A great haircut instantly makes you look chic and polished and is an important finishing touch to your style. As we age, our hair loses its natural pigment and can thin, shed, and become dry and brittle if we don’t give it regular TLC. The wrong hair color can also add years to your appearance and make you look tacky and outdated. Ahead: 15 styles, shades, and habits to avoid to look younger and more glamorous.
1. Short Sharp Cuts
Short hair can be stylish and flattering, but ultra-short, sharp cuts can sometimes have the opposite effect. These severe styles can accentuate fine lines, sharp angles, and thinning areas, making your overall look appear more mature. A slightly longer cut with softer edges and added movement helps frame the face in a more flattering way. Stylists recommend choosing a cut that complements your natural face shape rather than simply opting for a trendy style. According to Byrdie, incorporating texture and layers into your short hairstyle can add depth and visual interest, making it more youthful and appealing. If you’re considering going short, consult a professional to find a length that enhances your best features.
Instead of opting for a rigid pixie or cropped cut, consider textured layers or a soft bob for a more youthful appearance. A bit of volume at the crown or subtle waves can create a fresh, modern feel. Even adding side-swept bangs or framing pieces can soften the overall look. The key is balance—avoiding harsh, angular lines while still maintaining structure. A well-chosen shortcut should be easy to style while enhancing your natural beauty.
2. Out of Date Hairstyles
A great cut can take years off your age according to personal stylist and image consultants Beckie + Martina. Clinging to the hairstyle you’ve worn for decades can make you look stuck in the past. Trends evolve, and what was chic twenty years ago might now add years to your appearance. A modern update, like adding layers or switching up your part, can instantly rejuvenate your look. Personal stylists and hair consultants emphasize the importance of tailoring your cut to your current face shape and lifestyle. A fresh, updated hairstyle can take years off your age and make you feel more confident and stylish.
Modernizing your hairstyle allows it to frame your face in a more flattering way while keeping up with current trends. Even subtle changes, like soft waves or tousled volume, can create a more youthful and effortless effect. If you’ve been wearing the same cut for years, consider visiting a trusted stylist for a consultation. A fresh, well-suited cut can bring out your best features and boost your confidence. The right hairstyle should feel timeless, polished, and age-defying.
3. Harsh Dark Hair Shades
Dark hair can be striking, but as we age, overly deep or jet-black tones can have a harsh effect on the face. Darker shades tend to emphasize fine lines, create shadows, and make the skin look dull or washed out. Hair experts suggest opting for softer, more dimensional colors that add warmth and brightness. Subtle highlights, balayage, or lowlights can prevent an overly harsh contrast while still maintaining depth. If you prefer darker hair, choosing a chocolate brown or warm espresso shade can be a more flattering alternative. According to Davines, hair that is too dark can look opaque and age you, while adding dimension with lighter shades can refresh your complexion.
Incorporating a blend of lighter tones helps reflect light and gives the appearance of fuller, healthier hair. A professional colorist can recommend a customized shade that enhances your complexion rather than overwhelming it. Transitioning to a softer, more blended color can instantly refresh your overall appearance. If graying hair is a concern, mixing in warm-toned highlights can create a seamless and elegant look. The goal is to enhance your features with color rather than overpower them.
4. Ignoring Gray Hair
Gray hair can look stunning when maintained properly, but neglecting it can lead to a dull or unkempt appearance. If you choose to embrace your grays, using silver-enhancing shampoos and deep conditioners can help maintain their vibrancy. Celebrities like Helen Mirren and Judi Dench have proven that well-styled gray hair can be elegant and sophisticated. However, if you prefer to cover your grays, keeping up with touch-ups is essential. According to Vogue, maintaining gray hair with the right products and styling can make it look vibrant and youthful. Grown-out roots or uneven color contrast can make your hair look neglected rather than polished.
Whichever route you choose, the key is keeping your hair healthy and well-styled. Gray strands tend to be coarser and more prone to dryness, so hydration is crucial. Regular trims and proper conditioning treatments keep silver or white hair looking soft and luminous. For those covering their grays, blending techniques like highlights or gloss treatments can create a more natural transition. Whether natural or colored, well-maintained hair always enhances a youthful, polished appearance.
5. Limp Lifeless Hair
Hair also naturally breaks and sheds with age according to the beauty experts at Allure, so it’s best to adapt your hair style with cuts that promote volume and texture. Lifeless locks can make your face look saggy and tired. Adding layers to your cut can create the illusion of volume and movement while volumizing products can boost texture. Flat hair is often caused by excess oil, thinning strands, or using the wrong products, so adjusting your routine can make a big difference. A fuller, bouncier style instantly lifts your face and adds a youthful energy. Taking steps to add body and texture can keep your hair looking vibrant and healthy.
