A good haircut can do wonders for anyone, especially as we age, however, some styles might not be as flattering as we think. Whether it’s the wrong length, shape, or style, it’s essential to know which cuts to avoid. Here are 17 haircuts that might be making you look older than you are.
Tight Ponytails and Updos
According to the AAD, with tight ponytails “the continuous pulling can damage your hair follicles” and they also create a harsh look that can accentuate wrinkles and sagging. Opt for looser, more relaxed styles that provide volume and more movement.
Severe Bobs
Short, severe bobs can sometimes be too harsh, especially on mature faces, and while a bob can be chic and stylish, when it’s cut too bluntly and with no layers, it can emphasise fine lines and wrinkles. The sharp edges can make your face look harder, taking away from the natural softness that often helps in maintaining a youthful appearance.
Overly Layered Cuts
While layers can add volume and texture, too many layers can actually do the opposite and make you look older. Over-layered cuts can make hair look thin and lifeless, highlighting any thinning areas, and this style can also be harder to manage.
Extremely Long Hair
Holding on to extremely long hair might seem like a way to stay youthful, but it can actually have the opposite effect, as very long hair can drag down your features and make your face look longer and more drawn. It can also highlight any loss of volume or thinning hair, which are common as we age.
Super Short Pixie Cuts
Pixie cuts can be a bold choice, but when cut too short, they can sometimes make you look older; very short pixies can accentuate the shape of your head and draw attention to features you might not want to highlight. This cut can also be challenging to style in a way that adds volume, often leaving the hair looking flat.
Blunt Fringe Cut
Blunt fringes might seem like a good idea to cover up forehead wrinkles, but they can actually make you look older. A heavy, straight-across fringe can create a harsh line that draws attention to fine lines and can make your face look shorter and wider. A more flattering option would be a wispy or side-swept fringe, which softens your look and blends seamlessly with the rest of your hair.
Uniform, One-Length Cuts
A haircut that lacks movement is the uniform, one-length haircut, and can make your hair appear flat and lifeless. This style can be particularly ageing if your hair is thin or fine, as it can make any thinning areas more noticeable.
Centre Partings
While centre partings can work for some, they can be quite unforgiving as we age, because a centre part can accentuate asymmetry in your face, making any sagging more noticeable. It can also make your hair look thinner, especially if you have fine hair.
Overly Styled Curls
Overly styled curls, especially those that are tight and uniform, can give off an outdated vibe. They can make your hair look unnatural and rigid, which can age your appearance, while loose, natural waves are more modern and give a youthful, relaxed look.
Flat, Straight Hair
Lacking volume and movement, flat, straight hair can be quite ageing, and this style can make your hair look lifeless, highlighting thinning areas. Adding some layers or opting for a blowout that adds volume at the roots can make a huge difference.
Hair Dyed Too Much
If you’re trying to cover up grey hair by dyeing it all one solid colour, it can sometimes backfire, making you look older. Overly dyed hair, especially in very dark or very light shades, can look unnatural and too harsh.
Stiff, Hairspray-Laden Styles
Using too much hairspray to hold your style in place can result in a stiff, helmet-like appearance, and this look is not only dated but also makes your hair look unnatural and unmoving. Soft, touchable hair is much more flattering.
Over-Teased Hair
It might seem a good idea to tease your hair to add volume, but it can actually damage your hair and make it look frizzy and unhealthy. Over-teased hair can give off a dated appearance, reminiscent of styles from decades past; instead, use volumising products and techniques that lift at the roots.
Slicked-Back Styles
Slicked-back styles can be too severe, pulling your hair tightly away from your face and emphasising any signs of ageing—including any fine lines and wrinkles, as well as any thinning areas. Softer styles that frame your face are much more flattering, so let some hair fall naturally around your face.
Heavy Use of Hair Extensions
While hair extensions can add volume and length, overusing them can make your hair look fake and heavy, and too many extensions can weigh down your natural hair, creating an unnatural look that can age you. If you use extensions, go for a more subtle approach that adds just the right amount of fullness and blends seamlessly.
Too-Thick Fringes
Heavy fringes can be very dramatic, but they can also make you look older if not done correctly. This is about the thickness, and not the cut, as even if you have a textured and non-blunt cut, or even a side fringe, if it’s too thick, it will overwhelm your face. A lighter, thinner fringe can be much more flattering.
Outdated Hairstyles
One final tip is that clinging to hairstyles that were trendy decades ago can date your look significantly. Styles that were once in fashion can now make you look out of touch and older than you are, therefore staying updated with current trends and opting for modern, flattering cuts can help you maintain a fresh appearance.