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Best Hairstyles for Women Over 70

By Sixty and Me August 29, 2025 Beauty

Are you contemplating a makeover for your hairstyle? Have you stuck to the same look for an extended period and feel it’s time for a change? In the past, societal expectations often dictated that women over 70 should maintain a specific, usually short and white, hairstyle. However, times have evolved, and women in this age group are now more active than ever, expressing their personalities through diverse hair styling.

Explore some hairstyle options that might spark inspiration for your own transformation. If you find a particular style that resonates with you, consider bringing this article to your hairdresser to convey your desired change.

5 Long Hairstyles for Women Over 70

Gone are the times when women over 70 all looked the same with the same hairstyles. Don’t let anyone tell you that you should cut your hair now that you are over 70.

Updo Locks

Well maintained locks are beautiful on women of all ages. Locks, known for their versatility, can be gathered into an elegant updo, creating a chic and age-defying look.

This style not only defies stereotypes but also celebrates the individuality and confidence of women in their 70s. This updo style offers a blend of classic charm and contemporary flair, providing a fashion-forward statement that defies age norms.

Long Blond Layered Hairstyle

If you’re still into coloring your hair, consider taking it a step further by letting it grow past your shoulders and incorporating long layers. This style adds an extra dimension to your overall look and offers a range of styling possibilities.

Whether you prefer a sleek and straight finish or want to add some curls for a more textured effect, combining long, layered hair and blow-drying with a large round brush opens up a world of styling possibilities.

Wild Colors

Don’t allow anyone to dictate that you can’t express your personality through your hair color, especially as you age. A growing trend among women over 70 is embracing vibrant and unconventional hair colors, such as bright dyes, shades of purple, daring reds, or even punk-inspired hues. The sky’s the limit when it comes to experimenting with colors that truly reflect your unique style and personality.

Lush Beachy Waves

For long, unlayered hair, achieving beachy waves offers versatility. Use a hot wand for precise styling with adjustable heat settings, or opt for a heatless approach using a curling rod headband. Both methods create a relaxed look perfect for various occasions.

Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set on Amazon

Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set on Amazon

These heatless curling rods create amazing curls and waves without the damaging effects of heated wands and curling irons.

Check out this tutorial video explaining how to use the ribbons to create beautiful curls.

Long Straight Hair

If you are blessed with healthy, robust hair that grows effortlessly, consider the freedom to wear it at any desired length.

The health of your hair is a crucial factor in determining how long you can let it grow. Having hair that thrives and maintains its vitality allows you the flexibility to explore various lengths, catering to your personal style and preferences.

9 Short Hairstyles for Women Over 70

Short hair typically refers to hair that falls above the shoulders. There’s a wide array of short hairstyles to explore, ranging from ultra-short pixies to bob cuts that graze just above the shoulders.

Tousled Pixie Hairstyle

This tousled pixie style not only adds a touch of playfulness to your overall appearance but also reflects a contemporary and trendy aesthetic. It’s a fantastic way to embrace the evolving nature of your short hair, infusing it with personality and character.

So, if you love pixie cuts but crave a bit more length, the tousled look achieved with texturizing spray offers a stylish and dynamic option for expressing your individual style.

L'ANGE HAIR Sea Salt Texturizing Spray on Amazon

L’ANGE HAIR Sea Salt Texturizing Spray on Amazon

This texturizing spray is excellent for adding interesting texture to your hairstyle. You can use it on any hair length to create a beachy, lived-in look.

Chin Length Bob

This timeless hairstyle suits various face shapes and offers flexibility in color choices. Whether in your natural shade or tinted to match your personality and lifestyle, this classic look remains versatile and elegant.

Bob with Bangs

This timeless and beautiful hairstyle is a classic that transcends age and suits any color choice. Introducing bangs to a bob hairstyle effortlessly imparts a Cleopatra-inspired feel, adding a touch of elegance to the overall look.

Read more: The Best Hair Serums for Fighting Frizz and Adding Shine.

Pixie with Layers

Adding layers to a pixie cut provides dimension and movement, transforming the look into a stylish, dynamic option. The layers create a textured finish, allowing for a playful and modern vibe that complements the short and chic nature of the pixie cut.

Read more: How to Transition Your Colored Hair to Natural Gray.

Natural Curls Pixie

Embrace the beauty of your natural curls by allowing them to flow freely. Opt for a short hairstyle that complements your curls and enhances their natural texture. Incorporate suitable hair products that provide conditioning and moisture to maintain the health and vibrancy of your curls.

Asymmetrical Bob

Infuse a playful and dynamic flair into your bob hairstyle by considering an asymmetrical cut, where one side is intentionally shorter than the other. This innovative twist on the classic bob adds a touch of edginess and individuality to your overall look. By opting for an asymmetrical bob, you introduce a contemporary and fashion-forward element that stands out while maintaining the timeless appeal of the bob hairstyle.

