Curly Hairstyle Ideas for Women over 50: 34 Stylish Looks for Gray Hair, Medium Length, and More

As the new year approaches, fashion-forward women over 50 are looking for fresh and vibrant ways to express themselves through their hair. Curly hairstyles offer a fantastic way to showcase personality and flair, blending elegance with playfulness. In this article, we explore 34 curly hairstyle ideas specifically tailored for women over 50 in 2024, emphasizing styles that bring out the best in gray hair, suit various face shapes, and cater to different lengths and textures.

Embracing the Silver Curls

Silver curls are more than just a sign of aging; they are a statement of confidence and grace. Opt for a layered, medium length cut to give your silver curls volume and body. This style works wonderfully for both casual outings and formal gatherings, ideally complementing round faces and enhancing green or blue eyes.

To maintain the vivacity of your silver curls, use products like Aveda’s Blue Malva shampoo, which prevents brassiness and enhances silver tones.

Soft Waves for Short Hair

If you prefer keeping your hair short, soft waves can add texture and movement to your look. This hairstyle is perfect for an elegant dinner or a professional meeting. It flatters older women by softening facial features and is particularly complimentary for oval-shaped faces.

Achieve this look with a small barrel curling iron and a light hold spray. Regular trims will keep your waves looking fresh and lively.

Bohemian Curls with a Twist

For those who love a bit of whimsy, bohemian curls with a twist add a playful touch to your natural curls. This style is suited for medium to long hair and is ideal for artistic events or music festivals. It looks splendid on women with heart-shaped faces and highlights hazel or brown eyes.

Maintain your bohemian curls with a curl-enhancing cream and occasional deep conditioning treatments to ensure they stay bouncy and healthy.

Glamorous Hollywood Waves

Channel your inner movie star with glamorous Hollywood waves. This timeless style is perfect for gala events or a sophisticated night out. It works best on long over hair and beautifully frames round faces, while the deep waves enhance any eye color.

To keep your waves sleek and shiny, use a high-gloss serum and regularly apply heat protectant when styling.

Pixie Cut for Curly Hair

Revitalize your look with a curly pixie cut, an excellent choice for those who favor low-maintenance yet chic hairstyles. This cut is incredibly flattering for older women with fine hair, as it adds volume and lifts the face. Suitable for all face shapes, it especially highlights the eyes and cheekbones.

Use a texturizing paste to style your pixie cut and a nourishing conditioner to keep your curls soft and defined.

Romantic Tendrils

For a touch of romance, opt for loose tendrils that gently frame the face. This hairstyle is fantastic for special occasions like weddings or anniversaries. It suits medium length hair and complements older women by adding a youthful glow to the complexion.

Style your tendrils with a curl-defining mousse and protect them with a silicone-free serum to enhance curl pattern without weighing down the hair.

Beachy Waves for Medium Length Hair

Beachy waves offer a relaxed and carefree look, perfect for vacations or casual weekends. This style works wonders on medium and wavy hair, giving a sun-kissed and effortless vibe. It’s particularly flattering for older women looking to add texture and movement to their hair.

Maintain your beachy waves with a salt spray for texture and a light moisturizer to prevent dryness.

The Elegant Updo with Curls

For a more formal appearance, try an elegant updo with curls. This hairstyle elevates your evening attire and works excellently for high-profile events. Suitable for long over hair, it adds sophistication and class, particularly complementing older women.

Keep your updo pristine with stronghold hairspray and regular conditioning to ensure your curls remain soft and manageable.

Cascading Curls for Long Hair

Cascading curls create a dramatic and enchanting look, perfect for those who want to make a statement. This style suits long hair and is ideal for glamorous events or romantic evenings. It beautifully highlights gray hair styles and is a fantastic choice for women with diamond or square faces.

Preserve the beauty of your cascading curls with a curl-enhancing hairspray and routine trims to avoid split ends.

The Classic Bob with a Curly Twist

A curly bob is a classic choice that never goes out of style. Adapt it with a modern twist by adding choppy layers to inject more volume and dynamism. This style is great for all occasions and suits medium length hair. It’s especially flattering for older women, giving a fresh and contemporary look.

To style your curly bob, use a volumizing mousse and diffuse your hair to enhance the curls. Regular conditioning treatments will keep your hair healthy and vibrant.

