Short haircuts for women over 50 are a raging trend! We’re constantly seeing thousands of different hairstyles for young girls everywhere on Instagram and Pinterest, but never enough hairstyles for women over 50.
You may be getting older, but that doesn’t mean you can’t rock a flattering short hairstyle if you are over 50. That’s why we have created a lookbook full of different hairstyles for older women: from short shaggy hairstyles to stylish short layered bobs, we have it all.
Short Messy Hairstyles for Women Over 50
Women over 50 often resort to the same old short hairdo with no character. But why choose a haircut that makes you feel blah and drab when you can style a messy look that makes you look younger?
Messy Bob

Is your short hair full of curls and waves? Have your stylist shape it into a chic, layered bob that will show off and enhance your natural texture.
From there, use your fingers to casually muss up the layers and create a messy look. Pair cat-eye glasses to complete the look.
Updo with Bangs

Finger-comb your hair into a low ponytail, then twist it up and use a hair claw to pin it in place. Use your fingers to arrange your bangs. For more volume, tease the crown with a little hairspray.
Short Messy Curls

If you have curly hair, you’ll feel like an older version of Marilyn Monroe when you opt for her classic short haircut. Use a curling wand or rollers to make defined curls, then brush them out with your fingers.
Long Messy Waves

If you need proof that women over 50 can rock long hair, take a look at the above low updo.
Keep your hair parted in the middle, but loosely gather it in a low updo, leaving long tendrils loose along your face to complete your messy look.
Curly Bob with Side Part

When you’re an older woman, having really curly hair can seem like just another hassle to spend time styling.
But a bob is a manageable length, and a messy style doesn’t take long. A side part is the only styling you need!
Half Updo for Fine Hair

A messy hairstyle is a great idea if you have fine hair and want it to look thicker.
Simply work in a little mousse or hairspray, tease with a comb, and make a half updo for even more lift! With or without bangs, it’s a beautiful look.
Layered White Hair

If you have a lot of white or gray hair, embrace the color change and go for an all-over white hair color! Scrunch in mousse from mid-shaft down for soft waves.
These long, messy layers on middle-parted hair make the over-50 look fabulous.
Highlighted Wavy Bob

For a complete hair transformation on medium or short wavy hair with no bangs, add face-framing highlights to brighten up your complexion. Trim hair to bob length and part it in the middle.
Long Hair with Headband

If you’re more of the artistic or eclectic type, you’ll appreciate this boho-chic style for long hair.
Tease long layers with hairspray for a messy texture. Finish by wrapping a headband around and tying it in a bow up top!
Blonde Balayage Bob

Another great way to brighten up your look is with a blonde balayage, which will make naturally curly hair look beautiful and beachy. Try this short hairdo with flattering, face-framing layers.
Wavy Hairstyles for Women Over 50 With Fine Hair
If you are ready to embrace change, check out these mesmerizing hairstyles for fine wavy hair.
Asymmetrical Bangs

As a woman with a fair skin tone with pink undertones, who probably already has a natural copper color, we encourage you to be bold and sport a more vivid, lighter reddish-brown color.
Let your waves do their spell and opt for a bob haircut with asymmetrical bangs that you will tousle on your forehead.
Gray Pixie

Pixie cuts with gray strands are one of the cutest hairstyles for women over 50 with fine wavy hair. Shortly trim the sides and focus your attention on the crown curls.
Use a gray toner or semi-permanent hair dye to get that fabulous coating.
Layered Curls

Do a side part and layer your curls to tone down that volume. Get more dimension for the crown and choose a light brown hair color.
These side bangs work beautifully for oval faces, and the layers will keep your ringlets tight with impressive bounce.
Platinum Blonde Ringlets

When you have fine hair and lack volume, waves can totally transform your look. Go for a side part and opt for long feathered bangs that you will curl.
For your longer tresses, use a curling wand to style these fabulous waves. They will provide the missing texture and volume.
Wavy Side Part

When your white strands start popping and you have natural waves and curls, these white threads will give your hair a marvelous salt-and-pepper look.
Your strands will have depth, gain more texture, and the curls will get more definition.
Thin Pale Pink Hair

