Hairstyles That Make Women Appear Much Older

Haircutsmag – We all use different beauty products like creams and serums to make our faces look younger and more appealing. But what about our hair? A bad hairstyle or a botched care technique can potentially add years to our appearance without us even realizing it. If you want to look younger, or at least not age yourself with a bad style, here are some dos and don’ts when it comes to hairstyles, gathered by stylists, to help you maintain a youthful look or at least avoid unnecessary aging!

Hairstyles That Make Women Appear Much Older: Avoid Perms

Perms were all the rage in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Back then, almost every woman would regularly get perms. Most women opted for tight curls for their look, but there were actually many options. However, perms are completely outdated nowadays. And even if you manage to pull it off, the age of this hairstyles will automatically place you in that age group as well.

If you’re very young, you might be able to rock this style because it will look vintage and trendy. However, if you’re already concerned that your hairstyle might age you, avoid the perm.

Skip the Crimped Hair

These days, this hairstyle is actually quite rare. If you lived through the 80s, you might think differently since it was all the rage for a long period. However, times have changed, and crimped hair is no longer as stylish as before, especially for hairstyles where only part of the hair is crimped. If you’re trying to keep a youthful and trendy look, avoid crimping your hair in all circumstances.

Crimping is also a surefire way to damage your hair, so there’s not much going for this hairstyles. It ages you and damages your hair, so we’re pretty unanimous in saying that it should be avoided.

Leave Braids to Kids

Braids are a popular hairstyles for young girls. It’s an easy-to-maintain hairstyles that suits the active lives of children. Parents also love the simplicity of this look. Due to this association with youth, you might think that it would help you maintain a youthful look, but that’s not necessarily the case. Braids can actually make you appear older than you are.

Since it’s a look reserved for children, if you’re older, it might come across as a desperate attempt to hold onto your youth rather than a playful look.

The Farrah Fawcett Look

Farrah Fawcett was also famous for her stunning hair. It made her iconic. She was a true icon of the 1970s and even the 1980s. It was a feathered and effortless look that women wanted to imitate and maintain throughout their lives. After all, it’s not easy to find hairstyles that’s both beautiful and simple. If you’re trying to keep a youthful look, this might not be the best choice for you.

As with any outdated hairstyle, you’re taking a risk when you try it. You don’t want to look like you’re from the era these hairstyles is from, or else you’ll appear much older than you’d like.

Don’t Forget to Fill in Your Brow Ends

Eyebrows are generally not the first part of your face you’ll focus on when doing your makeup or arranging your hair. However, you should never underestimate their importance. After all, they frame your face, and often subconsciously, they’re one of the first things people notice about you or see on your face when you meet. If you want to keep your features looking young, make sure to fill in the ends of your eyebrows.

Eyebrow ends tend to fade and thin with age. It can be very subtle, and you might not even notice it, but filling them in can make all the difference.

Avoid Excessive Layering

Most people try to add some “layers” to their hair to give it volume and prevent it from looking flat or unkempt, but everything should be done in moderation. Balance is key for most things in life, and the same goes for hair. Too much volume can add years to your appearance and should be avoided if possible. Don’t completely eliminate thickness, though, as that could pull your face down.

Try talking to your hairstylist about the possibility of adding a moderate amount of layers. You’ll see that it makes a significant difference in your overall appearance.

Steer Clear of Oversized Buns

If you’re trying to maintain a youthful look, you might have to give up the most practical and easiest hairstyles there is… the big messy bun. It’s hard to imagine a world without messy buns because they’re so effortless and relaxed. However, it can be a bit harsh for your face as it leaves your face completely exposed. There’s no hair to soften your appearance at all.

If you want to continue using the bun in your everyday life, consider leaving some hair strands around your face to soften your look.

Avoid Slicking Your Hair Back

Okay, so very few people can pull off a slicked-back hairstyles in general. The combination of slicked hair and lots of hair gel can make you look very glamorous and elegant, or it can make you look the exact opposite. Hair slicked away from the face can leave your face exposed, imperfections and all. That’s why it’s challenging for anyone to pull off this look.

