As we get older, life only seems to get busier. Priorities shift as we focus more on our careers, kids, etc., and our makeup and haircare rituals might end up a little lower on the scale of priorities. But that doesn’t mean you should neglect your daily routine! In fact, giving yourself a little self-care through your makeup and hair routine can help to start your day off on the right note. The key is to find ways to make these rituals a little more efficient. Below are 8 haircuts and hairstyles that will make your morning routine a breeze, while still giving you a chic, sophisticated look over 40.
1. Long Beachy Waves
If you’re looking to stretch out the time between your salon sessions as long as possible, a long blunt cut or long layers are a good choice to request at your next appointment! If you have medium to thick hair, longer layers can help to add volume. But if you have especially fine hair, lots of layers may not be the move. Instead, a blunt hair length can make thin hair actually appear fuller and thicker.
When it comes to styling, long waves are the perfect choice if you’re short on time but still want to incorporate some sort of heat technique into your look for the day. Beachy waves aren’t an exact science, so you don’t have to worry about going for perfection. In fact, the goal is to get that imperfect look that feels lived in, but still put-together.
How to Style: Get Joanna’s beachy waves with the help of a curling wand or iron. Alternate the directions of the curls, and leave the ends straight. This is a beautiful look if you want soft waves for your long hair, although it can still work for shorter cuts as well!
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Remington Shine Therapy Argan Oil & Keratin Infused ½-1 Inch Tapered Curling Wand
2. French Bob
If you’re inspired by French beauty, Parisian women have some of the best visuals for your next haircut. Above, Frann Fyne is pictured sporting her natural curls in a chic, short bob, otherwise known as a French bob. The French bob is characterized by a chin-length cut with minimal layers. This cut can also be accompanied by some sort of wispy bangs for the perfect balance.
For those who prefer short haircuts and like to wear their hair down most of the time, a French bob might be for you! Short hair can save a lot of time drying in the morning, although you might need to spend a little time with a round brush to get it to lie just right. And if you think that a bob won’t work for your hair type, think again! Frann is the perfect example of how to rock a curly bob.
How to Style: For short hair, you’ll want a 1-1.5″ inch diameter round brush for a sleek, smooth finish. This brush would also be very helpful for drying your bangs! Make sure to lift up when you’re blow-drying, or blow-dry upside down to maximize volume. Always make sure to use heat protectant first, and prioritize finding a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment on the end to protect your hair from unnecessary damage.
olivia garden
Nanothermic Brush
3. Pixie Cut
If your busy lifestyle demands a haircut and style that’s just as efficient as you are, you might want to consider a pixie cut! Thanks to the short length, maintenance is pretty low on this style, other than regular trims. Blow-drying is a breeze with this amount of locks, although depending on your face shape, you might decide to do a little styling to get the exact eye-catching look that you like. Side parting generally works well for this type of cut, as shown on the chic French woman above.
How to Style: To get the look you’re going for, a styling paste will be your best friend with a pixie cut! This medium-hold paste is perfect for adding extra dimension and a little bit of shine to your short crop hairstyle.
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Oribe Rough Luxury Soft Molding Paste
4. Slicked Back Bun
Just looking for a new hairstyle rather than a new cut? With the right tools, a slicked-back bun is one of the easiest updos to master, even if you’ve never attempted one before. When you want to get your hair up and out of your face on a hot day, or just look a little extra chic, try this style. It also works well if you’re trying to go an extra day between hair washes!
How to Style: Taming flyaways is one of the key components of this hairstyle. Run a flat iron through your hair if you want a super smooth look, and then focus on those stray pieces. There are a number of options you can use to do this, but a gel is a great place to start. Use a quarter-sized amount, focusing on the front and top of your hair, and then run your fingers down through the rest. Secure it with a hair tie, and then use a little more gel for a touch-up if you need it!
ulta
Elnett Anti-Frizz Slick Back Styling Cream for Flexible Hold
5. Relaxed Ponytail
For a no-fuss look that lets you hit the ground running in the morning, a loose ponytail is the way to go! It’s the perfect way to add a slightly more casual touch to any outfit. And if you want to elevate your look with a ponytail, go the slicked-back route for a sleek, chic look. Otherwise, leave out a few pieces of fringe for a more undone look that feels more natural. The key to making this look intentional is to pay attention to the details.
