Hair Mistakes That Make Women Look Much Older Than They Are

You have most likely seen this cut endless times throughout the years. There are countless women who swear by this look for its convenience and ease…and, of course, the fact that it is flattering. However, because people are used to seeing older women with this hairstyle, others might perceive you as older than you really are if you’re rocking this do. Obviously, what matters most is that you feel best.

Perm’s were all the rage in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. It seemed that just about every woman was perming their hair on a regular basis. Most people chose the tight curls for their look, and we don’t blame them! It can certainly be quite stylish. And while anyone who wants to can still pull it off, the age of the hairstyle will automatically put you in that age bracket as well.

If you lived through the 80s, you probably remember that crimping your hair was all the rage for a long period. However, times have changed, and crimped hair is no longer as in as it used to be. If you are trying to keep your look young and trendy, avoid crimping your hair. And if you’re too attached to the crimped look, then you do you – we all know it’ll eventually come back into style anyway. Fashion is cyclical, after all.

Pigtails are famously a hairstyle for young girls. It is an easy hairdo to maintain for the active lives of children, and parents love the simplicity of this look. Because of its youthful associations, you might think that it’d help you look younger. But that is not necessarily the case. So while you should rock this fun and quirky style if you love it, don’t expect it to make you look more youthful. Do expect it to make you look like the coolest adult in the room, though!

Farrah Fawcett was famous and will continue to be recognized for years due to her gorgeous hair. It made her iconic. Her luscious locks epitomized the 1970s and even part of the 1980s. It was an effortless, feathered look that women of all ages wanted. But because it was in style so long ago, this might not be the do to go for if you’re hoping to look younger.

The eyebrow is not usually the first part of your face that you will focus on when doing your makeup or fixing up your hair. However, you can never underestimate how important your eyebrows are. After all, they frame your face, and, often subconsciously, they are one of the first things people notice or see about your face when you meet. So here’s one tip to keep those brows looking fabulous: be sure to fill in the edges of your eyebrows.

Most people try to add some layers to their hair to ensure that it doesn’t look flat or unstyled. And for some of us, moderation is key when it comes to all that layering. Too many layers can add years to our appearance. But balance is key – eliminating layers altogether isn’t necessarily the solution. Trying out different levels of it can give you a good idea of what feels best to you.

Who doesn’t love the big, messy bun? It’s cute and, most important of all, convenient. So we’re not saying to ditch this look altogether – especially if it’s one of your favorites. But it’s probably best to keep this style for more casual moments or alternating with other styles might be a good idea. Some women prefer to go for something that frames their faces and results in a more softened look.

If you love to wear your hair slicked back, and it makes you feel powerful, then carry on. However, if you keep trying this look only to be disappointed every time, don’t worry – you’re not alone. The slicked-back hairstyle isn’t for everyone. While some of us might feel glamorous and elegant rocking this style, many of us are left feeling the complete opposite. Plus, just like with the messy bun, it leaves our entire faces exposed.

A bob hairstyle is often very popular with women as they age. In fact, nowadays, it’s become really popular with younger women, too! However, not all short haircuts and bobs are created equally. Lots of layers in the bob can actually have the opposite effect that you would think. It does not give more volume to the face but actually accentuates some areas you might prefer not to call so much attention to.

There were times when frizzy, full curly hair was all the rage. Everyone in the 1980s and 1990s was doing everything possible (mostly an endless amount of teasing) to have their hair as frizzy and as large as possible. But we recommend staying away from this simply because it’s not healthy for your hair. All that teasing is a bit outdated but, most important of all, will harm your hair in the long run.

Bangs are very critical when it comes to your hair and your appearance. Bangs can be a very good choice to keep you looking young as they can hide forehead wrinkles (the area that tends to wrinkle the fastest and the most). But if the bangs are cut too short, it will actually end up emphasizing the forehead area. So just consider whether you want to cover up your forehead or emphasize it more and make your bangs-length decision based on that.

It was probably every girl’s dream at some point in their life to grow their hair out exceptionally long and look like Rapunzel, whose locks went on forever. However, this style isn’t always the ideal choice for those of us trying to look younger. As we age, our hair tends to thin naturally, making it difficult to maintain volume. Lengthening our hair a lot will only make volume maintenance more difficult. 

You probably wouldn’t think of it, but the thickness of your bangs can make a huge difference when it comes to your appearance and your age. Bangs can be a good choice if you are trying to look younger and can compliment a face. However, bangs that are too full can give the illusion of added years. If you want to keep your face and hair looking fresh, try keeping your bangs thin.

The asymmetrical bob has become all the rage in recent years. Depending on your facial features, this might actually be a great fit for you, and you could appear very trendy and cool with this look. However, it’s also a style that can give your face a sharper appearance. This is ideal for some of us, but for those of us who don’t want our faces to look sharper, we recommend keeping things symmetrical.

Now, this is a tip for just about every person who is trying to ensure that their hair appears the healthiest it can and looks well maintained…make sure that you do not have split ends. It seems like a silly thing, but the appearance of split ends in the hair can make it look like you are not maintaining your hair and can thereby add a few years to your appearance.

As tempting as it might be to simply shave off the majority of your hair and rock a buzz cut, this is one hairstyle that we recommend thinking long and hard about because it’s difficult to bounce back from. Some women might want this look but feel uncomfortable with the idea that all of their features and blemishes will be extra noticeable. So, as with everything, it’s a matter of personal choice.

