3 Hair Lengths That Will Make You Look Younger

If your goal is to look younger, the beauty world has you covered. There are endless tips to keep us looking and feeling young for as long as possible, from preventing double chins as you age with sun protection and taking collagen supplements to promote youthful skin to avoiding certain Gen Z trends to avoid looking older. A big part of maintaining a youthful appearance is avoiding the habits and mistakes that can age you prematurely, and one of the easiest ways to do that is with your hair length.

In an exclusive chat with Glam, beauty guru Bren Robertson, co-host of “The Red Carpet Recap,” revealed that Rapunzel-length locks may not be the best option if you want to look younger. Instead, Robertson recommends opting for shorter styles, like a sleek bob, as they highlight the face and create an overall more youthful look. While super-long extensions tend to go in and out of style thanks to influencers like Kim Kardashian and Cardi B, Robertson warns that mature women should stay away from overly long tresses, which can be “aging.” This rings especially true for those with fine or sparse hair, while people who have thicker or denser locks can get away with more length and still look youthful. As a general rule, adding long layers or wispy bangs can keep longer hair from dragging down your face if you prefer longer. Meanwhile, hair cut at shoulder length is a happy medium for all hair types when it comes to maintaining that bouncy energy.

Swap Rapunzel-length locks for shorter styles like bobs and bixies

Even those with very thick hair should avoid overly long hairstyles (you know, the ones that graze the hips and beyond). One reason for this is that hair is harder to keep healthy as we age, and dull or dry hair is more noticeable when there’s more of it. That’s why Bren Robertson recommends a classic bob, which falls just below the chin. While there are plenty of trendy short hairstyles that go beyond a regular bob, the old adage applies: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. “Hair that’s too long can age mature women, as can hair that’s too short,” Robertson shares. “Of course, this is also affected by face shape, but there’s a reason the bob is so popular with women over 50. It frames the face and strengthens the jawline while also elongating the neck.”

Luckily, the world is your oyster when it comes to choosing the perfect bob cut, whether you end up opting for a fun, flipped bob or a rom-com bob that can help you channel your inner movie star. The perfect bob for you will be influenced by factors like your face shape, your hair texture, and your overall style and whether it leans more toward edgy or more minimalist. A tousled bob with lots of layers, texture, and movement is usually a safe bet for shedding the years.

Robertson advises against hair that’s “too short,” so if you like to keep it shorter, opt for a long pixie or a bixie, rather than a classic pixie. A bixie perfectly blends the bob with the pixie and flatters older women with slightly longer layers around the face while capturing the fun, playful essence of an edgy short style.

Add layers and bangs to shoulder-length hair to keep it youthful

Not everyone is a fan of short hair, and the good news is that you don’t need to chop it off completely to maintain a youthful look. Prefer to wear it longer? A mid-length style, like a shoulder-length cut, strikes the perfect balance, and you can make it even more youthful by adding movement and body through layers and bangs. “When I think of bangs for older women, I always think of Goldie Hawn,” Bren Robertson tells Glam exclusively. “Her bangs and layers flatter her face and filter out areas that tend to collect wrinkles and fine lines. The longer and more feathered, the better. A solid fringe that sits above the eyebrows is something to avoid.” Something like sleek bottleneck bangs that frame the face and cascade down the sides of the face would be ideal. Curtain bangs are also known for being wispy and flattering, and as a bonus, curtain bangs are super easy to style with a hair straightener.

Whether you opt for a bob, bixie, or shoulder-length cut, Robertson notes that your choice of hair color can also affect how you look older. “As you get older, stay away from super dark colors,” she warns. “Black hair ages you a lot. Some highlights, balayage, or even lowlights on gray hair add dimension and softness.” Melted honey highlights are a great summer option for sun-kissed hair in the warmer months, while you can opt for a cooler tone in winter, such as silver highlights that tend to complement brown hair nicely.