The 20 Best Hairstyles for Women Over 70 in 2024

The best hairstyles for women over 70 are flattering, simple, and convey a touch of sophistication and poise. We’re sharing 20 of our favorite looks for ladies 70+, from easy-to-style short looks to gorgeous bobs and shoulder-length styles.

The 10 Best Hairstyles for Women Over 70

The best hairstyles for women over 70 cover a range of looks and styles from casual to elegant. You’ve been styling your hair for 70-plus years, so you know what you like. 

Maybe that’s more likely to be a basic, no-frills look with your natural, air-dried texture. Or perhaps you’re more likely to be seen wearing hairstyles that are a little more “done up” with heat-styled curls, choppy layers, or a sleek, straight texture. 

In any case, we want you to consider something before you read further and discover the beautiful hairstyles we’ve compiled for you.

There’s a wide world of hairstyle possibilities out there, and there is absolutely no reason to limit yourself to one or two “comfort” styles that you return to time and time again. 

It’ll be a fun experiment to pick at least 3 new styles from this list to try over the next week. Look for styles that suit your length (we included options for short, medium, and longer hair) and commit to trying a few out of your usual style repertoire. 

We think you’ll love experimenting with new looks, and you’re sure to get compliments that support the new styles. Who knows? You might just find a new signature style that you return to again and again! 

These styles sparkle with youthful energy and elegance without trying too hard. You’re going to love having so many new ways to style your hair! Check out the best 20 hairstyles for women over 70 below. Don’t forget to pick out 3 new ones to try! 

1. Posh Braided Low Bun

A braided low bun looks posh and sophisticated without requiring much effort. The keys to keeping this look elegant and not casual are ensuring the hair is totally smooth and free from tangles and bumps. 

Brush your hair straight back and gather it into a ponytail at the nape of your neck. Secure it with an elastic and braid the ponytail in a simple 3-strand braid.

Secure the ends with a small elastic (preferably clear), then wrap the braid around the base of the ponytail. Push a few bobby pins in to hold the bun in place and finish with a spritz of hairspray. 

2. Midi Bob With Layered, Flipped Ends

Midi-length bobs are almost shoulder-length, which is a flattering point for all face shapes. With short layers at the ends, the hair takes on a thicker and fuller appearance that translates into a more youthful style. 

Create a side part and dry your hair with a round brush to master the flipped-up ends of this look.

Dry the shorter layers around the face with the brush underneath to tuck those pieces under. Finish with a spritz of light-hold hairspray for a little more staying power.

3. Sleek and Sassy Side-Swept Pixie

Who doesn’t love a good pixie cut? If you’re wearing a short cropped cut like this, you can easily style your strands so they’re sleek and sassy.

It doesn’t require much to style this look – just brush your hair to one side while it’s damp and add a little mousse (fine or medium hair) or gel (medium to coarse hair) for extra hold. Finish with a light misting of hairspray to keep the look in place. 

4. Short Layered Bob With Blunt Bangs

This is one of our favorite looks for women over 70. Really, women of all ages look amazing with this style! A short, ear-length bob helps visually lengthen the face and neck for a lean, youthful look.

The heavy layering throughout the bob adds lots of texture to the style. Here, the look is styled with the ends flipped up and down for volume and dimension. The blunt fringe is styled with the ends just curled under for a soft, feminine look. 

5. Razored Bob With Bangs and Face-Framing Layers

A textured, razored bob is a great way to inject a little energy and youthfulness into your style. It does require a little more effort to style as the wispy razored ends need direction and styling products to look their best. 

If you’re willing to put in the effort, the graduated layers around the face can be curled forward for an elegant look that balances the heavy layers out at the ends. The layers around the face help the wispy bangs blend into the length. 

6. Swoop Bangs With Boosted Volume

The soft curve of side-swept bangs in a swooping shape across the forehead is a great way to put your dazzling eyes front and center. Mix in a little extra volume at the roots and on the sides for flattering height, and you’ve got the makings of a stunning style. 

Blow drying your hair upside down will lift your roots and create the foundation for extra volume. Spritz in some volumizing spray for more lift power.

Teasing the hair near the roots along each side will boost the height further out from the center. For the perfect swoop, dry your bangs in the opposite direction you plan to style them until they’re about 60% dry.

Then direct the bangs back to your chosen side while moving your brush down (above the eyes) and up (toward your temple). This is an excellent style for women with an oval, round, or square face. 

7. Root Volume With Bangs and Flipped Ends

Two easy ingredients for a younger-looking style: Plump up your roots with extra volume (it adds height to the style and really flatters your face) and flip your ends upward with a round brush or curling iron.

