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Beauty

“I’m a Celebrity Hair Stylist and Here’s Why I Think These Are The Best Wash and Wear Haircuts for Women Over 60”

A cut that's stylish and low-maintenance? Yes please!

If you’re like us, you’ve been cutting your hair the same way for decades — if it ain’t broke, why fix it, right? But as we age, and the texture, luminosity and thickness of our hair changes, meaning our same old cut may no longer be as flattering as it was in our 40s and 50s. The problem? You don’t want to spend a lot of time and money maintaining a new cut. Thankfully, there are a handful of low-maintenance, wash and wear haircuts for women over 60 that make it a cinch for you and your hair to look ageless – with little to no effort on your part!

What are the best wash and wear haircuts for women over 60?

Just because you don’t have to spend time and money styling them, low-maintenance hairstyles don’t have to be boring, says hairstylist Carrie Butterworth, who has worked with Sigourney Weaver and Mena Suvari.

Here, a roundup of the top age-defying, wash and wear haircuts to inspire your next cut.

1. The classic bob — a great choice for thinning hair

Allison Janney, 63Fs/AdMedia

If a versatile and effortless hair style is what you want, a classic bob that skims the jawline or chin is the look for you. This style works on all hair types and looks polished whether you’re air-drying or blow-drying. Adds Butterworth, bobs can also make your hair look thicker if you have fine, or thinning hair as it removes weight, giving strands added bounce and body.

Want a cut like Allison Janney’s above? Ask your stylist for a chin-length blunt bob with side bangs that are long enough to tuck behind the ears.

2. A short pixie cut — gives eyes and cheeks a youthful lift

Jamie Lee Curtis, 64Kristina BumphreyShutterstock

“A short pixie is the ultimate wash and go style,” says Butterworth. “You can just style it with your hands, pushing pieces where you need them, and you’re good to go.” Her key to flattering with a pixie: Make sure the style is infused with texture from layers, which will keep the shorter cut looking modern, not matronly — plus, layers ensure the style doesn’t look flat. Another perk of a pixie? The shorter cut draws the eye up, giving droopy facial features like eyes and cheeks a youthful, lifted look.

Want a cut like Jamie Lee Curtis’ above? Ask your stylist for a pixie that’s cut with a razor, heavily layered and longer up top and shorter on the sides.

3. A lob (aka long bob) — elongates and slims the face

Angela Bassett, 64Getty Images

Also known as a long bob, the lob is a great option for a medium-length style since it rests just above the shoulders. “This cut keeps some length, while also offering a style that is easy to maintain,” says Butterworth. The cut also frames the face to highlight beautiful facial features and pulls the eye vertically for added slimming. Plus, you’re still able to put hair into a small bun or ponytail to sweep strands up and off of the face. 

Want a cut like Angela Bassett‘s above? Ask your stylist for a blunt long bob that rests at the shoulders and has point-cut ends for added texture.

4. A shoulder-length shag — can conceal fine lines and thinning at the temples

Martha Stewart, 81Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock

One word that describes this shoulder-length haircut: Easy. That’s because the style is cut into the hair, so you don’t have to spend time using a hairdryer to make strands look styled, says Butterworth. A shag can be created on all hair lengths since it’s done by using a razor to create feathery layers throughout. Butterworth recommends having a stylist tailor a shag to your face shape so it best flatters your features.

To give the haircut some added pizzazz, snip in some sideswept bangs, which can conceal forehead furrows and any thinning near the temples. And to style, simply tousle tresses with your fingers after washing and let air-dry.

Want a cut like Martha Stewart‘s above? Ask your stylist for a shoulder-length shag with tiered, graduating layers that begin near the cheeks, and soft, sideswept bangs.

5. A loose wavy long cut — helps your neck look longer

Christie Brinkley, 69Andrea Hanks/Shutterstock

Keeping hair long and infusing it with layers gives hair movement so it requires little to no styling. “If you do want to style hair, you have unlimited styling options from top knots to ponytails to having fun with hair accessories,” says Butterworth.

Best of all, strands that fall past the collarbone pull focus vertically, visually stretching the face and neck so they appear longer and leaner. Tip: Butterworth recommends getting regular trims. “When long hair gets too long, and you get split ends, hair can look unkempt.”

Want a cut like Christie Brinkley‘s above? Ask your stylist to keep your hair bust-length and infuse it with face-framing layers and long, blended layers throughout. And if you have shorter hair but want to get the look of long, luscious locks, try “halo” extensions, like Zala Vegan Keratin Halo Hair Extensions (Buy from ZalaHair.com, $49.99) that let you transform your look in seconds.

6. An undercut — keeps you cool through a hot flash

Maye Musk, 75MediaPunch/Shutterstock

If you’re adventurous, an undercut gives an edgy and modern spin to a classic pixie cut (but it can also be done with longer hair as well if you want a bolder look). “This is another cut that you can easily style with your hands after washing,” says Butterworth.

Bonus: If you’re experiencing hot flashes, the short sides allow more air flow to the scalp to provide cooling relief.

Want to quickly add more texture to the cut? Add a dime-size amount of styling cream, like Color Wow One Minute Transformation Styling Cream (Buy from Amazon, $24) to damp hair. Want a cut like Maye Musk‘s above? Ask your stylist for a pixie that’s longer up top and buzzed, neat sides.

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