Do you happen to be over 50 and thinking about getting some face framing layers to help make you look younger? You’re not alone! The right face framing layers can make a huge difference to your style without losing any of that volume.
Most people assume that the trick is in the layering but the real secret is in the *placement* of those layers. I learned this lesson the time a client came in with a Jennifer Aniston magazine cover. I thought I would create some amazing layers. But it turned out I had placed that hair way too close to the temples. She returned a week later and I thought she looked bald because those pieces were bobbing around. That was the last time I did a hair cut like that with fine hair. I can still picture the defeat on her face as she turned toward the mirror. Since then, I’ve been meticulous to not make that mistake. These days I usually have the layers cut right at the chin or even lower. That way, I have enough weight in the ends to make sure all the layers feel substantial.
Properly cut layers create beautiful movement in your hair and help it catch the light and draw attention to all the right places (without all the wispy stuff). For each client, I angle my cuts differently depending on their face shape… For example, longer diagonal layers will help slim the face down, and shorter curved layers will help if you have a strong jaw that could use some softening. I also think that point cutting gives an airier finish compared to blunt cuts, and that self-styling look (especially with a round brush) is cleaner and way better than the look you get from blunt ends that look like you used some craft scissors on your hair.
Check out these style options and choose one that speaks to you!
#1: Layered and Light with Just the Right Amount of Texture
This cut is well-behaved and looks so effortless. I love the crafted layers and the textured facial layers that bring the cut movement. There is enough lift at the crown to avoid flatness (my biggest pet peeve with my fine/medium haired clients). The length is really wearable and I big plus is the haircut doesn’t scream ‘I just had my hair done’, it just looks healthy!
#2 A Pixie That Actually Gives You Something to Work With
Pixies can sometimes look sad with hair style that looks its just given up. This style looks intentional. Its have the volume where its looks nice at the top and the texture isn’t crunchy or overdone and looks soft. The color here works and I love that. A rich warm tone will change how your skin looks and short cuts like this really wake everything up. If you have fine hair and you are nervous about going short, I would steer you toward this version because it proves you can have a pixie that looks full and interesting. You will want a good texturizing paste and that’s non negotiable for that tousled finish.
#3 The Kind of Pixie That Makes People Ask Who Does Your Hair
This haircut is amazing! The layers perfectly accentuate the face. The added waves give more movement to the style which a lot of pixies miss out on because the hair is too straight or too flat. What I think works best is that the style has just the right amount of edge without trying too hard to be young and fun. I think it carries a lot of confidence and maturity. It will look even better with some warmer hair tones with a pick up of light and a little glow near the face.
#4 A Bob That Knows What It’s Doing
The aim for this cut is to make hair flow freely instead of having being constrained to a specific block shape. It’s still going to have some body to it and that wave will help all the fine hairs look like they have a lot more going on. The layers will be subtle enough to balance the ends so you aren’t losing density where you actually need it. This bob has the potential to look like it has shape without being stiff and that is exactly what you want from a bob. I think you could pull off some solid air dry hair days with this cut. Just run your fingers through it and leave it as is.
#5 Soft Layers That Just Flow Without Any Fuss
I appreciate the highlight placement in particular because so many women over fifty get highlights that look dated due to being overly chunky or too blonde. These highlights are warm and multidimensional, and the placement looks expensive without being too much. Overall the natural wave helps the styling so much, and the face framing pieces are soft enough to blend with the rest of the cut so it doesn’t feel like there are two heads going on. If your hair has any wave at all, this is definitely the cut to do it.
#6 Golden Curls That Actually Frame Instead of Just Frizzing Out
Thank you for this curly cut! I know how difficult they can be to get done correctly, so I really appreciate the effort. And I really love the difference. Your golden color is so warm and nice and best of all it’s not brassy! The way the curls are layered is just right so they won’t get clumped together, which happens a lot with over layering. If you’ve got naturally curly or wavy hair that you’ve been fighting for years, then this is a sign to stop the fighting. This cut really captures all the details that show knowledge of the shape that curls need. The only product needed to keep the curls bouncing and defied is a lightweight curl cream.
