Are you at your wits-end about thinning hair, or fine hair? When it comes to short hairstyles for women over 50, a bob hair cut is both stylish and easy to manage.
Short Hairstyles for Women Over 50.
A short bob hairstyle could be your answer for fine hair that’s not as thick and lustrous as it once was.
The short bob hairstyle has been around for years and years, but decades ago bob cut hair was considered a bit risque.
To Bob or not to Bob, that was the question. In the 1920s it was a big decision to cut your hair because long hair was thought to be feminine and short hair was not.
Today we don’t have to worry about general opinion when it comes to hairstyles for older women, but there are advantages and disadvantages to having a cute bob hairstyle.
Hairstyles for older women – Questions to ask
- Do you have a jawline which is beginning to sag, and look a bit er …turkeyfied?
- Are you fed up of your heavy maintenance hair style which takes ages to get into place each morning?
- Would you like to look more chic?
The bob can help disguise a sagging jawline, it’s relatively easy to maintain and, depending on the cut, it’s pretty much ‘wash and go.’
Here’s a photo of me, before my bob haircut …
And after … new hair! Loving this shorter, sharper bob hair cut!
I think it makes me look 5 years younger than I really am!!
Short Hairstyles for over 50 fine hair
If you have fine or thinning hair then No Problem! There are lots of short bob hairstyles for fine hair.
Even with the very finest hair you could opt for a curly bob, short blunt bob, toussled bob, short bob, long bob, side fringe bob, full bangs bob – the list is extensive and the bob cut never seems to go out of vogue.
The good thing about a bobbed hairstyle is that it can add volume to fine hair, and is especially good if you have thinning hair too.
The reason? It won’t weight your hair down like a longer style will and so your hair will appear bouncier and full of body.
You can toussle dry the roots to add more volume with a little mousse (or whatever you like most to use) but really unless you’re going for longevity throughout a long day perhaps, there’s really no need.
The bob is a classic cut
Celebrities love it – remember Taylor Swift’s cute short bob with a full fringe?
Helen Mirren has had variations of a bob and always looks so classic and stylish, so too Diane Keeton and Sharon Stone.
Check out my Pinterest board : Short Hairstyles for Women over 50 to get some great ideas from celebrities and everyday folk about different ways to cut and style a bob.
Styling a bob
Do you have an active lifestyle? Are you busy with a hectic job, or perhaps you do lots of exercise and wash your hair frequently? Then a bob cut is a definite winner because a bob cut is a low maintenance hairstyle.
If a bob is cut well then it is practically brush and go. You shouldn’t have to use a straightening iron or curling tongs, and probably the most you’ll need to do is grab a brush with a large round head and blow dry it either under or out for a more styled ‘do’. Ask your hairdresser not to multi-layer but perhaps to cut in some fine layers so that it falls just-so when it’s dry.
Christina at Hair Romance (a popular blog all about hair) shows us 17 ways to style a bob haircut here.
Short Haircuts for women over 50 in a hot climate
A short bob is cool in summer
As I write this we’re in the midst of an Australian summer which is either hot and dry on the West coast or hot and humid on the East coast.
Long hair is hot, and time consuming and unless you keep it tied up will heat you up.
A short bob hairstyle on the other hand leaves your neck clear to pick up any hints of a cooling breeze, while a longer bob can still be tied up in a ponytail.
Disadvantages of a bob hairstyle
On the negative side there are a few disadvantages to a bob.
Unless you opt for a longish bob, you won’t be able to pull your hair back into a ponytail.
If you opt for a full fringe with a short bob, you are pretty much chained to looking the same every day.
In order to benefit from the advantages mentioned above, you will have to make regular trips to the hairdresser to get your bob trimmed. By regular, I mean probably slightly less than the normal 6 weekly trim for other styles because a bob can quickly become unruly and look a little scruffy and ill-kempt unless your hairdresser work his or her magic on it regularly.
Why not upload your photo at a virtual hair style site and see if a bob will suit you?
Short Haircuts for women over 50
For more ideas and images of some great short hairstyles for women over 50 you might like to visit (and follow) my Pinterest board, which has lots of short hair-cut ideas, HERE
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It’s lovely ♥
Hi there, I am 71 and I have curly hair that I love. I’ve kept it cut about chin length so I can put up on hot days. Blowing it dry is not an option because my hair is so thick. There aren’t many articles from women over 70. I’ve never looked my age and feel good about that but wish there was more out there about being over 70.
Very beautiful hair!
Hi Jo,
I am very happy to see the short hairstyle here. My wife will have a baby soon, so she is going to cut her long hair and have a short bob style. I am looking for what will satisfy here. She is 30 with big face, do you have any style recommend? Thanks.
