13 Hairstyles Perfect For Older Women With Fine Hair

While it's completely natural for hair to become thinner and more fragile with age, those who have fine hair often notice the difference in hair density the most, leading the hair to look flat and stringy. Luckily, a great haircut can help achieve volume and bounce even with the finest of hairs. To ensure we have the best suggestions on what to ask your hairstylist when getting a haircut, we've enlisted the help of Stanley Nolan, Ogle School master cosmetologist and beauty education specialist. Exclusively for Glam, Nolan shares which haircuts you should consider if fine or thin strands are your primary concerns.

"When working with fine hair, especially for older women, I recommend styles that add volume and texture while remaining chic and easy to maintain," Nolan tells us. "Some of my top picks include the tousled or layered bob for movement and fullness, embracing natural curls and waves, a side part to lift the roots and add dimension, and wispy bangs to soften facial features," the expert says, adding, "These hairstyles look particularly good on older women with fine hair because they combine volume, texture, and softness, all of which are especially flattering on fine hair." And while most of these recommendations work on both, knowing the difference between fine and thin hair can be helpful when deciding just which haircut is best for you.

The layered bob is the right way to add texture to trendy short hair, regardless of age and hair type, but it's particularly great for older women with fine hair. "A layered bob is ideal because the layers create natural movement and allow for easy styling with texturizing products or loose curls," Stanley Nolan shares exclusively with Glam.

Think of it this way: While a blunt bob is great for adding structure and edginess to your look, a layered one is all about softness and bounce, giving your hair plenty of movement with every turn of your head. You can ask your hairstylist to add bangs if you like them, or simply go for a classic layered bob with face-framing pieces. Depending on your natural hair texture, your bob might dry curly, wavy, or straight, but luckily, all three options look fabulous with this haircut.

If you're not looking to change your hair too much, the easiest and quickest way to add volume and bounce is by styling it in a side part. "Side parts are amazing for strategically concealing thinning areas while also lifting the roots, instantly adding depth and volume," Stanley Nolan tells us exclusively. Now, depending on your haircut, as well as how fine your hair is, you can play around with the perfect placement of your part.

For some, going just slightly off-center will result in enough volume, while others may feel that a deeper side part is necessary. Either way, this is an easy way to switch up your look and get the most out of fine hair. If you're also experiencing hair thinning, playing around with the way you part your hair can also help conceal areas where your hair isn't as luscious as it used to be. And if you want to prevent further thinning, make sure you're not guilty of any of the mistakes older women make that contribute to hair loss.

If you like your current haircut for the most part but are willing to make minor changes, especially those that can help hide forehead lines, consider adding bangs. In particular, our expert suggests wispy ones because they're a low-maintenance option and perfect for finer hair. "Wispy bangs are a great option for older women with fine hair because they frame the face beautifully, hide fine lines on the forehead, and give the illusion of more lifted cheekbones and denser hair overall," Stanley Nolan explains exclusively to Glam, adding, "Dry shampoo can be especially helpful if you are wearing bangs, as it keeps the roots looking fresh and prevents a greasy, flat appearance."

The best part about embracing popular types of this hairstyle — like light and breezy Korean air bangs — is that they're super versatile. You can rock them across your forehead, sweep them to the side, or even hide them by blending them into the rest of your hair. As they're thin and wispy, you also won't lose much of your hair on them, which is crucial for anyone with finer hair. 

It's no secret that rocking curly or wavy hair helps add volume to even the finest of strands. Because of that, a tousled bob is one of the best options for older women with fine hair. "Whether you choose to use heat or go heat-free, curls are a reliable way of adding volume and softness back into the face," Stanley Nolan shares exclusively with Glam. "If you're using heat tools, make sure to prep with a heat protectant and finish with a texture spray to maintain movement. For natural curls, opt for lightweight curl creams or mousses that enhance definition while keeping the hair looking bouncy, soft, and full."

Regardless of whether your curls are natural or not, using products that help thicken your individual hairs is a great way to maximize volume without causing frizz. "When styling fine hair for older women, volumizing products are key," the expert adds. "I recommend incorporating texturizing sprays, dry shampoo, or volumizing mousses, because they add lift and dimension without weighing the hair down." And if you want your tousled bob to be as low-maintenance in the morning as possible, consider trying out this heatless curls method that doesn't require any extra products.

There's a reason pixie hairstyles are so popular among older women, especially those with finer hair: The haircut is simple and easy. No matter how fine your hair is, there's a way to cut it so it looks great. In fact, you can style a pixie haircut for any occasion, and it's a fuss-free look that allows you to be out the door in minutes. "Classic shorter styles are effortlessly chic on older women. They can be as soft or sharp as you like, depending on your look and personality," Stephen Buller, co-founder of the salon group Buller & Rice, explained to Marie Claire. "This can pair perfectly if you're gray-haired and proud, and has proven to look beautiful on Helen Mirren, Judi Dench, Meryl Streep, and Jamie Lee Curtis."

So, if you're someone who's ready to embrace your natural grays but is unsure how to deal with the transition, chopping your locks off and embracing a super-short haircut is the easiest way. Besides, most people who have rocked a pixie — regardless of the stage of their life — will attest that the haircut is liberating and fun. In our opinion, everyone should experience it at least once.

Similar to wispy bangs, side-swept bangs are also a great option for older women with finer hair. However, if you know that you will mostly wear them to the side, make sure your hairstylist knows, as he will cut them slightly differently, ensuring that their ends blend perfectly into the rest of your hair. "If you're worried about forehead lines, a very long bang that can be swept to the side is a good option," hairstylist Carrie Butterworth told Prevention. "It's like a nice little bit of window dressing for the face."