#7 Beachy Without Being Costumey
I personally think that the beachy waves trend is kind of ridiculous. Beachy waves are literally just messy hair and that is not a desirable look. This particular layering and highlighting does achieve the goal though, especially since the highlights aren’t just parked vertically in stripes. With this length, you have versatility which I appreciate in a haircut. You can wear it down, or do a half up and it will still look good. If your hair is on the thicker side though, definitely make sure you get some thinning done to the ends so it doesn’t get too bulky. This style is all about the effortless look, so the ends should have a lot of movement.
#8 Warm Chestnut That Wears Well Between Appointments
The face-framing layers that hit the jaw give a more subtle lengthening appearance to the jaw. I also keep going back to the colors. The mix of cool and warm tones in the chestnut color is rich and inviting in contrast to just being artistic. It’s a smart cut for someone who doesn’t want to be in my chair every 4 weeks because the grow-out on these layers would be more graceful than awkward. The color has enough dimension that blending roots would look intentional for an extended period of time.
#9 A Clean Bob That Still Has Personality
Chin length bobs can come off as boring and all business or look like something from a 2006 company headshot. But the style’s rough texturing creates deliberate imperfections and tells us that this is a current style. I think there are just the right amount of face framing layers, because with more shorter pieces around the face, the straighter hair does not look as good. This is a style that looks incredible on the first day, but honestly looks even better on day two after it has settled.
#10 Rich Chocolate Tones with Layers That Lift
I tell my clients that the right color can be just as transformative as the right cut. Here we see a warm chocolate tone interacting beautifully with her skin. The face framing layers have a lovely lifting effect by hitting right at the cheekbones. It’s a contour you don’t have to reapply daily. The highlights are stunning. It’s so natural with the right lightness and variation. No overdone highlighting here. This cut is a great option for women who want enough hair for volume but prefer not to spend more than 20 minutes styling.
#11 A Textured Bob That Works Harder Than It Looks
At first sight, this hairstyle looks easy, but if you look closer, you can see the details in the layers and how the volume is placed perfectly. The ends have just enough texture to avoid that flat-iron look that can make people look older. This cut is great because it is just above the shoulders so it can be tucked behind the ears on lazy days, but short enough to have more movement. For finer hair, just add some volumizing mousse to the roots before blow drying, and this haircut will really come alive. That said, the shape of the haircut really does a lot of the work.
#12 Bouncy Curls That Know Where to Land
When hair is wet, curly layers will take on a different look than when dry. The person who did this knows how to position the curls so that many of them fall right on the cheekbone and jawline, which is super important. This cut has a lot of bounce, which gives the hair fullness without the bulk, which is really tricky to do with curly hair. When working with curly hair, you have to be extra careful because if you thin it out too much, you’ll get the dreaded frizz and those weird, sparse, see-through spots. If your hair is wavy or curly and you have been straightening it for years, look at this cut and see if you have been working against your best feature this whole time.
#13 A Bob with Bangs That Actually Behaves
I always take extra care when someone wants bangs. I’ve seen many women do this on a whim and then spend four months pinning back their bangs every single day. These bangs, however, are the type that truly deserve to be on your forehead. They are a little wispy and textured so they won’t look plank straight across your face. They also blend into the rest of the bob so it feels like one haircut instead of two haircuts stuck together. The length also gives room to style them off to the side on days when you don’t want bangs, which is important. No one wants to have the same look day in and day out.
#14 Short and Full in All the Right Places
I believe this style achieves a volume at the crown that many fine-haired women desire, and I think this is due to the softness of the facial framing and the length gradation from shorter to longer. It is not one of those drastic side-short placements that can look quite severe against more mature features. It’s soft, shaped, and has some movement – three things shorter cuts often forfeit in the name of being “edgy” and that is not what most of my clients over 50 are looking for at all. A warm rich colour would really finish this look off, something brightening around your face that is not too light.
#15 Curly Bob That Creates Fullness You Can Actually Believe
An angled bob is great for waves and curls! make sure the cut has layers to give each curl room to separate. Curls tend to spring upwards and look a lot fuller when cut to shoulder length. With this type of look, it is clear that you do not want to use heavy products. A light mousse is a great option to help the curls and waves pop. Avoid heavy products, otherwise your goal will be completely lost.