If you’re a woman over 50, you need a suitable hairstyle for your fine wavy hair that shows your personality and keeps you young and cool.
This pale pink color is certainly a nonconformist and fresh color option for a lady who wants to keep her spirits young.
Feathered Bangs

Update your hair color and choose a slightly ashy sandy blonde. Layer the hair to get tighter waves and easily work with that texture. Opt for feathered bangs that you can also split in the middle.
Casual Gray Curls

When you have gray-green eyes, those white threads will provide a salt-and-pepper look for your curls. You won’t need to dye and cover them up because the obtained texture works like a charm with your complexion.
You can opt for side curly bangs that you will swipe to the side and a messy comb-over. In the back, secure the crown hair with a hair clip.
Short Bob

Short bob haircuts are fun, low-maintenance, and a fantastic hairstyle for women over 50 with wavy hair.
The blunt cut is ideal, especially when you lack thickness, because it makes your hair look fuller with more texture.
Finger Waves

Love the grace and glamour from the 20s? Then you will certainly adore this retro look with finger waves and curls.
If you’re attending a party and want a flapper girl look, then this is the right approach. Also, one of the best things about this hairstyle is that it can be pulled off on all hair lengths: short, medium, and long.
Comb Over

This elegant hairstyle for fine-haired older ladies over 50 who have wavy hair will make you feel glamorous and classy.
To replicate this stunning look that suits any woman with a strong jawline, wavy hair, and blue eyes, you will need to bleach your tresses and add an icy gray toner.
Classic Bob

A classic bob haircut is perfect for both straight and wavy hair that doesn’t have too much texture and volume.
You can go for bangs that you’ll swipe to the side and roll your top ringlets on your fingers to define their shape.
Top Bun

If you’ve decided to embrace your white-growing hair, that doesn’t mean you’ll have to chop the section that is dyed or still pigmented.
It will transform into a natural ombre that will still look fantastic. Also, if you have long hair and love pinning your tresses into a bun, your updo will create a smashing contrast with your white roots.
Blonde Layered Side Part

An amazing light blonde color is the most suitable choice when your white threads start to make their appearance.
In the sunlight, you won’t be able to tell the difference between the hair-dyed strands and the natural whites. To better blend them and style your curls, opt for a layered cut with asymmetrical bangs.
Caramel Waves

This bob haircut with a messy side part is an incredible hairstyle for women over 50 who want to make their fine wavy hair stand out.
Also, if you have a few white hairs popping in the temple area, you don’t need to dye them, as they can be blended with your light caramel brown tresses.
Short Hair Ideas for Women Over 50 Who Wear Glasses
If you are looking for some much-needed inspiration for short hairstyles that pair well with your glasses, we have you covered! To make your choice easier, here are some flattering short hairstyles for women over 50 with glasses.
Short Hair + Baby Bangs

The thing about wearing glasses is that you have to get haircuts that set the hair apart from your face, so it doesn’t fall all over your glasses. And this short choppy hairstyle is perfect for you.
Cut your hair short in the lower part, leaving more hair on the top, long enough to get that choppy look. Last but not least, cut your bangs shorter than usual (above your eyebrows), and that’s it!
Spiky Ice Blond Hair

Nobody said older women’s hairstyles had to be boring, and this short haircut is living proof! First, cut your hair above your ears, but remember to ask your hairdresser to go for that short shaggy haircut for over 50 with fine hair and leave the top hairs longer than the others.
To mimic this look, bleach your hair a couple of tones down until it’s really blonde, then dye it with an almost grey-blonde color and tone it down with purple shampoo. Shake it a little bit to obtain more volume, and you’ve got yourself this exact same haircut.
Short Choppy Bob

Another great way to still wear bangs with your glasses is to go for a choppy bob, which is really easy to get.
Of course, the top and front part of your hair should be longer than the back part. Then, divide your hair more to the left and create a “side bang” on your right side. Last but not least, remember to slightly curl the top of your hair to get that choppy, messy look.
Pixie with Highlights

