While age shouldn’t play a factor in how you style your hair, there’s no ignoring the fact that our hair does change as we get older. Carlyn Griscti, a New York City–based hairstylist at Beauty Supply, explains that hair can become coarser and drier over time. This means, she says, you should start to pivot your hair routine (focus on everything and anything that adds moisture) to keep hair looking and feeling healthy. You might also want to consider what we think makes for the perfect default length for a cut: medium hair.
Medium hair, which celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble describes as any cut that is lob length to just slightly past the shoulder, has loads of benefits. You don’t have to deal with the major upkeep that comes with superlong strands if you’re looking for something minimal, and you don’t have to worry about giving up length if you don’t want to go short. And because we always love options, you can wear it and style it in so many ways.
Medium hairstyles and cuts have never been more popular. The eight best medium hairstyles that women over 50 are loving right now include:
Face-Framing Layers
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Both Kimble and Griscti say that face-framing layers are easily one of the most popular hairstyles for medium-length. They’re easy to style, no matter the hair type, and add dimension to your overall look. Griscti likes to add some texture around the roots for added volume, and you can add more face-framing details like a soft bang for added depth.
Razor-Cut Shag
Daniele Venturelli
Looking for something youthful with a bit of an edge? Celebrity hairstylist Larry Sims says a shag with razor-cut edges is the way to go.
Voluminous Curls
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Kimble says that if you’ve got naturally curly hair, you should wear it out. She sees many clients lean into their natural texture at mid-length.
Bouncy Blowout
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Griscti says her clients over 50 like to keep it simple and chic with a bouncy blowout. Look for something that lifts the hair around the face and keeps everything light. She recommends using a product like the ROZ Willow Glen Pre-Wash Hair & Scalp Oil to keep your scalp and hair moisturized.
Curtain Fringe
Karwai Tang
Curtain bangs are really the universal bang shape—they look good on everyone. “Curtain fringe is sexy,” adds Sims.
Classic French Twist
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Who doesn’t love a French twist? Griscti says the classic style with added volume around the face makes for a great option, especially if you have a special event or are wanting to look more done up for a night out.
The Mid-Length Afro
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Another great way to show off your natural curls, Sims loves styling an Afro. He says it works at any length, but it’s definitely a go-to for medium cuts. As hydration will be especially important, he recommends something like the Flawless by Gabrielle Union 5 Butter Miracle Masque to tend to any dryness.
Textured Chignon
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Looking for a way to change up an updo? Griscti says a textured chignon adds a bit of whimsy to your overall look. Again, moisture is key when trying to style hair as we get older. She likes a shampoo like the Shu Uemura Urban Moisture Deep Hydration Shampoo to keep hair moisturized.
Have a beauty or wellness trend you’re curious about? We want to know! Send Vogue’s senior beauty & wellness editor an email at beauty@vogue.com.
Audrey Noble is a contributing writer at Vogue, covering all things beauty and wellness. As someone who is admittedly chronically online, she loves to debunk the never-ending slew of TikTok skin trends (do not put beef tallow on your face) and bond with celebrities over astrology and their biggest beauty ... Read More