Medium-length haircuts masterfully blend the best of both short and long styles, offering a versatile and stylish option for anyone craving a fresh new look. Longer lengths, strategic layering and movement works especially well for women over 50 with thinning or fine hair, as it can give the appearance of fuller, more voluminous locks.

It’s important to consider your unique face shape and personal style preferences when choosing a new ‘do this fall. This could mean adding soft, face-framing “youthful” layers or embracing gentle, voluminous curls and waves to “accentuate” your favorite facial features. With input from expert stylists, we’ve handpicked four medium-length, lob, and long cuts that radiate chic sophistication, perfect for mature beauties looking to embrace a refreshed and elegant look this autumn.

Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Dr. Roshan Vara, hair transplant surgeon and co-founder at The Treatment Rooms, Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles, Gina Rivera, celebrity hair stylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites, Janine Jarman, celebrity hair stylist and founder of Curl Cult, Lauren Udoh, hair stylist and hair creative director of WigReports and Krysta Guerrero, owner and stylist at Base Salon Chicago.

4 Medium-Length And Long Cuts That Flatter Mature Beauties Over 50, According To Stylists 1. Layered Lob With Curtain Bangs

"You don't want short bangs that fall right in the middle of your forehead where you might have a few lines," Abdullah stresses. Instead, she recommends cutting your bangs at your eyebrow level "to emphasize your eyes."

This, paired with face-framing layering in your collarbone-length lob can provide a much more flattering look overall, she notes. Instead of choosing the popular yet often unbecoming baby bangs, one can opt for chic curtain bangs, Abdullah suggests. "These flatter just about any face at any age and neatly frame the face while drawing attention away from serious aging signs," she continues.

Curtain bangs, Abdullah notes, are a type of fringe cut that creates a soft, natural looking wave at the top of the head, as seen here on Goldie Hawn. "They are often used to frame the face and specifically, to give it a youthful appearance," she adds, which "look great on mature women" as they make your face appear "smaller and slimmer when they come down to cheek level."

2. Long, Feathery, Face-Framing Layers

"Longer side bangs" and "face framing pieces" a la Jennifer Aniston can "also result in a more youthful appearance by drawing the eye to the appealing facial features," Rivera explains.

"In general, this provides for a fresher and more youthful look." If you want to keep your hair longer over 50, Rivera says it is imperative to add layers and/or or face-framing pieces to avoid looking "weighed down" and dull.

She points out that "an added choice is to shorten the hair up a bit to the collarbone or above" to create some texture by "adding subtle layers to soften." The more you know!

3. Wispy, Wavy Shag

A shag is an "amazing cut that is well-recognized for being versatile," Rivera says. A quintessential shag, as seen on Halle Berry, offers "nice variations for both longer and shorter hair." Like with a bob, "adding a bang can add a fresh surprise to this look," Rivera suggests. Abdullah adds that bangs like these are "often used to frame the face and specifically, to give it a youthful appearance."

She notes that they also "make your hair appear thicker and are a great way to add volume to thinning hair." The style also "works well for women who want to hide thinning hair in the front."

4. Curly Dark Gray Lob

Andie MacDowell's dark gray look is longer than most bobs (making it fall more into the 'lob' territory). Its collarbone-level length and rich dark hue is undeniably chic.

This not-too-long and also not-too-short cut provides "volume at the crown" for anyone with curly hair, Udoh says, and you can add "textured layers that frame the face nicely while still maintaining an easy-to-manage style."

The Bottom Line

Thankfully, there is an abundance of chic hairstyles that women with naturally fine hair over 50 can experiment with beyond the seven listed here. When you decide to visit the salon this fall for a hair makeover, Abdullah suggests bringing along some pictures of styles that catch your eye to see what works well with your hair and facial features. Educating yourself on various options will help you make a well-informed decision!

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These 12 Celebrities Prove That Medium Length Hairstyles Look Oh-so-chic On Women Over 50

There are so many different hair styles that look great on mature women, from trending bob cuts to sleek short styles. Yet, while we’re huge fans of these shorter length cuts, we’re also firm believers that there’s no need to say goodbye to long hair just because you’re getting older. It’s on these occasions that a medium length cut can be the perfect choice allowing you to retain your length while also looking incredibly chic as you age.

