10 Youthful Hairstyles That Are Truly Age-Defying (2024)

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  • Hair

From pixie cuts to long, angled layers.

By

Victoria Moorhouse

10 Youthful Hairstyles That Are Truly Age-Defying (1)

Victoria Moorhouse

Victoria Moorhouse is a writer, editor, and consultant based in Brooklyn, New York who focuses on beauty, fitness, and health. Victoria was previously the Senior Beauty Editor at InStyle.com and a Senior Editor at POPSUGAR. Her work can also be found in notable publications such as Shape.com, The Zoe Report, Forbes.com, and Well+Good. She graduated from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Professional Writing.

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Updated on March 6, 2024 @ 04:04PM

10 Youthful Hairstyles That Are Truly Age-Defying (2)

Finding the perfect, most flattering haircut is a challenge for all ages. You want a style that is going to make you feel your most confident, flatter your features, and help you look your best. "When we age, we want to have a more glowing effect with our skin and our hair," says expert Natascha Hemple. "When I have clients that want to change their look to appear more youthful, I ask them what they dislike about their look now. Then, I focus on their face shape and the areas that seem to make them look older." But going back to the cut you had when you felt your youngest probably isn't the best route to go. So instead, test out the ageless styles that Hemple and fellow expert Brian Zinno recommend.

Meet the expert

01of 10

Long Pixie Cut

10 Youthful Hairstyles That Are Truly Age-Defying (3)

Hemple recommends trying a shortcut with some volume, like Halle Berry's long pixie here. Her pro tip? Keep the strands tousled and soft, rather than spikey.

02of 10

Stacked Bob

10 Youthful Hairstyles That Are Truly Age-Defying (4)

Try a stacked bob that is shorter in the back and longer in the front like Cameron Diaz's cut here. Hemple says that the asymmetric cut will complement practically any face shape. Plus you can wear it straight, curly, or tousled.

03of 10

Pixie Cut

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"A lived-in pixie that has a little length around the face is a flattering style for short hair. It's particularly youthful because it's a no-fuss hairstyle," says Zinno. He adds it works on many face shapes, and is particularly low-maintenance, which means you don't have to stress about styling it every single day. When looking for a celeb picture to bring to the salon, we think Kris Jenner is a no-fail option.

04of 10

Tousled Bob Cut

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If you're most comfortable with bob-length hair, go for a chin-grazing style that incorporates layers. "It's youthful because while it's a bob length, the layers around the face keep it soft and flowing without the usual angular lines of a bob, and the layers in the crown or around the perimeter give lift and movement." We love Viola Davis's soft, layered, and tousled bob, while Zinno says that Helen Mirren is another example of this gorgeous look.

05of 10

Shoulder-Length Cut With Layers

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"Jennifer Aniston has had this length, and what makes it look youthful is when the ends are shattered to keep it from looking blunt and heavy around the perimeter," says Zinno.

He suggests longer angles around the face and below the jawline to keep the look flowing and soft.

06of 10

Medium-Length Cut with Long Layers

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Eva Longoria has also demonstrated soft, shattered angles in the past, which she seamlessly wore between sleek and straight styles and in effortless, loose waves. Hemple says long layers always give off a youthful appearance. She adds that off-center or side parts that "fall naturally in place can make the eyes seem wider to give you a more youthful appearance."

07of 10

Medium-Length Cut with Side Fringe

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"A favorite timeless hairstyle for long hair is cascading layers flowing from a shorter length around the face — a long fringe or side bang — to longer to the back," says Zinno. "This creates movement in the style and opens up the face." He suggests this cut styled in soft waves just like Julia Roberts.

08of 10

Long Cut with Waves

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As far as how long is too long? Zinno suggests keeping your length around the breastbone area. Hemple adds that waves or bouncy style, like Christie Brinkley's here, "open all facial features to compliment a bright open look that makes you look rested."

09of 10

Low Messy Bun

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Zinno says that youthful-looking updos should be kept slightly undone and casual and never too tight or polished. We love this low coif seen on Keri Russell.

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High Ponytail

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Jennifer Lopez's high, snatched ponytail has a lifting and tightening effect on the face. Curl the ends to give the style a soft, effortless vibe.