Soft Perm for Thin Hair

For women with thinner hair, a soft perm can add volume and texture without overwhelming the face. This hairstyle is perfect for everyday wear or casual social gatherings, offering a natural and graceful look. It suits all face shapes but is particularly flattering for women with delicate features.

To maintain the softness and health of your perm, use a lightweight volumizing conditioner and avoid heavy styling products.

Tousled Bob

A tousled bob brings a playful and youthful spirit to your style. It’s perfect for those who want a low-maintenance yet stylish look. This cut is ideal for medium hair and looks great on women with square and heart-shaped faces, giving a softening effect to the jawline.

Style this bob with a texturizing spray to enhance the tousled effect and use a mild shampoo to keep the hair healthy and bouncy.

Curly Shag

The curly shag is a bold and edgy hairstyle that exudes confidence. It’s suitable for medium to long hair and works particularly well for women who want to showcase their vibrant personality. This style flatters broader face shapes by adding layers and texture that balance facial proportions.

Maintain your curly shag with regular trims and use a curl-defining cream to enhance the texture and volume of your curls.

Side-Swept Curls

Side-swept curls offer a romantic and sophisticated look, suitable for dates or evening events. This style works best on medium to long hair and is particularly flattering for older women with oval or round faces, as it draws attention to the eyes and cheekbones.

To achieve this look, use a curling wand to define your curls, then sweep them to one side and secure with a light hairspray.

Voluminous Pixie Cut

Transform your look with a voluminous pixie cut that combines ease with chic. This style is an excellent choice for women who prefer a bold, hassle-free hairstyle. It works wonderfully on short hair and is particularly flattering for petite and angular face shapes.

Keep your pixie voluminous with a root-lifting spray and regular moisturizing treatments to ensure the curls stay soft and defined.

Retro Curls

Bring back the glamour of the past with retro curls, perfect for themed parties or when you just want to stand out. This style is ideal for medium to long hair and suits all face shapes, especially when paired with vintage outfits.

Use large rollers to create your retro curls, and set them with a strong-hold hairspray to ensure they last all day or night.

Layered Spiral Curls

Layered spiral curls are a dynamic and vibrant choice, offering movement and depth to your hair. This style is suitable for long hair and looks spectacular on women who enjoy a fuller hairstyle. It’s especially flattering for older women as it adds volume and lifts the face.

Maintain your spiral curls with a spiral-specific gel that enhances the curl pattern while keeping the hair moisturized.

Curly Lob with Bangs

A curly lob with bangs is a fresh take on a classic style, adding a modern twist with light bangs that frame the face beautifully. This hairstyle is perfect for medium length hair and suits women with wider face shapes, as the bangs help to balance the proportions.

Style your curly lob with a lightweight mousse and trim your bangs regularly to keep them neat and styled.

Natural Curls with Highlights

Enhance your natural curls by adding highlights that create dimension and depth. This style is perfect for showcasing the beauty of your natural hair texture while brightening your overall look. It works well on all hair lengths and is particularly flattering for darker skin tones.

To keep your highlighted curls vibrant, use color-safe shampoos and conditioners, and deep condition regularly to prevent dryness and damage.

Curly Bob with Side Part

A curly bob with a deep side part offers a contemporary twist on a classic style. This hairstyle is great for day-to-day elegance and works exceptionally well for short to medium hair lengths. The side part adds volume and a touch of glamour, making it suitable for any face shape but particularly enhancing for those with round faces.

Maintain your curly bob with a curl-enhancing cream, applying it post-wash to define and moisturize the curls.

Classic Curly Bun

For a timeless and elegant look, the classic curly bun is a perfect choice. This hairstyle pulls the curls back into a neat bun at the nape of the neck, offering a sophisticated appearance ideal for formal events or business settings. It works beautifully on medium to long hair and is particularly flattering for women with older or gray hair.

To achieve this look, use a smoothing serum to gather your curls without frizz, and secure the bun with pins. Finish with a light spray to keep everything in place.

These 34 curly hairstyle ideas for women over 50 in 2024 offer a variety of options to suit different tastes, occasions, and hair types. Whether you prefer short, manageable cuts or long, flowing curls, there is a style here to rejuvenate your look and showcase your unique beauty. We invite you to try these styles, share your experiences in the comments, and inspire others with your own curly hair adventures!