Lighten Your Natural Color

For those who continue to color their hair or have yet to see any signs of white, contemplating a subtle shift in shade can be a refreshing choice. If you typically opt for a particular color, consider going one shade lighter than your usual choice. This adjustment can bring a subtle and natural-looking radiance to your overall appearance.

Add Lowlights

For an entirely white hair color, consider adding lowlights to introduce texture and interest. This technique brings depth and dimension, preventing your hair from appearing flat.

Lowlights offer a nuanced and natural look. Consulting with a professional stylist ensures a seamlessly blended and sophisticated hairstyle.

L’Oreal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo and Conditioner Set on Amazon

L’Oreal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo and Conditioner Set on Amazon

Purple shampoos and conditioners help to keep yellow tints out of your hair. Stylists recommend using it on white or salt & pepper hair once a week to keep hair perfectly white.

Shoulder Length Waves

If you’re lucky to have healthy, plentiful hair, why not let it grow to shoulder length? This provides a versatile canvas for various styles. Shape natural waves around your face for an easy, chic look. The simplicity of this style celebrates your hair’s health and beauty, making a statement of self-care and confidence.

Hairstyles for Thinning Hair After 70

Thinning hair is one of the most common changes women notice as they age, but it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. In fact, the right haircut can make thinning hair look fuller, healthier, and more flattering.

Soft Layered Bob

A chin-length or slightly longer bob with gentle layers can add body without weighing hair down. This style works especially well for fine hair and gives a polished, elegant look that’s easy to maintain.

Feathered Crop

A short, feathered cut adds texture and lightness, creating the illusion of more volume. The layers help lift the hair at the crown and around the face, which is ideal if your hair has started to feel flat or sparse.

Pixie with Side-Swept Bangs

A close-cropped pixie cut with longer bangs pulled to the side draws attention to your eyes and cheekbones while minimizing focus on thinning areas. It’s stylish, flattering, and surprisingly versatile.

Volumizing Tools and Tips

Using a root-lifting mousse or lightweight volumizing spray can boost your style. Avoid heavy creams or oils, which can weigh hair down. Blow-drying with a round brush at the crown can also help create lift where it’s needed most.

JoiFULL Volumizing Styler | For Fine, Thin Hair | Add Instant Body | Long-Lasting Volume & Texture

JoiFULL Volumizing Styler | For Fine, Thin Hair | Add Instant Body | Long-Lasting Volume & Texture

Tip: Consider discussing with your stylist the option of blending your natural color with soft highlights or lowlights. This can create the illusion of thickness and dimension without drastic color changes.

What to Consider Before Choosing a New Hairstyle

Choosing a new hairstyle can be exciting, but it may also feel a little intimidating. Before you sit in the stylist’s chair, it helps to think through a few key factors that can make your haircut not just stylish, but easy to live with.

Your Face Shape

Certain cuts complement different face shapes. For example, soft layers can help balance a round face, while side-swept bangs or longer bobs flatter square or heart-shaped faces. A good stylist can help you find a cut that highlights your best features.

Hair Texture and Thickness

Whether your hair is straight, wavy, curly, or somewhere in between, your natural texture should guide your style. Thicker hair may benefit from thinning or shaping, while fine or thinning hair can be boosted with shorter layers and volume-enhancing products.

Maintenance and Styling Routine

Do you like to style your hair daily, or would you prefer a wash-and-go cut? Some hairstyles require blow-drying or frequent trims to keep their shape, while others are more forgiving and low-maintenance.

Read more: 13 Best Low Maintenance Haircuts for Women Over 50.

Lifestyle and Activity Level

Think about what you do each day. If you’re active, travel often, or prefer not to fuss with your hair, simplicity might be key. If you enjoy dressing up or trying new trends, a bolder or more detailed style might suit you better.

Personal Style and Confidence

Finally, choose a hairstyle that feels like you. Whether that means a sleek silver bob, a wild splash of purple, or soft beachy waves, your hair is one more way to express who you are today, not who you used to be.

Read more: Exploring the Best Medium Length Hairstyles for Older Women (Video).

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What hairstyles do you like? How do you style your hair? Are you a woman over 70 and thinking about changing up your look? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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Claudine

Personally, I find it a bit ‘ageist’ for someone to tell me what looks best on me at any particular age. Women buy into this but men sure do not.

I see so many women cutting their head super short, like an inch or so, then using gel to spike it up. Looks great, easy for those of us who live the life!

The Author

Sixty and Me is a community of over 500,000 women over 60 founded by Margaret Manning. Our editorial team publishes articles on lifestyle topics including fashion, dating, retirement and money.

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