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These short hairstyles make fine hair over 50 look instantly fuller
The best short cuts to flatter fine and thinning mature hair right now
Short hair has never been so chic. Forget the stereotype that losing length adds years to your appearance – the best short hairstyles look seriously fresh, feminine, sharp and modern on women over 50. Not only that, they’re flattering on fine or thinning hair, adding immediate volume. Oh, and they’re sexy too!
‘Short hair on mature women can look incredibly sexy because it brings out the eyes, cheekbones and confidence,’ says celebrity stylist Larry King. ‘Think Robin Wright or Kristin Scott Thomas, their style feels effortless, chic and powerful all at once.’
The best short hairstyles for women in their 50s, 60s and beyond all have the benefit of being easy to style and flattering to wear. ‘Mature hair often benefits from going shorter because it instantly creates more movement, shape and fullness,’ Larry adds. ‘I especially love soft bixies, textured pixies and jawbone bobs because they keep the hair modern and fresh without feeling too “done”.
There are so many options to choose from, but they all share one thing in common: their feel. ‘I think short hair only ever looks ageing when it’s too set or too stiff,’ says Larry. ‘Short hair is so youthful when it’s soft and touchable.’
The best short styles also work with, not against, fine hair. ‘When cut regularly, a short style makes the most of fine hair so you don't get a natural tapering towards the ends’ says John Frieda Salon creative director Zoe Irwin. ‘Shorter styles make the most out of the strands you do have and add an elegance to the hair.’
Here are the best, most flattering short hairstyles to try if you have fine hair over 50.
The flicky pixie
As Robin Wright’s hairstylist Larry King puts it: ‘Short hair should move, catch the light, and make you feel like you’ve just walked out of a film scene.’ The ageless, flicky pixie he created for her does exactly that. ‘It’s cropped but we left enough length through the crown and around the face to play with. It gives that gorgeous, flicky texture when you style it - it’s confident and so feminine.’
Team it with his new Larry King Hair Ride Or Die Texture Spray. ‘It’s my non-negotiable finishing product, it gives short hair that cool, lived-in texture and movement that makes it feel modern, sexy and expensive rather than stiff,’ he says.
The soft sweep
Kristin Scott Thomas never fails to deliver short-hair inspiration, and we love her latest look – a softly-swept style that makes the most of her silver sections. It's a gently sculpted style that feels effortlessly full and fresh, and really enhances her eyes and cheekbones.
The lob
The bob is more popular than ever, but if you’re still deliberating whether to go short, a long bob, or 'lob', is the perfect low-commitment option. Sitting somewhere between the jaw and collarbone, it’s loved for being low-maintenance and easy to style. A trim every 3–4 months will keep the shape fresh, but it can also be left to grow gracefully into a mid-length cut. Helen Mirren’s hairstyle is a shining example.
The laser-cut bob
If your hair is straight as well as fine, a sleek, laser-precise bob like Julianne Moore’s is always a flattering choice. As hair trend-watcher and AEVUM salon founder Tom Smith explains: ‘A sharp bob is a great option for those with fine hair as the cut will increase the appearance of thickness and density in the hair.’
The Bixie
A Bixie is essentially a hybrid between a bob and a pixie cut, explains top hairdresser Gustav Fouche. ‘It keeps a little bit of length through the back, like a bob, but has the lightness and playfulness of a pixie.’ It also works on many hair textures – GH loves Halle Berry’s bixie.
The layered lob
Layers are very useful for adding volume to fine, short hair. They immediately thicken out the cut by giving an internal structure which helps to support and hold a style. Glenn Close’s layers add real interest and dimension to the front of her style.
The feathered pixie
Celia Imrie’s feathered pixie is full of choppy, textured layers that deliver plenty of volume and movement. Her softly side-swept fringe frames the face beautifully, while also creating a clever ‘facelift’ effect by drawing attention to the eyes.
The graduated bob
Not only is a short graduated bob one of the biggest hair trends right now, it’s also a brilliant choice for finer strands. ‘For fine hair, this style gives you the appearance of more volume,’ confirms hairstylist and Fudge Global Ambassador Jonathan Andrew. To keep a youthful approach, he recommends wearing it sleek and close to the head, just like Cate Blanchett.
The boyish crop
Jamie Lee Curtis’ signature look for a reason; the ‘boyish’ crop is as low-maintenance as it is chic. If you’re ready to commit to a shorter crop, take inspiration from this lightly feathered cut which sits slightly longer on the top than at the sides. Hair looks fuller instantly.
The beehive bob
If you’re worried that a short style will be a one-trick pony, look at Sharon Stone and her ‘beehive bob’. This takes a classic bob length, tucks back the sides and boosts the top with subtle backcombing.
‘The length of Sharon’s bob is limited for any updos, but the beehive bob allows you to create the silhouette of one’ says Mitchell Ladbrook, senior stylist at Nicola Clarke salon. ‘‘Building volume in this way is incredibly flattering for fine hair.’ Meanwhile, flicked out sections at the back add playful movement and avoid any harsh ‘all scraped back’ feel.
The rounded bob
Michelle Yeoh wears her sleek, chin-length bob with a soft bevel, creating a soft, flattering finish. Use a round brush to gently curl the hair in towards the face as you blowdry.
The flicked-out bob
Bobs aren't boring! Try Naomi Watts’ flicked bob which gives a modern edge to a retro look. Just part your hair, then use the edge of a straightener to flick and shape the ends up and away.
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