This is a great hairstyle option for older women with glasses who want a more edgy look but still keep it classy. To make this hairstyle even better, add some highlights to the top part of your hair and create the illusion of having more volume.
To get the fluffy part on top, first, remember to do this hairstyle with clean hair, and second, apply a hair texture product. Shake your hair and comb it with a wide, round comb to the side, and you’ll soon have this exact hairstyle.
Pixie Cut with Shaved Sides

If you’re looking for short haircuts for women over 50 that will make everyone go “wow!” then this one is for you. It’s pretty much a classic pixie cut, but instead of being all even, it’s shaved on the side and back part.
It’s up to you if you want to shave both sides of your head to make it even, or shave one side. Either way, it will look good as long as you remember to properly style the top part.
Layered Wavy Bob

Make use of that natural wave in your hair to end up with a bouncy mane that’ll instantly revitalize your look. Opt for layers that round off towards the back with a brushed-back side parting.
Flip the strands away from the face every now and then and call it a day.
Layered Bob Cuts for Ladies Above 50
Salt and Pepper Curls

Curls can prove to be a blessing for women facing hair loss with age. Embrace your natural texture with a heavily layered bob and some bangs to prevent an oblong face from appearing any leaner.
Gray highlights or black lowlights are your way to achieve a salt and pepper mane.
Mushroom Bob

Look younger than your age with an edgy mushroom bob, focussing all the attention on your face. Experiment with a long top that might elongate towards the back with clipped or buzzed sides to get that classy mushroom head-like shape.
Throw in some highlights for a natural-looking glow.
Classic Lob

A layered long bob hairstyle is ideal for ladies over 50 who want to age like fine wine. While short bobs are a big no for long faces, keeping the length near the shoulders might work exceptionally well.
Couple the cut with long side bangs and you won’t regret it.
Short Tapered Curls

Styling and taking care of curls might be a hassle when entering your senior years. Keep it low maintenance with a handful of short wispy layers that lengthen towards the nape in a rounded shape.
Some inward-curled side-swept bangs will look super cute!
Feathered Layers

Bring back those good old feathered layers from your youthful days, as they’re still in style and probably always will.
Feathering results in thicker roots and thinned-out tips that create the illusion of a healthy mane. A good blowout is essential to bring out the true beauty of your new haircut.
Face-Framing Graduation

Keep it minimal yet stylish by focusing the layering at the front to frame the face. Snip the strands at an angle and continue to the tips. Try subtle-to-no layers at the back and flip the ones at the front sideward.
Set the look on fire with a creamy blonde hair color.
Bob with Baby Bangs

A short blunt bob might bring forth all those wrinkles and under-eye bags more than ever before. Avoid that by creating lots of texture and movement with layers.
The baby bangs come in handy to soften a square face or conceal a wide forehead.
Tucked Bob

The tucked bob is the latest cool-girl hair trend that can work as a layered bob hairstyle for over 50. It has shorter strands at the front that can be tucked behind the ears to be blended with the remaining longer mane.
Spice it up with a dark hair shade for a change.
Flicked Ends with Piece-y Fringe

In the case of naturally wavy-to-curly tresses, focus the layers below the ears to make your narrow chin appear less pointy. Flick out the ends using a barrel brush and hair dryer, enhancing the hair volume further.
Blunt bangs look suffocating, but their tousled piece-y version is perfect to hide a high hairline.
Deva Bob

African-American over 50 beauties can go for a DevaCut when getting a layered bob for their kinky curls. The technique involves cutting the coils individually when dry, sculpting them flawlessly around the face.
The shorter top strands fall on the longer ones below for a disconnected or seamless graduation.
Layered Shag for Thin Hair

Thin coarse hair is one of the biggest cons of aging. Make it look better with deep conditioning treatments, zero heat styling, and a heavily layered bob.
Hand-tousle the strands for a careless appeal while building further body around the face. Simple and easy!
Soft Sleek Point Layers

Point cutting focuses on creating texture and movement at the ends. The top is kept smooth with layers emerging towards the tips by cutting through the hair, keeping the scissors parallel to the strands.
The result is a light, airy bob that’ll look even better with side-swept bangs.
Side-Swept French Bob