#16 A Pixie with Warmth and Softness Built Right In
The contrast is wonderful and the color is very warm and pretty, so it is worth mentioning. A lot of women wear their hair in lighter colors because they think it will look softer, when in reality it can wash the face out even more. A rich warm color can brighten the face more. The minimal face framing pieces in front are just enough to soften the transition from hair to skin and make the jaw look elegant instead of exposed which is a shorter cut concern of mine. This would be a great choice for an oval or heart face shape who wants something low maintenance in the morning but still looks put together and intentional.
#17 Stacked Chocolate Layers That Move When You Do
I appreciate a stacked layer because it creates a nice graduated appearance in the back and adds volume where it is lost first—at the crown and just behind the head. This chocolate color is gorgeous, and it’s not trying to be anything else, so I respect that. Sometimes you have to opt for a rich natural color and let the cut do the talking. I have to be honest, this works best with medium to thick hair. If your hair is really fine, the stacking will appear more sparse in the back than it does here.
#18 Mid-Length Layers That Look Expensive
For some reason this cut just oozes wealth. It think it’s the proportions. Everything is perfectly layered, and the face framing layers stop at the right point. The color is a stunning warm tone that looks natural (we know it didn’t grow out like that). The movement is awesome, and effortless. It doesn’t have those obvious curls and waves, just hair that has that little swing when she turns. The cut just has that subtleness that gives it life. If your hair is in the fine to medium range, this is perfect for you! You could probably get away with just a round brush blow dry and that’s it.
#19 Bangs That Blend Into Layers Like They Were Always There
The first thing I notice about this haircut is that the bangs stay bangs. Instead, they become longer side face framing layers, and most of the time that seamless transition is what makes it look more natural and less constructed. When the hair is cut to medium length just below the shoulders, it is nice because there is no commitment to a short or long hairstyle. You are in that comfortable middle zone where you have so many options. With the subtle wave, it creates enough body that fine hair doesn’t look flat. Also it does not give so much texture so you don’t have to spend a lot of time styling it that way every morning.
#20 Shoulder-Grazing Layers That Keep Things Interesting
This haircut is perfect to graze the shoulders, allowing the hair to touch and flip out a little. The kick out at the ends creates a natural look. The ends give hair some direction and attitude plus the best part is you don’t have to style it at all. The inner layers of the hair are light and create movement while still retaining the fullness and density of the hair. Thick hair that has aged a bit looks great, and can even look more dense with some thinning. I would say embrace the hair’s natural tendency with this cut, and don’t fight it. The shape is designed to work with little imperfections.
#21 A Jawline Bob That Earns Its Keep
This bob hits perfectly at the jaw and the layers are doing that thing where they create enough separation to see through a bit, which sounds like it would make hair look thinner, but it achieves the opposite because it creates the illusion of more movement and more texture. The highlights are subtle and right where the face-framing layers are, so when the light hits those pieces they pop and draw attention exactly where you want it. I’d recommend for those with finer hair trying this to use a light hold volumizing spray at the roots to give that little lift at the crown that takes the whole look from good to really good.
#22 Rich Chestnut Layers with Bangs That Frame Beautifully
The chestnut color has a gorgeous richness to the hair due to the natural highlights. With this much thickness, there is some really cool dimension to the hair where the rich variety show depending on where the light hits. It’s reminiscent of beautiful wood grain (if that’s a weird comparison for hair). The face framing bangs are just the type that grow out nicely, which is always appreciated because no one wants to get stuck with bangs and have to come in every 3 weeks for a trim. This is a cut that I would spend a little more time on because the weight distribution of the bangs and the layers is what really makes the cut go from good to bad. If it’s too heavy, it looks like a helmet. If it’s too light, the bangs separate and show forehead in strange places.
#23 Soft Waves with Bangs That Play Well Together
I have to say that the natural waves in her hair really suit this haircut. If her hair was pin straight I’m sure it would look different, not in a bad way just a more polished look, whereas this look has that effortless quality. I also prefer the wispy bangs over blunt bangs like this especially on women over 50. Blunt bangs can look very harsh and draw attention to forehead lines instead of hiding them. A light styling cream through the ends, would help to define those waves and keep the bangs styled without looking stiff or thick.
