I cut almost everything on dry hair, because that’s when I can see where fine or thinning ends fall and how a part really sits. These hairstyles for women over 40 run from a jaw length bob you finish with one round brush to long layers that air-dry and need a trim every twelve weeks.
1. Collarbone Lob With Long Layers
The collarbone lob with long layers is where I start with hair styles for women over 40 because it works on most densities and grows out well. I cut the perimeter at the collarbone on dry hair, slightly longer in front, and point cut long layers from the cheekbone. It suits medium density and most face shapes. Blow-dry with a round brush and finish with serum. Trim every eight weeks.
2. Blunt Shoulder Length Cut
A blunt cut at the shoulder makes the ends read thick. I cut the perimeter straight on dry hair with no layers and part slightly off center. It suits fine to medium density and oval or long faces. Blow-dry flat with a paddle brush and a smoothing cream. Trim every eight weeks because the blunt line shows growth, and gloss every eight.
3. Curtain Bangs With Long Layers
Curtain bangs with long layers soften the forehead without a hard line. I cut the bangs on dry hair from the nose to the cheekbone, splitting at the center, and point cut long layers from the collarbone. It suits medium density and square or round faces. Blow-dry the bangs out with a round brush and air-dry the length. Trim the bangs every five weeks.
4. Jaw Length Bob
A jaw length bob is the cleanest of the hair styles for women over 40 and needs one brush. I cut the perimeter at the jaw on dry hair with point cut ends and part to one side. It suits fine to medium density and oval or square faces. Blow-dry with a round brush rolling under. Trim every six weeks and gloss every eight.
5. Modern Shag With Curtain Bangs
A modern shag with curtain bangs adds movement to hair that has gone flat. I cut the crown layers short on dry hair with point cutting, razor the layers to the collarbone, and cut curtain bangs to the cheekbone. It suits medium density and oval or round faces. Rough-dry with a sea salt spray and push the crown up. Trim every eight weeks.
6. Long Layers Past the Shoulder
Long layers past the shoulder keep length without the weight. I cut the perimeter three inches below the shoulder on dry hair and point cut long layers from the collarbone. It suits medium to thick density and oval or long faces. Blow-dry with a large round brush and finish with a drop of oil. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every eight.
7. Pixie Cut for Women Over 40
A pixie cut for women over 40 keeps the top long enough to style. I cut the sides and back with scissor over comb on dry hair and point cut the top to three inches. It suits fine to medium density and oval or heart faces. Blow-dry the top up and across with a vent brush and finish with paste. Trim every five weeks.
8. Side Swept Bangs With a Lob
Side swept bangs on a lob cover one side of the forehead. I cut the lob at the collarbone on dry hair with point cut ends and cut the bangs from the brow to the cheekbone. It suits medium density and round or square faces. Blow-dry the bangs across with a flat brush and the lob under. Trim every eight weeks and gloss every eight.
9. Beach Waves on Shoulder Length Hair
Beach waves on shoulder length hair are the most requested of the hair styles for women over 40 in my chair. I cut the perimeter at the shoulder on dry hair and point cut long layers from the chin. It suits medium density and oval or round faces. Wave the length with a large iron, scrunch a sea salt spray through, and shake it out with your fingers. Trim every eight weeks and gloss every eight.
10. Face Framing Layers on Long Hair
Face framing layers draw the eye to the cheekbones on long hair. I cut the perimeter past the shoulder on dry hair, point cut the front layers from the cheekbone to the collarbone, and keep the back one length. It suits medium density and round or square faces. Blow-dry the front layers out with a round brush. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every eight.
11. Gray Blending on Long Hair
Gray blending on long hair hides the grow out without a solid color. I cut the perimeter past the shoulder on dry hair with long layers, then weave fine highlights and lowlights through the top so the regrowth disappears. It suits fine to medium density and most face shapes. Blow-dry with a round brush. Trim every ten weeks and refresh the blending every twelve.
12. French Bob With Fringe
A French bob with a fringe sits at the chin with no layers. I cut the perimeter at the chin on dry hair with point cut ends and cut the fringe at the brow with the shears vertical. It suits fine to medium density and oval or heart faces. Air-dry with a light cream and tuck one side. Trim every six weeks and gloss every eight.
13. Wolf Cut for Women Over 40
A wolf cut for women over 40 is a shag with longer ends. I cut the crown layers short on dry hair with point cutting, razor the layers to the collarbone, and keep the ends past the shoulder. It suits medium to thick density and oval or long faces. Rough-dry with a texture spray and push the crown up. Trim every eight weeks.
14. Sleek Low Ponytail
A sleek low ponytail works on long hair with face framing pieces left out. I cut the perimeter past the shoulder on dry hair and point cut two pieces at the cheekbone to frame the face. It suits medium density and oval or round faces. Blow-dry smooth, tie at the nape, and wrap a section around the band. Trim every ten weeks.
