29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (2024)

Long hairstyles for women over 40 are cut in a considerable length to achieve versatile looks. A long-length cut, with or without layers and bangs, provides endless styling options!

Ashley Mishler is a hairstylist and salon consultant from Indianapolis, IN. According to her, “Long hair is for women with lifestyles that require pulling their hair back. This can create a more professional style.”

If you’re a 40-year-old lady who wants longer locks, consider your hair density. This aspect will drive the choices behind these questions: How long? What type of layers? How blunt?

“For instance, thinner hair looks best with fuller, blunt ends. Thicker hair, meanwhile, appears more flattering with a shattered, texturized cut,” says Mishler.

Long hairstyles can have their drawbacks, too. Women with heavier locks may experience headaches due to the weight of the hair. And those with ultra-thin tresses may find the look flat and lifeless.

Before diving headfirst into a new longer hairstyle, always consult a professional. Talk to your stylist about your lifestyle and the upkeep for your chosen new look.

Mishler suggests, “The cut and style must be tailored to fit your needs for work, home life, and hobbies. Be honest about your willingness to do in-salon and at-home maintenance.”

Need more long hair inspiration? Check out these images to see the trendiest long hairstyles for women over 40!

Photos

29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (1)

Instagram @nothingobvious

#1: Long Layered Brunette Hair

Long layered hair is ideal for women over 40 with thick hair because it’s easier to maintain and it adds immediate depth and style. It’s an easy-going hairstyle that’s also easy to manage.

29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (2)

Instagram @nothingobvious

#2: Classic Long Layers and Ombre

Opt for a classic long layer with an ombré. If you have a square hairline, try coloring with a darker root. It should hit your eye area with the lightness staying below the brows. Along ombre hair stylewill elongate and balance the squareness of your face, along with showing a youthful appearance.

#3: Side-Parted Hair with Subtle Layers

Side-parted hair with subtle layers is a glamorous, feminine, and timeless look. Paring it will a soft money piece is such a trendy style at the moment. Having the longest hair in a crowd will give you the feeling of lush, and all the confidence in the world.

29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (4)

Instagram @kaizenturkiye

#4: Wavy Blonde Balayage with a Center Part

A wavyblonde balayagewith a center part is the perfect way to rock long hair. This style offers is flattering while also showing off your natural beauty. With its soft waves over your shoulders, this hairstyle will frame your face. Your aging hair and long hairstyles should be given special care and attention. To maintain it, make sure to use a deep conditioner once a week to add moisture and shine.

#5: Side-Swept Hair with Layers

Side-swept hair with layers gives you so much height and volume framing your face. Ladies over 40 still deserve to feel attractive and beautiful, and adding big soft curls will give you all the confidence you need.

#6: Long Messy Hairstyle

A long messy hairstyle with a funky pair of glasses is a fun, cute long hairstyle for women over 40 wanting a youthful feel. Balayage coiffure gives your long hair the brightness it was lacking, leaving you with beautiful ribbons of dimension to show off.

29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (7)

Instagram @tesseghair

#7: Blowout Style on a Layered Cut with Bangs

A blowout style on a layered cut with bangs is luxurious, giving you a polished finish to your rich auburn hair. A woman in her forties will love to add height and volume to her hair, that’s why a blowout is a go-to style.

29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (8)

Instagram @bareeminimum

#8: Long Soft Shag for Women with Long Faces

A long soft shag for women with long faces helps bring out their soft natural features. Ladies in their forties are usually looking for an effortless, trendy-style shag cut. Adding beach waves when styling will do that for you.

29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (9)

Instagram @davidwbullen

#9: Shaggy Haircut with Face-Framing Bangs

A shaggy haircut with face-framing bangs is a unique style that is flawless for most face shapes. Styling this edgy hair with a crop top and oversized jacket is a style that always turns heads.

29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (10)

Instagram @reservedsalon

#10: Long Loose Waves for Thin Hair

Long loose waves for thin hair give an elegant finish to a beautiful honey balayage. Adding ribbons of dimension to your long luscious tresses will give you a divine and timeless look.

29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (11)

Instagram @myselfija

#11: High Ponytail for Very Long Hair

A high ponytail for very long hair is a cute, youthful style that a lot of ladies go to when busy. Long hair gives you so much styling options and makes it easy to keep up with the fashion trend, whether it’s braided, waved, or crimped – you will always have eyes on you.

29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (12)

Instagram @salon527nj

#12: Long Haircut with Face-Framing Layers

A long haircut with face-framing layers removes the bulk that was camouflaging your beauty. Long haircuts for women over 40 can be super easy and comfortable to style, and having layers makes it so much more manageable.

