SheFinds receives commissions for purchases made through the links in this post.
Say Bye To Wrinkles And Fine Lines — This LED Mask Is The Skin Rejuvenation Game-Changer You Need!
Picture long hair, blunt cut, middle part.
Apart from an ill-advised stint with short layers in college, this has been my haircut forever. I like keeping my hair long, but lately, I’ve been wondering whether it’s time for a change. I spend a lot less time curling and styling my hair now that I’m a mom and I totally get why people opt for a chop.
As we age, our priorities naturally shift. Older women are looking for styles that flatter their features, feel modern, and most importantly, don’t take hours to do. The good news is that low-maintenance hair doesn’t have to mean low impact.
Keep scrolling for the expert-approved, low maintenance hairstyles that are perfect for women over 40—plus, the key products you’ll need for styling.
The Textured Bob
Bobs are timeless and never go out of style, but the key here is texture. Whether you go for a wet look or a tousled, lived-in style is up to you! Either is bound to look great because the bob is a face-framing style that works equally well with straight and wavy hair. However, note that it’s probably not the best choice for women with very curly hair.
We spoke with the hair pros to learn how people can recreate the textured bob at home and they gave us three product recommendations.
Ouai Wave Spray ($30)
Ouai Wave Spray gives you beach-y waves, no actual beach required. Experts like this spray because its rice protein formulation helps provide effortless texture without making your hair look overly done or “crunchy.”
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0 ($30.09)
Run, don’t walk to purchase the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0, because it’s currently over 50% off on Amazon! This tool is your one-stop shop to achieving salon-quality blowouts at home—and it promises to do so in up to half the time, all while minimizing heat exposure.
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo ($30)
For those days that you don’t have time for a hair wash, there’s this dry shampoo that keeps your bob fresh and smelling clean. Not only that, it absorbs grease, oil, and sweat, making it (nearly) as good as a shower.
Long Layers with Soft Movement
Layering long hair will help to frame the face and lend a youthful air. Long hair also doesn’t have to be high-maintenance, as blended layers will add shape but reduce bulk. When styling this cut, you can either air-dry it, throw it up in a no-fuss ponytail, or curl a few front pieces for a quick refresh.
Here are two essential tools you’ll need for perfecting your long layers.
Hot Tools Professional 24K Gold Curling Iron (1.25″) ($39.50)
This affordable curling iron is especially great for styling longer lengths and hard-to-reach sections. Stylists love it because the wand size gives you room to evenly wrap sections of hair, so that every strand is heated on the first pass.
IGK Beach Club Volumizing Texture Spray ($46.80)
This hairstyle calls for texture—and the IGK Beach Club Volumizing Texture Spray is about to be your new best friend in that department. It instantly adds volume to give you a buildable, beachy texture with grit. “I absolutely LOVE this stuff for my fine, limp, sometimes tragic hair,” one person wrote on Amazon.
The French-Inspired Mid-Length Cut
You may recognize this haircut as “the French bob” because it falls between chin and shoulder-length. It’s characterized by a blunt, slightly layered cut, and should feel relaxed/effortless. I love that it’s chic without trying too hard (kind of like Parisian style in general!). Experts gravitate towards this cut because it grows out well, styles in minutes, and suits most face shapes.
That said, you’ll still need these pro product picks to make the cut look truly amazing.
Kérastase Elixir Ultime Oil Serum ($30)
Cult hair brand Kérastase is known for quality, effective formulas and salon-worthy results. This iconic oil serum is no exception, providing radiant shine and smoothing frizz. Expect soft, shiny, glossy hair when you pick up this product!
Amika Un.Done Volume and Matte Texture Spray ($29)
Instant volume and perfectly-imperfect texture? This texture spray checks both boxes and gives you a cool girl finish. More than 3,000 people bought it on Amazon in the last month alone, with one user calling it “perfect for adding some oomph.”
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0 ($30.09)
The Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0 is already mentioned above, but experts love it for styling multiple haircuts. In this case, it’s great for styling the mid-length cut because of its ability to cut drying and styling time in half.
The Grown-Out Pixie
Shorter cuts can keep your style fresh—and if you’re ready to go short, a tousled, grown-out pixie is edgy, easy, and incredibly flattering. Talk about no-fuss styling! One of the great things about this cut is that it’ll look intentional even as it grows out.
Bumble and bumble Sumotech ($36)
Made for styling short hair, Bumble and Bumble Sumotech is part wax, part paste, and part cream. It will give you pliable texture and a lo-shine finish. If you’re someone who’s always touching your hair (me), this will help hold styles in place without ever feeling wet or gummy.
Color Wow Raise the Root Spray ($12)
A pixie cut calls for volume, so what could be better than a hairspray that promises to “raise the root(s)?” Spray onto damp roots, blow dry, and you’ll see incredible lift where it matters. Color Wow’s product is also never stiff or sticky, and it protects your strands from heat styling.
Batiste Bare Dry Shampoo ($12.98)
Just because you have short hair doesn’t mean you should skip shower day. But on the days that you do, there’s this dry shampoo, which targets excess oil and grease at the roots to leave your hair feeling clean. Bonus: By removing oils, the dry shampoo actually provides added texture that gives the appearance of fuller hair.
The Easy Curtain Bangs Combo
Straight-across bangs don’t work for everyone, but curtain bangs are a different story. These shaggy, effortless bangs perfectly frame your face (think like curtains in a window) and flatter your cheekbones—without the maintenance of full fringe. They’ll look great with a layered cut or mid-length hair style.
Sure, curtain bangs may have their roots in the ’60s and ’70s, but what’s old is new again. The style has feels modern because of all the different ways you can style curtain bangs, for example, with everything from a shag cut to a bombshell blowout à la Sabrina Carpenter.
Here are two expert-approved tools to elevate your curtain bangs.
Gisou Propolis Infused Texturizing Wave Spray ($39)
Gisou’s texturizing spray is infused with sustainably-sourced Propolis, a resin-like material collected by bees and packed with vitamins/various health benefits to fortify and strengthen your hair. It’s great for styling curtain bangs because it provides body and volume to enhance perfectly-undone texture.
Hot Tools Pro Artist Ceramic Flat Iron ($46.32)
I live and die by flat irons, so I know that this is one of the best of the bunch. Its nano ceramic technology delivers shiny, brilliant results and less frizz; additionally the wide plates and 30-heat settings (reaching up to 450℉) tailor to your hair type, length, and styling needs. While the Gisou spray gives you voluminous, textured curtain bangs, this will tame your hair.
Which hair style appeals to you the most?
