How to Wear Long Hair Over 50: 21 Photos of the Best Hairstyles

Just because you're a certain age, it doesn't mean an entire hairstyle is now taboo. You can totally rock long hair over 50 — even with glasses. We’ve gathered everything you need to know about maintaining long tresses after 50, including the best long hairstyles for women over 50 and how to go gray with lengthy locks.
Your hair also goes through changes as you age -- and it's not just the color. You might have noticed that the texture is different, too. Over time, fine hair may become thinner and more delicate while thick hair becomes stiffer and coarse. If you're looking for a long-term natural solution, here are a few tips to keep in mind when caring for mature hair.
​What to Do If You Have Thin Hair
After the age of 50, many women experience thin hair or hair loss, but you shouldn't feel ashamed. In fact, it's quite common. However, even a regular bad hair day can really affect your mood negatively. Rather than chopping all your hair off in an effort to hide thinning locks, know that there are some natural ways to get thicker hair instead. Alexis Wolfer, the author of The Recipe for Radiance ($9.99 on Amazon), has mentioned that a relaxing scalp massage while showering and using a herbal haircare rinse regularly are keys to growing stronger and thicker tresses naturally.
For dandruff, use Nizoral A-D ($14.84 on Amazon) one to two times a week in the shower as its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce scalp infections. Joshua Zeichner, MD and director of cosmetic and clinical research in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital says, “Reducing yeast on the scalp may help decrease inflammation and promote healthy hair growth."
Going Gray With Long Hair
Many women find themselves asking whether they should color their hair or let it go gray naturally. If you're considering letting your hair turn gray, here are a few things to keep in mind. Going gray gracefully is possible and can be a beautiful process if you make the right decisions for yourself along the way.
In order to go gray beautifully, you first have to confront your fears. Start by looking up celebrities with gorgeous silver hair who show that it's natural and beautiful. Remember that going gray is simply a sign of aging, and once you've embraced it, you'll start an exciting new phase in life!
Now that you’re feeling inspired to kick butt and look beautiful with your gray hair, let’s move on to the logistics of going gray. If you currently dye your hair, it might be easiest to simply let your roots grow out and chop off the colored sections so you’re not walking around with two-toned hair. It’s possible to keep your hair long while still going gray, though it will require working with your hairstylist so that he or she can slowly fade out the color.
Although at-home box dyes may seem like a money-saving hack, they can actually do more harm than good to your hair. If you have hard water, washing your hair with these products can cause it to fall out. Over time, the constant dyeing will weaken your hair and require you to visit a professional hairstylist anyway, so it's better to just go for the quality option from the beginning.
Those with gray hair will want to buy purple shampoo in large quantities. Because without it, over time your hair can develop unattractive yellow hues. There are thankfully many quality purple shampoos for gray hair available for purchase that neutralize these tones quickly.
At the end of the day, you need to do what makes you happy. Remember, your hair is such a significant part of how you view yourself--so it's important not to deny yourself the chance to have long hair just because society says so. It's time to own your beautiful, gray locks!

Best Long Hairstyles for Women Over 50 to Try

Worry not if you think your long hair makes you look thin - with the right hairstyle, anyone can rock lengthy locks. Talk to your stylist about adding square layers and cutting the hair blunt to give off an illusion of thickness. Joe Vitale, owner of K Salon in New York City recommends using a volumizing shampoo and spray for best results.
Monthly hair dye jobs not only cover gray hairs but also make your strands look fuller because the dye coats each individual shaft. Click through the gallery below to see some of our favorite celebrity-inspired hairstyles for women over 50 with long hair.

1.Kathy Ireland's Flawless Blowout 

Most women have envied Kathy Ireland's voluminous mane at some point. You can get a blowout that looks similar to hers by using a boar bristle brush (these brushes are also good for women with thinning hair, as they're gentle on the scalp).
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​2. Lucy Liu's Flowing Locks

Lucy Liu's Rapunzel-esque hair looks healthy and hydrated. Sometimes, it is easy for our hair to look dull due to a variety of factors like the weather or heat damage from styling tools. However, you can use a coconut oil mask as a deep conditioner to help revive your strands!

3. Lynda Carter's Bouncy Barrel Curls

Lynda Carter, actress and former beauty queen, knows how to style her curls to add an instant dose of glamour to any outfit. ​

4 . Beverly Johnson's Wavy Mane​

Beverly Johnson is the epitome of low-maintenance hair. If you want a style that looks good without having to wash it every day, show your stylist a picture of her.
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​5. Janet Jackson's Sky-High Ponytail

​Janet Jackson's hair is always changing, but she seems to prefer longer styles nowadays. Fortunately, long locks can help keep you looking young. Jackson adds a twist to her ponytail by wrapping hair around the base of her updo, which instantly elevates her look and adds some oomph. We'll definitely have to try this hair hack the next time we want to add a stylish twist to our regular old ponytail!

