54 Youthful Medium-Length Hairstyles for Women Over 50

Cindy Marcus
Cindy Marcus Hairstylist, Editor-in-Chief

A medium-length hairstyle for women over 50 is any hairstyle of shoulder to chest-length that complements older ladies with thinning strands by making the hair look fuller. Modern hair-cutting and styling techniques make it a breeze to own extra youthful looks!

Celebrity goddesses Julianne Moore, Catherine Keener, Ann Curry, and Michelle Obama prove that any mid-length hairstyle can be pulled off at any age, serving us some major hairspiration! Whether you fancy straight strands or wavy and textured locks, it’s a guarantee that you’ll be able to rock any of these medium-length haircuts for women over 50.

Switching up your image with a fitting hairstyle should be a piece of cake once you consider your face shape, hair density, and complexion. Veteran hairstylist Laura Eberts works with various techniques – layering, highlights, curls, bangs – and her clients always look fresh and cute!

What’s super about a mid-length cut is that you can have all the styles you want possible – an updo for formal events, when you need to hit the gym, or let it all down on waves for a casual, flirty look! Longer hair, even the medium-length cuts, will help you to look younger. I mean, outdated shouldn’t be in any mature lady’s vocabulary!

So before your next hair appointment, browse our photos of the most popular medium-length hairstyles for women over 50!

Photos

#1: Blonde Hair with a Middle Part

This sleek style breathes new life into aging hair, giving it an unchanged, youthful look. This hairstyle includes a mid-length haircut that trims long hair, helping to manage hefty hair volumes. Its key features are the low-maintenance balayage highlights and a money piece that works together to lighten up the look. The blend of neutral tones used in the highlights flatters most skin colors. For optimal results at home, blow out your hair using a Shark blow-dry brush once a week. Then, apply mousse from the roots to the ends of your damp hair. Maintain by applying your favorite dry shampoo to the roots.

Natural-Looking Mid-Length Thick Curls for Ladies over Fifty

#2 Natural-Looking Mid-Length Thick Curls

Welcome the grace of your years with this refined shift to a medium-length style that brings out the best in mature, textured tresses. Perfectly tailored layers accentuate the oval contour of the face while revealing the rich, multifaceted hues of natural grey curls, lending a light yet full appearance. Opting for this style celebrates the beauty of grey curls with minimal fuss and more defined spirals. Ideal for those with an oval visage and thick locks, just remember it requires a little dedication to the right styling aids and routine trims to keep those curls looking sharp.

Feathered Layered Medium Hairstyle with Blonde Highlights for Women Over 50

#3 Beautiful Layered Shag

Step into a refined style with this graceful medium-length ‘do, tailored to heart-shaped faces. The layering subtly feathers, creating volume that’s just perfect if your hair is on the finer side. Light brown melts into blonde, providing a lush, dimensional feel and making those silver strands look intentional. It’s a savvy pick for a sophisticated yet manageable look, although you’ll want to keep your salon appointments to maintain the crisp layers and color’s vivacity. For daily styling, a bit of volumizing mousse will lift and define those lovely layers.

Textured lob haircut for women over 50 with thick hair

#4 Textured Lob for Thick Hair

This mid-length haircut for thick hair is textured, shaggy, and versatile. If you want low maintenance, try these piece-y layers. If you’re carefree and love wild hair, go for it! Add texture to your hairstyle for women over 50 with thick hair with a dry texture spray like Beach Club IGK or Texturiza by Unite. Rough-dry or air-dry; if you need the extra body, use a medium curling iron. Shake out and add texture with your favorite spray.

Silver blonde medium-length hair makeover showing before and after for a sophisticated woman over fifty

#5 Blonde to Silver Medium-Length Makeover

Dare to dazzle with this silver medium-length transformation! Perfect for thick, natural waves, the sleek styling with curved ends complements an oval face shape beautifully. The expert blend of silver tones adds depth, working as a natural lowlight to create a dynamic, youthful look without overpowering. Ideal for those ready to embrace their silver elegance, it offers an easier-to-maintain alternative to blondes, while still providing ample volume and a touch of class.

Shoulder-Length Cut for 50 Year Old Women
Instagram @typemax1970

#6: Shoulder-Length Cut for Women

Medium hairstyles for older women, like this long bob, are what you need to get a refreshing style. The simple yet sophisticated approach of this mid-length style can be explored with soft curls, layers, and even varied hair colors for women over 50.