You also run the risk of your hair looking greasy instead of glamorous and fresh. Maybe start with a ponytail if you’re stuck on this look.

The Graduated Bob Isn’t for Everyone

A bob haircut is often appreciated by aging women. Most older women prefer to keep their hair short because it can contribute to the anti-aging process. However, not all short haircuts and bob styles are created equal. Many layers in the bob can actually have the opposite effect of what you might think. It doesn’t add more volume to the face but actually accentuates some areas you’d prefer to conceal, like the neck.

It’s probably not the worst hairstyles to choose if you’re trying to look young (short bangs or slicked-back hair can be much worse), but it’s still worth considering avoiding it.

Try to Avoid Frizz

There was a time when curly and frizzy hair was all the rage. In the 1980s and 1990s, everyone did their best (using an insane amount of products) to have the frizziest and most voluminous hair possible. Besides being very bad for the overall health of your hair, this may not be the best look for you. This trend is no longer the “cool” thing to do. You might appear as if you’re trying to be part of the wrong generation.

Why not avoid hairstyles that will age you and also damage your hair? They’re a bad choice, no matter how you look at them.

Pay Attention to the Length of Your Bangs

Bangs are very important when it comes to your hair and appearance. Bangs can be a good choice for maintaining a youthful appearance because they can hide forehead wrinkles (the area that tends to wrinkle the fastest), but they must be well-executed. If the bangs are cut too short, they will actually emphasize the forehead area, which you don’t want as you age.

If you have absolutely no wrinkles on your forehead, you may not have to worry about the downsides of this hairstyle. But a wrinkle-free forehead is hard to come by!

Don’t Try to Be Like Rapunzel

At some point, it was probably every girl’s dream to grow their hair extremely long and look like Rapunzel with her exceptionally long locks. However, if you’re trying to look young, this may not be the look for you. As you age, your hair tends to naturally thin, making it difficult to maintain a certain volume. Allowing your hair to grow excessively long will only make it more challenging.

Very long hair also pulls your features downward, which you’re trying to avoid as you age. It’s best to stack the odds in your favor by lifting your features upward.

Opt for a Thin Fringe

You probably don’t think about it, but the thickness of your fringe can make a huge difference in terms of your appearance and age. The fringe itself is not a bad choice if you’re trying to look young, and it can complement your face. However, a too-thick fringe can give the illusion of added years. If you want your face and hair to look youthful, try to keep a thin fringe.

If your hair is naturally very thick and it’s not possible to thin out your fringe, you might want to reconsider your hairstyles choice altogether.

Maintain the Symmetry of Your Haircut

The asymmetrical bob has been all the rage in recent years and has long dominated trendy looks for many women. Depending on your facial features, this look could actually suit you perfectly, and you could appear very trendy and cool with it. However, it also has the potential to age your face and give it a much too pointed appearance.

In short, be skeptical of this hairstyle. It could be exactly what you need to look young and trendy, but it could also have the exact opposite effect.

Get Rid of Split Ends

Here’s a valid tip for almost everyone trying to ensure their hair looks healthy and well-maintained… Make sure you don’t have split ends. It may sound silly, but the appearance of split ends in your hair (even if it can be unconscious) can give the impression that you don’t take care of your hair and can add a few years to your appearance.

Just make sure to trim your hair regularly to avoid split ends from reappearing quickly and consider hair treatments if necessary to prevent them from returning.

The Well-Known Mom Cut

You’ve probably seen this haircut countless times over the years. There are countless moms who swear by this look for its convenience and ease… and of course, the fact that it’s flattering. However, if you’re under 60, this may not be the best hairstyle for you. There are many other styles that would be much more flattering for your face and age.

People are used to seeing older women with this hairstyle, so if you’re in your thirties or forties, they might mistake you for someone much older.