6. Sarah Jessica Parker's Messy Side Ponytail​

​We often rely on messy ponytails to get us through lazy days, but SJP shows us how to dress them up with a few simple accessories. A bright top and hair ribbon turn an errand-running hairstyle into a chic one fit for date night. Pulling out some face-framing strands keeps it from looking too polished.

7. Elle Macpherson's Glossy Hair

Elle Macpherson's physical perfection has even led to her nickname,"The Body." But we mustn't forget about her gorgeous blonde locks. What is the supermodel's secret to maintaining healthy, long hair? "I put conditioner in my swim cap while I'm swimming laps, or during summertime walks," she told Get the Gloss in October 2018. By doing this, it gives her hair a wet look which is always stylish.

8. Elizabeth Hurley's Highlighted Curls

​Subtle highlights are a great way to give your hair more dimension without going for a full head of bleached hair. Actress and model Elizabeth Hurley demonstrates this perfectly with understated honey-hued highlights that blend in seamlessly with her chestnut brown locks. Curling the hair adds even more definition to the natural look.

​9. Vanessa Williams' Tousled Waves

If you're looking for an easy, effortless style, try Vanessa Williams' soft waves. This is a great hairstyle for days when you want a bit of curl without damaging your hair with too much heat. To achieve this look, use a curling iron with a wider barrel and skip the hairspray so the curls will fall naturally. Your hair will even look better the next day!

10. Jane Seymour’s Piece-y Fringe

Jane Seymour, most well-known for her role in the classictime James Bond film and hit TV show Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman still has gorgeous auburn hair even at 67 years old. Seymour's piecey bangs are cut to perfectly frame her face while looking effortless soft.

11. Salma Hayek’s Shiny Curls

​It can be tempting to add highlights or lowlights, or any other kind of light hair dye, in order to create dimension and fullness in your hair. However, actress Salma Hayek is 52 years old and proves that you don’t need to go crazy with hair dye in order to achieve a fuller-looking head of hair.

​12. Iman’s Glossy Side Ponytail

​The '80s were a time when side ponytails were king, and Model Iman is proving that the hairdo can be updated to fit modern styles. If you don't want a middle part, follow Iman's lead and try a deep side part instead.

13. Marisa Tomei's Rich Auburn Curls​

We love the deep reddish-brown hue of Marisa Tomei's auburn curls as the perfect fall hair color! Her messy part creates an effortlessly cool look, making it ideal for busy mornings. Just curl it lightly and you're good to go.

​14. Barbra Streisand's Pin-Straight Locks

​Women with different hair types always want each other's hair, right? Well, we want Barbra Streisand's perfectly sleek hair! With a simple middle part, Babs' hair is fuss-free and easy. Her long strands also elongate her face, making her appear slimmer.

​15. Valerie Bertinelli's Sweeping Curls

Passing 15 years younger, actress Valerie Bertinelli at 58 attributes her ageless look to volume of her hair roots. If you have thinning hair, this is a great trick to copy as it makes your locks look thick and full of body.

16. Sandra Bullock's Blunt Bangs

Spring is the perfect time to switch up your look, and what better way to do so than by rocking a celebrity-inspired hairstyle? If you're hoping to camouflage thinning hair, take style cues from Sandra Bullock and go for blunt bangs. Not only will they serve as optical illusions, but they'll also help you delude yourself into thinking you have a full head of thick locks. Trust me — I've tried it!

17. Nicole Kidman's Elevated Ponytail

Up-dos are not just for bad hair days; with a little bit of effort, they can be red carpet worthy. Nicole Kidman's tousled ponytail shows that even the simplest hairstyle can look elegant with soft curls and face-framing layers.

18. Christie Brinkley's Wispy Bangs

Christie Brinkley's forehead-skimming bangs are the perfect balance to her voluminous curls, making for a great long, layered hairstyle for women over 50. If you're unsure whether blunt bangs that are cut straight across will flatter your face, something like Brinkley's side-swept bangs may be a better option. The nice thing here is that when your bangs get greasy or you simply want to change it up for the day, you can push your fringe behind your ears or pin it back. Now you've got a whole new look!

19. Julianne Moore's Middle Part

Julianne Moore's vibrant hair looks healthy and full, with a middle part that keeps her hairstyle looking young. For people with round faces, celebrity hairstylist Mika Fowler told Byrdie that choosing a middle part or deep side part is especially flattering. “Both of these parts will give the illusion of length and create symmetry around your face,” said Fowler.

20. Demi Moore's Sleek, Straight Hair​

Demi Moore is the perfect example of how ladies over 50 can wear their hair sleek and straight. If you're looking for some inspiration, look no further! Rapunzel-length hair may seem like a distant dream, but it's not impossible. Just take a cue from Moore and you'll be rocking long locks in no time.

21. Andie McDowell's Side-Swept Curls

Andie McDowell's side-swept curls are a gorgeous example of one of the countless amazing hairstyles for women over 50 with curly hair. Curly hair can sometimes be difficult to style, but if you have a lot of it, all you need to do is run a curling iron through large sections of your hair and choose a deep side part.