Mid-Length Loose Blonde Curls for Ladies Aged 50
Instagram @novaperruquers

#7: Loose Blonde Curls

Taking care of your hair is key to having beautiful curls that are moisturized and have a stunning shape. The curls can add a youthful bounce to your hair, but it’s crucial to see a curly hair specialist. If you often wear your hair curly, try rounded layers. Add some extra shorter layers on the crown for extra volume. It’s vital to use products meant for your curl type. Your curly hair specialist can help you choose the right ones.

Mid-Length Silver Balayage for Women in their 50s

#8 Silver Balayage

You might consider a complete makeover, transforming your current color routine into a grey blended bombshell. Ask your stylist if they specialize in gray transformations, so you know you’ll be in good hands. Completing this makeover may take around 9 hours. You must know that creating this look involves many layers of color service.

#9: Copper Tones with Bottleneck Fringe

The hairstyle is a medium shade of copper combined with a trendy bottleneck fringe. If you explore styles from the 50s and later periods, you might want a hairstyle that complements your facial features. You can try using a copper-tone color that can brighten your complexion. You can also add golden highlights. Pairing this hairstyle with bottleneck bangs emphasizes your eyes and balances a broader forehead.

Cowboy Copper Medium-Length Cut for Ladies Over 50
Instagram @hair.by.maura

#10: Cowboy Copper Cut

Go for a cowboy copper medium-length style. If you want to switch from blonde to copper red, you can modify the color shades in your hair. Your stylist can create a darker shade at the root and lighter copper tones at the ends. This creates a deep and dimensional red. Keeping this in mind, the lighter copper shade is an appealing reflective color for women over 50 and adds a brightness that emphasizes the face.

Mid-Length Extra Long Bob for Blonde Hair and Ladies Aged 50
Instagram @ashley.styling

#11: Extra Long Bob for Blonde Hair

When finding a new and flattering women-over-50’s medium-length hairstyle, an extra-long bob for blonde hair is perfect. This versatile haircut, easy to style and maintain, provides a youthful and sophisticated look. It’s a perfect choice for those aging gracefully. These mid-length haircuts for older women give you many styling options. You can wear it sleek and straight or add loose waves for a relaxed feel. This cut is great for those with fine or thinning hair. It adds volume and texture without making the strands heavy.

Mid-Length Mixed Textures for Ladies Over Fifty
Instagram @skipdoeshair

#12: Mixed Textures

If you’re an older woman seeking a new haircut, consider a mid-length style with a mix of textures. This versatile style adds depth and movement to your hair. Using straight and curly strands gives a natural and effortless style that fits your persona. The mix of textures adds volume and dimension, bringing a youthful vibe to your hair. Style this haircut using a texturizing spray or mousse to enhance the different textures in your hair. Try curling or straightening methods to highlight your hair’s contrasting textures.

#13: Golden Balayage

For women aged 50 and up, the golden balayage is a versatile and beautiful option for medium-length hair. The golden balayage adds depth and dimension to medium-length hair with soft, sun-kissed highlights. It allows for a natural-looking blend of colors, with the golden tones enhancing an overall warm and youthful appearance. This look doesn’t only flatter various skin tones but also adds a touch of elegance. Visit your stylist every 6 weeks to maintain the soft elegance of this style. Also, get color touch-ups every 8 weeks. Medium-length hair with balayage perfectly balances easy maintenance and styling options.

#14: Blonde Straight Hair with Choppy Bangs

Try adding choppy bangs to blonde straight hair. Bangs are a great way to change up a whole look! Adding bangs also provides more versatility when you wear your hair up. For women over 50, having choppy bangs is a youthful and modern everyday style.

Mid-Length Bouncy Butterfly Cut with Curtain Bangs for Ladies Over 50
Instagram @pepperhaircare

#15: Bouncy Butterfly Cut with Curtain Bangs

A haircut in the butterfly style, with bangs styled like curtains, will make your hair look full of life and youthful. Light and airy layers will add texture and volume to your hair. Use a large round brush to achieve the best results from this hairstyle. Apply a mousse that adds volume to provide the most support and shape.

Beautiful Gray Hairstyle at Mid-Length for 50-year-old Ladies
Instagram @sam_olgar

#16: Beautiful Gray Hairstyle

You could continue dyeing your hair or start showing off your natural hair! This beautiful gray mid-length hairstyle not only looks stunning, but it’s also a great style choice to help you transition from dyeing your hair.

Mid-Length Loose and Wild Messy Curls for Women Over 50
Instagram @ruteboazhair

#17: Loose and Wild Messy Curls

This look is so fun and bouncy! The loose and wild messy curls are a great look, especially if you’ve got a natural texture. It would be best if you tried to use a curl cream to keep these curls coiled and hydrated. Curls love moisture!

