How should a 60 year old woman wear her hair? Unlocking Your Most Flattering Look

According to a study by AARP, long hair worn by women over 50 is trending more than ever, with many breaking traditional rules about age-appropriate hair. This modern freedom opens up countless possibilities, so the question of how should a 60 year old woman wear her hair is truly about personal style and preferences. The key is to find a look that enhances your features and works with your hair's unique texture as it changes with age.

Quick Summary

Deciding on a hairstyle at 60 involves embracing cuts that add volume and movement, choosing colors that enhance skin tone, and adopting a care routine focused on hydration. Options range from chic, low-maintenance pixie cuts and blunt bobs to sophisticated, layered shoulder-length styles and elegant long waves.

Key Points

• Embrace Modern Cuts: Forget outdated rules; choose cuts like layered pixies, blunt bobs, or lobs that add volume and movement to complement your changing hair texture.

• Add Dimension with Color: Opt for multi-tonal shades like honey blonde, caramel brown, or rich chestnut with highlights rather than a solid, flat color that can look harsh.

• Focus on Hydration: Mature hair tends to be drier. Use hydrating shampoos, rich conditioners, and minimize heat styling to keep hair healthy and prevent breakage.

• Consider Your Face Shape and Glasses: Match your cut to your face shape and balance it with your eyeglass frames. Angular bobs pair well with round frames, while softer waves suit square frames.

• Low-Maintenance is Key: For many, an easy-to-manage style is a priority. Bobs, pixies, and shags are excellent options that require less daily styling effort.

• Long Hair Can Still Work: With proper care and strategic layers, women can wear long hair gracefully. Face-framing layers and soft waves can add movement and freshness to longer locks.

Rethinking Traditional Hair 'Rules' for Women in Their 60s

For decades, society dictated that women should cut their hair short once they reached a certain age. However, those rules are now obsolete. Today's approach is about choosing a style that makes you feel confident and beautiful, regardless of your age. Whether you prefer short, medium, or long hair, modern cuts are designed to work with—not against—the natural changes that hair undergoes over time.

Hair Changes and How to Adapt

As women enter their 60s, hormonal shifts, especially during menopause, can impact hair's texture and density. Many experience a decrease in volume, an increase in dryness, and changes in hair color. These changes are not obstacles but rather an opportunity to try new techniques and products. A smart stylist can help you select a cut and color that compensates for thinning hair by adding the illusion of fullness and vibrancy.

Low-Maintenance and Chic Short Hairstyles

Short hair is a popular choice for many women over 60 due to its ease of styling and modern appeal. But 'low-maintenance' doesn't have to mean boring. There are several dynamic options that keep things fresh and stylish.

• Layered Pixie Cut: A classic for a reason, a layered pixie adds volume and texture to fine hair. Choppy layers can be styled with mousse for a modern, tousled effect.
• Blunt Bob: For a polished, sleek look, a chin-length blunt bob is an excellent option. This cut can make fine hair appear thicker and fuller by avoiding layers that can make ends look stringy.
• Tapered Crop: For a truly minimal-effort style, a tapered crop is closely cut at the sides and back, with longer layers on top to add volume. This edgy look has plenty of attitude.

Medium-Length Options for Timeless Elegance

If you're not ready to go short but want a change from very long hair, a medium-length cut offers versatility and a fresh feel. These styles are often less weighty than very long hair, helping to avoid a flat look.

• The Layered Lob: A 'lob,' or long bob, is a universally flattering length that sits between the chin and collarbone. Adding long, soft layers creates movement and body, preventing it from appearing lifeless.
• Shoulder-Length Waves: Effortless and romantic, shoulder-length waves add texture and volume, especially useful for thinning hair. This style strikes a perfect balance between long and short.
• Feathered Midi Cut: A softer, feathered cut creates a light, feathery lift at the crown, making hair appear fuller. This is a simple, yet stylish, option that works well with most face shapes.

Color and Highlights: Choosing Your Best Hue

Just as your skin tone changes with age, so does your hair's ideal color. The right shade can brighten your complexion, soften features, and give your hair a healthier appearance.

