As women pass the age of 50, finding a flattering hairstyle that suits their changing hair texture and needs can be challenging.
Mid length hairstyles that fall around the shoulders are an excellent option for mature women who want a style that is both elegant and easy to manage.
The right mid length cut can beautifully frame the face and draw attention to your best features:
The Classic Bob
A classic bob is one of the most versatile and flattering mid length cuts for women over 50.
It suits those with straight or wavy hair textures.
For fine or thinning hair, add in some long layers to create fullness and the illusion of density.
The chin-length cut draws attention to your eyes, cheekbones and smile without exposing the neck.
This look is ideal for oval, square or heart shaped faces, as the edges skim the jawline softly.
Avoid a blunt bob if you have a very round face as it can exaggerate fullness.
Instead, go for a longer or angled bob.
Add in swept across bangs to minimize a large forehead or wide jawline.
Tuck hair behind one ear to showcase beautiful cheekbones.
Style your bob with some waves or curls flipped under at the ends for maximum volume and movement.
The Shoulder Length Shag
A shag with lots of choppy layers is perfect for women over 50 looking to embrace their natural waves or curls.
The shoulder length cut with bouncy texture frames the face beautifully.
This style works best for those with thick, full hair although fine hair can pull it off too.
Add products like sea salt spray to accentuate texture.
The shag is ideal for oval, heart and diamond face shapes.
Keep layers slightly longer and face framing for round faces to add balance.
Ask your stylist for a cut with short layers throughout the back and sides to allow curls to spring up.
Longer layers towards the front provide a flattering frame.
Finger style mousse or gel through damp hair and scrunch up to bring out bounce and waves as it air dries.
Finish with a texture spray once dry.
The Angled Bob
An angled bob is a trendy upgrade to the classic bob.
It works well on women over 50 who have straight hair or a hair type with a bit of wave.
The slanted ends are flattering for square, oval and diamond face shapes, adding a modern touch of edge.
Ask for an angled bob cut to collarbone length in the front with shorter layers in the back hitting just at the nape of the neck.
This creates a flattering elongated shape.
Blow dry hair sleek and straight.
Those with fine hair can flip ends under for volume.
Pair with bangs for a youthful look.
An angled bob is versatile – dress it up with waves or keep it sleek and straight.
Update it regularly with fresh trims to maintain the angled shape.
The Wavy Lob
A lob (long bob) with soft waves is a gorgeous medium length style for women over 50.
It is especially stunning on those with thick hair that holds a wave.
The length falls neatly around the collarbones, making it easy to manage.
The texture provides volume and movement.
This look complements oval, square and heart shaped faces.
Use a large barrel curling iron to add big, bouncy waves throughout the lengths.
Focus curls towards the ends rather than the roots for a relaxed effect.
Those with very straight hair may need to prep with a salt spray first to help waves hold.
Finish with a lightweight hairspray such as a flexible hold formula.
For extra polish, straighten the ends.
The Textured Layered Cut
A medium length layered haircut with lots of texture is a youthful choice.
It looks beautiful on older women with wavy or curly hair that looks better shorter.
The layers remove any heaviness for a rejuvenated look that pops with volume and bounce.
This cut suits oval, heart and long face shapes.
Work with your stylist to determine which layers will best frame your features.
Separate sections and curl with a 1-inch iron, spraying each section with firm hold hairspray as you go to lock in texture.
Let it cool before finger combing into place.
Finish with dry texture spray for separation and movement.
The Blunt Cut Lob
For women over 50 with thick, straight hair, a blunt cut lob is an elegant option.
The cut has minimal layering and hits right at the collarbones.
This graphic, straight shape exudes modern sophistication.
Part hair deeply to one side for an edgy finish.
The strong lines in a blunt cut complement square, oval, oblong and diamond face shapes.
Those with round faces can wear this too by parting to the side.
Use a smoothing serum or oil to banish frizz for super straight locks.
Set in some subtle waves with a flat iron by clamping and flipping the ends under for movement.
Finish with hairspray.
The Shoulder Length A-Line Cut
An A-line cut with a longer front and slightly shorter back is universally flattering.
It suits straight, wavy or curly hair.
The face framing front angle shows off the collarbone and neckline beautifully.
This look is especially gorgeous on older women with round or square face shapes, as the layers add fullness and softness around the face.
Ask your stylist for an A-line shape finishing just at the shoulders.
Incorporate longer layers in the front and volume enhancing layers throughout the back.
This allows curls or waves to spring up.
Set in bendable waves with hot rollers.
Curl the mid-lengths and ends around your face for a lifted effect.
Smooth flyaways with serum.
The Mid Length Stacked Cut
A stacked cut with short layers tapered from the crown down to mid length tips is super modern and fun.
It works with straight or wavy hair.
Short layers at the top provide volume, mimicking the look of very thick hair.
For older women, it takes years off of your appearance.
This textured look complements diamond, heart and oval faces.
The layers slim a round face.
Rough dry hair upside down to build body at the roots.
Concentrate curls or waves on the ends only.
Let the stacked crown area air dry for maximum lift.
Mist dry hair with texture spray and tousle into place with fingers.
The Curly Shag
Embrace natural curls with a curly shag featuring lots of choppy layers cut to enhance and encourage texture.
This lively medium length style prevents curls from stretching out and falling flat.
The mix of short and long layers creates movement and body.
The curly shag flatters oval, diamond, and heart shaped faces.
The volume balances round faces while soft waves frame square jaws.
Use a curl defining cream and diffuse natural curls.
Shake out the roots when dry for extra bounce.
Scrunch in moisturizing mousse for hydration and hold.
The Tousled Lob
Relaxed and tousled, a mid length lob hits a sweet spot between long and short hair.
Subtle waves add volume and dimension.
The lighter ends prevent thick hair from becoming too bulky.
This style is gorgeous on women over 50 with oval, heart and long face shapes.
Add waves with a curling wand, leaving the roots smooth and focusing on mid lengths to ends.
Flip head upside down to tousle.
Mist with dry shampoo or texturizing spray to finish.
For straight hair, use a triple barrel waver to add undone texture and bend.
Finger rake into a pretty, tousled shape.
The Side Parted Mid Length Cut
A mid length cut worn with a deep side part is simple yet sophisticated.
It works equally well on straight or wavy hair.
The part slims a round face.
Layers around the face soften square jaws.
Use volumizing mousse at the roots to pump up flat finer hair.
On straight hair, style a sleek blowout using a paddle brush.
Create bend with a flat iron by bumping ends under away from the face.
Run a smoothing serum through the ends before heat styling.
For volume, flip head over and rough dry hair with a diffuser attachment.
Finger comb into place.
The Curtain Bangs Lob
Curtain bangs make a comeback with this chic shoulder length lob.
The face framing fringe is youthful and stylish.
Layers cut through the ends prevents thick hair from appearing heavy.
This look flatters oval, heart and diamond face shapes.
Blow dry bangs smoothly forward using a round brush.
Curl mid lengths and ends away from the face.
If hair is fine, concentrate curls on the lower halves only, leaving roots smooth.
This creates the illusion of fuller hair.
Mist hair with medium-hold hairspray to set the shape and bangs.
The options are endless when selecting a flattering mid length hairstyle after 50.
Whether your hair is straight, curly, thick or thin, there is a medium length cut to suit you.
From bobs to shags, lobs to layered looks, a shoulder length style allows you to maintain manageable length while still showing off beautiful necklines.
Consult with an experienced stylist and use the tips above to find a mid length hairstyle that makes you look and feel your best!