The Edgy Buzz Cut

As tempting as it may be to simply shave off the majority of your hair and sport a buzz cut, it’s a very risky decision. Some women look stunning with this look, especially if they have sharp or dominant features, but it doesn’t suit everyone. Since there are virtually no hair to hide imperfections or soften facial features, it can actually make you look older than you’d like.

It’s probably very tempting to go for this low-maintenance hairstyle. After all, imagine how nice it would be to wake up and not have to worry about what to do with your hair?

Don’t Go Overboard with Colors

Now, no one is saying you can’t go wild with your hair colors at any age, but if you’re aiming to look younger, dramatic color changes and very vibrant shades might not be the best choice for you. It all depends on the color choice and whether it complements your complexion and style. It can be done well and even make you appear younger!

If you don’t care at all about your age, go ahead and have as much fun as you want with colors! You could even do a combination of all the colors if you wish!

Beware of Curlers

Vintage looks can be quite flattering because they really knew how to make women look their best back in the day, but with some styles, you run the risk of aging yourself by a few years. Hair curlers used to create waves in your hair are one of those looks. As this hairstyle is usually associated with women over 60, it might automatically place you in that category too. However, don’t let that stop you completely; when done correctly, it can be stunning.

It’s not because it’s a vintage look that it will make your skin and overall appearance seem too vintage as well. Some styles are very flattering and can actually make you appear much younger.

Avoid Adding Bangs to Your Bob

Bangs can be very flattering for some women, as they can hide some of the areas on the face that tend to wrinkle first. However, if you have a bob hairstyle, then perhaps bangs aren’t the best choice for you. They can be pretty and accentuate your jawline, but they can also be a bit harsh. It all depends on the look you’re aiming for!

However, this look is generally associated with younger women, and it might not be the most flattering for a more mature woman.

Steer Clear of the Risky Chelsea Hairstyle

You might not know the name of this hairstyle just by hearing it, but you’ve probably seen a few people with this hairstyle over the years. It’s a style that draws attention, regardless of the age of the person wearing it, and it’s not very popular for obvious reasons. It involves shaved back parts of the head with a long front fringe and side pieces. This takes a special person to pull off this hairstyle.

It doesn’t even seem like an easy-to-maintain hairstyle. It’s hard to imagine what would prompt someone to choose this hairstyle when they go to the hairdresser, whether they’re trying to look young or not.

Nobody Wants the “Karen” Cut

Everyone knows the term “Karen” these days, but did you know there’s a hairstyle that goes with it? Aside from being associated with a generally disliked type of person, this hairstyle can make you look several years older (partly because it’s used by so many “Karens”). So, if you’re aiming to look young, keep your hair generally one length both in the front and back.

You don’t want your hair to be very long in the front and very short in the back. Consistency is key here.

Don’t Try the Top Knot

Sometimes, it’s better to know when to leave a certain trend in the past. That’s precisely the case with the top knot. It had its years of glory and celebrity, but those are long gone, and it’s time to let go, especially if you’re trying to look young. It’s no longer a stylish hairstyle, and women of all ages should avoid it.

In addition to being outdated, this hairstyle can also make you appear much older by pulling your hair sharply away from your face. A bit of hair to add softness has never hurt anyone!

Don’t Bet on the Undercut

Once again, we present to you a hairstyle that is very hard to pull off, regardless of your age. While some women really rock the “undercut” look, it’s not the most flattering for everyone. Some people can achieve an edgy and magnificent appearance, while others might just look outdated. Hipsters consistently sport this style; however, if you’re trying to look young, it’s probably not the best choice for you.

This look also draws a lot of attention to the neck area (due to the lack of hair), so it can accentuate parts of your neck that you might not want to emphasize.

Keep Your Hair Drying Skills Up to Date

One of the simplest mistakes you can make to give the impression that you’re having a bad hair day is not drying your hair properly. Who would think that could make such a difference? Yet, it really can make or break a hairstyle. Frizzy and puffy hair probably isn’t the look you’re going for, so be mindful when blow-drying to avoid it looking that way.

