When it comes to looking youthful, the right hairstyle can make all the difference. From soft layers to strategic color choices, certain haircuts and styles can take years off your appearance. Experts in the hair industry know exactly which styles help refresh a look and bring out your best features. We’ve compiled advice from 10 top hairstylists who reveal the best haircuts and styles that can make you look younger. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
1. The Blunt Bob
Why it Works: The blunt bob is one of the most timeless hairstyles that flatters a variety of face shapes and hair types. It adds structure and thickness, creating the illusion of a fuller, youthful-looking head of hair. For a more modern twist, the bob can be styled with slight waves or kept sleek and straight.
How it Makes You Look Younger: The sharp edges of the blunt bob can redefine the jawline, offering a youthful lift to the face. The clean lines also give the hair more body and bounce, which often gets lost with age due to thinning hair.
Expert Tip: Hairstylist Jen Atkin says, “A chin-length blunt bob creates a youthful appearance by drawing attention to the face, which is the focal point of your look. Keep the cut sleek and minimal to avoid it feeling too heavy.”
2. Soft Layers
Why it Works: Soft, face-framing layers work wonders for adding volume without sacrificing length. The key is keeping the layers subtle and blended, avoiding overly short or choppy layers that can age the face.
How it Makes You Look Younger: Layers help add movement and texture, giving hair a fresh, youthful appearance. They can also soften features and provide an instant lift, making the face look more open and bright.
Expert Tip: Chris Appleton, celebrity hairstylist, recommends, “Soft layers around the face bring dimension, lightness, and volume to your hair, which can reverse the effects of time and give your look an effortless, youthful feel.”
3. Curtain Bangs
Why it Works: Curtain bangs are a versatile fringe option that can be styled in many ways. They are longer and softer than traditional bangs, which makes them easier to grow out and blend seamlessly into the rest of the hairstyle.
How it Makes You Look Younger: Curtain bangs help open up the eyes and draw attention to the cheekbones, creating a youthful, fresh look. They soften the face, camouflaging forehead wrinkles and adding a youthful, carefree vibe.
Expert Tip: Hairstylist Anh Co Tran explains, “Curtain bangs frame the face perfectly and draw attention to the eyes. They can create a youthful look by softening the face and balancing out features.”
4. Long, Beachy Waves
Why it Works: Loose, beachy waves are the perfect style for adding volume and texture. The carefree look of the waves gives the hair a youthful bounce while keeping it long.
How it Makes You Look Younger: The waves add softness to the face and give off a relaxed, fresh vibe. Volume at the crown and throughout the hair helps lift the face and counteracts any flatness or thinning that comes with age.
Expert Tip: Celebrity hairstylist Tracey Cunningham suggests, “Long, undone waves work for any age. They add body and texture to hair, and when paired with subtle highlights, they can make you look more vibrant and youthful.”
5. Lob with Side-Swept Bangs
Why it Works: The lob (long bob) with side-swept bangs creates a balance between short and long hair. It’s a universally flattering haircut that can work for any age and is versatile enough for both professional and casual settings.
How it Makes You Look Younger: The side-swept bangs add a gentle frame to the face while the lob keeps the hair at a flattering length that avoids weighing the face down. This combination adds brightness and lift to the face.
Expert Tip: Kristin Ess, a well-known hairstylist, says, “A lob with side-swept bangs is an effortless style that will never feel outdated. It’s versatile, youthful, and flattering on all face shapes.”
6. Textured Bob with Volume
Why it Works: A textured bob with volume is perfect for creating an airy, youthful appearance. By adding layers and working with natural texture, this cut provides lift and body while avoiding the flat, lifeless hair that can come with age.
How it Makes You Look Younger: The volume and movement in the hair naturally frame the face, lifting it and giving it a more youthful, fresh appearance. Volume at the crown adds height, making the face appear more lifted.
Expert Tip: Michael Shaun Corby says, “Adding texture and volume to a bob is key to creating youthful movement. A little lift around the crown instantly makes you look more awake and vibrant.”
7. Soft Curls
Why it Works: Soft, bouncy curls are flattering for all face shapes and give the hair life and body. The natural-looking curls are youthful and energetic, and they add movement without feeling too stiff or structured.
How it Makes You Look Younger: Curls add volume and bounce, making the hair appear fuller and giving the face a lift. They also soften the features, drawing attention away from lines or wrinkles.
Expert Tip: Sally Hershberger shares, “Soft curls give a playful and youthful vibe. They naturally create volume and movement, and can add bounce and lightness to any hair type.”
8. Subtle Highlights
Why it Works: Adding subtle highlights or lowlights to your hair can brighten your complexion and give your hair a more youthful glow. The right shades can also add depth and dimension, making hair look fuller and more vibrant.
How it Makes You Look Younger: Highlights around the face add lightness and dimension, giving the hair a more youthful, sun-kissed appearance. By lifting the overall tone, highlights can also enhance facial features, making you look more radiant.
Expert Tip: Colorist Lorri Goddard suggests, “Soft highlights add youthful warmth to your hair. They create dimension and vibrancy, which is key to looking fresh and younger.”
9. Pixie Cut
Why it Works: The pixie cut is a bold and stylish option that works well on many face shapes. With the right cut, it can be incredibly flattering, giving a youthful edge that’s both chic and modern.
How it Makes You Look Younger: A pixie cut can show off the neck, cheekbones, and eyes, highlighting youthful features. Its low-maintenance nature and versatile styling options make it a youthful choice that never goes out of style.
Expert Tip: Hairstylist Rita Hazan says, “The pixie cut can be tailored to suit your face shape, but overall, it’s a youthful style. It’s fresh, youthful, and it really draws attention to your eyes and cheekbones.”
10. Classic Updo with Volume
Why it Works: A classic updo with volume (such as a low chignon or a voluminous bun) adds elegance while lifting the face. This style works great for special occasions or when you want to look polished yet youthful.
How it Makes You Look Younger: By adding volume at the crown or a loose, messy texture, the updo can provide a lifted, youthful appearance. It also highlights the neck and shoulders, giving an impression of refinement and freshness.
Expert Tip: Garren advises, “Adding volume to an updo keeps the look youthful and fresh. Avoid tight, pulled-back styles, and instead opt for a more relaxed updo that enhances your features and adds elegance.”
The right hairstyle can do wonders when it comes to looking younger. From soft waves and bouncy curls to fresh cuts like the blunt bob or pixie, there are plenty of options to refresh your look and feel more youthful. The key is to focus on volume, softness, and face-framing elements that add lift and dimension to your hair. Experiment with these styles to find the perfect one for you and enjoy a rejuvenated, youthful appearance.
