Great Haircuts for Women Over 70

Enthusiastic senior woman drinking coffee on patio
Hoxton/Ryan Lees / Getty Images
01
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Beauty at Age 70 and Over: Jane Fonda

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Jane Fonda. Getty Images

Throw out the old-fashioned beauty rules Photos: Funky, Edgy Hairstyles when it comes to your hairstyle at age 70 and beyond. Just because your mother had helmet hair in her later years doesn't mean you have to. These days, the beauty rules are different. You can wear your hair to your shoulders if you want and you can dye it any color you choose.

This cut on Jane Fonda (born December 21, 1937) is stunning on her. Note the gorgeous detailing in the back.

02
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Blythe Danner (Born 1943)

Blythe Danner. Amanda Edwards, Getty

Let's talk hair texture. You want to make sure your hairstyle works for your hair texture 10 Things Every Woman Should Know About Hair Texture, as Blythe Danner's (born February 3, 1943) does. Danner has thick, wavy hair that can get frizzy. This hairstyle is gorgeous on her because it shows off the amount of hair she has, which is a lot. If you have thick hair, show it off by growing it out and fluffing it up.

Learn more about how important hair texture is when choosing your hairstyle i 

03
of 22

Helen Mirren (Born 1945)

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Helen Mirren. Photos: Getty Images, 2nd one by Frazer Harrison

This long bob hairstyle the Long Bob hair trend is here to stay on actress Helen Mirren (born July 26, 1945) is a wonderful wash-and-wear cut that looks great blown dried or air dried. The cut is long enough to flatter her face and appear a bit youthful but not so long that it drags down her face. The cut is classic and sophisticated at the same time.

04
of 22

Nancy Pelosi (Born 1940)

Nancy Pelosi. Andrew H. Walker

This is not Nancy Pelosi's (born March 26, 1940) natural hair color. She's likely gone at least partly gray but colors her hair dark brown so it looks like it did when she was in her 30s and 40s.

Silver hair can be very sexy. However, not all women embrace their natural hair color. Many women become blondes as they get older, a natural move considering gray is a softer, lighter color than a natural brown. But blonde hair doesn't complement all skin tones. A better bet if you're a naturally dark-haired woman is to color your hair a dark base and have light highlights put in.

05
of 22

Diane Keaton (Born 1946)

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Diane Keaton in two different shoulder length haircuts. Andreas Rentz for Getty

Diane Keaton (born January 5, 1946) went from being a natural medium brown-haired women to going naturally gray and straightening her hair. It's a very sophisticated, chic, and youthful look.

06
of 22

Gloria Steinem (Born 1934)

Gloria Steinem. Frederick M. Brown

There's no reason you have to go short as you get older. Simple, classic long bobs and regular length bobs are absolutely gorgeous on older women. They work best on women with naturally straight hair, but wavy hair looks great in a long bob as well.

Here Gloria Steinem (born March 25, 1934), wears a long bob that's been blow-dried with a round brush curling the ends under. It's a gorgeous look on her. Note the middle-part, which is very on-trend.

07
of 22

Shirley Bassey (Born 1937)

Shirley Bassey. Jason Merritt for Getty

Have you noticed a trend in hairstyles yet? So far, they all seem to feature hairstyles that hit the chin line or below and are blow-dried with a round brush that curls the ends under.

Here, Shirley Bassey (born January 8, 1937) shows off a style that also includes side-swept bangs. Bangs are great for older women because they can take years off your look, and they bring attention to your best features. However, they can be high-maintenance because unless you're handy with a pair of scissors, you have to get them cut every few weeks.

08
of 22

Jaclyn Smith (Born 1945)

Jaclyn Smith hairstyles
Jaclyn Smith hairstyles. Jason Merritt for Getty Images

Can you believe Jaclyn Smith, pictured here, was born October 26, 1945? She looks years younger than her age because of her hair length, hair color, and probably a few visits to a cosmetic surgeon's office. Even if your skin isn't as taut as Smith's, don't worry. As long as your hair is relatively thick and healthy, you can wear it longer.

09
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Ellen Burstyn (1932)

Ellen Burstyn. Michael Loccisano

More and more women like Ellen Burstyn (born December 7, 1932 ) are embracing their gray hair color and there are many reasons you might want to go this route. If you have naturally gorgeous gray hair and you don't want the expense of regular visits to a colorist, then, by all means, go gray. Or, perhaps you just want to age gracefully and embrace your age–wrinkles, gray hair, and all. 