Updated by

Tessa Petak

10 Youthful Hairstyles That Are Truly Age-Defying (13)

Tessa Petak

Tessa Petak is a Brooklyn-based writer who helps to cultivate InStyle's illustrious news coverage across a wide range of topics including celebrity, fashion, and entertainment. She also produces and composes celebrity profiles and features for the site and InStyle's digital issues.

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10 Youthful Hairstyles That Are Truly Age-Defying (2024)

FAQs

What are the 4 anti aging hairstyles? ›

Alice has shared four different looks women over the age of 40 should go for if they want a “more youthful” style.
  • Modern pixie cut. ...
  • Layered and choppy bob. ...
  • Relaxed lob. ...
  • Long and feathery waves.
Oct 15, 2023

What hair style makes you look younger? ›

Long, Wavy Layers With Off-Center Part

According to Hemple, long layers always give off a youthful appearance. Off-center or side parts that fall naturally can also help to open up the eyes.

What hair length makes you look older? ›

Mitch Stone, stylist to the stars, warns, "once hair has passes your ribs, it is officially making you look older." Trimming a few inches off your locks is an easy fix for this common hairstyle mistake, taking years off your appearance and revitalizing your look.

What are the four haircut mistakes that instantly make you look older? ›

Jack Miles and Rosie Myers have decades of experience cutting and styling hair. Between them, they have said four types of layers can age someone. These are layers that are too short, layers that are too long, layers that are too uniform, and having too many layers.

What is the best hairstyle for a 70 year old? ›

Whether you want to look younger or embrace your age, these are our favorite hairstyles for women over 70.
  • Pixie cut.
  • Classic bob.
  • Baby bangs.
  • Shag haircut.
  • Natural shoulder-length.
  • Graduated bob.
  • Salt and pepper.
  • Silver.

What makes a face look younger? ›

Protecting your face from the sun is the single best way of keeping it youthful. You need to regularly use sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB light, with an SPF of at least 30. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat is also a good idea.

What hair color makes you look younger? ›

What Color Hair Makes You Look Younger? Brighten up! Ten out of ten colorists agree, shades that are warm-toned read more youthful than cool-toned hair colors. Spicy copper reds, rich caramel brunettes, and soft honey blondes will warm up your complexion for younger-looking skin (hold the retinol).

Do bangs make you look younger or older? ›

Bangs can add personality and youth to a person's appearance, but not all bangs have the same effect. Blunt bangs can draw attention to the middle of someone's face, which may or may not reveal their age. Also, bangs must be the correct length to accentuate facial features without casting shadows.

What is the most flattering hair length for over 50? ›

One of the most versatile and universally flattering hair lengths for women over 50 is shoulder-length. This medium length allows you to experiment with different styles while still maintaining a youthful appearance.

Should a 70 year old woman wear bangs? ›

The answer to the question is a resounding yes! Bangs are fun and youthful, sure, but they're also sophisticated and look good on everyone, whether your hair is curly, straight, short, long, or in between. The important thing is to find a style of bangs that works for you and your lifestyle.

Does a long bob make you look older or younger? ›

How Can a Bob Age You? This isn't unique to just bobs, but Joseph warns if a bob doesn't work with your face shape, it can make you look older. “Also, a shorter cut draws the eye up, where as a longer style draws the eye down, taking the focus directly off the face.

Does a ponytail make you look younger? ›

Wear a ponytail

According to the expert, wearing a ponytail is a well-known hack to achieve a younger appearance. She explained: “Long hair? Try brushing it back into a high ponytail as this also slightly pulls the facial skin back. It's essentially like a facelift, with just a simple brush and tie!”

Does short hair or long hair make you look younger? ›

Will having long hair or short hair make me look younger? If you have medium to thick hair, a lengthier mane can give off an air of youthfulness. But if your hair leans thin, it's best to go with a cut that's mid-length or shorter to lend natural volume to your look.

What is the best haircut for sagging jowls over 60? ›

Nicole warned: "Women with jowls should avoid haircuts that reveal the jawline too much, such as a crop. "Instead, they should opt for opt for asymmetrical, layered or elongating styles." Now this doesn't necessarily mean that ladies with jowls have to ditch the scissors immediately and cannot enjoy a shorter look.

How should a 65 year old woman wear her hair? ›

While the answer to this is very individual, short haircuts are very popular with women over 60, from cropped pixie cuts to longer bobs. There are no rules, though, and plenty of women choose to keep their locks long.

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