As women mature and enter their later years, it’s easy to feel like you have to let your hair go gray and embrace a more subdued style.
But just because you’re over 70 doesn’t mean you can’t still look stylish and feel beautiful!
The key is finding an elegant hairstyle that works with your hair type and enhances your best features.
The most flattering styles tend to be medium length cuts and simple styling that don’t require a lot of upkeep.
With the right cut and color, you can exude confidence and sophistication.
The Chic Pixie
If you have fine hair, a pixie cut is a great way to keep your hair looking healthy and full of body as you get older.
The trick is finding a skilled stylist who can cut your hair in a feminine style that flatters your face shape.
The key to a chic pixie is leaving a little length in the front and on top so you can style it with some lift. Go for a deep side part and sweep the front pieces to one side.
Use a volumizing mousse when styling to pump up the volume and add shape.
The pixie is a low-maintenance look that also keeps you cool during hot weather. Just run some styling product through your hair with your fingers for instant polish.
Keep the sides and back cropped close to easily manage gray hair. Let your beautiful face shine and show off those cheekbones!
The Classic Bob
An elegant, blunt-cut bob that hits around chin-length is a sophisticated option.
This tailored style works well on women with straight hair or a slight wave.
Part your hair on the side for a slimming effect and add body by backcombing the crown slightly while blow drying.
Ask your stylist for lots of layering, which helps remove weight and makes the ends flip up for bounce and movement.
This prevents your hair from falling flat and lifeless, which tends to happen as you get older. Regular trims are also key to maintain the shapely silhouette.
Finish with a smoothing serum to fight frizz and flyaways. If your hair is thin, a bob cut above the shoulders is better to create the illusion of fuller hair.
The classic bob requires minimal styling for a put-together look.
Soft Waves
Big, voluminous curls may be tough to achieve on mature hair. But you can still fake some dimension with soft waves.
This look is dressier than straight hair but not overdone.
To create soft waves, use a one-inch curling iron. Section dry hair and wrap chunks around the barrel, holding for 5-10 seconds before releasing.
Only curl the bottom two-thirds of your hair to keep the roots smooth.
Once your hair has cooled, gently break up the curls with your fingers so they fall into loose waves. Mist hair spray over the finished style to extend the curl.
Add a side or middle part depending on your face shape.
Soft waves add movement and body for a romantic hairstyle that makes gray hair appear fuller. It’s also easy for women with arthritis or dexterity issues to achieve by using hot rollers instead of a curling iron.
The Layered Shag
A shag cut with wispy layers gives fine or thinning hair a boost. Shorter layers stacked on top create fullness and take years off your look.
This style works best on hair that’s naturally straight.
Have your stylist point cut the ends for feathered layers that blend together seamlessly.
The longest layers should fall around your jawline or just above your shoulders.
Blow dry your shag cut with volumizing mousse while brushing the top layers up and away from your crown. This creates lift at the roots for a stylish messy finish.
The layered shag is low-maintenance and only needs occasional trims to maintain its shape.
It’s an effortless hairstyle that allows your fun and youthful spirit to shine through.
Sleek and Straight
Show off your sophisticated side with a straight, sleek hairstyle. This polished look works nicely on salt and pepper hair.
The key is making sure you have healthy hair that’s well-moisturized.
Invest in a deep conditioning hair mask and use once a week to keep your locks soft and shiny.
Ask your stylist for some long layers to help remove weight and bulk.
The ends should just skim your shoulders.
Blow dry your hair super straight using a ceramic round brush to smooth and add shine. Finish with a smoothing serum to eliminate flyaways and frizz.
Part your hair slightly off-center and lightly mist with hairspray to keep the shape intact.
Lowlights or highlights also blend grays beautifully and camouflage regrowth.
The sleek straight look conveys confidence and elegance.
It’s easy to style yourself at home too. Just touch up your roots with a flat iron as needed.
The Bouffant
Women looking to amp up the volume should consider the bouffant.
This retro ’60s style remains chic and modern.
It’s all about height on top, so start by backcombing the crown area while blowdrying and brushing the sides flat. Use lots of volumizing products like mousse, texturizing spray and dry shampoo.
The fuller and bigger, the better!
For shorter hair, tease the roots thoroughly.
If you have longer locks, lightly backcomb first then roll the ends under to create bounce.
Set your bouffant with a firm-hold hairspray.
Part hair off to one side and tuck any remaining ends under for a polished finish. This fun look pairs nicely with cat eye glasses and bold lipstick. Embrace your inner Jacqueline Kennedy!
Face-Framing Highlights
Add dimension to drab, graying hair with subtle highlights around your face.
Ask your colorist for babylights, which are ultra-fine, natural looking highlights blended on a base of your natural hair color.
Focus the color around your hairline, crown and sides.
This brightens up your complexion without looking harsh or obvious. Continue highlights into your bangs or front layers for a radiant, youthful glow.
Pair with lowlights or a demi-permanent toner on the ends to tone down brassiness and soften the regrowth lines as your hair grows out.
Adapt the placement and concentration of highlights to flatter your face shape.