10
of 22

Judi Dench (1934)

Judi Dench. Dave Hogan, Getty

Short hairstyles, like this one on actress Judi Dench (born December 9, 1934), are a classic hairstyle option for women in their 70s. By framing your face, you will show off and highlight your best features. You'll also find these cuts are very low-maintenance and a big timesaver.

11
of 22

Vanessa Redgrave (1937)

Vanessa Redgrave. Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

Yes, you can grow your hair long like Vanessa Redgrave (born January 30, 1937). However, while long hair can be quite flattering, be careful; long hair can make a long, thin face appear longer.

12
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Catherine Deneuve (1943)

Actress Catherine Deneuve. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Volume in hair means you hit the genetic lottery. Flat, lifeless hair is something you might battle as you age. The secret to voluminous hair lies in a good cut and great styling (e.g., styling sprays, curling irons). Here, Catherine Deneuve (born October 22, 1943) shows off gorgeous hair that's a bit longer and full of volume (and likely hairspray). Keep in mind it's harder to keep volume in hair that's long. The shorter you go, the better your hair will hold its shape.

13
of 22

Diahann Carroll (1935)

Diahann Carroll. Jason Merritt for Getty

Skip the old-lady salons where they cut your hair short and give you curls tight to your scalp, saturated with hairspray. Instead, go to your daughter's salon and ask for a new look. Better yet, take your daughter along and ask her advice.

This is a lovely look on Diahann Carroll (born July 17, 1935). It's great for a wedding or formal event.

14
of 22

Carole King (Born 1942)

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Carole King. Steve Granitz for Getty Images

Carole King (born February 9, 1942) shows how to embrace one's natural hair texture. King has super curly hair and doesn't straighten it. Instead, she wears it beautifully shaped and by all accounts her hairstyle actually makes her look younger than her age, which is 76. 

15
of 22

Barbara Davis (Age Unknown)

Barbara Davis. Frederick M. Brown // Getty

The older you get, the more brittle your hair becomes. But drier hair keeps its shape better than fine, oily hair, so take notice of what Barbara Davis (age unknown) does here. This volume and shape could never happen with a woman who has silky fine hair but works great on dry, coarse hair.

16
of 22

Betty White (Born 1922)

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Betty White.

Betty White (January 17, 1922) is in her 90s and has the kind of traditional helmet hair your grandmother wore for 30-plus years. Your grandma probably got her hair done weekly in a salon and it looked almost exactly like this. This is not hair you do on your own because it requires curlers and sitting under a dryer, but if this is your style, then Betty should be your icon. Everyone loves Betty White.

17
of 22

Dan Rather's Wife, Jean Goebbel

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Dan Rather's wife, Jean Goebbel.

Jean Goebbel's hair is just the perfect classy bob. She pairs it well with the right accessories and chic outfit. All around gorgeous.

18
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Lauren Hutton (Born 1943)

Lauren Hutton. Getty Images/Taylor Hill

Lauren Hutton (born November 17, 1943) wears her curly hair natural in this photo. Lauren (a classic beauty) continues to model well into her 70s. 

19
of 22

Diane Sawyer (Born 1945)

Diane Sawyer. Mike Coppola for Getty

Diane Sawyer (born December 22, 1945) was the first female correspondent on CBS-TV's 60 Minutes. However, Sawyer is probably more famous for her striking blonde hair. Blonde hair is the easiest hair color to mask gray because the colors meld together and you can go longer between dye jobs. However, not every woman will look good as a blonde.

20
of 22

Another Shot of Jane Fonda (Born 1937)

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Jane Fonda. Stefanie Keenan for Getty

Here's another photo of Jane Fonda (born December 21, 1937), where she's sporting a hair that frames her face. that's stunning on her. Note the volume on top and how her hairstyle is cut closer to the face on the side. Parting hair a little bit off-center also adds height on top.

21
of 22

A Great Cut for Thick, Wavy Hair

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Getty Images

Just because you're past 70, doesn't mean you can't have a stylish cut. I love this look on this model. Her thick, wavy hair is quite stylish and would look great on a woman of any age.

22
of 22

Try a Stylish Pixie

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Liam Norris for Getty Images

The pixie The 20 Best Pixie Haircuts for Older Women is one of the hottest hairstyles of the moment. It's so popular, it made the list of the Year's 20 Most Popular Hairstyles. The pixie flatters most face shapes, works with almost all hair textures and better yet, it looks great on women of all ages, whether you're 15 or 80.

Before you get an edgy, cool pixie cut, ask yourself if your personality fits this cut? Short cuts such as these invite attention. If you are the sort who hides behind her hair or hates attention, think twice before hitting the salon to request this style.