40 Top Haircuts and Hairstyles for Women Over 40

Just because you are in your 40s doesn't mean you can't have gorgeous long hair or a fun hair color. This is the time in your life to experiment with something new, whether that is chopping off ten inches, trying a bold new hue, or rocking bangs for the first time. Throw your ideas of "age-appropriate" out the window, and embrace your youthful spirit.After all, that's what turning 40 is all about. So, what are you waiting for? Choose from this list of haircuts and hairstyles for women over 40 that are flattering, classy, and easy to manage.

Top Haircuts and Hairstyles for Women Over 40 in 2023

1. Ombre Wavy Bob

@_lavenueShort hair with blonde highlights, loose curls or relaxed soft waves - all of these will emphasize your feminine features. This Jennifer Aniston-inspired long bob is a win-win short style for mature women. Loose waves and the right shade of platinum blonde will bring new life to thin hair and fine hair.

2. Low Pony Tail

@viola_pyakThis gorgeous pony tail creative style is achieved on super smooth hair that has stunning shine. To get this make sure hair is as straight as possible with a keratin treatment or basic glossing treatment.

3. Blunt Razor Cut with Bangs

@chellsiedanielleWe love this shaggy look with the additional of bangs. The lowlights and highlights combination makes this look come together. Ask your colorist for custom highlights to draw attention to your best facial features.

4. Classic French Twist

@spacebyalexbrownEvery woman with chin-length or longer hair should know how to get a french twist in a hurry. This sleek and simple style comes together in minutes with a hair elastic and bobby pins. This red carpet updo is not among the most trendy hairstyles, but it’s definitely among the most eternal ones.

5. Center Part Balayage Bob

@gretawagner_A basic slightly asymmetrical bob comes together well with the addition of balayage style color. The natural dark brown of the hair gets a dose of light with these warm tones of the caramel highlight style. This would be one of the best hairstyles for women over 50, too!

6. Chestnut Shag Bob

@lis_a_lissalonThe Chestnut Brown color on this model shines because there are some subtle shimmery highlights throughout the color. The texture on the bottom of this cut is simply amazing. The face-framing layers make such medium-length hairstyles more playful, and the highlights will mask your first gray hairs.

7. Chin Length Razor Bob

@rubyjayhairThis type of bob is one that truly looks good on women of all ages. Side-swept bangs give a mystery appeal to the look, and the razored ends and long layers add in the appearance of volume.

8. Copper Highlights Long Razor Cut

@hairbyfaithannThis long layered look shows what can be done when a colorist thinks outside the box when it comes to highlights. The heavy copper highlights on the side swept bangs make the model's face stand out.

9. Curly Blonde Bob

@amanda.laityThis wavy Bob is all about the well-defined golden curls. At first glance, it may appear that this short bob is just blonde, but when you look closer, you see some gorgeous platinum lowlights added in for a multi-faceted look. To make blunt bob look so airy, use a salt spray to keep some space between rounded layers.

10. Long Wave Cut With Swept Back

@lessandrasbeauty_studioThis smooth flowing below the shoulders hairstyle is a good option for ladies that just don't want to have shorter hair. The length is not so long that it weighs down your face or overall look. A cute clip holds bangs in place all day.

11. Dark Taper Cut

@daynaboldenWhile going lighter with hair color is a popular choice for women over 40, this short-length low-maintenance tapered pixie shines bright. This eye-catching well-tapered layered short pixie style cut does a good job framing a beautiful face.

12. Almost Chin Length Big Waves

Instagram:styleelinA basic yet attractive side-swept bob that is a compromise of popular lengths. This is an ideal look for busy women that still want a lot of style options.

13. Feathered Layers

@madeline_heileFeathered hair has a place in modern style. This short hairstyle combines face-framing long layers and gray hair highlights.

14. Ginger Strawberry Bob

@naghmeh.davoodiThere is a whole world of red out there. A stylist can help you find a shade that goes well with your skin tone and eye color. This Strawberry color is great for blue or green-eyed ladies.

15. Strawberry Ombre

@alwaysbvipThe two tone color look is hot right now. If you like the look but want to keep it a bit more subtle than consider going with a color that is a tone found in nature or at least a pastel shade that doesn't pop out so much.

16. The Heather

For years women have admired Heather Locklear's fabulous blonde lob hairstyle. Her look is done by well-placed layers and a fringe of bangs. You don't have to go blonde to rock this style either.

17. Hot Color Stack Bob

Streaked blonde and brown hair get an edgy boost with a pop of color. Plenty of women over 40 are now trying color combinations they have not in the past.

18. Red Hot Choppy Layers

@madoveyThis vibrant red color gives the more common burgundy a fun upgrade. Use a root concealer in between salon visits to hide outgrow. This is a heavily layered look that will grow out well if you often go back and forth from short to longer looks.

19. Ultimate Red Pixie Cut

Sharon Osbourne has never been one to be afraid to push the envelope when it comes to hot colors and edgy style. This vampire red color suits most women over 40 well and enlivens a typical tousled pixie cut.

20. Dirty Blonde Balayage

Instagram:krave_salonIf you like having longer blonde shades of hair, then balayage can make it a lot less harsh looking for a lady over 40. Bleached out looks can make you look the same. This attractive color pattern combines the whole range of blonde out there.

