When it comes to haircuts for women over 50, short styles often dominate the conversation. However, medium-length hairstyles offer a versatile, youthful, and stylish alternative that works beautifully for this age group. Whether you’re looking for timeless elegance or modern flair, there’s a medium-length cut that can suit your personality, face shape, and lifestyle. To help you find inspiration, we’ve curated 36 stunning medium-length hairstyles, complete with expert advice from hairstylists Alisha Leela and Giovanni Vaccaro. Keep scrolling to discover your next look!
1. Classic Lob
Diane Keaton’s side-swept shoulder-length hairstyle is the epitome of simplicity and sophistication. This no-fuss cut is easy to style—whether you smooth out the front section for polish or blow-dry it fully for a sleek finish.
Styling Tip: “A larger round brush allows you to take bigger sections, speeding up the styling process,” says Leela. Split your hair into four sections, use a round brush, and you’ll be done in under 10 minutes.
2. Curly Curtain Bangs
Sandra Oh proves that bangs aren’t just for straight hair. Her curly, curtain-style bangs frame her face beautifully while enhancing her natural texture.
Pro Insight: If you have curly hair, ask your stylist for bangs that blend seamlessly with your curls for a cohesive look.
3. Wavy Lob
Iman’s voluminous wavy lob is a masterclass in creating movement and dimension. Honeyed highlights and a one-inch curling wand bring her style to life.
Effortless Hack: For minimal effort, try sleeping in two-strand twists secured with a satin scrunchie. This technique works wonders for straight to wavy hair, says Vaccaro.
4. Tapered Volume
Meryl Streep’s voluminous slicked-back lob showcases how thinner ends can balance volume at the roots. This cut not only looks chic but also reduces styling time.
Expert Advice: Ask your stylist about using thinning scissors to taper the ends, creating a sleek yet balanced silhouette.
5. Voluminous Layered Curls
Viola Davis’s shoulder-length curls are a celebration of natural texture. Layers and subtle bangs add dimension, making this style ideal for round faces or softening sharper features.
Curl Care: Invest in a leave-in conditioner to keep your curls hydrated and defined.
6. Feathered Bob
Angela Bassett’s bob-length layers are artfully placed to create maximum volume without appearing choppy. Her side-swept layers add a touch of old Hollywood glamour.
How to Style: Use a round brush and blow-dry your hair outward for a voluminous, polished finish.
7. ‘70s-Inspired Shag
Octavia Spencer’s middle-parted, layered shag is a modern nod to the ‘70s. Face-framing layers and tousled waves make this style perfect for medium to thick hair.
Why It Works: The shag creates movement while embracing volume, making it a red-carpet favorite.
8. Tousled Lob
Finola Hughes’s deep side part and tousled waves exude effortless elegance. Blunt ends can feign thickness, while subtle layers add movement.
Finishing Touch: Spritz a texturizing spray for that perfectly undone finish.
9. Wispy Layers
Michelle Pfeiffer’s long bob with tousled, wispy layers is a lesson in understated glamour. Layers add volume and movement, while a texturizing spray enhances the tousled effect.
Layer Tip: Layers are key to achieving body and volume, especially if you’re keeping your length.
10. Curly Lob
Oprah Winfrey embraces her natural curls with a curly lob that’s both simple and versatile. Learning your curl type and how to accentuate it is the secret to making this style work.
Curly Hair Hack: Ditch excessive heat and chemicals to maintain healthy, bouncy curls.
11. Coily Bob
Alfre Woodard’s tapered curly bob grazes her shoulders, offering a perfect balance of simplicity and versatility. Long layers add shape, while a leave-in conditioner keeps her coils defined.
Moisture Must-Have: Hydration is essential for maintaining the health and definition of natural curls.
12. Gradual Lob
Blythe Danner’s gradual lob—longer in the front and shorter in the back—is a low-maintenance option that creates the illusion of length. Loose waves add volume to fine hair.
Color Tip: Blonde highlights blend seamlessly with grays, completing this effortlessly chic look.
