Introduction
Gentlemen, it's completely natural to want to hold onto a youthful appearance as you mature and embrace the distinguished years ahead. Perhaps you've noticed some new grays sprouting up or your hairline receding and it has you feeling self-conscious. But there's no need to worry - we've put together this guide showing you how the right haircut and styling can shave years off your look.
In the following chapters, we'll showcase the top hairstyles proven to take up to 10 years off for men over 50. You'll see modern cuts and styling techniques that downplay thinning hair and grays while playing up volume and flow. With just a few strategic tweaks, you can maintain a stylish, refined appearance no matter your age. So read on for inspiration and expert tips!
Top Hairstyles for a Younger Look
Here we feature the most flattering haircuts and styles to help men over 50 look youthful and refreshed. These cuts have been carefully selected by our experts and rated on effectiveness.
One of the biggest takeaways from this guide should be the trend of short sides paired with longer length on top. This type of cut with faded, undercut, or sharply trimmed sides is the dominant style right now among younger guys. Models like David Beckham and celebrities have embraced these cuts, influencing mainstream popularity. There are many variations, like the pompadour, faux hawk, comb over, quiff, and more. But they all rely on very short sides and back blended into textured length on top. This contracts creates the illusion of depth and draws the eye upwards. It also allows for versatility in styling the longer top section forward, pushed up, or swept across. While mature men may still opt for more traditional styles, integrating just a touch of the modern short sides approach can lend a youthful refreshed vibe. So focus on keeping the sides tight and fresh even if you prefer a little more length overall. Just a simple detail like that can shave years off your look.
Pompadours and undercuts
Medium Fade Pompadour
High Fade Pompadour
Short and very short haircuts
Crew Cut
The crew cut is an excellent low-maintenance option for men over 50. With a uniform length of 1/4 to 3/4 inches, it creates a thicker appearance, camouflaging thinning hair or receding hairlines. This style requires minimal styling and grows out evenly. It complements various face shapes and adds texture and sophistication compared to buzzcuts. Plus, it can be styled with a side part for extra polish. For mature men looking for an easy yet refined hairstyle, the classic crew cut is a great choice.
Buzz Cut
Classic short haircuts
Textured layers
Medium length hairstyles
Side part
A classic, timeless style, this long, layered haircut flatters any face shape by softening features and adding volume, complemented by a rugged touch from the beard, resulting in a younger, refreshed appearance. Benefits include softening features, adding volume, disguising wrinkles, creating a youthful look, enduring fashion appeal, and ease of care and styling.
Wavy blob
Hair Coloring to Minimize Grays
As men mature, gray hairs often start becoming more visible, especially around the temples and sideburns. While some men embrace going salt-and-pepper, others find that the sudden appearance of grays makes them feel older than they would like. Strategic coloring can help blend away grays for a subtle yet more youthful look. Your colorist can create natural-looking highlights and lowlights to mask grays rather than applying an all-over opaque dye. The goal should be tones that seamlessly enhance your natural hair color, avoiding a jarringly solid or monotone result. Precision placement of color to target only the most visible gray areas like the temples, sideburns and facial hair can provide coverage where needed without over-processing the entire head. To maintain optimal results, regular touch-up appointments every 4-6 weeks are recommended as new grays emerge. Be sure to properly care for colored hair at home by using sulfate-free shampoos, deeply hydrating conditioners, and UV protecting products. This will extend the longevity of your color between salon visits. Over-washing is one of the biggest causes of premature fading, so limit washes to 2-3 times per week at maximum. Following these tips will keep your color looking natural and vibrant.
Choosing the Right Style
Selecting the most flattering hairstyle involves careful consideration of your individual facial features, hair type, lifestyle needs and personal preferences. Analyzing the shape of your face is key - are you oval, round, square? Certain styles tend to complement different face shapes. Next, examine your hair type - is your hair generally thick or thinning? Curly, wavy or straight in texture? This impacts which cuts will work best. Also factor in your daily routine and styling preferences - do you want an easy, wash-and-wear look or are you willing to spend time sculpting a more dramatic style? Consider as well what styles you find most aesthetically pleasing while also avoiding cuts that skew too youthful or dated for your mature sophistication. With your unique preferences in mind, consult a stylist who specializes in working with aging hair. Describe your lifestyle, concerns and goals and they can tailor recommendations to suit your needs. Taking stock of all these factors will help you select a haircut and style that makes you look sharp while shaving years off your look.
Styling Tips
The right products and techniques are key to styling your haircut into a polished, youthful look:
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Volume-boosting mousses, thickening creams or texturizing sprays help create the appearance of fuller hair, even if thinning. Focus on lifting the roots.
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Waxes, clays and pomades shape short to medium styles with flexible hold and shine. Use sparingly and finish by finger-combing for natural texture.
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Round brushes are ideal for smoothing and directing airflow as you blow dry. This creates volume and height.
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Take the time to blow dry thoroughly - air drying can fall flat. Use a brush and your fingers to style as you dry.
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For added polish, finish with a small amount of lightweight pomade or wax concentrated on the ends. This separates strands to avoid solid helmet-like hair.
Follow these tips and product recommendations from your stylist to style your modern cut into a fashionable, youthful look.
Lifestyle Factors
While hair and cosmetic products can help, maintaining a youthful appearance largely comes down to lifestyle habits. Small changes can make a big difference in how you look and feel as the years pass by.
A. Diet
Eating whole, unprocessed foods along with plenty of antioxidants from fruits and vegetables supports skin health and a trim physique. Limit junk foods.
B. ExerciseAs little as 150 minutes of exercise per week provides immense anti-aging benefits like reduced stress, better circulation and muscle tone. Find activities you enjoy.
C. Hydration and Rest
Drinking water throughout the day and getting 7-9 hours of sleep nightly keeps skin plump and reduces puffiness and dark circles.
D. Skincare Routines
Establish both an AM and PM routine with targeted serums and moisturizers to address specific concerns. Consistency yields results over time.
Prioritizing wellness sets the stage for your best-looking years yet. Small lifestyle tweaks can boost your appearance and quality of life as you continue to mature gracefully. Focus on how you feel from the inside out.
Conclusion
In this guide, the main takeaways for looking your best at 50+ are:
- Choosing a low-maintenance haircut that flatters your natural features
- Incorporating simple grooming routines into your schedule
- Prioritizing nutrition, activity and stress management
- Maintaining your cut and wardrobe with seasonal refreshers
- Using cosmetic products that enhance rather than disguise
Most importantly, own your maturity with pride. Developing acceptance of the natural changes that come as we age is key to radiating confidence from the inside out. When you feel comfortable in your skin, it will translate to how you present yourself to the world. With some guidance, you have everything you need to always put your best face forward.