“For women over 50, the goal of a haircut is often to soften facial features while maintaining definition,” notes hairstylist James Plain. “Bangs can be a great way to achieve this balance, adding shape and movement.” Outside of age, celebrity hairstylist Adir Abergel notes that bangs are great to amp up any haircut for those with thin hair. “When your hair is on the thinner side, you literally pull your hair back in a chic twist, and pulling those bangs out immediately elevates the style,” he says.
Word to the wise, Plain notes the importance of connecting bangs to the rest of the haircut to ensure a seamless look. “This ensures they blend rather than appearing disconnected or heavy.” Another pro tip: Dry shampoo. It’s key for bangs on fine hair, which tend to pick up the natural oils from your face, says Abergel.
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Bang Looks Experts Love for Women Over 50
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Curtain Bangs
Plain says curtain bangs are “a perfect choice for those who want a longer, face-framing effect without committing to a full fringe.” He adds that, “This look gently sweeps to the sides and adds volume around the face for a lifted effect.”
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Wispy Light Bangs
Hairstylist Olya Iudina recommends wispy, light bangs. She notes that these just might be the perfect way to help subtly hide wrinkles on the forehead.
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Full Bang
If you’re ready for a full-on commitment, creative director and master stylist Paul Labrecque says a full bang could be a nice choice. He adds that you can keep full bangs very long for a sexy look and style with foam and a round brush or make them more fringey for added movement.
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Peek-a-Boo Bangs
Peek-a-boo bangs are a slightly shorter option than curtain bangs. The look still “maintains a sweeping effect but with more coverage through the middle and over the forehead,” explains Plain. These bangs get their name for allowing some of the forehead to peek-a-boo and show through.
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Fringey Bob
Abergel says pairing a bob with bangs is a great option. He specifically likes the fringey bob, which is similar to the French girl bob but with a little more face-framing layers. “The styling can change with your mood—air dry with a salt spray or give it some glam by using Velcro rollers and a volumizing spray like Virtue’s Volumizing Primer ($40).”
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Side Bang
The side bang is polarizing, but Labrecque says the style can suit women over 50 well. “This lovely look can be done with nothing more than a spray volumizer and a hot ceramic brush for some slight bend,” he says. Alternatively, you could use a flat iron and the Paul Labrecque Straight Style collection ($102) to achieve a feathered look.
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Pixie With Bangs
Abergel says just “go for it. Short, cropped. Take the plunge and really go for it.” He notes that he’s reinvented the short cut on Charlize Theron “so many times and loves each one more than the next.”
Photo by Roland Denes on Unsplash Bang Styling Tips for Women Over 50
“Many people don’t realize how simple bangs can be to style,” says Plain. “For an effortless, natural look, simply scrunch in a lightweight moisturizing product and let them air dry.” He notes that sweat and humidity may result in bangs requiring extra maintenance to look fresh.
If you prefer a more polished finish with extra volume, Plain recommends using a medium-sized round brush while blow drying. “For those who find a brush and dryer tricky to maneuver, tools like the Dyson Airwrap ($599) or Shark Flex ($300) can make styling much easier while still delivering a smooth, voluminous result.”
