Hairstyles For Women At Age 40

Hairstyles For Women at Age 40

In previous decades, once a woman reached age 40, she was expected to give up on youthful hairstyles and adopt a more mature look. In addition, many women deal with hair that is thinning in addition to turning gray. WebMD advises mature women to try volumizing shampoos and lightweight conditioners to restore fullness to their hair. Since hair color swells the hair shaft, covering gray hair can also make hair appear thicker in addition to taking years off a woman's appearance. The right hairstyle also enhances the mature good looks of women over 40.

Optimum Hair Length

Although the prevailing wisdom used to state that women over 40 should cut their hair short, most women actually look best with a hairstyle that ranges in length from chin length to touching their collarbones, according to hairstylist Gretchen Monahan. The website for More magazine, which is targeted for women over 40, features a range of 15 different hairstyles, the majority of them for medium length hair or longer. First Lady Michelle Obama and Academy Award-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden are among the famous women who wear their hair at this length.

Short Hair Styles

Many mature women still prefer shorter hair, and the right haircut can look youthful rather than masculine. One of the short hairstyles featured in More magazine was a short, cropped style, which is ideal for straight hair as well as for curly or kinky hair. It is especially flattering for women with excellent bone structure and striking facial features, such as actresses Halle Berry or Jamie Lee Curtis. Another short hair option is a layered bob, a style more suitable to straight or wavy rather than very curly hair.

Long Hair Styles

Many mature women put convention aside and maintain their long hair. If hair is shiny and well maintained, long hair can add a youthful flair for a woman over 40. Long hair is suitable for straight or curly hair, and can be especially flattering when face-framing layers are integrated into the hairstyle. However, hair that is dull, with no shape or shine, can drag down a woman's features and emphasize lines and wrinkles. Actress Teri Hatcher wore short hair for much of her career but adopted longer hair after age 40. Actresses Jane Seymour, Salma Hayek and Lucy Liu have maintained their trademark long hair for their entire careers.

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