• Silver Fox: Embracing natural gray hair has become incredibly chic. A professional colorist can help with a gradual transition, adding silvery or golden highlights to blend with your incoming gray.
• Multi-Tonal Blends: Flat, single-process colors can appear harsh against mature skin. Warm, multi-tonal shades like honey blonde, caramel brown, or bronde (brown-blonde) add dimension and a youthful glow.
• Rich Brunettes with Dimension: For natural brunettes, instead of a solid dark shade, a rich chestnut with subtle, warmer lowlights can add depth and radiance without looking heavy.

A Hair Care Routine for Healthy, Mature Hair

As hair becomes more fragile and dry with age, a dedicated care routine is essential to maintain its health and shine.

Hair Care Essentials

1. Prioritize Hydration: Your scalp produces less sebum as you age, so using a hydrating shampoo and a rich conditioner is crucial to combat dryness. Focus conditioner on the mid-lengths and ends.
2. Minimize Heat Styling: Overusing heat tools can damage already fragile hair. Whenever possible, let hair air-dry. When heat styling is necessary, always use a heat protectant spray.
3. Gentle Handling: Use a wide-toothed comb to gently detangle hair, especially when wet, to prevent breakage. Work from the ends up to the roots.
4. Regular Trims: Getting a trim every 6-8 weeks helps to remove split ends and keep your style looking fresh.

Comparing Top Low-Maintenance Hairstyles

Feature	Layered Pixie	Blunt Bob	Shoulder-Length Waves
Styling Effort	Very Low	Low	Medium
Best for Hair Type	Fine, thinning	Fine, medium	Fine, wavy
Volume	Excellent, especially with product	Creates illusion of thickness	Excellent, adds movement
Maintenance	Regular trims to maintain shape	Regular trims for a crisp line	Less frequent trims needed
Modern Appeal	Edgy, confident	Sleek, sophisticated	Effortless, bohemian

Conclusion: Finding Your Signature Style

The question, how should a 60 year old woman wear her hair, has no single answer. The best look is the one that makes you feel most like yourself, confident and vibrant. Focus on cuts that add volume and movement, colors that brighten your complexion, and a nurturing hair care routine that keeps your hair healthy. With a myriad of modern options available, from chic bobs to elegant long waves, your 60s are the perfect time to experiment and find a style that truly reflects your personality.

For more expert advice on embracing hair changes with age, explore the guides and articles on the AARP website. Their resources cover everything from modern cuts to hair color options for mature hair.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most flattering hair length for a 60 year old woman?

There is no single 'most flattering' length, as it depends on hair type and face shape. Short, medium, and long layered styles can all be flattering. The key is to add layers for movement and avoid hair that is so long it appears weighed down.

Can a 60 year old woman still wear long hair?

Yes, absolutely. Many stylists now recommend shoulder-length or longer hair for women over 60, especially if hair is thick and healthy. Adding minimal, face-framing layers can help keep it modern and prevent a 'flat' look.

What hair color is best for women in their 60s?

Warm, multi-tonal colors like honey blonde, caramel, and rich auburn are often recommended as they add a youthful glow to the complexion. Silver or platinum can also be chic, especially when professionally blended to ease the transition to gray.

Which haircut is best for thinning hair in a 60 year old woman?

For thinning hair, cuts like a layered pixie, a blunt bob, or a layered lob can create the illusion of fullness. Strategic layers add volume and movement, making hair appear thicker.

How do I care for dry, aging hair?

Caring for mature hair involves using hydrating shampoos and conditioners, minimizing heat styling, and getting regular trims. Also, use a wide-toothed comb for detangling to prevent breakage.

What hairstyles work best for women over 60 who wear glasses?

Consider a textured pixie cut or a bob with side-swept bangs, which frame the face and complement glasses. Balancing the style of your hair with your frames is key to a cohesive look.

Should a 60 year old woman avoid wearing certain hairstyles?

Instead of avoiding styles, focus on adapting them. A modern shag or sleek bob is stylish, but an overly teased, dated look can be aging. Modern haircuts are about texture and movement, not rigid structure.