To find out just why a medium length cut is so great for women over 50, I spoke to Paul Percival, hairstylist and founder of Percy & Reed. “As you age you may notice your hair is a little thinner and needing more colour (unless you’re embracing the grey)," he says. "So what you don’t want is for it to be too long and for the length to be dragging it down or for it to feel thinner because it is longer."

“A medium length cut can work for all hair types too,” he continued, which makes it incredibly versatile. The key is to work with your hairstylist to ensure your style not only looks great but works with your hair type and texture too. “If you have really strong waves or curls, I personally feel the outline should be cut dry first, maybe even the whole haircut,” he suggests. “This is because you want the cut to work with the hair when it’s dry rather than cutting it wet and it bouncing up so you end up with a shorter hair cut than you wanted.”

Trending medium length hairstyles for women over 50

As mentioned, medium length cuts work for so many people and can be adapted to suit your hair type and style. If you’re wondering which medium length hairstyles are currently trending however Paul has three suggestions…

The long bob

“The bob is huge at the moment,” says Paul. “However I would say that a longer bob is more versatile. The good thing about having hair a little longer than a bob is that you can still put it up in a ponytail or create other textures like waves.”

The fringe

“Another trend that is massive at the moment is fringes,” says Paul. “Especially a soft fringe on all hair lengths including medium length hairstyles. This is because any wrinkles or lines on your forehead that might give away your age are camouflaged by the fringe (if that's what you want).” Plus, they also look incredibly chic offering an effortless feel.

The sharp cut

Structured medium length cuts look great on mature women as they scream confidence. "Shape is everything," says Paul. "Don’t settle for long hair that you tie back all the time." To achieve this look, ask for a medium length cut with neat, blunt ends for a uniform finish.

Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

Medium hairstyles for women over 50 1. Face framing

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While short bangs or a fringe can be high maintenance, Gabrielle Union’s long face framing pieces are a great compromise for medium length hair.

2. Add movement

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For an effortless feel, Helen Mirren’s barely-there bends are a chic choice.

3. Sleek and side parted

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A side part is ultra-flattering on medium length hair giving a softer finish than a centre parting.

4. Curly cut

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Sandra Oh proves medium length hair is a great choice for those with a naturally curly texture.

5. Turned in ends

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Christy Turlington’s turned in ends give her medium length cut a neat, but playful feel.

6. Try balayage

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Delicate highlights can add interest and dimension to a medium length cut.

7. Blunt ends

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For a healthy look, keep your ends ultra sharp with regular trims like Diane Keaton.

8. Soft waves

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Angela Bassett opts for soft waves to give her medium length cut a glamorous look.

9. Add body

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To make hair appear fuller and thicker, try styling with curls and waves like Kylie.

10. The fringe

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Helena Christensen proves a fringe makes the perfect pairing to a medium length cut.

11. Centre part

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Whether worn curly or straight, a centre parting gives a medium length cut a modern feel.

12. Keep it glossy

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Healthy hair looks strong and shiny so care for it with hydrating products to keep it looking its best.

How to style medium length hairstyles at home

Medium length hairstyles come in many different forms so it’s useful to tailor your hair care to your hair type and the look you want to achieve. For products that can benefit a multitude of hair types Paul suggests…

Klorane Extra-Gentle Dry Shampoo

“I am a big believer in not washing your hair too often, so skip a day and use dry shampoo.”

Percy & Reed I Need A Hero! Wonder Balm Hair Primer

“For grey hair, I would 100% recommend Wonder Balm. As grey hair does tend to be a bit more brittle, dry or unruly, it does a great job at keeping it more supple.”

Kérastase Densifique Mousse Densimorphose

“Mousse gives incredible volume and bounce but without any stickiness and without weighing the hair down.”

 

Hairstyles & Trends

After a new hairstyle but don't know which look would work for you? Or want to try a new trend but don't know where to start? Fear not, we bring you hair style ideas and styling recommendations from professional hairdressers and beauty experts for all length and hair colour types! Or, why not take inspiration from the latest celebrity hairstyles?

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