As women reach the age of 50 and beyond, they’re often encouraged to chop off their long locks in favor of shorter styles. But last time we checked, there’s no rule that says you have to switch to a short ‘do after 50. Embracing a long hairstyle can be a celebration of timeless elegance and confidence—at any age. When it comes to long hairstyles for women over 50, the possibilities are just about endless, from cascading waves to chic updos, each style enhancing your natural beauty and elevating your style.
Below, check out 35 of our favorite flattering hairstyles for women over 50 to try. Whether you’re searching for a brand-new look or want to add new styles to your repertoire, these hairstyles blend sophistication with practicality. Plus, you’ll find our favorite products to help you grow longer, stronger-looking hair highlighted throughout. Now, let’s get into it.
The Best Long Hairstyles for Women Over 50
Good hair day by @texpert.carlon.
Low Ponytail
Searching for an on-trend way to show off all that length? The low ponytail is unbeatable.
If you're struggling to grow or maintain long, strong hair without breakage, invest in a hair care system like Redken’s Extreme Length Shampoo and Conditioner with Biotin. This system is formulated with biotin to help damaged hair grow longer and stronger. When used as a full system with the Extreme Length Leave-In Treatment with Biotin, the system helps reduce breakage by up to 81%.
Good hair day by @ferarango_ra.
Natural Curls
Showing off your natural curls is one of the best long hairstyles for mature women. No matter your age, working your natural texture never goes out of style—especially if you've been blessed with gorgeous, bouncy ringlets!
Good hair day by @mr_alexandrycosta.
Long Ponytail
A ponytail is a tried-and-true style that works for any hair type, face shape, and age. Simply gather your hair in a ponytail at the crown of your head and allow your long locks to flow down your back. For an extra touch of sophistication, wrap sections of hair around your hair tie for a hidden finish.
Good hair day by @Ivehadituptohair.
Voluminous Blowout
Any age group can benefit from a voluminous blowout, but we particularly love the look for our 50+ ladies with long hair. If you're noticing more hair fall than ever when you run your round brush through your hair, try a blow-dry primer like Kérastase Genesis Defense Thermique Blow Dry Primer. This fortifying product is formulated for weakened hair prone to falling out due to breakage from brushing. It detangles, hydrates, helps prevent split ends, and protects hair from blow-dry heat.
Good hair day by @bellezabylinnea.
Pin Straight
More and more women are embracing naturally gray strands, and we absolutely love it! To let your hair truly shine, opt for sleek, pin-straight strands. Gray hair can have a tendency to be more wiry and dull-looking, so use a hair oil like Kérastase Elixir Ultime L'Huile Original Hair Oil to give your strands some much-needed radiance.
Good hair day by @yourmanegirl.jess.
Accessorize
Hair accessories are back in a major way, and who says 50-somethings can't get in on the fun? Whether you weave a silk hair scarf throughout your updo or pop on a chic hair clip, don't be afraid to find the perfect way to make the trend work for you!
Good hair day by @jami_headstudio.
Elevated Ponytail
It's time to toss your box of basic hair elastics. If you really want to up your ponytail game (and keep it age-appropriate), wear a simple jeweled or metallic hair accessory and give your strands a bit of texture. You'll need a texturizing spray like Pureology Style + Protect Wind Tossed Texture Finishing Spray. This invisible, dry formula holds textured styles with a soft, touchable feel.
Good hair day by @nanette_guild.
Half Updo
If your half-up ponytail gives more of a schoolgirl vibe than chic-woman-about-town, skip the ponytail. Instead, create a sleek half updo by securing the top layer of your hair with bobby pins.
Good hair day by @haircolorkilla.
Bombshell Curls
Good news: You don't need to ditch that old set of hot rollers. In fact, the bigger the curls, the better! Click here for our complete guide on achieving big bombshell curls.
Good hair day by @rebeccapezimhair.
Waves
Whether you opt for a polished look or a beachy, undone vibe, wavy hair is always a good idea. Celebrities of all ages love classic waves for their chic appearance. It also doesn’t hurt that they’re super easy to achieve. You can use a curling wand to get a more refined finish or a wave spray for a messier effect.
Good hair day by @andrewlovescolor.
Half-Up Bun
Lazy-girl hairstyles are far from exclusive to college students and VSCO girls. Everyone should have a few quick styles in their repertoire for late mornings. Throw your mane into a half-up bun for a laid-back, age-appropriate look you can achieve in under five minutes.
Good hair day by @jordanhairstyles.
Long Curtain Bangs
While some fringe styles might seem over-the-top if you fall into the over-50 group, long curtain bangs are just low-maintenance enough to make styling a total breeze. As an added bonus—they frame your face perfectly and instantly help you appear more youthful.
Good hair day by @maddiemelts.
Long Layers
When it comes to styling long hair after 50, there are some new considerations to keep in mind. Your once thick, plentiful mane may become thinner and more wiry as you age. You should ask your stylist for long layers to give your mane movement and volume.
If you want to boost the density of your mane, pick up a haircare system like Kérastase Densifique Bain Densite Shampoo and Densifique Fondant Densite Conditioner. This thickening system, formulated with hyaluronic acid, strengthens, cleanses hair buildup, and creates shine while increasing hair density.
Side-Swept Ringlets
This easy-to-pull-off style combines the elegance of side-parted hair with the glamor of soft, flowing curls for a youthful, flattering look that suits all hair types.
Good hair day by @curlingmekrazy.
