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As we age our body goes through many changes and our hair is no exception. Those thick lustrous manes of our youth make way for thinner hair that changes in texture. The result: hair styles that have worked for us for years no longer look quite right.You might be considering going for a crop or giving up years of dying or highlighting. Here we take a look at iconic looks from the rich and famous for inspiration.
MICHELLE OBAMA (57)
The former US first lady wears her hair in a lob (long bob) that she switches up with curls or bangs. This classic look can be worn in several ways and is easy to maintain. If you’re not keen on accessories, keep your look clean with sleek and straightened strands, or curl hair slightly for loose waves that keep it away from the face.
TIP Protein treatments are used to fortify hair, but when overused they can leave locks dry and brittle. Alternate these with deep-conditioning treatments for healthy hair.
HELEN MIRREN (76)
The actress has recently been spotted on the red carpet with a platinum lob. Using a chunky Alice band and scrunchies to accessorise and keep her mane out of her face helps make her appear more youthful.
TIP If you have a full head of grey hair, experiment with accessories in cool tones such as sorbetcolours, pink, lavender and black.
ANDIE MACDOWELL (63)
The actress celebrates her grey hair in a way many women her age might shy away from: long and voluminous. Known for her chestnut brown mane, she decided during lockdown to embrace her natural hair colour. “I’ve been saying for a while now it was time for me to make that transition because I felt like it was appropriate for my personality and just who I am,” she recently told Vogue.com.
TIP If you have curly hair, experiment with styling textures such as curls and waves. Instead of locks looking drab, they’ll be healthy, voluminous and utterly fab!
JAMIE LEE CURTIS (62)
The actress is known for her super-short, stylish pixie cut. This hairstyle is great for when you’re transitioning from partly to full-on grey hair. The salt and pepper effect makes the contrasting hair colours appear as highlights, and this is especially flattering for mature women. Short hair is low maintenance and requires little to no styling but you can still experiment with a few looks.
TIP Experiment with dainty pins and accessories. These stand out and complement the cropped look as they don’t compete with the hair.
Ageing hair is thinner, more fragile, and prone to dryness and breakage, so it sometimes appears frizzy too. Follow these tips for a healthy mane:
- Minimise the amount of heat you use on your hair, and when you do apply heat use good-quality tools that have temperature control.
- If you’re out in the sun, wear a hat. S Use silver or purple shampoo and toner to keep grey hair bright and vibrant.
- Sleep on a satin pillowcase. It creates less friction and moisture isn’t drawn from the hair.
- Get regular trims every six to eight weeks to promote healthy hair growth.
- Avoid really hot showers and don’t wash your hair too often to prevent it being stripped of natural oils.
3 flattering fringes
Bangs are flattering for any face shape and work with every hairstyle. The trick lies in finding the right length and shape, and this will be determined by the shape of your face. Here are some of the most flattering styles for older women.
DIPPER BANGS
These are almost like side-swept bangs except they don’t have a definite length and they sweep across the face and blend in with the length of the hair. They work well with a side parting and for lobs and long pixies. If you’re not sure you want a fringe, then this look is for you.
SIDE-SWEPT BANGS
These bangs are popular because they soften the features of the face as they’re light and flowy. They also conceal a wide forehead and look great with updos and layered bobs.
BROW-BOOSTER BANGS
These are choppy and fun, and make your brows stand out. Both the bangs and brows create a frame that flatters the face. This is a good look if you wear glasses and don’t want your brows, fringe and specs fighting with one another, or if you get irritated with having hair in your eyes.