The wrong haircare routine can also contribute to limp locks. Using heavy conditioners or skipping regular trims can make hair look weighed down. Instead, opt for lightweight hydration treatments and schedule consistent trims to maintain freshness. Blow-drying with a round brush or using soft curls can help add dimension without excessive styling. A fuller, bouncier style not only enhances your hair but also lifts your overall facial features.
6. Too Much Volume
While adding volume to thinning hair is important, excessive volume can have the opposite effect. Overly teased, bouffant-style hair can make you look outdated and draw attention away from your features. Large, over-layered cuts or backcombing techniques can create an unnatural, stiff look rather than soft, effortless volume. A more modern approach is to aim for controlled volume—structured but not overdone. Soft layers and gentle waves add natural movement without making hair look overstyled.
For thicker hair types, thinning techniques can help control excessive bulk. Opting for medium-length styles with subtle layers can provide the perfect balance of fullness without looking too dramatic. Instead of over-reliance on hairspray, using volumizing creams or lightweight texturizing sprays can create a more contemporary feel. The key is a style that flatters your face and highlights your best features without overwhelming them. When it comes to volume, moderation is key for a youthful, modern look.
7. Overly Bleached Hair
While blonde hair is often associated with youth, excessive bleaching can damage hair and lead to an unhealthy, brittle texture. Regular exposure to bleach strips the hair of natural oils, causing breakage and a straw-like feel. Over-processed blonde tones can also take on an unnatural or brassy appearance if not properly maintained. Opting for softer, multi-tonal highlights rather than full-on platinum can create a more natural, radiant effect.
If you prefer blonde tones, incorporating lowlights or deeper hues can add dimension and keep the color looking natural. Using bond-repair treatments and hydrating masks helps restore strength to bleached hair. Plant-based or ammonia-free dyes are gentler alternatives that minimize long-term damage. A well-maintained blonde shade should enhance your complexion without making hair appear dry or fragile. The goal is to achieve a bright, youthful blonde while keeping your hair’s health intact.
8. Severe Restrictive Styles
Tight ponytails, slicked-back buns, or over-restrictive updos can create tension on the scalp and contribute to hair thinning. These severe styles also highlight every contour and wrinkle, making your overall look harsher. Loose, relaxed styles with soft texture and movement tend to be more flattering. Low ponytails, tousled waves, and casual updos offer elegance without pulling too tightly on the hair.
Over time, wearing hair in overly tight styles can cause breakage along the hairline, leading to a receding look. If you need a sleek hairstyle, opt for a looser chignon or soft twists instead of tightly pulled-back hair. Adding wispy face-framing layers can soften the look while maintaining a polished aesthetic. A more effortless approach to styling can instantly create a youthful, modern feel. Avoiding excessive tension helps preserve your hair’s strength and health.
9. Long, Unkempt Hair
While long hair can be beautiful at any age, neglecting regular trims and styling can make it look dull and unkempt. Overgrown, lifeless strands can weigh down your face, making you appear older rather than youthful. A well-maintained cut with soft layers adds structure and movement, preventing your hair from looking heavy or flat. Even small adjustments, like adding face-framing layers or subtle waves, can instantly refresh your look. Keeping the ends trimmed also prevents breakage and split ends, maintaining a healthy, polished appearance.
Styling plays a crucial role in making long hair look elegant rather than unkempt. Loose curls, soft waves, or a sleek blowout can add sophistication while keeping hair fresh and modern. If you love long hair but feel it’s aging, consider switching up your styling routine with lightweight volumizing products. Avoid overly heavy oils or styling creams that can weigh your hair down. A little extra effort in maintaining and styling your long hair goes a long way in ensuring a youthful, radiant look.
10. Bad Heavy Bangs
Bangs can be a flattering addition to your hairstyle, but thick, blunt bangs can overshadow your face and create an unbalanced look. Heavy bangs often make the face look shorter and more severe, drawing attention to fine lines or wrinkles. Softer, side-swept bangs or wispy fringe styles are much more forgiving and blend naturally with your overall haircut. These styles help frame your face without overwhelming your features, making them a great option for mature women. The right type of bangs can add movement and youthful energy to your look.
When considering bangs, it’s essential to choose a style that complements your face shape and hair texture. If you have finer hair, opt for feathered or layered bangs that won’t look too heavy. For thicker hair, a slightly tapered fringe can prevent a bulky appearance. Avoid cutting bangs too short, as they can be difficult to style and may emphasize forehead lines. Consulting a stylist for the best bang style tailored to your features ensures a more flattering, youthful outcome.