This type of bang was very popular in the early aughts; however, nowadays, it should be styled with a tad more volume and bounce. One thing you should keep in mind is that side-swept bangs generally aren't easy to maintain, and chances are that you will have to style them every day. However, combining them with a side part helps add even more volume to your roots, making your fine hair appear even thicker, and for many, the time spent styling them each day is totally worth it. Besides, once you have figured out how to perfect them, you might just get so good at it that you won't need more than 10 to 15 minutes in the morning.

Now, before you get confused about why we'd recommend long hair for someone older with fine hair, let us clarify: This hairstyle might require extensions to add some additional volume and length. But with so many options out there, why not give this look a try? "More recently, we have seen a more phase-less transition between age groups with people opting to hold onto their long hair," Stephen Buller shared with Marie Claire. "Celebrities known for their long lengths, such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Andie Macdowell, have embraced their grays while holding onto their signature looks, and looking fabulous!"

Traditionally, older women opt to cut their hair shorter as they age, but if you want to fight that norm, embracing long hair, even if yours is on the finer side, is beautiful. While there are some things you need to know before getting hair extensions, there really isn't any reason why you shouldn't explore this option if long hair is what you prefer. A skilled hairstylist will blend your natural hair and the extensions perfectly, and before you know it, your hair will help give you a more youthful and unexpected look.

If a pixie seems like too short of a hairstyle for you and a bob might just be a tad too long, a bixie is the perfect option for you. This haircut, a hybrid of the two cuts (hence its name), is perfect for any age and hair texture. Now, the trendy bixie cut is hot if you know how to style it properly, so make sure that you ask your hairstylist any and all questions you have, as they'll help you nail the look for your specific hair type.

"Short hair gives a feeling of a more youthful look," hairstylist Valerie Maine told Who What Wear. "As you get older, your hair will sometimes thin and become weaker. Shorter hair is often easier to style and can fit in better with a busier lifestyle." And just like with a bob haircut, you can opt to combine your bixie with bangs, creating a unique look that works with your preferences and facial features. 

An asymmetrical bob comes back into style every couple of years, but those who love the angled style of it remain loyal to the haircut regardless of trends. If you have fine hair and asymmetry sounds intriguing, giving this haircut a try can feel freeing, especially if you're older.

"The asymmetry and deep side part provide the hair with lift and fullness, whereas a middle part would draw more attention to oiliness," hairstylist Jay Vosper explained to Prevention. However, if your asymmetrical, angled bob is also layered, you can rock a middle part as the layers will help your hair achieve more volume around the crown of your head. Asymmetrical cuts can mean going shorter in the back and longer in the front, but you can also opt for a bob with one side that's longer than the other. The quirkiness of a fun haircut like this one will help add a youthful element to your look. 

The shag haircut has been popular for a couple of years now, and it allows women to explore the effortless style of the '70s and '80s in a modern way. "The shag hairdo is a medium-length feathery hairstyle with bangs," hairstylist Luna Viola told us exclusively when discussing the absolute best and worst hairstyles for older women. "This stylish do is great for thin hair and naturally wavy texture (think Meg Ryan). It adds body and volume, and the bangs are great for hiding fine lines on the forehead. This style is perfect for women that had a decrease in overall hair volume due to menopause."

Apart from the fact that it adds volume and movement to your look, a shag is also a great choice if you don't want to get trims every month or two. As it grows out, it will look just as fabulous, and thanks to its numerous layers (which tend to be very short around your crown), you will still have lots of volume, even if your hair grows below your collarbones. 

By now, it's clear that any haircut with lots of layers is great for adding volume to fine hair. One area we haven't covered, though, is face-framing layers, which tend to be a staple for women as they get older because they help add softness to the face while also allowing the strands to have more movement. "For those who prefer to keep their length, long layers with gentle face-framing highlights are a great option," hairstylist Don Kurland explained to Marie Claire. "This style adds depth and warmth, brightening the complexion and providing a soft, feminine touch. The layers offer movement without compromising length, making it a flattering choice for mature women."

Adding layers is crucial when opting to have a long haircut on fine hair, as they help keep your hair from looking flat. Of course, finding the balance between adding just enough layers while not overdoing it is something that a hairstylist needs to determine when examining your hair structure and thickness. The last thing you want is for the longest pieces of your hair to look straggly at the bottom. 

Curtain bangs have been popular in recent years, and while some may argue that the cut isn't as trendy as it was, say, during the "Barbie" era, we have to disagree. Curtain bangs remain a common choice for women across the globe for a reason — they allow you to experience bangs without having to commit to straight-across ones. "This popular hairstyle is perfect for women over 50 who are looking for a natural, effortless, and feminine framing (think Jennifer Lopez, Sienna Miller)," Luna Viola explained exclusively to Glam. "The soft curtain bangs and seamless layers make this style graceful and timeless."

While these bangs work with any hairstyle, make sure you check out all the ways to rock the curtain bang trend with short hair if you decide to wear them with a bob or shag. Finally, as curtain bangs tend to elongate the face by showing a vertical line of your forehead, they're also great if you're looking to make your face appear slimmer.

If you can't decide between chopping your hair short and keeping it long, a long bob might just be your answer. "Long bobs are a great choice for older women, especially as hair can naturally thin with age," Christel Barron-Hough, founder of Chelsea's STIL salon, explained to Marie Claire. "A bob creates an illusion of fuller (and therefore healthier) hair, which contributes to a more youthful look." 

Basically, a bob doesn't have to be ultra-short, and it's actually very easy to redefine the image we typically associate with the look. You can achieve a great volumizing effect with a shoulder-length bob or even one that's a little longer. Combine this haircut with a side-part, and you'll have lots of volume without having to sacrifice much length. 

Now that we've covered the hairstyles and haircuts you should go for, be sure to also check out the best hair colors for older women, as some might surprise you.