How to Cut Your Hair to Look Younger

Co-authored by Courtney Foster and Amber Crain

Last Updated: March 15, 2021 References

The right haircut can take years off your appearance. A good anti-aging cut will flatter your face shape, soften your features, define your jawline, brighten your complexion and even hide fine lines and wrinkles. Adding volume, getting face-framing layers and wearing side-swept bangs are just a few ways you can look younger by simply changing your hairstyle. As long as you’re armed with the right knowledge, one trip to your stylist can make you look instantly younger.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Selecting a Cut

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Get side-swept bangs that frame your face.^{[1]
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Research source} Long bangs that sweep across the forehead can camouflage crow's-feet and forehead wrinkles. They also draw attention to your eyes and softly frame your face, which looks youthful. The fringe should start from a side part and swoop to the other side, covering most of your forehead.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.}
- The bangs should end somewhere between your eyebrow and cheekbone.
- Texturize the bangs to soften the edge of the fringe.
- Add a little volume by lightly teasing the hair at the apex of your head. This will further soften the look.
2
Cut layers into your hair.^{[3]
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Research source} Layers help to soften your face for a more youthful appearance. They create subtle volume and can round out your face shape. Layers also add movement to your style, which has an anti-aging effect. Face-framing layers work especially well because you can accentuate your best facial features with them. Get the layers cut so they start at the feature you want to accent, like at your eyes or your neck.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.}
- Get at least nape-length layers that are slightly shorter around your face to frame your facial features.
- To enhance your features even more, curl or add waves to the ends of the layers.
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3
Frame your face with an angled bob.^{[5]
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Research source} A bob is a timeless cut that can take years off your appearance. An angled bob simply means that the back is slightly shorter than the front. This angle can add a lot of movement to your style. A classic angled bob should reach the bottom of your jaw in front and get increasingly shorter toward the back.^{[6]
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Research source}
- Your bob can be chin-length or shoulder-length, depending on your preference.
- Style your bob with a side part. Similar to bangs, a side part can give your face instant youthfulness.
4
Embrace your gray hair and try a pixie cut.^{[7]
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Research source} Most short hairstyles can help to create a more youthfulness appearance and the pixie cut is no exception. However, this cut is the shortest possible cut to get, so it’s not for the faint of heart. Many older women opt for a pixie cut because it allows them to embrace their gray hair and look younger at the same time. People with oval, square, and heart-shaped faces look best in a pixie cut.^{[8]
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- This cut is short and textured. It requires minimal styling, which is a huge bonus to many people who go for this haircut.
- Get regular trims to keep this short style looking fantastic.^{[9]
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- Wash your hair with purple shampoo to give it a shiny, silver look.
5
Get a long bob.^{[10]
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Research source} A long bob (sometimes referred to as a lob) grazes the shoulder or just beyond. It’s a great option for someone who doesn’t want to cut a lot of length off. The lob provides anti-aging benefits similar to the shorter, classic version. Styling it with loose waves can create a carefree and youthful look that softens the face.
- Depending on what you want to emphasize, start your waves at eye level or cheekbone level.
- Top it off with a side part and long bangs that sweep across your forehead.
6
Consider face-framing highlights.^{[11]
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Research source} Subtle highlights around the face attract light and create a youthful glow. They also add dimension to your style and brighten your complexion.^{[12]
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Research source} Get a cut that includes face-framing layers and then have your stylist give you soft, subtle highlights around the face.
7
Speak to your hair stylist. There are many different cuts that can make you look younger, but the key is choosing one that looks most flattering on you. Face shape, current hair color, current length and hair texture all factor in when getting the perfect cut. Make an appointment with your hair stylist and have a consultation with them. Let them know what your goals are and what cuts you'd like to try.
- Have your stylist assess your hair type and face shape so they can provide their professional opinion about how to move forward.
- Ask the stylist to provide several options that would be flattering on you and take some time to think about it.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Maintaining and Styling the Cut

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Keep long hair looking healthy and shiny.^{[13]
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Research source} Long hair can be very aging if it’s not maintained well. As you age, oil production decreases and your hair loses the ability to retain moisture. Both cause long hair to get dry and frayed more easily.^{[14]
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Expert Source