I thought your hair before was cute, but it’s somehow even cuter after you got it cut! 🙂
Thanks Anne 🙂
I have a bob and I love it for all the reasons you mentioned. The drawbacks are true though, you can’t pull it up on a hot day. I do wear headbands and hats though, so that helps.
Headbands and hats are the go for a short bob on a hot day Amy – you’ve nailed it 🙂
Just followed your board 🙂
My hair is extra short at the moment because even a longish bob drove me mad when we were travelling. I will probably grow it back a bit. Currently dreading having to find a new hairdresser (and doctor and, and…) when we move north. Hopefully my online networks can help me to sort that out.
Your hair looks great in the bob, very flattering on you.
I think extra short hair is great for travelling Jan. Yours looks great. Ouch, I feel for you – I know all that sorting out new support systems in a new place.
I love my short hair. I wore it long for many years and once I started cutting it just has gotten shorter and shorter.
Hi Victoria, yes I do think it’s a case of once it’s short it tends to get shorter! Glad you love yours 🙂
I recently cut my hair too, and I’m so glad I did!!
If I had thicker hair, I would have kept it long, but it never seemed to turn out how I wanted it…
XOXO
Jodie
Hi Jodie, I know as we get older our hair does seem to get thinner. Same for me 🙂
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Thanks Teresa 🙂
I love the cut on you and I agree it does make you look younger. I agree that a bob cut is a good choice for us ladies of a certain age!
Thanks Teresa – yes it is a good reliable cut and can be quite edgy (given the right hairdresser and style!) for us ladies of a certain age.
Love the look on you Jo! I went for the short cut some years back and also stopped the highlight dyeing. It has been the best thing for me. Mind you my short hair needs to be cut in a particular way and finding a good hairdresser is the answer. I have and for the past 2 years continue to be well cared for. My daughter who is 47 this year continues to have her long hair and I think she likes it for the flexibility of putting it into a ponytail is she chooses. I think it will be one huge surprise if she ever goes short!! Denyse x
Thanks Denyse – yes I do agree having a good hairdresser is imperative. Like your daughter I kept mine long until I was about 50.
Yours looks lovely and sits beautifully. I find mine sits under nicely at the front and then does a little kicky out thing at the back. My solution is a layered bob – the it can be a bit flippy on the bottom but still sit nicely on top – and most of it fits into a ponytail. I also like being able to clip bits up or twist or plait for a bit of a different vibe. Thanks for linking up with us at #MLSTL – I’ve shared this on my SM.
Thanks Leanne – a layered bob is a great idea. Me too, I do like to be able to put it in a ponytail. You definitely seem to have the hang of the bob cut 🙂
The before and after of your haircut are dramatic. I wore a short bob for years, but when I left my full time career I let my hair go long and curly. it works for now, but i know i will reevaluate eventually. Here from MLSTL.
Thanks Michele – and looking forward to seeing how your hair progresses too.
I absolutely love your look! A Bob would be great for my baby fine hair but I love pulling it up much more. 🙂 Maybe someday I’ll take the plunge and put the ponytail holder away. 🙂
Hi Bren, who knows – one day – but don’t put the ponytail holder away – a bob can still be tied up given the right length!
I love your haircut. The bob is definitely a good choice for you.
Thanks so much Christie 🙂
I love short hair. Sometimes I grow it out, but usually, when summer comes around again, I just have to cut it off.
Haha Jennifer – I know that feeling too!
I agree with everything you say here Jo as I have fine hair. I find a shorter bob style helps keep my smallish face visible and open whereas longer hair drags my whole face down. I’ve just been to the hairdresser today for her to work her magic, so very timely to read your post.
Great that your hairdresser works magic Debbie – yes, just a tadge of length can make all the difference.
Hi Jo I love a bob and you look beautiful. It is amazing what a couple of centimetres can make. We can certainly rock a bob and it always looks elegant. Thanks so much for linking up and sharing with us at Midlife Share the Love Party. See you next week! #MLSTL
You are very kind Sue, thank you. I agree a bob always looks elegant doesn’t it.
The short bob looks great on you Jo, but for me I am sticking with longer hair for now, though I did get it cut a little shorter last time. The thought of a short bob on me takes me back to my childhood, think pudding basin cut, and I cringe at the thought of it. And anyhow my son said years ago, Mum the day you get your hair cut short means you are feeling old. And anyways I don’t enjoy trips to the hairdresser, so a longer cut suits me just fine. For now anyways.
Oh dear, the old pudding basin cut Jill – remember them well. You look great with long hair, and I can see you rocking a long cut into your 90s!