Every woman has the freedom to dress, look, and act as young as she feels, but it's possible that your go-to hairstyle from your 20s and 30s just doesn't feel like you anymore once you enter your 40s or 50s. Of course, stylish haircuts don't have an age limit, and despite what you may have been told, the best hairstyles for women over 50 aren't all super-short and low-maintenance (though there certainly are some great haircuts that are!). Whether you have short hair, medium-length hair, or long hair, we've rounded up plenty of youthful hairstyles inspired by celebrities over 50, and they're sure to have you feeling like your best, most confident self.
Just like your body, your hair changes as you age, so what worked for you even a few years ago might not work now. Don't be surprised if — by the time you reach 50 — you start to experience changes in your hair's texture, color, or how quickly it grows, as these changes are natural. Additionally, you can find haircuts for women over 50 that not only work with your new hair but emphasize all of its ever-evolving beauty. From curly styles to straight styles and from low-maintenance cuts to those that can be styled a million different ways, here are all the best celebrity-inspired hairstyles that'll let you stun well into your 50s, 60s, and beyond.
Frazer HarrisonGetty Images
1 of 50
Patricia Arquette
Arquette stays looking youthful thanks to her playful pageboy bob, which brings all of the focus to her face and is a great choice for anyone with fine, straight hair.
Emma McIntyreGetty Images
2 of 50
Diane Lane
How fun is this short, flipped 'do? To give a half-up, half-down hairstyle some volume, style your hair with a deep side part and flip your ends with a few spritzes of hairspray and a large-barrel curling iron.
You'll radiate youth with a sleek, chin-length bob, complete with a dramatic side part and a few face-framing layered pieces.
Jon KopaloffGetty Images
4 of 50
Lisa Kudrow
Kudrow's mid-length cut always looks voluminous thanks to her long, flipped-out layers (and the fun, chunky highlights definitely add to the youthful look, too).
Amy SussmanGetty Images
5 of 50
Octavia Spencer
Spencer's collarbone-grazing cut, undulating waves, and no-nonsense center part are a great choice for any woman, regardless of age.
Long, side-swept bangs like Wen's are a great way to draw extra attention to your face and so much easier to maintain than traditional bangs, which require frequent trims.
Amy SussmanGetty Images
7 of 50
Phylicia Rashad
Whoever said curly-haired ladies couldn't rock a pixie cut? Rashad's short, tousled pixie is seriously chic, and daily maintenance for the style couldn't be easier.
Astrid StawiarzGetty Images
8 of 50
Cate Blanchett
Curls don't have to be long to make a statement. If you have chin-length hair, try parting your hair on one side and giving yourself a few barrel curls, keeping the side closer to your part tucked behind your ear for an unexpected, asymmetrical look.
Yes, you can embrace your gray and still look youthful, and Stone is proof. To keep your grays looking fresh, you can cut your hair into a choppy, fashionable pixie and add a few blonde highlights throughout.
Steve GranitzGetty Images
10 of 50
Jennifer Aniston
The "Rachel" haircut of the '90s may no longer be in style, but women of all ages can definitely rock Aniston's current look, which involves lots of long layers and chunky blonde highlights.
Steve GranitzGetty Images
11 of 50
Jennifer Lopez
Keep a youthful, hair-up hairstyle from looking flat by adding some soft curls to your ends and using a volumizing mousse to keep your style from falling flat.
Foster channeled Jackie O. with this flipped-end lob, adding her own twist with extra volume at the roots and subtle gray streaks.
Kurt Krieger - CorbisGetty Images
13 of 50
Alfre Woodard
Don't be afraid of playing with volume, like Woodard does here. When you're blow drying your hair, be sure to pull it away from the roots to instantly get more volume.
A blunt bob is a style that's easy to maintain and always looks chic. Use some anti-frizz spray to make sure there are no flyaway hairs, and prepare to feel fierce.
Bangs can be a fun, youthful way to switch up your hairstyle. They instantly frame your face and can give your look more personality.
Bruce GlikasGetty Images
16 of 50
Laura Linney
Beachy waves are the perfect I-woke-up-like-this hairstyle. They work best with a shorter haircut that's not too heavy to hold a soft wave, and can easily be made with a saltwater hairspray.
Frame your face with some soft highlights and gentle curls like Hargitay. These no-fuss curls can quickly be made with a curling iron or wand, then softened by running your fingers through.
Rodin EckenrothGetty Images
18 of 50
Mary Steenburgen
This haircut is 100 percent adorable. To keep the bob-with-bangs style from getting childish, incorporate some highlights for a touch of sophistication and personality.
Phillip FaraoneGetty Images
19 of 50
Kate Beckinsale
Beckinsale's mid-length haircut is perfect for creating no-fuss hairdos. For an easy glamorous look, simply curl and spray with strong-hold spray for a style that will last all day.
Moore's bold red hair color is vibrant and youthful, and the simple styling focuses all the attention on her face. For loose waves, using a curling wand and brush out.
Amy SussmanGetty Images
22 of 50
Halle Berry
Berry's highlights accentuate her warm skin tone, and the soft waves around her face make her updo feel effortless and easy.
Jemal CountessGetty Images
23 of 50
Vivica A. Fox
For a night on the town, don't be afraid to go for a bold look. Use a setting spray to make sure your hair is perfectly slicked back, and tease your hair for a little extra volume in the bun.
If you've got it, flaunt it. Show off your extra length by straightening and wearing a center part. Use a moisturizing serum to make sure your hair is healthy and shining from root to tip.
This simple style is teased at the roots ever so slightly to create more volume in the back of the head and keep the hairdo from falling flat. Be sure to use hairspray after teasing to help with hold.
These bouncy curls are easier to recreate than you may think. Part your blow-dried hair down the middle, pop in hot rollers, let them set, then once cooled, remove and finish with hairspray.
Kelsey HurwitzAssistant Digital EditorKelsey Hurwitz is the assistant editor of WomansDay.com, and covers entertainment, holidays, pets, and good news.
Corinne SullivanContributing WriterCorinne Sullivan is a digital writer and editor who covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, holidays and more.
