Short curly hair can be a stunning choice for women over 50, offering both elegance and youthful charm. As we age, our hair may change in texture and thickness, but that doesn’t mean we need to compromise on style. With the right techniques and cuts, short curly hair can enhance your natural beauty, giving you a vibrant and fresh look. This article will guide you through the best ways to style short curly hair for women over 50, providing practical advice and styling tips that are both easy to follow and stylish.
How to Style Short Curly Hair for 50-Year-Old Women
1. Embrace the Natural Curl
The first step to styling short curly hair for women over 50 is to embrace your natural curls. Many women with curly hair struggle to control or manage their curls, but in reality, natural curls can be both beautiful and low-maintenance. Embracing your curl pattern allows you to showcase the texture of your hair and create an effortlessly chic look.
How to Enhance Natural Curls
To enhance your natural curls, it’s important to use products designed specifically for curly hair. Look for sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners that help to maintain moisture without stripping your curls of their natural oils. A leave-in conditioner or curl cream can add definition and control to your curls, helping them stay bouncy and soft throughout the day.
When styling, avoid brushing your hair, as this can lead to frizz and disrupt the curl pattern. Instead, use your fingers to gently detangle your hair when wet, or use a wide-tooth comb to keep the curls intact. After washing, apply a curl-enhancing product and let your hair air dry, or use a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer to dry your curls gently. This method will help your natural curls look their best without requiring too much effort.
Using a Curl Cream or Mousse
To define your curls and add volume, consider using a curl cream or mousse. These products provide hold without weighing the curls down, ensuring your hair maintains its shape throughout the day. Apply the product to damp hair, scrunching it in to encourage curl formation. If you want more defined curls, you can use a curling iron or a diffuser on your blow dryer for extra texture.
2. Go for a Textured Pixie Cut
A pixie cut is a timeless and flattering hairstyle for women over 50, especially when paired with curly hair. The short length helps to reduce bulk while allowing the curls to shine. A textured pixie cut creates volume and movement, enhancing the natural bounce of curly hair.
How to Style a Curly Pixie Cut
When styling a curly pixie, the key is to focus on texture. Ask your stylist for a pixie cut that has some layers throughout the crown and sides. This layered approach adds volume and keeps the curls from looking too heavy. After cutting, use a lightweight mousse or curl cream to define each curl.
To style the pixie, apply the product to damp hair and scrunch it in. You can use your fingers or a diffuser to dry your hair, encouraging the curls to form and setting them in place. Finish with a light hairspray to keep the curls intact without making them crunchy or stiff.
Benefits of a Curly Pixie for Women Over 50
A curly pixie cut offers several benefits for women over 50. First, it’s low-maintenance and easy to style, making it a great choice for women with busy schedules. It also creates a youthful, vibrant appearance by highlighting your natural curls and giving you a fresh, fun look. The textured pixie cut can help balance facial features and give the face a more youthful shape by drawing attention to the eyes and cheekbones.
3. Try a Curly Bob
A curly bob is another fantastic short hairstyle for women over 50. The bob is classic and versatile, and when paired with curly hair, it offers a chic, modern vibe. The length of the bob can vary, but it typically falls somewhere between the chin and shoulder, allowing enough room for the curls to frame the face.
How to Style a Curly Bob
To style a curly bob, start by cutting the hair with layers to allow for volume and shape. You can opt for a rounded bob or an angled bob, depending on your preference and face shape. The rounded bob creates fullness at the sides of the head, while the angled bob adds more drama by having the front sections of the hair longer than the back.
Apply a curl cream or mousse to damp hair, then scrunch it gently to create curl definition. Let your hair air dry or use a diffuser to speed up the drying process. For a more polished look, you can use a curling iron to touch up any curls that may have lost their shape. Once dry, use your fingers to separate the curls, adding a bit of volume at the roots.
Advantages of a Curly Bob
A curly bob is ideal for women over 50 because it’s flattering on a variety of face shapes. It can soften the angles of a longer face and highlight the cheekbones. Additionally, it’s a versatile style that can be dressed up for formal occasions or worn casually for everyday wear. The curly bob also has the advantage of being easy to maintain, making it a great option for busy women who still want to look polished.