Maintain a Parisian charm with this sexy layered French bob hairstyle for seniors over 50. The beauty lies in getting a blunt cut at or above the chin with plenty of layers.
Skip the bangs and try a deep side parting to achieve a little asymmetry.
Angled Bixie

Bixies allow you to go super short while still staying in the family of bob haircuts. Try an angled one with an undercut above the nape and the top strands elongating towards the front at ear level.
Get some choppy side bangs to avoid a boring blunt look.
Short Hair Looks for Overweight Women Over 50
Women’s Buzz Cut

One of the best short hairstyles for over 50 & overweight women is the shaved-down haircut. It’s simple, it will allow your hair to grow back healthier than before, and it really brings out the natural features of your face!
Big, Natural Afro

Let your natural hair shine through and bring attention to your face and best features with this hairstyle. It’s very easy to maintain as long as you remember to hydrate and take care of your curls.
Top Knot Curls

This black women’s hairstyle is great for overweight women who are looking for short & curly haircuts for over 50. Bring your hair to the top of your head and tie it in a knot to bring your curls out. You can even shave the sides of your hair if you want to go for a more sassy haircut.
Bright Red Braids

Bring attention to your face with this sassy short hairstyle for overweight women over 50! Remember to dye your hair red first and then simply braid it completely into very tight short braids.
Classic Pixie Cut

Last, but not least, a pixie cut for women with a fat face can never go wrong. This over 50 haircut will naturally highlight the best features of your face, hide your forehead, and give you a feminine look altogether in just one second.
Women Over 50 Short Haircuts for Different Face Shapes
Spiky Purple Pixie

This short haircut falls into the spiky haircuts for over 50 category, and it’s simply amazing! Dye your hair a purple/white tone and simply style it up, really bringing the top hairs at the front of your head up and slightly pushed back.
Short Hair with Bangs

Who said over 50 women can’t have bangs with short hair? If you’re looking for short hairstyles for long faces, this is the right one for you since it’ll make your face seem shorter thanks to the bangs!
Messy Bob

This particular haircut really works for women with long/pointy faces since it helps soften your natural features and drives the attention to the hair instead of the face.
Pixie Cut with Bangs

If you’re not ready to commit to full bangs but you still want one of those short hairstyles for women over 50 with long faces, you can always try a pixie cut with big, side, messy bangs!
Copper Highlights

Last but not least, if you have more of a rounded face, a straight bob with soft highlights can help make your face look naturally longer and skinnier while also giving some volume to your hair.
Classic Short Haircuts for Black Women Over 50
Short Haircut with Blonde On Top

Like we said, short hairstyles for black women over 50 don’t have to be boring! To achieve this look, if you already have short hair, dye the top blonde and curl it to bring texture to the cut.
Short Pin Curls

With time, your natural hair will lose its firm curls, but a perm can fix it and help you improve a simple pixie cut! Also, the icy blonde really makes this hairstyle chic and sassy.
Short Pixie Cut with Waves

We love short haircuts for wavy hair, and this is one of them! Transform a classic pixie cut and add texture with these waves. You can even style your edges like in the picture if you want to be extra!
Top Short Blonde Curls

Another great way to bring color and texture to over 50 women’s short thick hair is by curling the top part of your head and dyeing just the tips blonde. It gives the whole cut a sassy style, plus it gives you volume!
Curly Highlights

Last, but not least, transform your pixie cut with these colored highlights that will look amazing on your natural dark and curly hair! Play around with the colors and pick your favorites.
FAQs
Many women choose to cut their hair short after 50 because it is easier to maintain and many women lose hair volume past 50. Short hair affords more volume than long hair when your hair begins to thin. If your hair is still thick, you can keep it long for as many years as you like!
There are many ways to look younger in your fifties, but one of the ways is to change your haircut to frame your face. As we age, our faces thin. Changing the way your hair frames your face can make you look younger, even with the loss of collagen in your skin.
In general, short hair makes women over 50 look younger. As long as the hair frames the face in a flattering way and adds volume, the short hair is unlikely to make you look older.
There are plenty of women who have long hair past age 50! If you like the length of your long hair and do not find it hard to maintain, there is no reason to cut your hair short.
