Explore 37 Gray Hairstyles for Women Over 50 Featuring Trendy Short Long and Curly Looks
In 2024, embracing natural beauty is not just a trend, it’s a statement, and gray hair is at the forefront of this movement. For women over 50, choosing a hairstyle that highlights the sophisticated hues of gray can be both empowering and stylish. This article explores 37 captivating gray hairstyles for women over 50, each tailored to enhance your natural elegance and suit various lifestyles and occasions.
Curly Silver: Voluminous Curls
For those with naturally curly hair, embracing your curls with a medium-length cut can create a stunning, voluminous look. This style is perfect for any face shape and brings a regal aura to any occasion. Whether it’s a dinner party or a day at the office, voluminous curls are a show-stopper.
To achieve this, use a medium-barrel curling iron and a light mousse to hold the curls without weighing them down. Maintaining this look is easy with a hydrating conditioner, like Moroccanoil’s Hydrating Conditioner, to keep the curls bouncy and vibrant.
Chic Curtain Short Bangs for Medium-Length Hair
Curtain bangs are making a big comeback, adding a dash of mystery and style to medium-length hair. Ideal for round and square face shapes, they frame the face beautifully and enhance darker eye colors.
Styling curtain bangs requires minimal effort; a round brush and a blow dryer will do the trick. To keep them looking fresh, a light hold hairspray and regular trims are recommended to maintain the perfect length and bounce.
Wavy Wonder: Easy Beach Vibes
Wavy hairstyles are the epitome of an effortless look that’s both easy and chic, perfect for a casual day out. Suitable for all face shapes, they particularly accentuate blue and green eyes.
Creating this look involves a sea-salt spray and scrunching your hair as it dries naturally. For maintenance, use a sulfate-free shampoo like Bumble and Bumble’s Surf Foam Wash Shampoo to enhance the natural waves without drying out your hair.
Sleek and Straight: A Timeless Classic
A straight hairstyle offers a clean and sharp look, ideal for both professional settings and elegant evenings. This style complements long face shapes and pairs well with any eye color.
Achieving sleek, straight hair is straightforward with a good quality flat iron and heat protectant spray. To maintain its silky smooth texture, invest in a smoothing shampoo, such as Redken’s Frizz Dismiss.
Light Curly for a Delicate Flair
Light curls provide a subtle elegance that’s perfect for wedding guests or a fancy dinner. Best for those with square and diamond face shapes, it highlights hazel and brown eyes beautifully.
Use a thin curling wand to create these delicate curls and set them with a flexible-hold hairspray. Keep your curly looking soft and shiny with a curl-defining cream, like SheaMoisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie.
Playful Ponytail with Bangs
A ponytail with bangs offers a youthful and playful look that’s easy for school or a weekend outing. This hairstyle is versatile, working well with round and heart-shaped faces, and it’s great for showcasing vibrant eye colors.
Creating this hairstyle is simple with a few hair ties and a smoothing brush. To keep your hair healthy and your bangs in perfect condition, use a nourishing hair mask weekly, like Garnier’s Whole Blends Repairing Mask.
Romantic Updo for Wedding Elegance
An updo suited for wedding celebrations is both romantic and sophisticated. It’s particularly flattering for oval and heart-shaped faces and pairs well with soft eye colors.
To style, gather your hair into a low bun at the nape and secure with decorative pins. Use a high-hold hairspray to keep everything in place throughout the event. For upkeep, a high-quality hairspray like L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin is essential to keep your style flawless.
Bohemian Braids: Cute and Carefree
Cute bohemian braids are ideal for adding a touch of whimsy to your style, perfect for concerts or casual outings. They suit any face shape and bring out the best in eyes that are green or brown.
To get this look, weave your medium-length hair into loose braids and secure with clear elastics. A light texturizing spray will help add volume and grip. For maintenance, use a gentle cleansing conditioner to keep your hair healthy and hydrated.
Aesthetic Waves with a Twist
Embrace the aesthetic appeal of gently tousled waves, ideal for a night out or a creative workplace.
This style is universally flattering and particularly accentuates deep brown or black eyes.
Achieve this with a wide-barrel curling iron, twisting sections away from the face. To keep your waves in place without stiffness, use a mousse with light hold. A regular application of leave-in conditioner will keep your hair looking shiny and healthy.
Elegant Low Bun for a Sophisticated Look
The elegant low bun is a refined choice, perfect for high-stake meetings or an evening opera. It suits elongated face shapes and enhances lighter eye colors.
Style this using a fine-toothed comb to pull your hair back smoothly and secure it at the base of your neck. A touch of gel will keep it sleek. To maintain the look, use a gloss-enhancing spray like Kenra’s Shine Spray for that extra sheen.
