft shoulder length waves that seem effortless, like they just woke up and they’re the best way to go! The cut is simple, but the color is what completes the transformation. Copper is a definite change and I want you to think whether it is going to be a color that is long-lasting for you, as it is going to be a color that is going to be long-lasting for you. Faded copper has a look, but very different from fresh copper. Remember that! Fine hair with medium densitiy holds this length well. It gives just the right amount of weight for a wave to hold a curl without everything flat. The cut is nothing special, but the color is what carries the whole look.

#10 Silver Pixie with Texture That Has Some Edge

It is likely that the layers were cut very precisely, but that is difficult to appreciate fully. The layers are short enough to create some lift and that will help add some attitude to this look. Also, the silver reflects no brassy tones and will hold up well over time; this will look great with any of your all silver looks and will allow the transition to the silver to appear to be a deliberate decision. When you have fine hair, the shorter length works with your density instead of exposing how little there is. To keep your hair looking fresh, a trim every four to five weeks, and a purple shampoo once a week should do the trick.

#11 Long Layers with Warmth Woven Through the Gray

I think it’s neat how the gray isn’t hidden, but instead is mixed with warm caramel shades to create the illusion of it being intentional. The face-framing layers and gentle waves are bouncy and provide just what medium to thick hair needs at this length to prevent it from looking like it’s just sitting there. In comparison to shorter styles, this one is more of a commitment as it requires longer hair which will need a bit more upkeep and frequent trims to prevent the ends from looking thin and tired. However, if you appreciate your length and are not ready to part with it, this coloring technique is a fantastic way to optimize what’s going on.

#12 Pixie with Silver Highlights and a Little Attitude

This pixie is short, textured, layered, and streamlined to allow movement without fuss. The silver highlights brighten the face while the cut’s silhouette stays closer to the head. I’d give this cut to a fine to medium haired customer who wants a polished style that isn’t stiff, but this look isn’t for everyone. If you have smaller features or a round face, this shape can flatten your appearance instead of providing a flattering look. When it works, it works.

#13 Long Sleek Layers with Strategic Brightness

The design gives off a sophisticated look without being over exaggerated. The inner layers are internal and long, which makes the shape streamlined overall. The highlights are appropriately placed and done right, so they frame the face perfectly. Out of all the styles I provide, this is one of the most attractive for straight hair that is medium to thick. It gives you that polished and clean appearance while providing movement. I must say however, that for straight hair, this polished appearance takes a lot more maintenance than most people probably expect. The wash days are more time consuming and require a decent flat iron and some good patience. Along with regular trims to manage those split ends that are always more pronounced when everything is sleek.

#14 Textured Lob That Doesn’t Try Too Hard

A variation of this cut is literally everywhere at the moment, and it’s for a good reason – it works! The length (just above the shoulders) is ideal for ease of styling, and the soft layers provide a non-boxy finish on the thicker hair. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to cut this on women with medium to thick hair and almost all of the times it is a success. For many cuts, such a strong indicator is not often the case. During summer months, you may fight a bit of frizz so it may be worth carrying along a smoothing serum, but other than that, with shoulder length hair, it is as easy as it gets!

#15 Tousled Bob with Quiet Volume

The messy texture is what allows the cut to feel modern and not dated. It is not overly styled or blow dried to death. Just a bob that has some natural movement, sits above the shoulders, and does its job. Subtle layers keep it from becoming triangle shaped, which is always the risk with bobs on fine hair. I appreciate that it doesnt look like it took 45 minutes with a round brush. If you want to achieve this at home, rough dry with your fingers and then use a texture spray. That is honestly most of the work here.

#16 Silver Layered Cut That Makes Peace with Gray

Many women have had trouble accepting the change to gray and while I understand the impulse and sometimes wait to see how a style will evolve, I have seen more women than I can count, and when they finally give in and let themselves embrace the change, they all regret not doing this sooner. This example shows how a good cut can be so simple and so elegant. The layers give fine hair, which can often be so lifeless, fullness, and the waves will help the hair be more animated. There will be some styling required, and while this may be unfortunate, trust me, the time is well spent. When it comes to fine hair, it won’t hold the waves, so you can use the diffuser if you have one, or the big barrel curling iron, and that will do the trick.