The key is choosing a highlight shade that looks like it could be natural for you. Face-framing highlights require maintenance every 6-8 weeks but make hair appear fuller and healthier.
The Textured Pixie Cut
If you have curly or wavy hair, embrace the texture with a pixie cut. Go short on the back and sides to minimize styling.
Ask your stylist to leave the top longer and choppy for definition as your curls spring up.
A tousled, piecey pixie cut flatters women with oval or heart-shaped faces. Skip heavy products and let your curls air dry naturally after shampooing.
Scrunch in some curl cream to control frizz.
Finger style your pixie and push the front pieces up. For volume, flip your head upside down and massage the roots. You can also diffuse gently with a blow dryer on low heat.
The textured pixie keeps gray hair lively and playful. Show off those beautiful silvers! Stay on top of regular trims every 6-8 weeks to maintain the cropped shape.
The Angled Bob
One of the most universally flattering cuts for women over 70 is an angled bob. Ask your hairstylist for a longer front that angles down to a shorter back.
This creates a natural lift that opens up your face.
An angled bob works nicely with straight or slightly wavy hair.
Go for a piecey, choppy style with lots of textured ends. Use a volumizing mousse and blow dry the front sections up and back from your face.
Part your hair on the side or diagonally back for the most flattering effect.
Finish with a light misting of hairspray to lock in the volume and style.
The angled bob is chic styled straight or casual with relaxed waves.
It’s an elegant look that suits any occasion. Stay on top of regular cuts every 4-6 weeks to maintain the angles.
Shoulder Length with Bangs
Medium length hair hitting at your shoulders has a youthful, carefree vibe.
Add wispy bangs to freshen up your look even more.
The right bangs can camouflage a high forehead or wrinkles around your eyes and brow.
Side-swept bangs are universally flattering. Curtain bangs are slightly shorter in the middle and blend seamlessly into layers on the sides.
Ask your stylist for bangs that are tapered and not blunt-cut for the most natural effect. They should just graze your eyelashes or brows.
Blow dry your bangs forward and down using a round brush to smooth.
Finish with styling cream or serum to prevent pieces falling into your eyes throughout the day.
Medium length hair with bangs requires more frequent trims but frames your face beautifully
Tuck hair behind your ears to show off gorgeous earrings too!
The Classic Updo
Keep your look elegant for formal occasions with a classic updo like a chignon or French twist.
This puts all the focus on your face and keeps hair tidy.
Work with freshly washed hair and use setting lotion or mousse before blow drying for grip.
Backcomb hair at the crown and smooth into a low ponytail.
Coil the length of ponytail into a bun, tucking in ends and securing with bobby pins. Or twist hair into a knot, pushing ends into the center of the twist. Finish with strong hold hairspray.
For volume up top, curl your bangs, sides or front pieces and pin into place. When your natural gray is cleanly pulled back, it appears illuminating.
The classic updo is flattering on older women for its pulls back sagging skin on the neck and jawline. Feel confident and refined for your next big event.
The Tousled Lob
For low-maintenance elegant style, try a tousled lob (long bob). This cut has textured ends and an I-just-got-out-of-bed vibe.
Ask your stylist for lots of long layers cut to frame your face.
Bring pictures of celebs like Helen Mirren or Judi Dench, who rock choppy lobs flawlessly.
Add depth by incorporating subtle highlights and lowlights around your face. Blow dry with volumizing mousse using your fingers to mess up the ends.
Finish with a light misting of dry shampoo at the roots and hairspray to hold the tousled shape. Part your lob to one side or down the middle.
The lob grazes your collarbones, making it manageable without seeming matronly. Have your stylist trim every 8-10 weeks to maintain the casual-chic look.
The Textured Crop
Short crops and pixies tend to look most modern and stylish on older women. Embrace this fun, sassy length and flaunt your grays.
Ask your stylist for a textured crop cut to about one inch all over.
Stacked layers on top prevent your hair from lying flat as it thins with age. Side bangs soften your profile.
Work in some wave with a wand or finger curl pieces while blow drying. Use dry shampoo and matte styling cream to amp up the volume and texture.
Flip your head upside down and mess up your crop to finish. Show off gorgeous earrings with your exposed neck and delicate features.
A textured crop signals your youthful spirit while remaining age-appropriate. Schedule trims every 4 weeks to maintain the silhouette. You’ve got this, ladies!
As you can see, women over 70 still have lots of gorgeous hairstyle options to play with. Whether you prefer short or long, texture or sleekness, there’s a look out there to make you shine.
The most flattering cuts tend to be medium length bobs or lobs with layers to create fullness and movement. Subtle highlights also take years off.
Don’t be afraid to go shorter or embrace your gray as you get older. Chic crops and pixies project confidence. Stay stylish by working with an experienced stylist who understands mature hair.
Most importantly, choose a hairstyle that makes you feel like the best version of yourself. Your hair should enhance your spirit and personal style.
Take inspiration from these elegant looks and discuss with your stylist to create your own signature look.
You’re not afraid to have a little fun either! Whether headed to a gala or just running errands, use these tips to look put-together yet effortless.
Your unique elegance deserves to be shown off.