Together, these two simple features turn a basic bob or pixie cut into a powerhouse style! Volumizing root lift spray will raise your roots for a voluminous lift.

Curl the ends up (works best on layered haircuts) to create lots of volume and texture through the body of the style. Style your bangs in a messy, casual manner to create a windblown look that’s still put-together. 

8. Tapered Bob With Feathered Bottleneck Bangs

Bottleneck bangs are one of the growing trends in the hairstyle world right now – think of them as the shorter cousin of popular curtain bangs. With a center part, these short, layered bangs open up the eyes and make them the focal point of your face.

The tapered sides help slim the jawline by keeping all the volume concentrated on top. Mousse will help your bottleneck bangs hold their distinctive shape if applied while your hair is damp.

Use a brush to direct each side away from your face while drying, then hold the curve in place while the hair cools for extra staying power. Finish with hairspray for a longer-lasting style. 

9. Voluminous Body Wave Lob

Soft body waves like this are easy to accomplish with a quick blowout. There are even shortcuts you can take to get this look without spending 30 minutes angling your brush while drying! 

Do a “rough” (no brush) blow dry for the back, then pull out your round brush to style and dry the front.

Make sure you keep the brush on the underside of your hair and angle it back away from your face for soft, billowing body waves that add volume to the style. Finish the back with your round brush to flip the ends out a bit. It offers a youthful touch to this look!

10. Tapered Crop With Curled-Up Ends

Curling your ends up in a flip instead of under adds energy and liveliness to your look. It’s one simple way to transform any hairstyle into something a little more youthful, and we love how this look just sparkles with life!

Create a side part on your favored side, then add a dab of volumizing mousse or spray to your roots for lift. Dry with a round brush – underneath the hair at the roots, and on top of the hair at the ends to create the flipped-up effect.

If you have bangs like this lovely lady, style them over and slightly back to keep them out of your eyes. Finish with a light mist of hairspray for extra staying power. 

11. Sophisticated Curly Crop

If style simplicity is a must, try a sophisticated curly crop like this. Short hair looks posh and elegant when styled in curls, especially when paired with a natural glittering silver or dazzling gray. 

A perm is an easy solution for long-term curls with a perfect shape and curl pattern. But if you have naturally curly hair, this style is incredibly easy and highlights your eyes for a flattering effect. 

12. Tucked Bob With Crown Volume

No look is easier than one that takes advantage of your hair’s natural texture! Here, tucked-under ends are easy to accomplish with a curling iron after your hair is dry or a round brush while you blow dry. 

Spritz your damp roots with volumizing spray or mousse to add a nice rise at the crown. Blow dry those sections straight upward and brush backward to finish the look. Tuck your hair behind your ears for an easy-breezy style!

13. Half-Up Curls With Middle Part

Longer hair on women 70+ can offer a truly youthful touch, especially if you’re rocking your natural gray or white! Try a posh-yet-casual half-updo with a middle part for a cute style that works for everyday errands or formal settings. 

Natural curls make this look very simple – just add curl cream and gel while your hair is damp – but heat styling curls isn’t difficult for naturally straight-haired ladies.

Divide the top section of your hair in half and secure with an elastic, clip, or barrette. Curl the ends for a touch of elegance and you’re set!

14. Medium Length With Open, Wispy Bangs

One of our favorite tricks for styling a mature woman perfectly is adding bangs. Wispy, open bangs won’t cover your forehead (which can make the face look shorter or wider).

Instead, they draw attention to your sparkling eyes and energize the style. Soft layers around the face can help break up the length and blend the bangs into the style nicely. 

Style your bangs by directing them up at the roots and angling downward with a brush while you dry. Finish with a light pomade or wax to make the ends piece together if needed. 

15. Long Tapered Pixie With Deep Side Part 

We love a long, tapered pixie for women ages 70 and up. It offers some additional length in front to give you plenty of style options with short length on the sides and back for easy care and maintenance. 

Create a deep side part and add volumizing mousse to damp hair, then blow dry your hair while directing it to the side.

Let a few pieces fall forward in the front for an effortlessly casual look and direct the thinner side downward. That’s it, and this look can be as casual or formal as you’d like.

16. Shoulder-Grazing Lob With Long Face-Framing Layers

Women over 70 look amazing with slightly longer length like this shoulder-grazing lob (long bob). The length draws the eye downward and helps visually sculpt your face and jaw for a more youthful appearance.

The long face-framing layers break up the length a bit and won’t make styling complicated. Wear it with your natural texture or flat iron for a sleeker look.

17. Soft Curls and Curtain Bangs

At age 70 and beyond, you’re looking for softer styles that exude elegance, simplicity, and beauty. That’s exactly what this style will do for you if you’ve got medium to long hair!

