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10 Best Layered Hairstyles for Older Women

By Sandra Roussy February 01, 2025 Beauty

Thinking of adding layers to your hair? Looking for new inspiration for your hairstyle? Have you had the same style for years? Maybe it’s time to try something new and different.

Here is our top list of layered hairstyles for older women:

  1. Shoulder Length with Long Side Swept Bangs – Volume and flirty long bangs.
  2. Short Face Contouring Layers – Layers can be cut into shorter hair.
  3. Wispy Layers with Curtain Bangs – Curtain bangs look great on everyone.
  4. Wavy Textured Layers – Great beach hair look.
  5. Long Natural Layers – Long hair, don’t care!
  6. Bouncy Wispy Layers – This classic hairstyle looks great in all hair colors.
  7. Medium-Length Face Contouring Layers – Long face-flattering layers.
  8. Short Hair with Layers and Short Bangs – Add layers to super short hair.
  9. Thick Medium-Length Layers – Thick hair looks great with layers.
  10. Pixie cut with Layers – Timeless pixie with layers.

Layers can be added to any length of hair. They can add bounce to short hair and provide playfulness and texture to longer hair. Generally, thick hair looks best with layers, but don’t shy away from cutting layers into your thin hair. Make sure you have a knowledgeable hairstylist cut the layers in a way that doesn’t make your hair look thinner.

Bring a photo of your inspiration when going for a new hairstyle. Tell your hairstylist what you like about the cut and ask them if it’s possible to achieve something similar with your hair texture. Always be open to suggestions and hold reasonable expectations.

Hope you find your next hairstyle in our list of layered hairstyles for older women.

Best Layered Hairstyles for Older Women

Shoulder Length with Long Side Swept Bangs

Shoulder Length with Long Side Swept Bangs

Face-framing layers are very flattering and fit most face shapes. Side-part the hair and cut long asymmetrical bangs that blend into the hair for a flirty and playful look. You will need to blow out your hair with a blow dryer to add volume and to direct the layers towards your face.

Short Curly Layers

Short Curly Layers

You can add soft layers to short fine hair to add bounce. Use a curl activating product and a round brush or a small curling iron to help your hair into your desired look.

Wispy Layers with Curtain Bangs

Wispy Layers with Curtain Bangs

Bangs look good and are great for hiding a long forehead or a receding hairline. Curtain bangs are a soft addition to layered hair and fit most face shapes.

Wavy Textured Layers

Wavy Textured Layers

Like the beach hair textured look? Cut layers into naturally wavy hair and use a texturizing sea salt spray to create the beachy look. Scrunch your layered hair with your hands and let air dry.

Long Natural Layers

Long Natural Layers

Have you been told that you should cut your long hair because you are over 60? This is a used up old wives’ tale and thankfully, we tend to think differently now. Add long face-framing layers to your natural long hair to create some volume and texture.

Bouncy Wispy Layers

Bouncy Wispy Layers

Add wispy layers to give bounce to your hair. This classic look is a great hairstyle that looks amazing in all hair colors and fits most face shapes. Add highlights to the ends of the hair to create more texture and interest.

Medium-Length Face Contouring Layers

Medium-Length Face Contouring Layers

Add long layers below your chin and add highlights to create this beautiful sleek hairstyle. This is a timeless look that suits women of all ages.

Short Hair with Layers and Short Bangs

Short Hair with Layers and Short Bangs

Add short bangs and layers to your short hair to provide more volume and bounce. The hair is brushed back and away from the face to blend the layers well.

Thick Medium-Length Layers

Thick Medium-Length Layers

Naturally thick hair looks great with layers. The layers take off some extra weight and make the hair look more bouncy. Use a hair and scalp elixir to revitalize and stimulate the scalp while lifting the hair.

Pixie Cut with Layers

Pixie Cut with Layers

Pixie cuts are timeless and women of all ages adopt this hairstyle. A longer pixie can have layers and bangs added to provide some volume.

Layered Haircuts for Thinning Hair

Layered hairstyles are an excellent option for older women with thinning hair. Layers can create the illusion of thickness and volume by adding dimension and movement, especially when strategically cut. Here are some tips and recommendations for achieving the best results with thinning hair:

How Layers Can Help Thinning Hair

Strategic Layer Placement

Go for soft, graduated layers around the crown to add height and volume. Avoid overly choppy layers, as they can make the hair look thinner.

