As we age, our hair often becomes a powerful expression of confidence, elegance, and personal style. For women over 50, long hair remains a timeless choice — offering versatility, grace, and a youthful edge when styled with intention. Whether you’ve kept your locks long for years or are now embracing longer lengths after decades of shorter cuts, the right hairstyle can enhance your features, reflect your personality, and make you feel absolutely radiant.
In this curated collection of 19 Gorgeous Long Hairstyles for Women Over 50, we explore chic, modern, and age-defying styles that celebrate maturity without sacrificing trend appeal. From soft, face-framing waves and lustrous layered cuts to sleek straight styles and romantic updos with long flowing strands, these looks are designed to flatter mature textures, highlight bone structure, and bring out your inner glow.
Whether you’re searching for inspiration for everyday wear, a special occasion, or simply a fresh start, these hairstyles prove that long hair isn’t just for the young — it’s for the bold, the beautiful, and the effortlessly stylish at any age. Let’s dive in and discover the most flattering long hairstyles that will elevate your look and inspire your next salon visit.
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Effortless Waves
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You can’t go wrong with a middle part hairstyle. If you prefer a softer look, opt for tousled, effortless waves, like those worn by Nicole Kidman.
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Jennifer Lopez
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This look is all about the glamour. If you have ombré coloring and are looking for a style that will accentuate its various tones, then big and bold curls are the perfect choice. Jennifer Lopez’s layers give her curls major volume.
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’60s Beehive
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’60s-inspired styles will always be timeless, especially a beehive. This one is complete with a face-framing middle part, which adds to the style’s elegance.
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Face-Framing Half-Up, Half-Down
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A half-up, half-down look is one of the most versatile hairstyles. Leaving out some face-framing pieces adds a modern, delicate flair to the look.
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Sculpted Updo
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When you want all your hair off your neck, this elaborate updo is worth copying. This sculpted, twisted bun is a showstopping choice for formal occasions.
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Braided Ponytail
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Your styling options for knotless braids are endless, and this side-swoop ponytail is a fun example. The faux side bang adds a cool element to the updo.
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Cornrows and Beads
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Cornrows always make a powerful statement. Here’s a different take on the style where most of the cornrows have been plaited downwards to frame the face, and the rest have been braided to the nape of the neck to emulate a faux shaved side. Swooped edges and matching beads are the perfect way to finish the look.
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Textured Ponytail
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Tracee Ellis Ross is always a great source for natural hair inspiration. Her textured ponytail is a stunning, sophisticated style for any occasion.
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Glam Updo
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This updo is super stylish and perfect for a night out. It has just the right amount of volume to make a statement, while the loosely curled face-framing pieces add an element of softness to the look.
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Kerry Washington
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What’s not to love about Kerry Washington’s chic hairstyle? The ’70s-inspired look starts with a slicked-back front and transitions into a voluminous curly ponytail.
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Sleek and Straight
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Bone-straight hairstyles are a classic, so it’s no wonder that it has been one of Demi Moore’s signature looks. The super sleek style requires minimal styling, making it perfect for women in their 50s who want a simple yet eye-catching look.
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Slick Bun
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If you’re looking for a style that you can wear from day to night, consider giving a sleek bun a try. Brush back your hair using your favorite strong-hold product (such as a gel or hairspray) and secure it in a mid-height ponytail. Wrap the loose hair around the base of the ponytail as neatly as you can and use pins to keep it in place.
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Chic High Ponytail
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Go for a unique take on a traditional ponytail. Here, the hair has been parted into three sections before being tied up into a ponytail. The leather hair tie draws attention to the parting while the loose waves add some drama to the look.
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Braided Bantu Knots
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Bantu knots are a great style to showcase your braids, especially if you’ve added boho curls to them. Leaving a few braids out on either side frames the face perfectly and adds a stylish twist to the look.
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Loose High Bun
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Looking for a hairstyle for an upcoming formal event? Try an elevated messy bun. It’s easy to recreate but still maintains a level of sophistication and glamour.
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Blunt Bangs
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Bangs instantly transform your look. Here, a blunt bang beautifully enhances the bone structure of Angela Bassett’s face. Not to mention, bold bangs are incredibly trendy and add a bit of personality to your style.
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Pulled-Back Glamour
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A half-up, half-down hairstyle is fitting for any event, and Helen Mirren agrees. Keep some of your hair away from your face with a sleek ponytail and let the rest of your hair down to provide the ultimate blend of elegance and practicality.
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Everyday Bun
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Pamela Anderson’s low bun is practical, pretty, and relatively easy to recreate. You can achieve the effortless look in under 10 minutes, making it a prime go-to for everyday wear.
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Pinned-Back Waves
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Naomi Campbell’s red carpet style offers a nice alternative for anyone who doesn’t want to commit to a full half-up, half-down look. Take a section of hair in the middle and pin it back—let the rest of your cascading waves frame your face.