Style with a lightweight mousse in your damp hair before drying. Create these soft ringlets with a large-barreled curling iron and curl sections away from your face.

Curtain bangs are a flattering touch, but if you want to avoid getting shorter layers around your face, you can “fake” them with well-placed curls. 

18. Elegant Spiral Ponytail

Ponytails have a reputation for being casual and somewhat sporty, but you can make a ponytail a simple, elegant updo with the addition of spiral curls. The steps are simple and easy, but the effect looks glam and sophisticated. 

Gather your hair into a high ponytail at the crown, making sure to smooth the hair without bumps.

Secure the hair with an elastic, then use a large-barreled curling iron to clamp and curl the hair vertically in a single, spiral curl. Hold the curl up with your hand while it cools, then spray it with a light mist of hairspray to help it stay put. 

19. Sleek Blunt Chin-Length Bob

Bobs are one of the most popular hairstyles for women over 50 for a reason – they are universally flattering at any age! For the easiest styling, opt for a blunt chin-length bob and style it sleek without a lot of volume.

This simple look is elegant and suitable for tasks as basic and running errands to special events. For the sleekest style, use a straightening balm or cream in your damp hair before drying. Finish with anti-frizz serum to tame any flyaways!

20. All Natural Tapered Coils

Coily or kinky hair can be a handful to style, especially if you’ve been doing it for 70+ years. Give yourself a break and embrace your voluminous, defined texture with a tapered natural style like this. 

With a tapered cut that gets shorter toward the bottom, your hair texture will do most of the work. You’ll just need to add moisturizers and curl defining products after washing to accentuate your coil pattern. 

Things to Consider in Hairstyles for Women Over 70

Styling your hair in your golden years should be nothing but enjoyable – you’ve had your fill of time-consuming, complicated styles that require nit-picking and perfection. To make hairstyles for women over 70 look their best, keep these helpful tips and considerations in mind. 

• Volume creates flattering height that slims the face. Styles from short to long can all benefit from some extra volume at the roots (all face shapes), on the sides (square and oval faces), around the cheeks and jawline (heart faces) and in the back (all face shapes). Volume is easy to create with several techniques. Dry your hair upside down, use volumizing root lift spray, work volumizing mousse in damp hair, gently tease the hair at the roots and spray with setting spray, or combine all of these methods for mega-volume. 
• Consider getting bangs. If you don’t have bangs and you’re over 70, consider getting them. Bangs can make any hairstyle look a little more youthful and have great concealing power for forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, and a thinning or receding hairline. You have lots of options with many types of bangs – blunt, side-swept, curtain bangs, bottleneck bangs, wispy, textured/layered fringe, and more. Talk to your stylist about finding the best type of bangs for your face shape and hairstyle. You’ll be shocked at what a positive difference it makes! 
• Opt for easy over complicated styles. Style-intensive looks with lots of complicated steps or time-consuming heat-styling are pretty and fun to wear every now and then. But you should have a range of go-to daily styles that are simple and won’t require a lot of time to pull off. Dress up basic styles like ponytails and buns with simple touches like curls or braids to make them a little more sophisticated. Switch things up with a half-up style if you typically wear your hair down daily. Curl the ends only instead of spending time curling every section from root to tip. Find little ways to simplify your favorite looks for more enjoyable styling! 
• Protect your hair from damage. Healthy hair always looks better in any style than damaged, dry, brittle hair. Preventing damage is easy! Embracing your natural color will help prevent chemical damage from bleach and dye. Switch to sulfate-free shampoo that’s gentler on your strands. Use a satin pillowcase that won’t snag or create friction while you sleep. Use heat protectant spray before you do any type of heat styling, and be gentle when you brush or comb your hair to prevent damage. 
• Encourage thicker, fuller hair for younger-looking strands. Thick, full hair looks more youthful, so if you’re dealing with age-related thinning or breakage that’s leaving your mane a little sparse, it’s worth managing with a daily oral supplement. Folexin is the best hair growth supplement we’ve found and it targets the biological mechanisms that lead to thin, brittle hair. It contains essential vitamins, minerals, and botanical extracts proven to increase hair growth, thickness, and strength so you’ll have a fuller head of hair to style. Read our full Folexin Review for more information.

What’s Your Favorite Hairstyle for Women Over 70?

As you dance into your golden years and start enjoying this especially rewarding phase of your life, you’ve got to do it with a gorgeous hairstyle.

We hope our list of the best hairstyles for women over 70 has given you some cute looks to experiment with and try out! You might even find yourself inspired to get a new haircut, try bangs, or grow your hair out a little longer. 

Remember – the less time you have to spend styling and managing your hair, the more time you have for grandkids, hobbies, friends, family, and maybe a cocktail or two!