29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (13)

Instagram @silvergirlmx

#13: Natural Grey Hair for Women with Fine Hair

Natural grey hair for women with fine hair is a style that will make your hair feel and look so healthy and alive. Long hairstyles for fine hair on women over 40 will give you a youthful charm by adding soft, voluminous curls to finish off the style.

29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (14)

Instagram @reservedsalon

#14: Soft Waves with Razored Layers

Soft waves with razored layers give a timeless finish to your already beautiful seamless balayage. Less is more when it comes to hair, especially for 40-year-old women. Having a low-maintenance, easy-to-manage hairstyle will keep you wanting to style your hair rather than making it a chore.

#15: Long Feathered Layers for Thick Hair

Long feathered layers for thick hair is a look that is timeless. You will always be up to date since this look will never go out of style. Longer hair is so luxurious, and having voluminous layers will leave your hair feeling and looking spot on.

29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (16)

Instagram @ernestomeneses

#16: Shagged Curly Hair with a Fringe

Shagged curly hair with a fringe will let you steal the spotlight with your big bouncy voluminous curls. Enhancing your natural texture will leave your hair feeling healthy and fresh all day long.

29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (17)

Instagram @ernestomeneses

#17: Long-Length Cut with Soft Layers

A long-length cut with soft layers will give you a seamless finish to your style. Short layers help by adding so much height to the crown area. This effortless style can go to work all day in a low bun giving you a sophisticated style, then rocking your beautiful locks in the evening for a night out.

29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (18)

Instagram @jenpattonhair

#18: Side-Swept Bangs on Long Hair for Fat Faces

Side-swept bangs on long hair for fat faces put the spot like on your beautiful sparkling eyes. Long cuts are so much fun to style, adding layers and a fringe will give you a dramatic finish to your already beautiful style.

Related: See more hairstyles for overweight 40-year-olds.

#19: Long Layers and Full Bangs

Long layers and full bangs are chic, classic styles for women with glasses. Long hairstyles with bangsfor women over 40 give you a very professional look without working too hard.

29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (20)

Instagram @hairbyjulieeee

#20: Blonde Wavy Hair

Blonde wavy hair is such a glamorous look to wear, as it will give you barbie doll vibes and will guarantee get you many compliments. Styling options are endless, especially on a long hairstyle. Use a wand to add voluminous texture, and finish with a shine spray that will leave your blonde locks looking amazing.

29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (21)

Instagram @bareeminimum

#21: Tousled Long Wavy Shag with Short Bangs

A tousled long wavy shag with short bangs is a fun, comfortable style to wear all day long. Long hairstyles for ladies in their 40s can be so low-maintenance, yet so trendy by adding a seamless balayage for extra dimension.

29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (22)

Instagram @nothingobvious

#22: Long Choppy Shag with Curtain Bangs

A long choppy shag with curtain bangs gives off a rock and roll edgy look. Having hair long with bangs for women over 40 will take your simple style to another level, especially when adding textured soft waves to complete the look.

#23: Middle Part Silver Hair

Middle-part silver hair with a beautiful bold money piece will give you the youthful glow you needed. Long haircuts can easily be spruced up by adding curtain bangs and seamless face layers.

29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (24)

Instagram @inesbbeautyy

#24: Layered Cut for Straight Hair

A layered cut for straight hair will take your basic cut to another level. Removing bulk will give your look a light, airy feel. A long straight hairdo can look extremely plain and simple, but adding those face-framing layers will give you the glamour finish you were lacking.

29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (25)

Instagram @tropicalhill

#25: Long Dimensional Wavy Hair

Long dimensional wavy hair will give you the bright glow you were looking for. Luscious locks with ribbons of blonde will take your styling to another level of beauty.

29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (26)

Instagram @giboazhair

#26: Textured Shaggy Hair with Beach Waves

Textured shaggy hair with beach waves is a lived-in, very trendy style. Layering gives a long style hairdo the texture and movement it needs, also making your day to night styling super simple.

29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (27)

Instagram @chloehalohair

#27: Very Long Waves on Round Faces

Very long waves on round faces will elongate your face shape, framing it beautifully with bouncy waves. Longer dark hair with volume compliments round face shapes so flawlessly, leaving you feeling so fresh.

Related: Flattering long hairstyle ideas for round faces.

#28: Long Hair for Women with Glasses

Long hair for women with glasses complements each other very well. When adding curls, it takes your style from simple to stunning. Long-length hairstyles for women over 40 are great when you want more choices for styling and color preferences.