How to Style: Make sure to tame any stray flyaways, and take time to smooth out any bumps as you’re pulling your hair back. You can also add volume with the help of mousse and a little texture spray. Secure the style with a ponytail that matches your natural hair color for a neutral, sophisticated look.
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Seamless Soft Hair Ties
6. Face-Framing Layers
Face-framing layers are a flattering style for any face shape, as this cut can be customized to balance and enhance your unique facial features. Longer layers are perfect for round or square face shapes to create length. Meanwhile, softer layers help to soften a sharper, square jawline. And if you want to add fullness to a heart-shaped face, try layers around the jawline. As for oval faces, they can try a wide variety of layers to emphasize either the cheekbones or jawline.
How to Style: To style your face-framing layers, you’ll need a round brush, a blow dryer, heat protectant, and a mousse or styling cream. Prime your hair with the heat protectant and the mousse. Use the round brush and blow dryer to curl your layers inward, or forward and under, depending on your preferred look. Finish your styling with a bit of optional texture spray or hairspray to hold the look.
If you’re in the market for a new heat protectant, the Bumble & Bumble product below is a favorite of mine!
ulta
Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat Protectant Leave-In Conditioner Primer
7. Long with Fringe
For those who like the option of being able to put their hair up, a simple style like long layers or a blunt cut with fringe might be right up your alley. Long choppy layers can work well with natural waves, and for those with medium or thick hair. The long layers add movement, extra volume, and texture for a modern style. This cut can also be done for curly hair if the stylist follows the natural curl pattern.
This cut complements numerous face types, including square and heart-shaped faces. As for the fringe, bangs can help to soften your facial features as well as any fine lines over 40. Your hairstyle can help you determine what type of bangs work best for your individual features, but if you have an oval-shaped face like Anne Hathaway, this photo could be good inspo for a red carpet-worthy look.
If you’re looking for a versatile cut that can look great up or down, this low-maintenance style can highlight your best features with ease and be adapted to work with almost any hair type and different textures.
How to Style: Mousse is your best friend if you want to add volume at the roots of your hair. Start with clean, damp hair and then work in a golf ball-sized amount into your hair, starting at the roots and then working your way down through the ends.
Ulta
Kenra Volume Mousse Extra 17
8. Shoulder Length Cut
If you love the chic look of a French bob but aren’t quite ready to commit, a shoulder-length cut or “lob” might be perfect for you. Paired with side-swept fringe, this cut has all the makings of another chic French girl style (as shown above).
And if fringe isn’t quite for you, this cut can look just as good without it. The slightly longer bob length makes it a versatile cut that you can style half up, half down, pull all the way back in a small slicked bun, or wear down straight or curled. There are plenty of ways to style this cut, all while reaping the benefits of the lower-maintenance length and shorter blow-dry time.
How to Style: Want an easy, heatless style that will instantly add a bit of polish to your look? Try pulling back half your hair with a medium or small claw clip. It’s a quick and simple twist that can change up your look in under 30 seconds.
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Medium Claw Clip
Chic Hairstyles for a Woman Over 40
Your hairstyle can be one of your best accessories! Depending on what style you choose for the day, you can completely change up the vibe of your outfit. Whether you want to embrace your natural texture or practice your curling iron skills, these 8 cuts and styles will help you to maximize your valuable morning minutes to take control of your daily routine.
Looking for more hair inspiration? We’ve got style advice straight from the streets of France. Up Next: 11 Chic French Girl Hairstyles You’ll Want to Show Your Hairdresser
I have curly hair. I don’t see any hairstyles for me.
You’re right – curly hair may not be pictured, but I have curly hair myself and like to do a relaxed ponytail and slicked back bun 🙂