#17 Warm Auburn Bob with Texture and Softness

Almost everyone can wear auburn. It doesn’t have the problems a bright red can have. It gives a nice warm complexion and isn’t a juvenile color. The bob gives the fine hair movement as well as helping to soften the jaw line with layers that fall just right. This is a solid choice as a compliment and to say it is dependable. It doesn’t have to be a cut that is breaking the mold to be exactly what someone needs and this cut is a perfect example of that.

#18 Short Feathered Crop with Warm Highlights

These cuts have been proven to be the most successful. Each of my clients is happy, but these women are most satisfied. It’s obviously hard to find a version of the short feathered crop that you like. You never look back when you. Highlights are warm and framing. The face can be glowy and not look highlighted. Easy to live with, with a little lightweight wax and you’re done. I’d only steer this away from people who hate having their neck and ears exposed. No amount of good cutting can solve that issue.

#19 Copper Bob with Soft Bangs That Frame Beautifully

It’s all about the bangs. Without them, it’s just a nice copper bob, but with them it becomes something a little more unique and personal. Soft bangs with a bob at this length create a nice little “frame within a frame” effect. The structured layers add volume to fine hair and the copper shade is vivid enough to say something, but not too much. If you’ve never had bangs before, they’ll take a bit of commitment, like quick round brush blow dries are definitely a thing, and they will grow out way quicker than you’re expecting. But they can completely change your whole face.

#20 Shoulder-Length Textured Cut with Low-Key Highlights

For those who want to change things up but are still a little nervous, I suggest this type of cut. This is a shoulder length cut with soft texture, and subtle brightening highlights that look refreshed, not reinvented. The layers are light enough for movement in fine-medium hair but still keep the length and weight you want to hold onto. To be frank, it isn’t the most exciting thing on this list, but for the right person, it is just enough, and there’s value in that.

#21 Mid-Length Cut with Soft Bangs and Lived-In Texture

The soft bangs and the cut’s textured layers provide a French aesthetic. It is not overdone. It portrays someone with incredible hair that looks effortless. It is effortless, but it takes so much work to get to this point. If you have natural hair, this will work perfectly with the natural waves. If your hair is straighter, you can just take a curling wand and do a quick curl on the mid-lengths to get some good waves. The bangs will need a trim about every three to four weeks. The rest of the style is pretty easy to maintain.

#22 Silver Blunt Bob with Understated Polish

A blunt bob haircut that is silver is my most preferred hairstyle. It is great how the soft colors and the sharp haircut lines go together. The little bit of layering keeps things from looking too serious and the length that just grazes the shoulder is just long enough to be able to pull it back but short enough to keep it looking nicely shaped. When it comes to silver and very light hair, one thing to keep in the back of your mind is that It more honestly show the condition and texture more than the darker shades, which means keeping your hair healthy and always doing deep conditioning. Getting a toner every couple of weeks is recommended to keep the hair looking faded and not just intentional.

#23 Medium-Length Waves with Balayage That Doesn’t Look Dated

This is the best way to do balayage. The color is designed to look like the sun naturally touches the hair and since it grows out you won’t have that harsh line at the root. The soft wave gives movement, the length is easy to manage and it won’t feel too short. Length and style works for most hair types and face shapes, which is rare for me to say. Sure, it won’t shock anyone but it’s the type of look that gives people confidence, and that’s worth a lot.

#24 Silver Pixie with Bright Highlights and Clean Shape

The client’s pixie cut is very well done. The bright silver highlighted hair really brings attention to the face, and the layered pixie cut texture avoids the style being flat, which is a concern with pixies on fine hair. The trimmed shape around the ears and neckline gives the impression of good upkeep, which is the secret to pixies looking fresh and not grown out. For those thinking of pulling the trigger on a short haircut, and especially those who have the face shape to do it, this hair cut will make your morning routine so much easier compared to longer hairstyles.

#25 Soft Waves with Warm and Cool Tones Playing Together

**Most Notable Element** I really like the work with color. There’s a great combination of warm and cool tones throughout the highlights. They give the piece an organic, almost sun-faded, appearance. I can’t believe she spent three hours in the color chair, but I believe it. The shoulder-length cut with some face framing layers is super basic, but the uniformity of the waves gives the hair a slightly styled appearance. If your hair doesn’t wave naturally, you may have to put in the work either with a curling iron or while it’s damp by braiding it. The end result is a look that is both super effortless and pretty. I’d say this is the look where the cut really showcases the color, and the cut is more so just there to support the color.