Wearable Soft Curls for Women Aged 50 with Mid-Length Hair
Instagram @novaperruquers

#18: Wearable Soft Curls

Wearable soft curls can be a refreshing option for women in their 50s with mid-length hair. It’s recommended to keep the layers minimal to achieve a flattering look. However, a few subtle razored layers will give your locks added dimension and movement. They will also keep the overall style natural and effortless. Volumizing mousse can also be a nice ally in creating soft, touchable curls that last all day.

#19: Perfect Light Blonde Curls

Are you a woman over 50 who wants to rock perfect mid-length light blonde curls? Consider a layered cut with face-framing highlights to add depth to your locks. Opt for longer layers if you want the curls to expand without losing their shape. To style, start with damp hair and apply a curl-defining cream from your roots to your ends. Then, use a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer to dry your hair gently with a low heat setting. Shake out your curls with your fingers. Then, finish with a light-hold hairspray to hold the shape all day.

#20: Side-Swept Cut

A side-swept cut is a stylish and versatile hairstyle that can be worn to look youthful and chic in your fifties. This haircut features a mid-length cut that falls just below the shoulders. It has layers added to create movement and texture. The side-swept bangs add a touch of elegance to the overall look while also framing the face in a flattering way. One of the great things about a side-swept mid-length cut is that it’s easy to maintain and style. You can wear it straight and sleek for a polished and professional look or add loose waves or curls for a casual vibe.

Long-Length Vanilla Blonde Hair with Front Bangs for Older Ladies Aged 50
Instagram @mbhairstudio7

#21: Vanilla Blonde Hair with Front Bangs

Update your medium locks in vanilla blonde hair with front bangs. Bangs are trendy and would be a great option to hide those forehead creases that we all have after 50. Be sure not to cut your bangs too short to keep the look soft. Have your stylist add complimenting layers to your length for soft movement. If you don’t have any wave of your own, add some with a 1-inch iron to dry hair.

#22: Classic Soft Shag

Are you a woman over 50 with mid-length blonde hair looking for an easy-style haircut? The mid-length classic soft shag may be perfect for you. This cut offers voluminous and effortless-looking hair with subtle layers and face-framing bangs. It compliments a variety of face shapes. My advice for styling is it’s best to start with towel-dry hair. Apply a volumizing mousse to your hands. Aim to let the hair air dry for a bit, then go in with a round brush for a more soft, natural texture.

Rezo Cut Makeover for Older Women Aged 50 with silver curls
Instagram @hair.design.by.ruth

#23: Rezo Cut Makeover for Older Women

If you are in your fifties, try this Rezo cut makeover for older women! Be sure to ask about the proper maintenance and styling products to support this look.

#24: Pink Balayage

Ask for a mid-length pink balayage. When you want to do an edgier yet sophisticated color, try light pink. If you have a lot of greys, you will not have to pre-lighten. You can do a vivid right over the top. If you want more pieces to pop, doing some pre-lightened around the face would be beautiful. Pinks typically wash out fast, so regularly visit every 4-6 weeks to maintain.

Messy Shag for Women Over 50 with Thin Fine Hair
Instagram @blackbird.salon

#25: Messy Shag for Women with Thin Fine Hair

Cut layers on layers and style in a wild way to achieve an adventurous 50+ hairstyle. You should go for a shaggy medium hairstyle for women over 50. It’s a beautiful shattered lob. The slight angle gives a slimming look by drawing your eye down and framing your face. However, the shattered layers give volume to the crown, drawing your eye up. Medium-length hairstyles for thin hair can be quite versatile.

#26: Sweeping Long Bob Style

A sweeping long bob haircut is a great option for women looking for a fresh, youthful hairstyle. It frames the face without being dramatic and is best on straight-to-wavy hair types. A bonus: this style will bring out your features even more if you have an oval-shaped face! To style it at home, blow dry with a round brush and finish with some flexible hold hairspray. When visiting your hairstylist for trims, request subtle layers around your cheekbones. The layers keep the shape full yet modern looking.

#27: Cut with an Off-Center Part

You may feel the draw to switch things up in your fifties as your aging hair presents challenges. A style like a mid-length cut gives you the ability to have movement. My pro tip is working with an off-center part to create fullness. Your part can be used to hide or highlight facial features. It can hide or show your graying new growth if you add professional color.