11. Wrong Shade for Your Skin
Selecting the wrong hair color can make a significant difference in how youthful and vibrant you appear. Shades that are too cool, ashy, or starkly different from your natural hair color can wash out your complexion. Overly dark or bold, unnatural shades may also highlight fine lines and shadows, making your features appear harsher. A warm, multi-tonal hair color with soft highlights and lowlights tends to create a more radiant, fresh look. Colorists recommend choosing hues that enhance your skin’s natural undertones for the most flattering effect.
A professional consultation can help determine the best shade to complement your features and lifestyle. If you’re covering grays, blending highlights instead of going for a single solid color can create a softer transition. Subtle caramel, honey, or golden undertones can add warmth and vibrancy to your face. The key is to aim for dimension and shine, which help create a more youthful appearance. Choosing a shade that harmonizes with your skin tone can make all the difference in enhancing your overall look.
12. Product Overload
Using too many hair products can make your hair look stiff, greasy, or weighed down. Heavy gels, excessive hairspray, and thick mousses often create an unnatural, overly styled effect that can age you. Product buildup also leads to dullness, making hair look lifeless and lacking in movement. Instead of piling on multiple styling products, opt for lightweight formulas that enhance your hair’s natural texture. A soft, touchable finish with a gentle hold always looks more youthful and modern.
Less is often more when it comes to achieving an effortless, fresh style. Choose nourishing leave-in conditioners, lightweight serums, or volumizing sprays that enhance shine and softness. If you struggle with frizz or flyaways, a tiny amount of smoothing cream applied to the ends works better than layering excessive products. Washing hair regularly to remove product residue helps maintain its natural vibrancy. By simplifying your routine and using only essential products, you’ll achieve a healthier, more youthful-looking mane.
13. Dodgy Dye Job
DIY hair coloring may seem like a convenient and cost-effective option, but it often results in uneven tones, brassy hues, or unnatural-looking shades. Box dyes rarely provide the same depth and dimension as professional salon treatments, leading to hair that looks flat or artificial. A bad dye job can make hair appear dull and aged rather than refreshed. Additionally, uneven coverage or harsh roots from improper application can create an unpolished look that adds years to your appearance.
Visiting a professional colorist ensures that your hair color is blended seamlessly and complements your features. Subtle, salon-quality highlights or balayage techniques can add depth and luminosity, making your hair appear fuller and healthier. If you must use at-home dyes, opt for semi-permanent options that allow for a more gradual, natural-looking transition. Regular maintenance, including color-refreshing treatments and conditioning masks, helps maintain a rich and youthful shade. Investing in high-quality coloring techniques pays off in a more polished, flattering hairstyle.
14. Dead Straight Styles
Ultra-straight, pin-flat hair can drag down your features and emphasize fine lines. While straight hair can look sleek and polished, excessive straightening often removes natural movement and body, making hair appear lifeless. This rigid style can create a dated look, whereas soft waves or light curls add a youthful bounce. A layered cut with a bit of texture helps frame the face more naturally. If you love straight hair, opting for a slightly tousled or blowout-style finish creates a more flattering effect.
Adding volume at the roots or incorporating face-framing pieces prevents hair from looking overly rigid. Heat styling with a large barrel curling iron or rollers can create soft waves that bring life to your hair. Even switching to a slight side part instead of a center part can add movement and dimension. A little extra texture keeps hair looking fresh and prevents it from appearing weighed down. Choosing a more relaxed, natural-looking straight style ensures a modern, youthful appearance.
15. Neglecting Hair Health
No hairstyle or color can fully compensate for poor hair health. Dry, brittle, or thinning hair instantly ages your appearance, making regular maintenance and care essential. Overwashing can strip natural oils while neglecting conditioning treatments leads to dull, weak strands. Hair thrives when nourished with moisture-rich shampoos, scalp treatments, and protective styling habits. Avoiding excessive heat styling and chemical processing helps maintain hair strength and elasticity.
A healthy diet plays a crucial role in hair vitality, with nutrients like biotin, omega-3s, and vitamins A and E supporting hair growth and shine. Drinking plenty of water and massaging the scalp stimulates circulation, promoting healthier strands. Regular trims every six to eight weeks prevent split ends and keep hair looking fresh. Deep-conditioning masks and leave-in treatments help restore hydration and manageability. Prioritizing overall hair health ensures a naturally youthful and vibrant look at any age.
Natasha is a seasoned lifestyle journalist and editor based in New York City. Originally from Sydney, during a stellar two-decade career, she has reported on the latest lifestyle news and trends for major media brands including Elle and Grazia.
