Just like there are hairstyles that flatter certain face shapes, there are also hairstyles that flatter different age groups. To find the most flattering hairstyles for women in their 40s, we teamed up with celebrity hair stylist and senior stylist for Warren Tricomi, Marc Mena, and Abraham Sprinkle, international creative team member for Keratin Complex, to pick their brains on which styles best suit this age range.
“The biggest battle women over 40 deal with is gravity,” says Sprinkle. “This seems to be the starting point of age beginning to make its appearance. Having a flattering cut is important to combat this.”
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Mena suggests a wob—or wavy bob—for women in their 40s. “It has body and movement, and the length is very age-appropriate. The best way to achieve it is with Kerastase Volumizing Mousse ($40),” he says, suggesting to apply it onto towel-dried hair. “Use a finishing spray, such as Pantene Flexible Hairspray ($6), once the look is achieved to keep it in place.”
Sprinkle suggests a classic square bob, and stresses that you pay attention to where the length hits on your face. “The key thing here is making sure it falls slightly below your chin,” he says, explaining that if the bob hits in the right place, it can help mask a droopy chin.
For the curly-haired 40 year old, Sprinkle suggests a layered bob. “A layered bob is a safe choice, as using a foam product, like Keratin Complex Vita Volume ($25), can give added volume to the top of your head, offsetting any signs of sagging cheeks.”
Mena also recommends a medium-length layered cut with a soft bang. “It frames the face very well and the bangs soften up the face to keep a youthful look.” If you want to go shorter, Sprinkle also likes a short pixie. “It adds instant youth! The key here is making the finish messy with a textured pomade like Keratin Complex Mold Me ($24).