#24 Copper That Actually Looks Like It Belongs on You
I think it’s pretty safe to say I’ve talked about copper tones the most, and while I do try to be realistic with my clients about the fact that not everyone can pull a copper tone off, when they work, WOOOOOORK. Here a warmth in the color is so well blended with her skin tone that it looks intentional rather than a box dye accident. The bangs that do the face angle softening thing are, in my opinion, exactly what I would prescribe to people who have slightly more pronounced jaws or more angular features because they create a rounded soft look, without it being too evident. The shoulder length bob is a lovely addition to the whole look, giving it a fresh and modern twist, and to be honest this is one of those hair colors that makes you look like you’ve just come back from a sun holiday in mid-Feb.
#25 Textured Bob with Bangs That Won’t Fight You
The bangs are doing their job just right, blending in with the cut and softening the forehead and framing the face without drawing too much attention away from the rest of the cut. I like the restraint shown in layering as it can be very tempting to do more for finer hair, but the problem is you lose weight at the ends and everything is see-through, which is the opposite of what anyone wants. This cut is so nice because it has the right amount of texture and keeps the fullness, and with the length it gives it that nice balance where it looks intentional and put together whether you style it or not.
#26 Copper Waves That Catch Every Bit of Light
I think the subtle lightening technique is very underrated. It is a fantastic option instead of regular highlights which look stripy when grown out because they are a few shades lighter up to the root. Instead, we have gentle lightening where the hair moves the most, creating an illuminated glow that is subtle. The layers are more of a classic style for face framing, and nothing too outrageous, but the execution is spot on. They are giving her hair a lot more direction which is exactly what layers should do. The overall cut will grow out beautifully in about six to eight weeks which is ideal because it won’t look like it needs a trim desperately. I think it is a good consideration for someone who doesn’t love being in the salon every month.
#27 A Textured Bob with Highlights Placed Where They Actually Matter
You have used highlighting techniques that are well thought out. In a lot of cases I see highlights that have been placed as though they have been randomly scattered like confetti, and while it might look beautiful, it does not do anything to enhance the face. These highlights, however, are positioned around the face-framing layers, so when she moves her head, the sections draw light and create that beautiful brightness in the focal point, the eyes, cheeks, and jaw. Considering her natural waves, I think this look would take minimal styling effort to get it looking this good. That is always my goal with clients, and I hope that it’s the case.
#28 Layers That Soften Without Thinning Things Out
This style stands out to me because of how simple it is. Rather than incorporating over-done layers and dramatic face-framing pieces, it just lightly shapes the hair around the face to soften the jawline. The length being below shoulder gives the style enough weight so that even fine hair will look full, and the layering is so good that you won’t have weird flat spots where the shorter pieces just fall. This is definitely a “your hair, but better” style which are notoriously difficult as there is no room for error. I think they achieved a great look!
#29 Long Sleek Layers That Let the Color Do the Talking
In this case, the best part of the haircut is probably how it will let the hair be itself. This hairstyle can also help the hair be healthy and well-colored. Other than a small amount of breaking up the triangle shape that straight hair gets when it grows out, there are not very many layers. This is particularly good for people with a medium amount of straight hair who want a more polished and modern look without having to put in the effort to create some volume or texture. The color will work without needing to use any tricks.
#30 Silver Waves That Actually Look Intentional
I’ve followed the silver hair trend and noted how the tone of your hair can make it look incredible or like you simply disregarded your hair. This one hits the mark; blending warm and cool tones gives some dimension to the hair so it doesn’t look like a dull grey. When it comes to curls, they add volume to the front and the crown area, and where the hair tends to thin the most, which is one of the biggest benefits to embracing your natural texture instead of doing a full straighten. I hate to admit it, but yes, maintaining silver hair is a lot to keep up with. You’ll need a quality purple shampoo, and you’ll have to schedule toner appointments every five to six weeks to keep the brassy tones at bay. Silver hair is beautiful, but requires a lot of ongoing maintenance to keep the color from transitioning to an undesirable yellow tone and that’s maintenance most people don’t want to deal with.
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