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.} Hair that looks dry and dull can be very aging, so if you’re unable to keep your locks in peak condition, go for a lower-maintenance hairstyle.
- Do a deep conditioning treatment at least once every week to give your hair a much-needed dose of moisture.
- Limit shampooing to every other day to prevent stripping hair of its natural oils. If you have curly hair, you can limit shampooing to once or twice a week.
- Get frequent trims to avoid fraying ends.
2
Add waves and subtle volume.^{[15]
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Research source} A limp style drags your face down with it, aging your looks. Adding volume creates movement and lifts the face because it draws the eyes upward and outward. It makes your hair look much fuller, as well, which is helpful if your hair is thinning. If your hair is naturally straight and fine, get a cut with long layers. When you blow dry it, create soft curls at the ends by using a round brush.
- You can also set your hair with Velcro rollers for additional waves.
- Avoid using a lot of product, which weighs hair down.
- Tease your hair lightly at the crown for volume at the roots.
- Try getting a perm. A perm will give your hair volume and curls, and you won't have to spend as much time styling it.
3
Style your hair with a side part.^{[16]
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Research source} A center part can look severe, adding years to your face. As you age, one of the main goals for your hair is to keep it looking soft and loose. A side part will help you soften your style and look younger. A long side part also frames the face, which is another anti-aging hair strategy. Add long, side-swept bangs to capitalize on this already youthful-looking style.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Avoiding Mistakes that Age the Face

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Avoid dyeing your hair too dark.^{[17]
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Research source} If your hair is solid black or dark brown, it can accentuate the appearance of shadows on your face.^{[18]
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Research source} This makes fine lines and other imperfections more visible. Add a few subtle, face-framing highlights around your face to soften the look, add dimension and brighten your complexion. Your dark hair will look for more natural, as well.
- If you’re fair-skinned and your hair is thinning, definitely avoid dyeing your hair too dark. The dark hair will contrast with the whiteness of your scalp and accentuate the thinning.
- Dyeing your hair too dark can look very one-dimensional and wig-like, which you definitely want to avoid.
2
Stay away from bleach and dyeing your hair too blonde. Going too light – especially bleaching – can wash your complexion out and make you look tired and pale. Bleaching can also over-process your hair, which is damaging and causes your strands to become dry and brittle. Avoid bleaching and dyeing your hair all-over blonde.
- Instead, ask your stylist to create a darker base and then add golden highlights throughout.
3
Avoid over-straightening your hair.^{[19]
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Research source} Using a flat-iron to make your hair extremely straight can look severe and add years to your face. This is true for your bangs and the rest of your hair, too. You can appear more youthful if you create a loose style with tousled waves. Don’t do anything that makes your hair look stiff or sculpted. Too-perfect hairstyles can age you, as well.
- Rumple your style up a little to loosen it and soften your appearance.
- Tease your hair lightly at the crown to get it a bit of volume and movement.
4
Skip super tight ponytails, braids and topknots.^{[20]
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Research source} Rigid hairstyles make you look much older than you are. They can also damage your hair, and that breakage can lead to thinning hair and a receding hairline. If you want to wear one of these styles, make sure to keep it loose and natural-looking. Pull a few face-framing wisps out of the style to soften it further.
- Avoid exaggerated styles and creating extreme volume, which unfortunately can make you look older.
- Keep it natural-looking by going easy on the hairspray and teasing.^{[21]
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5
Avoid hairstyles with blunt edges. Sharp, blunt edges can be aging. Instead, choose hairstyles that have soft lines to create a more youthful appearance.
- Ask your stylist to soften your bangs or layers if they appear too blunt or sharp.

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I hide wrinkles with my haircut?

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist
Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan.

Courtney Foster

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can hide forehead wrinkles and blemishes by getting bangs! Bangs will cover your forehead while leaving you with a stylish, youthful look. If you don't want to cover your entire forehead, go for a side-swept frame fringe, which will cover part of your forehead.
Question

Do layers make your face look thinner?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Layers can create a slimming effect if they are cut on long lines and start at a flattering point, like the cheekbone. Chunky layers can have the opposite effect.
Question

What hair color makes you look thinner?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

There's no single color that will create the illusion of a more slender frame. However, vertical highlights around the face can be very slimming.