Face-Framing Layers

Layers around the face draw attention to your features and create the illusion of fuller hair without looking overly styled.

Feathered Ends

Ask your stylist for feathered ends to make the hair appear thicker while keeping the style light and manageable.

Shorter Lengths

Consider medium or shorter hairstyles with layers. Lengthy, thinning hair can often appear flat, while shorter, layered cuts bounce more easily.

How to Choose the Right Layered Hairstyle for Your Face Shape

Choosing a layered hairstyle that complements your face shape can enhance your overall appearance and highlight your best features. Layers, when tailored to your face shape, can create balance and symmetry, making your hairstyle both flattering and functional.

Oval Face Shape

Why it Works

Oval faces are versatile and can pull off most layered styles because of their balanced proportions.

Recommended Layered Styles

  • Long, cascading layers work beautifully, especially when paired with curtain bangs to frame the face softly.
  • Shoulder-length layers with side-swept bangs can emphasize cheekbones and create movement.

Styling Tip

Avoid layers that are too heavy around the crown, as this can elongate the face unnecessarily.

Round Face Shape

Why it Works

Layers can add height and length to create the illusion of a more elongated face.

Recommended Layered Styles

  • Long layers with volume at the crown help elongate the face.
  • Soft, face-framing layers that start below the chin add definition and structure.
  • Side-swept bangs create an angular effect that contrasts with the roundness.

Styling Tip

Avoid blunt bangs or short layers near the cheeks, as these can accentuate the roundness.

Square Face Shape

Why it Works

Layers can soften strong jawlines and angular features, creating a more balanced look.

Recommended Layered Styles

  • Medium to long layers with feathered or wispy ends can soften sharp edges.
  • Side-parted layered styles with side-swept bangs are ideal for framing the face.
  • Avoid blunt layers and straight cuts, as they can make the face appear more angular.

Styling Tip

Use soft waves or curls in layered hair to add more softness and dimension.

Heart Face Shape

Why it Works

Layers can balance a broader forehead and a narrower chin by adding volume to the lower half of the face.

Recommended Layered Styles

  • Chin-length layers or shoulder-length layers with inward curls create volume around the jawline.
  • Curtain bangs or side-swept bangs help reduce the appearance of a wide forehead.
  • Avoid layers that focus too much volume at the crown, as this may accentuate the narrow chin.

Styling Tip

Pair layered cuts with soft, blended bangs for a seamless, flattering look.

Long or Rectangular Face Shape

Why it Works

Layers can add width and volume to balance a longer face.

Recommended Layered Styles

  • Shoulder-length layered styles with waves or curls to add width.
  • Face-framing layers that start around the cheekbones help shorten the appearance of the face.
  • Full bangs or blunt bangs can visually reduce the length of the face.

Styling Tip

Avoid long, straight layers that hang down the sides, as they can further elongate the face.

Read 7 Spiky Haircuts for Women Over 60Also, read 2025 Hair Color Trends for Women Over 50

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you have a layered hairstyle? Are you thinking about adding layers to your hair? Which is your favorite layered hairstyle for older women? Let us know in the comments below.

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CurlyMe

Layered hairstyles you shared all look good. I will try them with my 613 blonde hair

ruth

I love your blog on detailed hairstyles. I can’t wait to style my balayage hair this way.

Carol

Hi. I’ve had a layered look off and on for a long time. Lately I’m struggling because I like the sides and back of my hair but the top gets too long two weeks after the cut. Just can’t seem to figure out an alternative. My hair stylist and I are working on it.

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Angie Simon

I love the wispy layers with curtain bangs! It looks like the haircut I have. I adore the layered Farrah Fawcett ‘do and see it in many incarnations in today’s hairstyles.
Long live The “Farrah!”

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The Author

Sandra is a writer, traveler, and former fashion designer who made a bold midlife pivot to pursue her creative passions. After two decades designing collections for brands like La Senza, Victoria’s Secret, and JACOB Lingerie, she let go of her possessions and reimagined her life on her own terms. Her personal essay about love, loss, and facing fears was hand-picked by Elizabeth Gilbert and featured in the New York Times bestselling book Eat Pray Love Made Me Do It. Visit her website: www.sandraroussy.com.

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