13. Face-Framing Bottleneck Bangs
Halle Berry’s bottleneck bangs and tousled waves are the ultimate in effortless glamour. Enhance your natural texture or use a curling iron to achieve this voluminous style.
Bang Benefit: Bottleneck bangs soften facial features while adding dimension to your look.
14. Long Layers
Cindy Crawford’s collarbone-length layers are a timeless choice. Long layers add body to fine hair, texture to thick hair, and control to curly hair.
Layer Warning: Avoid over-layering the back to prevent a choppy appearance.
15. Half-Up, Half-Down
Laura Dern’s half-up, half-down style is simple yet exquisitely chic. This look keeps hair off your face while showcasing your length.
Styling Essentials: All you need is an elastic, bobby pins, and a tail comb for clean lines.
16. Accessorized
Salma Hayek elevates her sleek medium-length hair with a gemstone headband. Accessories are an easy way to refresh your style without a drastic change.
Volume Boost: Tease your hair slightly at the crown for added height.
17. Blown-Out
Lynn Whitfield’s glossy blowout is a classic choice that never goes out of style. Achieve this look with a large round brush and a dryer equipped with a nozzle.
Extra Volume: Use Velcro rollers at the fringe for a fuller finish.
18. Sleek Side-Parted Bob
Lucy Liu’s side-parted bob with inward-flipped ends is sleek and polished. Regular trims are essential to maintain the clean, structured look.
Maintenance Tip: Schedule trims every six to eight weeks to keep your ends sharp.
19. Asymmetrical Lob
Cate Blanchett’s asymmetrical lob adds drama and fullness to her style. Pinning your hair to one side creates a temporary asymmetrical effect.
Texturizing Trick: Add sea salt spray for a tousled, lived-in finish.
20. Low Ponytail
Nicole Kidman’s low ponytail is perfect for second-day hair. A volumizing spray and a few loose strands at the front keep the look effortless.
Casual Chic: Pull out a few face-framing pieces for a softer, less structured vibe.
21. Balayage Lob
Jennifer Lopez’s balayage lob is iconic. Highlights concentrated around the face create a sun-kissed effect.
Highlight Hack: Balayage adds dimension without harsh lines, making it ideal for medium-length cuts.
22. Feathered Layers
Goldie Hawn’s ‘70s-inspired feathered layers and curtain bangs are youthful and playful. Blow-drying layers outward enhances the retro vibe.
Youthful Appeal: Feathered layers highlight your best features while adding movement.
23. Wavy Lob
Michelle Yeoh’s wavy lob with highlights and lowlights is a showstopper. Defined waves and strategic color placement add depth and interest.
Wave Technique: Use a small-barreled curling iron to replicate her voluminous waves.
24. Fluffy Layers with Bangs
Naomi Campbell’s fluffy layers and blown-out bangs are a glamorous combination. Use a round brush and a dryer to achieve smooth, voluminous bangs.
Blowout Tip: Aim the dryer nozzle downward to smooth the hair cuticle and reduce frizz.
25. One-Length Waves
Daisy Fuentes’s golden blonde waves are enhanced with heavy highlights for a dimensional effect. No layers are needed when texture does the work for you.
Highlight Power: Strategic highlights add interest and brighten your overall look.
26. Razored Ends with Texture
Sandra Bullock’s medium-length wavy hairstyle with razored ends and highlights is a masterclass in balancing structure and softness. The razored ends add a touch of edge, preventing the look from feeling too polished or serious, while her lowlights create depth and dimension.
How to Achieve: Start by applying a heat protectant to damp hair, then blow-dry using a round brush for smoothness. Once dry, spritz a texture spray throughout your strands to enhance the piecey, lived-in texture. For added volume, focus the spray at the roots and scrunch the ends with your fingers.
27. Shoulder-Length Layers
Taraji P. Henson’s shoulder-length hairstyle with layers is a modern take on effortless elegance. The layers add movement and volume, making this cut ideal for those looking to elevate their everyday style. Her natural shade keeps the look understated, but highlights or color can easily amplify the effect.