Medium-Length Gorgeously Curled Ends for Ladies 50 and Up
Instagram @emanuelrodhair

#28: Gorgeously Curled Ends

Try a curled style for a youthful look. Aging hair tends to be dry, coarse, and frizzy. Doing a deep conditioner once a week will add moisture, shine, and soften your hair. When you want to add curls to your hair, I recommend curling your hair back and away from your face. Doing this will help to lift and brighten your face.

#29: Softly Layered Silver Long Bob

If you want to wear your aging hair without wearing your age, try an angled cut with long layers. The added layers keep the cut from looking heavy and weighing down your facial features. Have your length cut just below the shoulder to give the illusion of length. If you are mostly pepper, ask your stylist to give you a bold money piece. It will give you a softer, brighter appearance.

#30: Big Hair with a Sweeping Part

Big hair with a sweeping part is making a comeback. Just like the 90’s blowout, big hair was before flat irons. To achieve the most volume when drying, use a round brush with a dryer or a blow-dry brush—keeping sections the same size as your brush and elevated above the section. Feel free to utilize hot rollers or pin your hair in curls as you dry that section. It will give you more volume and bounce.

Medium Razor Cut Shag with Fringe for Women Over Fifty
Instagram @bareeminimum

#31: Razor Cut Shag with Fringe

Consider a razor cut shag with fringe. Using a razor will give your fine hair a boost of texture. You will get more body at your crown with all the shaggy layers and fringe. You’ll typically need to get your hair cut every couple of months to keep your cut look fresh. Add volumizing spray at your root before blow drying to get more lift and volume.

#32: Thick Blonde Curls

Thick blonde curls are the epitome of effortlessly chic. If you have naturally curly hair, the best way to get a good haircut is to find a stylist specializing in curly hair. You’ll want the layers cut to support the shape of the curls. If you need to get a perm to achieve curly locks, be sure you have natural hair and are not color-treated, as perms can be harsh on colored hair. Remember to bring photos of the styles you want to your stylist.

#33: Gorgeous Blonde Blowout

Gorgeous blonde blowouts are one of the best decisions you can make after lightening your hair. No matter who your stylist is or what enhancers they claim to use in their lightener, let me tell you, lightening can be damaging. That said, you want to do as much babying to your hair at home as possible. The best step to add to your at-home routine (besides deep conditioning) is avoiding as much heat as possible. That said, your best styling option would be a regular weekly blowout. Blowouts will help to avoid unnecessary washing of your hair, longer days between washes (because your hair is already styled), help you to avoid frizz in your hair, give volume, and also allow for longer wear.

Medium Fluffy Balayaged Hair for Ladies Over Fifty
Instagram @emanuelrodhair

#34: Fluffy Balayaged Hair

If you want to have lived-in color, ask for balayaged hair during your next visit. Opting for dyeing your hair at the ends gives the illusion of an expensive yet low-maintenance style. Medium-length and nicely cut, fluffy layers have become a highly requested service in the salon because of their flexible style.

Mid-Length Beachy Blonde Waves for Women 50 and Over
Instagram @gabrygh

#35: Beachy Blonde Waves

You can have super charming hair with beachy blonde waves. Blonde hair looks trendy and stylish when curled to perfection. Try to figure your way around a curling iron to get the perfect beachy wave. If you can, use a deep conditioning treatment once a week to keep heat damage minimal.

Mid-Length Grey Feathered Ends for Women Over Fifty
Instagram @laviolabeleza

#36: Grey Feathered Ends

Grey feathered ends are a gorgeously mature way to wear your hair if you’ve grown out your natural sparkly mane. Ask your stylist for defined layering around your face to achieve this effortlessly swept hairdo—style with a blowout to get luscious volume.

#37: Loose Blonde Curls

Shoulder-length loose curls are a great style for women over 50. The shoulder length provides an easier amount of hair to work with. Try using a flat iron to quickly add curls to the hair, and finish with a working hairspray.

#38: Blonde Balayage

For an instant facelift, go for a medium-length blonde balayage. Cutting off dead ends and giving hair brightness around the face will make you look ten years younger. Making your hair healthy as you age is very important for beautiful and youthful-looking locks.

#39: Blonde Balayage for Coarse Hair

Blonde medium-length hair is a natural style that can work well on ladies in their 50s. The color palette usually ranges between two or three tonal changes. Traditionally, darker roots have brighter ends. Placement can be customized to highlight or contour facial features or to compliment the haircut.

Short Shag with Choppy Fringe Bangs for Women 50 and Over
Instagram @felix.lynn

#40: Short Shag with Choppy Fringe Bangs

A shag with bangs is a retro do’ that has returned to the scene. This feathered feel is great for wavy to straight textures. To achieve this style naturally, use styling aids like Kristin Ess Hair Sea salt air dry Mousse while working it into towel-dried hair with a Denman brush and styling it in a wet-to-dry set for optimal movement.