4. Layered Curly Lob
The lob, or long bob, is another excellent short curly hairstyle for women over 50. A layered curly lob adds depth and movement to the hair, while still offering a length that allows for versatile styling. The layers in the lob cut help to prevent the curls from becoming too heavy or flat.
How to Style a Layered Curly Lob
When styling a layered curly lob, the key is to focus on creating layers that start at the chin and graduate down towards the shoulders. This will allow the curls to fall naturally and frame the face in a flattering way. Apply a curl cream or texturizing spray to damp hair, and scrunch the product in to define the curls.
To enhance the layers, use a round brush to add volume at the roots when blow-drying. After your hair is dry, use a curling iron or wand to add more definition to any loose curls, if necessary. Finish with a light hairspray to hold the curls in place without weighing them down.
Why Choose a Layered Curly Lob?
A layered curly lob is a great choice for women over 50 because it combines the elegance of a longer style with the ease of short hair. The layers prevent the hair from looking too bulky and add volume and texture. This style is also very versatile, as it can be styled both casually and more formally. It’s also a great option for women who want a little extra length but still want to keep their hair manageable.
5. Add Highlights to Your Curls
Adding highlights to curly hair can give it more dimension and brightness, helping to highlight the natural texture and shape of the curls. Highlights can also provide a youthful, sun-kissed appearance that lifts the face and adds an overall fresh vibe to your hairstyle.
How to Add Highlights to Curly Hair
When adding highlights to curly hair, it’s important to choose a color that complements your natural hair tone. For women over 50, softer, natural-looking highlights often work best. Consider shades like caramel, honey, or golden blonde, which can warm up the complexion without being too harsh.
Highlights can be added to various parts of the hair, such as around the face to brighten up the complexion or throughout the layers to create depth. Be sure to consult with your stylist to choose the right technique for your curls, whether it’s traditional foil highlights or balayage for a more natural, blended look.
Benefits of Highlights on Curly Hair
Highlights add dimension and movement to curly hair, making the curls appear more voluminous and dynamic. They also soften the overall look, creating a youthful and brightened appearance. The contrast between your natural curl pattern and the highlights can create a more interesting and textured look.
6. Curly Hair with Side Swept Bangs
Side-swept bangs are an excellent addition to short curly hair for women over 50, as they can soften the face and add an element of sophistication. Bangs can also help frame the face and divert attention from longer features, providing a more balanced look.
How to Style Side-Swept Curly Bangs
To style side-swept bangs with curly hair, start by cutting the bangs at an angle, starting slightly above the brow and sweeping across the forehead. Apply a curl-enhancing product to damp hair and let it air dry, or use a diffuser to speed up the drying process. Once the bangs are dry, use a flat iron to smooth them out, or leave them natural for a more relaxed, textured look.
For a more polished style, you can also use a curling iron to touch up the bangs and add more curl definition. The side-swept bangs will help soften the face and complement your curly hairstyle.
7. The Curly Shag
The curly shag is a fun, modern take on the classic shag haircut. This style combines layers, volume, and texture, making it perfect for curly hair. The Shag haircut works wonderfully for women over 50 because it creates movement and fullness without looking too heavy.
How to Style a Curly Shag
When styling a curly shag, the key is to focus on layers that are cut in varying lengths. This adds texture and volume, creating a carefree, edgy look. Apply a texturizing cream or mousse to damp hair and scrunch it to define the curls. To maintain volume and texture, use a blow-dryer with a diffuser, or allow your hair to air dry for a more relaxed finish.
The curly shag works well with side-swept bangs or curtain bangs, which add a modern touch to the style. This haircut is especially flattering for women with round or oval faces, as it creates volume around the sides and adds balance to the face shape.
Conclusion
Short curly hair offers numerous styling options for women over 50, allowing you to embrace your natural texture and enhance your features. From pixie cuts to bobs, lobs, and textured styles, there are countless ways to create a flattering and stylish look. By focusing on volume, definition, and layers, you can cre