Twisted Half-Updo
The twisted half-updo combines elegance with playfulness, making it ideal for both daytime and evening events. This hairstyle enhances the beauty of heart and oval face shapes and highlights eyes of any color.
To create this look, twist sections of your hair from both sides of your face and pin them at the back. Use decorative clips for an extra touch of glamour. A light hairspray will help maintain the style throughout the day. Regular use of a volumizing spray, like Living Proof’s Full Dry Volume Blast, ensures your hair stays bouncy and full.
Layered Bob with Soft Waves
A layered bob with soft waves offers a chic and modern look that’s perfect for the workplace or casual outings. Ideal for short curly or medium length hair.
Short haircuts with silver hair are most suitable for round and square face shapes, especially emphasizing the light color of the eyes.
Achieve soft waves in a layered bob with a small barrel curling iron and a touch of texturizing spray. For upkeep, a lightweight moisturizing conditioner will keep your waves smooth and defined.
Sleek Side-Parted Ponytail
A sleek side-parted ponytail is a sophisticated option that works well in professional settings or at formal gatherings. It’s best for those with rectangular or oval face shapes, and it complements all eye colors.
Style this look by pulling your hair into a tight ponytail on one side and securing it with a hairband. Use a smoothing serum to add shine and tame any flyaways. Maintaining this style requires regular use of a deep conditioning treatment to keep hair healthy and sleek.
High Volume Double Buns
High volume double buns offer a fun and quirky look, perfect for festivals or creative events. This hairstyle is versatile and suits all face shapes, especially highlighting bold eye makeup.
Create this style by parting your hair down the middle, twisting each section into a bun at the crown, and securing with bobby pins. A volumizing powder can be used at the roots for extra lift. To maintain the volume, regularly apply a dry shampoo at the roots for a fresh look.
Classic French Twist
The classic French twist exudes timeless elegance, making it a go-to for weddings or formal business events.
It’s particularly flattering for elongated face shapes and pairs well with classic makeup styles.
Craft this look by gathering your hair at the back, twisting it upwards, and securing with pins. A strong-hold hairspray will ensure your twist stays in place all day. For upkeep, use a shine-enhancing hair oil to keep your hair sleek and polished.
Messy Shag with Curtain Bangs
A messy shag with curtain bangs brings an edge to medium-length hair, perfect for an artistic or casual look. It suits all face shapes and brings attention to vibrant eye colors.
To achieve this look, use a texturizing spray and roughly tousle your hair with your hands. Curtain bangs can be styled with a blow dryer and a round brush for a soft, face-framing effect. Regular trims will keep your shag looking fresh and stylish.
Waterfall Braid Crown
A waterfall braid crown is a beautiful and intricate choice for outdoor weddings or garden parties. This style works best on those with oval or heart-shaped faces and highlights light to medium eye colors.
Create the waterfall effect by braiding hair along the crown and letting strands flow through the braid like a waterfall. Secure with pins and a light hairspray. To keep your braid looking neat, use a frizz-control serum as part of your regular hair care routine.
Retro Waves
Retro waves hark back to old Hollywood glamour, ideal for themed parties or glamorous events. They complement round and heart-shaped faces and make a statement with dark or bright eye colors.
Use a large barrel curling iron to form deep waves, then brush through them gently for a soft, vintage look. A flexible hairspray will help maintain the shape without stiffening your hair. Regular use of a shine spray will enhance the glossy finish of your waves.
Pinned Back Glamour
This hairstyle involves pinning back one side of your hair for a glamorous asymmetrical look, suitable for evening events or dates. It flatters angular and oval faces and pairs beautifully with dramatic eye makeup.
To style, sweep your hair to one side and secure it with decorative pins or a brooch. Use a light gel to smooth down flyaways and give your hair a polished look. Maintaining this style involves minimal effort but using a silk pillowcase can help reduce breakage and preserve the smooth texture.
Braided Updo with Accessories
A braided updo adorned with accessories is a festive and elegant option for special occasions like weddings or proms. It’s best for those with square or heart-shaped faces and works well with both subtle and bold eye makeup.
Create this look by weaving your hair haircuts into a tight or loose braid, then twisting it into an updo. Decorate with pearls, flowers, or sparkly clips. A strong hairspray will keep everything in place. To maintain the health of your braided style, regularly treat your hair with a hydrating mask.
Exploring these 37 gray hairstyles offers a wide range of options that can enhance your natural beauty and reflect your personal style. Whether you prefer short, playful cuts or long, flowing styles, there’s something here for every woman over 50 looking to embrace her silver strands. We encourage you to share your experiences with these styles in the comments below, and perhaps inspire others with your own unique hairstyle ideas. Remember, each hairstyle not only represents a look but a part of your journey and identity.