21. Long Dark Waves & Light Tips

@hannahjo.haircoWhile ombre looks are popular, they can be a bit too much for a more conservative look. The look shown here relies on subtly lightened tips for a beautiful take on a popular trend.

22. Long Straight Shiny

@nadine.adrienneIf you are lucky enough to be able to get great length and maintain the condition, then the silky straight long look can be a simple one that gives you the freedom to style your hair countless ways.

23. Mid-Length Large Curls

@aaronscottlacyBeauty and volume come together in this stunning cut. Mid-length is such a good goal to go for if you have curls you love but want some manageability and weight reduction on your head.

24. Christie Brinkley Model Long Curls

@markatad75Christie shines with below-the-shoulder curls and side-swept bangs. A pretty and basic look that is sure to be a winner for anyone that likes to keep hair a longer length. Christie’s brilliant blonde color is stunning with her appearance, but those with darker skin tones should explore the gorgeous honey and caramel blonde colors that are out there.

25. Round Bob

Intsagram:ernasvalbardThis choppy round bob with side-swept bangs frames the face and had amazing highlights. You can take it to another level with a streak or two of fun color. Round bobs that are side-swept look best on round faces while center parts should be avoided.

26. Sarah Jessica Long Locks

@fraeandco.amandakLong hairstyles for women over 40 are absolutely gorgeous. Sarah Jessica Parker's hair has always been able an inspiration. While she chooses blonde, this can be done in any shade of color and looks really good with balayage. The parting hair on the side can give this a different and more mysterious look.

27. Shaggy Yet Smooth Pixie

instagram: t.techniquesThis dark brown pixie offers layers but still lays smooth enough for a sophisticated and face-hugging look. If you work with the public a lot, then this is a manageable everyday hair cut that only requires a few trips to the salon a year if you are not concerned about an inch or so of extra length at times.

28. Long Choppy Layers & Blunt Cut Bangs

@aiirprofessionalYou might think you see a lot of bangs here lately, but there is a reason for this. Blunt bangs make sure that your eyes have a line over them for added drama and emphasis. Heavy highlighted layers make for a long textured look that is simply out of this world.

29. Side Swept Straight & Curly Lob

Instagram:novohair_This is one hot messy cut that can take years off your appearance while still being completely appropriate and good for the office. A bit of styling in the morning is going to be necessary to maintain this volume.

30. Smooth Side Swept Bangs

@marymargaret.gibersonKeeping sleek and smooth usually, pays off when it comes to hot hairstyles. For thick-haired women, this is a good option for control, and the layers help take the weight off and give you ultimate texture.

31. Super Sleek Lob

@kellyluvshairThis is one of our favorite hairstyles for women over 40. A shoulder-length slightly layered cut can be very flattering for a lady over 40. The model here has some roots showing but you can avoid this with balayage color or stick to your natural color.

32. Smooth Undercut Pixie Style Cut

Instagram:lynnmpalmer

33. Carmel Highlights

Instagram:dare.e.hairThe Carmel highlighted look is one of our favorite medium length hairstyles. On this razor cut with side swept bangs the blonde streaks really bring out the texture and fun.

34. Super Short Pixie

Instagram:ShorthairforlifeThis very short cut is daring but oh so pretty on women with good facial structure and stunning skin. This is perfect for a woman that wants to change out looks often because the length allows for easy and comfortable wear of wigs.

35. The 60s Flip

Instagram:beautybyaraceliFlipped under hair ends are not hard with a medium to large barrel curling iron or even a good round brush and hairdryer. This cute look is set off by a few golden blonde highlights. This is a style that is inspired by the ladies of Mad Men.

36. Tousled Pixie

@hairbyjamie_fThis is a very shaggy and tousled version of the pixie that leaves a little more hair on the neck than usual. If you want, some highlights can make this look bright and playful.

37. Red Highlighted Bob

Instagram:Glam_BY_Leann

38. Long Feathered Razor Cut With Blunt Bangs

Instagram:thestylegarage422This cut takes a lot of weight off of heavy hair. If you want to keep some length and have thick hair, then this is one to consider. Styling is easy with a rounded brush and hair dryer to set the flyaway layers in place for the day.

39. Wavy Little Chin Bob

Instagram:live_love_dohairThis Short Bob is one of the most popular hairstyles for women over 40. It goes just below the chin, and the waves are all that is needed for the texture you crave. Try using a hair wand to create beautiful waves. The side-swept bang look is popular; a straight part can be attractive on oval faced ladies. This look has been seen on a lot of celebrities.

40. White Blonde Layers

@mydarlingivyWhite blonde can be a lot of fun, but if you have naturally really dark hair, it might not be the best look because bleaching is harsh on the hair and roots show so quickly. If you have light brown or lighter hair naturally then this is a style worth investigating further. This is also a great base for adding highlights of other colors that don't show well on darker hair.Hopefully, our list has inspired you to consider all the wonderful haircuts and hairstyles for women over 40 possibilities, and has you encouraged to express your creativity and confidence.Finding a stylist that is not afraid to try out fun styles is also very important. Facebook pages of hair salons or stylists are great places to take a peek at work before you make any phone calls for appointments.