15. Bottleneck Bangs With Long Hair
Bottleneck bangs are short at the center and long at the sides. I cut them on dry hair to the brow at the center, widening to the cheekbone, and point cut long layers through the length. It suits medium density and long or oval faces. Blow-dry the bangs with a round brush and air-dry the length. Trim every six weeks and gloss every eight.
16. Stacked Bob
A stacked bob adds height at the back and keeps the front at the chin. I cut the nape short with graduation on dry hair, stack the layers up to the crown, and leave the front long. It suits fine to medium density and round or square faces. Blow-dry the back with a round brush rolling under. Trim every six weeks and gloss every eight.
17. Wavy Lob Cut Dry
A wavy lob is cut dry in the wave pattern so it air-dries into shape. I point cut the perimeter at the collarbone following each wave and add long layers from the chin. It suits medium density and type 2A to 2C waves. Scrunch a sea salt spray into damp hair and leave it. Trim every eight weeks and gloss every eight.
18. Curly Cut With Long Layers
A curly cut is cut dry, curl by curl, so the layers land where the curls sit. I cut the perimeter past the shoulder in the curl pattern and point cut layers from the chin with shorter curls at the crown. It suits medium density and type 3A to 3B curls. Apply a curl cream to wet hair, scrunch, and diffuse on low. Trim every ten weeks.
19. Balayage on Shoulder Length Layers
Balayage on shoulder length layers grows out without a line. I cut the perimeter at the shoulder on dry hair with long layers from the chin, then hand paint lighter pieces through the ends and face frame. It suits medium density and most face shapes. Blow-dry with a round brush. Trim every eight weeks and refresh the balayage every sixteen.
20. Half Up Twist
A half up twist keeps long hair off the face and shows the layers. I cut the perimeter past the shoulder on dry hair and point cut long layers from the cheekbone. It suits medium density and most face shapes. Blow-dry with a round brush, twist the two front sections back, and pin at the crown. Trim every ten weeks.
21. Asymmetrical Bob
An asymmetrical bob draws the eye down one side. I cut the short side at the jaw and the long side at the chin on dry hair with point cut ends and part on the long side. It suits medium density and round or square faces. Blow-dry smooth with a flat brush and tuck the short side. Trim every six weeks and gloss every eight.
22. Full Bangs With Long Straight Hair
Full bangs on long straight hair cover forehead lines. I cut a deep triangle section on dry hair, cut the bangs straight at the brow, then point cut the ends, and keep the length long and one length. It suits medium to thick density and oval or long faces. Blow-dry the bangs flat with a paddle brush. Trim the bangs every four weeks.
23. Layered Cut for Fine Hair Over 40
Fine hair over 40 takes layers when they are point cut, never razored. I cut the perimeter at the collarbone on dry hair, point cut one layer at the chin, and keep the ends blunt so they read full. It suits fine density and oval or long faces. Blow-dry with a vent brush and a root lifting spray. Trim every seven weeks and gloss every eight.
24. Textured Pixie With Long Fringe
A textured pixie with a long fringe is styled with paste. I cut the sides and back with graduation on dry hair, point cut the crown short, and leave the fringe long to the cheekbone. It suits medium density and round or square faces. Blow-dry the fringe across with a flat brush and push the crown up with paste. Trim every five weeks.
25. Glossy One Length Cut
A glossy one length cut reads polished with one salon step. I cut the perimeter past the shoulder on dry hair with point cut ends and no layers, then apply a clear gloss at the bowl. It suits medium density and oval or long faces. Blow-dry flat with a paddle brush and finish with serum. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every six.
26. Lob With Money Piece Highlights
Money piece highlights on a lob brighten the face frame. I cut the lob at the collarbone on dry hair with long layers, then lighten the two front sections from root to end. It suits medium density and most face shapes. Blow-dry the front out with a round brush. Trim every eight weeks and refresh the money piece every ten.
27. Shoulder Length Cut With Volume at the Crown
Volume at the crown lifts the whole face on shoulder length hair. I cut the perimeter at the shoulder on dry hair and point cut two short crown layers at the occipital bone so they stand. It suits fine to medium density and round or square faces. Blow-dry upside down with a root lifting mousse, then smooth the ends. Trim every seven weeks.
28. Long Hair With Wispy Bangs
Wispy bangs on long hair keep the forehead covered without taking density from the length. I cut a shallow section on dry hair, point cut the bangs at the brow with the shears vertical, and keep the length long with two layers. It suits fine density and oval or long faces. Blow-dry the bangs flat with a small brush. Trim every four weeks.
29. Short Bob With Side Part and Glasses
A short bob with a side part sits clear of glasses when the light side is tucked. I cut the perimeter at the jaw on dry hair with point cut ends and part to one side while the client wears her glasses. It suits fine to medium density and oval or round faces. Blow-dry smooth with a flat brush and tuck. Trim every six weeks and gloss every eight.
30. Razor Cut Layers on Thick Hair
Razor cut layers remove weight from thick hair. I cut the perimeter past the shoulder on dry hair, then razor the layers from the cheekbone down and slide cut the interior. It suits thick density and oval or round faces. Air-dry with a light cream and scrunch, or diffuse on low. Trim every eight weeks because razored ends split faster.