Why It Works: Layers are universally flattering, as they create the illusion of fullness and bounce. Pair this cut with a center part for a sleek, contemporary vibe or experiment with side-swept bangs for added drama.
28. Shoulder-Length Waves
Courteney Cox’s tousled shoulder-length waves are the epitome of glossy, healthy hair. This style is perfect for showcasing shine and bounce, thanks to its emphasis on hydration and care.
Pro Tip: To replicate this look, invest in a nourishing conditioning treatment to keep your locks hydrated and smooth. After styling, apply a volumizing spray at the roots for extra lift and finish with a shine-enhancing serum to lock in moisture.
29. Piecey Lob with Bangs
Robin Wright’s piecey long bob (lob) with shaggy bangs exudes youthful charm. The bangs not only frame the face but also draw attention to her radiant features, such as her eyes and cheekbones. Heavy highlights throughout add further dimension, making this style both playful and sophisticated.
Styling Hack: Use a flat iron to create subtle bends in your hair, focusing on separating sections for that piecey, textured effect. Finish with a light-hold hairspray to maintain the effortless vibe.
30. Face-Framing Layers
Jennifer Aniston’s medium-length hairstyle with face-framing layers is a timeless choice for women over 50. The layers begin just below the chin, elongating the face and creating the illusion of length without sacrificing volume.
Modern Touch: A center part adds a fresh, contemporary feel to this classic cut. To style, use a large-barrel curling wand to create loose waves, then finger-comb them for a relaxed finish.
31. Blown-Out Layers
Sheryl Lee Ralph’s layered shoulder-length blowout is a lesson in glamorous simplicity. Seen here at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards, her voluminous style radiates confidence and sophistication.
Step-by-Step Guide: Ask your stylist for strategically placed layers to enhance movement. Blow-dry your hair using a mixed-bristle round brush, focusing on lifting the roots for maximum volume. For lasting hold, mist with a flexible-hold hairspray.
32. Sleek Glamour
Julianne Moore’s blown-out medium-length hairstyle with a deep side part is pure elegance. Her subtle layers and voluminous blowout prove that sometimes all it takes to refresh your look is a new styling technique.
Red Carpet Ready: To recreate this style, prep damp hair with a smoothing cream and blow-dry using a concentrator nozzle for precision. Create a deep side part and use a large round brush to add polish and shine.
33. Brushed-Back Volume
Julianna Margulies’ voluminous, brushed-back shoulder-length hairstyle strikes the perfect balance between sleek and statement-making. This versatile style works equally well for formal events or casual outings.
Volume Boost: Apply a lightweight mousse to damp hair before blow-drying, directing the airflow upward for lift. Secure the look with a strong-hold hairspray, ensuring your strands stay in place all day.
34. Blunt Wavy Lob
Maya Rudolph’s sleek wavy lob is a testament to the power of hydration and shine. The blunt cut creates a striking silhouette, while the waves soften the overall look.
Finishing Touches: Deep condition your hair regularly to maintain its health and luster. After styling, mist a shine spray evenly through your strands for a glossy, camera-ready finish.
35. Wavy Bob with Bangs
Thandiwe Newton’s wavy bob with parted bangs is a chic and youthful option for medium-length hair. The layers and bangs work together to enhance texture and movement, resulting in an effortlessly cool aesthetic.
Wave Creation: Use a medium-barrel curling iron to create soft waves, alternating directions for a natural look. Let the curls cool before gently breaking them up with your fingers.
36. Sleek Side Part
Queen Latifah’s sleek side-parted style is proof that simplicity can be stunning. Paired with shiny, straight locks and a bold lip, this look is red-carpet perfection.
Polished Perfection: Prep your hair with a smoothing serum, then blow-dry using a paddle brush for a sleek finish. Create a sharp side part and tuck one side behind your ear for a refined touch.
With these 36 medium-length hairstyles, there’s no shortage of inspiration for women over 50. Whether you prefer voluminous layers, sleek blowouts, or tousled waves, these looks celebrate individuality and timeless beauty!