If you want to look younger, it’s important that your hair appears well-groomed at all times. A botched blowout isn’t the best way to achieve that.

The Sleek and Elegant Ponytail

Many people love the sleek, high ponytail look where not a single hair is out of place on top of your head. While it might look chic on some, it can add a few years to others (often without them realizing). It’s hard to conceal the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines with a ponytail, no matter how elegant it is. A bit of volume or some loose strands can really help.

There’s no exact age at which this hairstyle stops being flattering and should be avoided. It’s really a case-by-case situation.

Don’t Keep Your Roots Dark

Beware, there’s a difference between simply neglecting your hair color maintenance and intentionally making your roots dark and your hair light. There was a time (thanks mainly to Shakira) when this was all the rage, and everyone rushed to let their freshly dyed hair grow out to show off the darker roots. While Shakira mastered this style perfectly, it’s not the best look for everyone, especially if you’re trying to appear younger.

This look generally just gives the impression that you’re not maintaining your hair and color. It probably won’t give you the casual look you hoped for.

Properly Cover Your Gray Roots

This idea might seem logical, but it might not be so obvious to everyone. Everyone knows that gray hair automatically makes you look older than you are. It’s hard for the brain to dissociate gray hair from age… after all, it typically only appears as people get older. If you’re going to dye your hair, make sure to consistently and effectively cover those graying roots.

What’s even worse than having plain gray hair is having a few gray hairs around the roots. Transitioning to fully gray hair is one thing, but if you’re trying to maintain the appearance of colored hair, make sure there are no gray roots!

Don’t Cut Your Bob Too Short

As established, bob haircuts can be very flattering for some women, allowing them to stay youthful and stylish. However, depending on the length, you might run into some issues. If you’re considering a very short and edgy look for your haircut and want to cut it very short, especially in the back, be aware that it can potentially make you appear older than you intended.

You generally don’t want to emphasize the neck area when you’re trying to look younger, and this haircut does exactly that… it accentuates the neck area.

No Spikes on Short Hair

Short haircuts can be quite flattering for aging women as they help lift the overall appearance rather than drag it down, as longer hair can tend to do. However, you really should avoid spiking your short hair. Volume is your ally when trying to look young, and spikes don’t really provide that (contrary to what one might think).

If you’re going for a bold and edgy look, go for it! Just be aware that it might not come across as youthful as you hoped.

Don’t Go Too Short with the Pixie Cut

The pixie cut is one of the most versatile and flattering hairstyles for women of all ages and looks. However, if you’re trying to look younger, be cautious about how short you cut your hair. If you cut it to a certain length and it’s too short, it can make you appear older than you are and add unnecessary years to your face.

It can be very pretty on some women, but know that it can potentially add age to their appearance, even if it still suits them very well!

Embrace the Poufy Side

While giving the poufy hairstyles a chance might be tempting, if you’re trying to look young, it might not be the best choice for you. In some instances, it can be very glamorous and beautiful; however, it’s generally associated with the 1960s. If you don’t want to be associated with the 1960s era, it might not be the best option for you.

The poufy style is also very damaging to the hair. Achieving this look requires a lot of hairspray.

Waves Away from Your Face

Did you know that the direction in which you create waves with a curling iron directly affects your age? Probably not, as it’s not the most well-known point. However, now that you know the secret, use it to your advantage! If you want to look younger, make sure to wave your hair away from your face, not toward it.

Ensuring that the waves are directed away from your face softens your appearance and makes you appear younger than you actually are. Waves toward your face can come across as harsh against it.

Skip Tight Braids

Tight braids look beautiful on some women and are an integral part of various hairstyles in many different cultures. However, if you’re trying to look younger than you are, it might not be the best choice. Braids that are tightly woven on the head tend to pull the skin backward, creating harsh and aggressive lines on the face. While this might suit younger women, it’s generally avoided as you age.

This hairstyle is also often associated with children’s hairstyles. If you want braids, there are many other choices and styles that would still be very flattering.