Now, no one is saying that you cannot go as wild as you want with your hair colors at any age; however, if you are trying to look young, dramatic changes in hair colors and very bright shades may not be the best choice for you. However, it all depends on the color choice and if it compliments your skin tones and styles. It can be done right and even make you look younger!

Vintage looks can be quite flattering as they truly knew how to look glamorous back in the day, but with certain styles, you run the risk of aging yourself by at least a few years. Pin curls are one of those looks. As this style of hair is generally associated with women above 60, it can automatically lump you into that category as well. But don’t let this hinder you entirely; it can be stunning if done correctly.

Bangs can be very flattering for some women, as they help to hide some of the areas of the face that tend to wrinkle first. However, if you have a bob hairdo, then maybe the bangs are not the best choice for you. It can be very nice as it accentuates your jawline. However, it can also be a little too harsh. It all depends on the look you are going for!

You may not know the name of this hairstyle simply by hearing it; however, you have probably seen a few people with it throughout the years. It consists of shaved back portions of the head with long bangs and sides. It is a pretty attention-grabbing hairstyle, no matter the age of the wearer, and that’s exactly what you should keep in mind if you’re considering getting this style. If you don’t want all eyes on you when you walk into a room, this is one to avoid.

Everyone knows about the term “Karen.” However, did you know that there is a hairstyle associated with the memefied name? With the growing popularity of the term “Karen” and everything associated with it, some women have decided to ditch the look for something more rejuvenating that’s the same length all across rather than longer in the front and shorter in the back. Others have decided to stick to their beloved style and ignore the Karen associations.

The top knot was many women’s go-to hairstyle for quite some time. It had a few years reigning as one of the trendier hairstyles, and it’s not hard to see why. However, now that it’s gone out of style, it might make those of us who choose to wear it look a bit older. Plus, like with other hairstyles that pull hair away from your face, it can leave you very exposed.

Although some women can absolutely rock the under-shaved look, it is not ideal for everyone. If you’re curious about this style, it’s good to consider the pros and cons before going for it. Keep in mind that it means exposing areas of your head or neck that you might be used to having completely covered, and consider whether that’s something you want before completely shaving it off.

One of the simplest things you can do to make yourself look like you are having a bad hair day is not to blow-dry it properly. Who would think that it could make that much of a difference? However, it is truly the make or break of a hairstyle. Frizzy and poofy hair is probably not the look that you are going for, so be careful when you are drying that it does not appear that way.

Many people love the look of a slick and sleek ponytail pulled up tight on the top of the head, without a single hair dangling out of place. While this might look elegant for some, it may add a few years to others (oftentimes unknowingly). It is difficult to hide the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines behind a sleek ponytail. A little bit of volume or letting down wisps of hair can make a huge difference.

Now there is a difference between simply not maintaining your hair coloring job and intentionally making it so that you have dark roots and lighter hair. There was a time (thanks mainly to Shakira) that dark roots were all the rage, and everyone was rushing to grow out their freshly dyed hair to expose the darker roots. But if you’re trying to look younger, this style might not be the ideal choice.

This might be counter-intuitive, but evening out your grey hairs can actually give you a more youthful look. Just think about it this way: a full head of grey hair can look powerful and like you’re embracing and loving your age and the way your body is changing. However, an ill-maintained dye job with grey roots sticking out can look messy. And that’s why for some, going completely grey can be the best choice.

Bob hairstyles, as has been established, can look quite flattering for some women and can keep them looking young and fashionable. However, depending on the length, you are in for some risky business. If you are considering a very short, edgy look to your bob and want to crop it a lot, especially in the back, be aware that it can potentially make you appear older than you may have desired.

Short haircuts can be quite flattering for women as we age. Since our hair tends to get thinner, keeping styles short helps it look more voluminous while longer hair can contribute to the lack of volume. But the one thing that can take the volume away from shorter hair is spiking it. So, if you’re concerned about having a thick-hair look, then spiking might not be the way to go.

The Pixie haircut is one of the most versatile and flattering hairstyles for women of all different ages and looks. However, if you are trying to appear younger, be mindful of the length that you cut your pixie. For some of us, the shorter we go, the more youthful we get. But for others of us, it can be the opposite. So it’s good to play around and find your ideal pixie cut length.

Although it may be tempting to give the bouffant hairstyle a chance, if you are trying to appear young, it may not be the best choice for you. In certain circumstances, it can look very glamorous and beautiful. However, it is generally associated with the 1960s. So unless you want to be associated with being from the 1960s (which some of us certainly do), this may not be the best hairstyle choice for you.

Did you know that the direction in which you create your waves with a curling iron can affect how old you appear? Probably not, since it is not the most commonly known fact. However, now that you are in on the secret, be sure to put it into practice! If you want to appear younger, stylists recommend styling your waves away from your face and not towards it.

Tight braids look very good on women and are a large part of certain hairstyles in many different cultures. However, if you are trying to appear younger than you are, there are a few things to keep in mind when braiding your hair. Braids that are braided tightly to the head tend to pull back the skin and really accentuate your face. So if that’s not something you want, then this might not be the ideal hairstyle.