31. Chin Length Bob With Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs on a chin bob frame the eyes. I cut the perimeter at the chin on dry hair with point cut ends and cut the bangs from the nose to the cheekbone, splitting at the center. It suits fine to medium density and square or round faces. Blow-dry the bangs out with a round brush and the bob under. Trim the bangs every five weeks.
32. Long Hair With a Deep Side Part
A deep side part on long hair moves volume to one side. I cut the perimeter past the shoulder on dry hair with long layers and part deep to one side, cutting the heavy side a little longer. It suits fine to medium density and round or square faces. Blow-dry the heavy side across with a round brush. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every eight.
33. Shoulder Length Cut for Round Faces
A round face takes shoulder length hair with layers that start below the chin. I cut the perimeter at the shoulder on dry hair and point cut long layers from the collarbone so nothing adds width at the cheek. It suits medium density and round faces. Blow-dry upside down for crown lift, then smooth with a paddle brush. Trim every eight weeks.
34. Lob for Square Faces
A square face takes a lob with soft layers at the jaw. I cut the perimeter at the collarbone on dry hair, point cut layers starting at the cheekbone, and razor the ends at the jaw so the corners soften. It suits medium density and square faces. Blow-dry the front out with a round brush. Trim every eight weeks and gloss every eight.
35. Copper Color on Shoulder Length Layers
Copper color on shoulder length layers warms the skin tone. I cut the perimeter at the shoulder on dry hair with long layers from the chin, then apply a permanent copper at the bowl. It suits fine to medium density and most face shapes. Blow-dry with a round brush and finish with serum. Trim every eight weeks and refresh the copper every six.
36. Low Bun With Face Framing Pieces
A low bun with face framing pieces is the no fuss option for long hair. I cut the perimeter past the shoulder on dry hair and point cut two pieces at the cheekbone to leave out. It suits medium density and most face shapes. Blow-dry smooth and twist the length into a bun at the nape. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every eight.
37. Long Hair With Highlights and Lowlights
Highlights and lowlights on long hair add dimension so the layers show. I cut the perimeter past the shoulder on dry hair with long layers from the chin, then weave fine highlights through the top and lowlights at the sides. It suits medium density and most face shapes. Blow-dry with a round brush. Trim every ten weeks and refresh the color every twelve.
38. Choppy Lob
A choppy lob is point cut deep so each piece stands apart from the next. I cut the perimeter at the collarbone on dry hair, point cut deep into the layers from the chin, then razor the ends. It suits medium density and oval or square faces. Rough-dry with a texture spray and separate the pieces with paste. Trim every eight weeks.
39. Soft Blowout on Long Layers
A soft blowout on long layers is the salon finish most clients ask for. I cut the perimeter past the shoulder on dry hair and point cut long layers from the cheekbone. It suits medium to thick density and oval or round faces. Blow-dry with a large round brush rolling away from the face and set with hairspray. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every eight.
40. Pixie Bob
A pixie bob sits between a pixie and a bob. I cut the nape short with graduation on dry hair, let the front fall to the cheekbone, and point cut layers through the top. It suits fine to medium density and round or square faces. Blow-dry with a flat brush pushing the front forward and lift the crown. Trim every five weeks and gloss every eight.
41. Long Hair for Heart Shaped Faces
A heart shaped face takes long hair with width at the jaw. I cut the perimeter past the shoulder on dry hair, point cut the layers starting at the jaw so the fullness sits there, and cut a soft side fringe. It suits medium density and heart faces. Blow-dry the ends out with a round brush. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every eight.
42. Shoulder Length Cut With Grown Out Bangs
Grown out bangs on shoulder length hair are cut to sweep off the face. I cut the perimeter at the shoulder on dry hair and point cut the bangs from the cheekbone to the jaw so they blend into the layers. It suits fine to medium density and oval or round faces. Blow-dry the bangs back with a round brush. Trim every eight weeks and gloss every eight.
43. Sleek Straight Lob
A sleek straight lob reads polished with a flat iron. I cut the perimeter at the collarbone on dry hair with point cut ends and no layers. It suits medium density and oval or long faces. Blow-dry flat with a paddle brush, pass a flat iron through once, and finish with serum. Trim every eight weeks and gloss every six.
44. Low Maintenance Long Layers
The low maintenance version of hair styles for women over 40 is long hair with two layers that air-dries. I cut the perimeter past the shoulder on dry hair, point cut one layer at the collarbone and one at the cheekbone, and razor the ends. It suits medium density and most face shapes. Apply a light cream to damp hair, scrunch, and leave it. Trim every twelve weeks.
I cut almost everything on dry hair, because that is when I can see where fine or thinning ends fall and how a part actually sits on a real head. For hair styles for women over 40, a long layer that opens up at the collarbone is the most forgiving change you can make. A flat brush and a light mousse are the entire routine. oval face haircuts stay the shape I reach for most, and the same length rules apply whether the hair is fine, curly, silver, or layered.