Wash-And-Go
Looking for easy hairstyles for long hair over 50? A wash-and-go is a staple style for women with naturally curly hair that looks just as good dressed up as it does dressed down. The key to the perfect wash-and-go is to find a product with equal parts hold, shine, and moisture. We love setting this easy, breezy style with Mizani’s Styling Foam Wrap, which contains nourishing and strengthening ingredients like monoi oil, shea butter, and ceramides.
Good hair day by @texturecurlbar.
Face-Framing Curly Bridal Updo
If you're preparing to head down this aisle, save this dreamy updo for your bridal hair inspiration. The face-framing tendrils show off your enviable length, while the curled updo keeps your style in place all night.
Silk Press
If shrinkage has you questioning your long length, you can stretch your coils to create a style even a princess would envy. A silk press is the perfect way to show off the true versatility of your textured strands.
Good hair day by @simplyheathergabrielle.
Half-Up Half-Down
This half-up, half-down style is a great way to extend the life of your silk press. When your press loses its sleek shine, apply a heat protectant like Mizani’s Press Agent Thermal Smoothing Styling Cream and use a curling iron to create ringlets all over your mane. Once complete, split your half in half from ear to ear and secure the top half in a ponytail.
Good hair day by @theindiahoward.
Knotless Braids
Knotless braids are a timeless protective style that helps flaunt your luscious length. While you have them, you may not have to style your hair for a few weeks, but that doesn't mean you should neglect your haircare routine. Refresh your scalp on wash day with Mizani’s Wonder Crown scalp foaming pre-cleanser. The nozzle top makes it easy to get in the crevices of your braids for a squeaky-clean scalp.
Senegalese Twists
Consider Senegalese twists if you want to switch things up from your usual knotless braids. This style is easily achieved with your natural length, or you can add extensions for a more dramatic look.
Good hair day by @sunniebrook.
Sleek Ponytail
Upgrade your casual ponytail by slicking it back with a firm hold brush and a hairspray like Biolage’s Professional’s Complete Control Hairspray.
Good hair day by @sunniebrook.
Overnight Braid Waves
Sleep your way to effortless waves with a couple of braids. Plait your hair in several braids before you sleep, and when you take them out in the morning, you'll have instant beach waves.
Two-Strand Twist Ponytail
If a simple ponytail isn't enough to tame your hair for your tough workouts, tuck your strands away with this two-strand twist ponytail. Split your ponytail into two halves and twist them around each other until you reach the end of your length and secure the twist with a hair elastic.
Good hair day by @sunniebrook.
Disco Waves
This retro style is perfect for your next night out on the town. Prep your hair with Biolage Professional Strength Recovery Strength-Repairing Spray for heat protection and Biolage Professional Whipped Volume Mousse for hold. Curl sections of hair with a 1/2-inch curling iron using a wrapping technique, and clip in place to cool. Continue curling all over, making sure to curl the pieces in front away from your face. Lock in your look with a little hairspray, then release your curls, brush them out, and create a deep side part. Polish the ends with a couple of drops of Biolage Professional All-In-One Multi-Benefit Oil.
Double Curly Updo
Once you're done rocking your disco waves, use the remaining curls for this double-curly updo. Divide hair in half and secure with a clear elastic. Create a knot with the top section, leaving the ends out. Pin the ponytail in place, and spray with Biolage Professional Freeze Fix Hairspray. Wrap in a bun, leaving the ends out, and secure with pins. Customize your curls and shape to your preference. Finish your look with more hairspray for a style that lasts all night.
Hollywood Glam Waves
Channel your inner vixen with classic old Hollywood glamor. Follow this easy tutorial to recreate the look at home.
Good hair day by @lorealprolab.
Floral Accented Chignon
Take your chignon from muted to festive and dress it up with a few strategically placed florals.
Good hair day by @danielle.keasling.
Butterfly Clip Updo
A butterfly clip is a quick, easy, and chic way to get your hair up and out of your face.
Good hair day by @annette_updo_artist.
Braided Updo
This intricate updo may require the skilled hands of a professional. Show the video above to your stylist at your next appointment and have them create this updo for you—it’s sure to blow everyone away.
Good hair day by @joananlkr.
Half-Up Butterfly Clip
This hairstyle is so simple that it can be done on the go. Gather the top half of your hair up and away from your face, and secure it with a butterfly clip.
Butterfly Clip Bun
Want all of your length off of your neck? Use that same butterfly clip to secure your hair in a twisted bun.
Good hair day by @mr_alexandrycosta.
Accent Braids
Accent braids are another great way to add a visual and textural element to your style with little effort. Scatter a few throughout wavy hair, add one to your ponytail, or twist a braid around your go-to bun.
Good hair day by @luis_alvarez_images.
Ballerina Chignon
This classy bun is a signature style everyone should perfect. Gather your hair into a ponytail at the nape of your neck and make it as smooth and tangle-free as possible. Secure it with two bobby pins attached to a rubber band, as shown in the video above. Then, delicately apply Biolage Gelée to smooth and polish the hair's surface. You can also use a comb to help, but instead of using the teeth, use the back of the comb to make hair as sleek and polished as possible.
Next, create a rope pattern with the ponytail by splitting it in two and twisting each section counterclockwise. Twist the sections together, crossing the left over the right until you reach the ends, then tie it off with an elastic band. To form your bun, wrap the twisted ponytail around its base and start placing bobby pins to secure it.
Good hair day by @eboneedavis.
Cornrows
This hairstyle is perfect for anyone looking for a style that's equal parts chic and low-maintenance. Be sure to wear a bonnet each night, and you can rock this style for up to a month!
Good hair day by @shaniabrinkley.
Knotless Boho Goddess Braids
This unique twist on knotless braids is perfect for anyone who loves a dreamy boho style.
Next Up: Money Piece Hair: How To Ace This Trend In 2024
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