Instagram @erikamarie72

#41: Face-Framing Bangs

This long bob may be the key to achieving a different hairstyle. The fringed bangs on women in their 50s can take years off their faces. Transition your medium-length hair into a shorter style that’s fresh, flattering, and fun!  You can give it many personalities by adding layers, doing all one length, or stacking it in the back! The longest part of your hair in the front can act as an arrow towards your facial features. So make sure you talk to your stylist about what would be most flattering with your features and style!

Mid-Length Hair with a Middle Part for Women 50 and Up
Instagram @hair.chels

#42: Hair with a Middle Part

Mid-length hair with a middle part creates an elongated facial shape that can help a round face appear oval. A middle part can draw more attention to facial symmetry by creating a mirror line effect.

Textured Cut for Thin Hair
Instagram @kazzstyle_

#43: Textured Cut for Thin Hair

A textured cut for thin hair will add width and volume to your style. Women over 50 tend to find their hair becoming a little thinner. While layering too much can remove the weight, adding texture is a softer way of layering to maximize fullness. The textured layers widen the volume of hair, especially when blow-dried with a round brush.

Blunt Cut with Layering
Instagram @soubecas

#44: Blunt Cut with Layering

Pairing a blunt cut with layering will give locks extra volume and movement. This cut gives a feminine but dynamic and professional style. For styling, use volume mousse for the root volume. Argan oil would also be helpful in moisturizing and glossing the mid-lengths.

#45: Long Bob (Lob) Hairstyle

Easy does it with long tresses maintained gracefully for women in their 50s. Hair falls slightly past the shoulder, which achieves a mature yet modern look.

Medium Length Feathered Layers
Instagram @hairjustine

#46: Feathered Layers

You can never go wrong with so much texture as this flyaway ends give! Shorter layers and feathered hair create more body and make for one of the better hairstyles for women over 50 with thin hair.

Instagram @lee.young63

#47: Natural Bob for Curly Hair for Older Women

Consider a natural bob for curly hair for older women. Aside from the curls, this style has a lot of texture, making the tresses seem full of life! To maximize its beauty, use a texturizing product as a finishing touch.

#48: Layers For Women with Glasses

Opt for a gorgeous way to show off some layers and give volume and texture to your medium hair. Full bangs and frames accentuate this cute hairstyle for women over 50 with glasses and eye color.

#49: Collarbone-Length Side Part

Be the best you can be in your 50s with neatly parted hair that flicks backward for a softer effect. The brunette hues add natural touches to the medium hairstyle that will help tame your appearance. This is one of the best medium-length haircuts for ladies over fifty.

Medium Length Wavy Lob Hairstyle
Instagram @tegs_shaghair

#50: Wavy Lob Hairstyle

A medium-length wavy lob hairstyle can lift your facial structure and make the hair appear thicker. A medium-length hairstyle for a woman over 50 balances the face and length. This also prevents the hair from dragging the face down. To elevate this length, add some soft waves and run your fingers through them to break them up. It’ll create a stacked effect and fill the hair out, especially finer hair.

#51: Layered Bob

This cut is a medium-length lob (long bob) with light layers at the bottom. The layers give it movement, enabling you to wear it in multiple ways. It can be worn casually or dressy, curly, messy, or straight.

#52 Beach Waves

Get medium-length beach waves to ensure your hair looks and feels fuller. Shoulder-length haircuts for 50-year-old women are a great option to make the tresses look thicker and versatile enough to wear up or down. To maximize this length, add some beach waves to widen the appearance of the hair and add a youthful softness.

👉 Here are more quick and easy wash and go hairstyles for mature women in their fifties

#53: Angled Bob

Medium hairstyles for women over 50 are about finding a versatile cut that works with your hair density, facial features, and lifestyle. This shoulder-length cut is very low-maintenance but modern. The style will work great if you love wearing messy hair, naturally wavy or curled loosely. To style medium haircuts for women over 50 like this one, I suggest you use a leave-in conditioner, blow-dry balm, and a 1-inch curling iron.

#54: Lightly Layered Cut for Older Women

Opt for a layered cut for older women, such as this collarbone-length haircut in natural blonde hair. The cut and color framed around the face offer youthfulness and glow. This hairstyle is great for women in their mid-50s who want low-maintenance hair or are more high-maintenance. The medium-length caters to both. It can be tied back into quick style or blown out.