#29: Long-Length Hair for Square Faces

Long-length hair for square faces will show off your natural beauty, especially when adding loose curls. Forty-year-olds still have the desire to look and feel fabulous, having longer hair will give you that feeling no matter your age.

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29 Most Flattering Long Hairstyles for Women Over 40 (2024)

FAQs

Which hair length makes you look younger? ›

Does short or long hair make you look younger? Long hair can enhance facial features by diverting attention away from wrinkles or age spots and adding volume to your hair. Short hair does not need to age you, though, as the style and texture of shorter hairstyles can add a youthful appearance.

Should you have long hair over 40? ›

The pros explain. “It's true, a lot of clients at 40+ prefer their hair to be no longer than shoulder length. The reason varies, but it's mostly due to having brittle-looking or thinning hair," explains Katie Allan, owner and director of Mayfive Hair.

What length hair should you have in your 40s? ›

Shoulder-length hair (or longer) with layers

Forget what you thought about long hair past the age of 40—thick hair actually looks more youthful and polished when it falls shoulder-length or longer. Shorter hair has a tendency to expand at the ends, leaving you with an unflattering triangle effect.

What hair length is most slimming? ›

As far as hairstyles that make your face look thinner go, long hair is one of the easiest options. "Long hair instantly slims most face shapes. Think about getting semi-permanent hair extensions to speed up the process," says Lopez.

How to look 10 years younger at 40? ›

Skin brightening treatments, like Microdermabrasion, Light Peels, Micro Laser Peels, or the Clear & Brilliant Laser treatment all help patients to look 10 years younger or more, with just a few treatments. These treatments can be used in order to combat the signs of aging in the face, such as: Wrinkles.

What are the four haircut mistakes that instantly make you look older? ›

Jack Miles and Rosie Myers have decades of experience cutting and styling hair. Between them, they have said four types of layers can age someone. These are layers that are too short, layers that are too long, layers that are too uniform, and having too many layers.

Does very long hair age you? ›

Tyler added: 'If you prefer to wear your hair long, add some long layers to add movement to the hair. 'Long hair that is all one length can drag the features down, making you look older, however cutting your hair into a more styled look can have a more youthful effect. '

What are three hair trends to avoid over 40? ›

I'm a hairstylist and there are three looks you should avoid if you're over 40 – blunt fringes make you look way older
  • Thick fringe. Nothing makes a statement quite like a fringe, but as you age a blunt, thick fringe can be less than flattering. ...
  • Spiky pixie cut. ...
  • Long, blunt bob.
Jan 3, 2023

What hair color makes you look younger? ›

Ten out of ten colorists agree, shades that are warm-toned read more youthful than cool-toned hair colors. Spicy copper reds, rich caramel brunettes, and soft honey blondes will warm up your complexion for younger-looking skin (hold the retinol).

Should 40 year olds have bangs? ›

A fringe can take years off the face and make women over 40 look young and stylish.

What is the most universally flattering hair length? ›

Shoulder length cuts are universally flattering (think the lob or a modern shag). These medium length haircuts toethe line between bob and long hair, enabling you to cherry-pick the best elements of both. As an added bonus, it's the perfect middle ground when you're growing out a buzz cut or pixie look.

What hairstyles make you look skinnier? ›

Long hair with horizontal lines at the widest part of your back can make you look wider from behind. Wispy ends on long layers can create slimming hairstyles on long hair. Opt for shoulder length hair with long layers for movement.

What is the most attractive hair length? ›

Long hair is often considered to be the most beautiful hair length for women. It is versatile and can be styled in many different ways. Long hair can also be seen as a symbol of femininity and beauty.

What haircut makes your face younger? ›

Sleek, straight bob

According to Thompson and Wilson, a bob is not only universally flattering but is also one of the hairstyles that make you look younger because “it softens facial features and opens up the face,” which, in turn, reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

Do I look older or younger with short hair? ›

Does short hair make you look younger or older? The right short cut can take years off your look when it flatters your facial features, complements your face shape, and celebrates your hair texture. But dramatic cropped cuts can age you if they expose flaws, lack softness, or overpower petite features.

Do I look better with long or short hair? ›

The answer is surprisingly simple. There's an easy, and we mean easy, way to decide if short hairstyles are in your future. We call it the 2.25 rule. Practically fool proof, this rule states that if the longest part of your chin is less than 2.25 inches from the tip of your earlobe, then short hairstyles are for you.

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