Medium-length haircuts for women over 40 are all about having a functional cut and length throughout the day.
Kristyn Wink, a hairstylist from Baltimore, MD, shares her thoughts about mid-length cuts. “There’s a huge benefit in having your hair cut in a manageable length,” she says. “You can wear it down comfortably and pull it up easily when working out or running errands.”
With a bunch of haircuts to select from, suitability is one thing to consider. It works for your hair texture, density, and lifestyle. “A cut that requires a great amount of time and effort to style only leads to frustration,” Wink explains.
A drawback to this cut is that it looks different for every woman, regardless of their age. It would depend on a woman’s neck length, shoulder width, and hair density.
Before getting a medium cut, find a stylist proficient in this type of cut. The stylist should be skillful in creating proportions. “It’s vital that the stylist chooses a shape, adds layers, and removes weight in a way that suits a woman’s face shape, hair type, and styling abilities,” she says.
Wink urges women to ask for tips on styling their new haircut at the end of the appointment. Get recommendations on what products and tools to utilize at home.
Look and feel younger with these trendy medium-length haircuts for women over 40. The images collected here are sure to inspire you!
#1: Medium Blowout with Caramel and Blonde Tones
If you want to warm up your medium-length hair before a blowout, try going with caramel and blonde tones. The warmer overall tone would make your hair much shinier. For the style, ask your stylist to use volume mousse and velcro rollers for a glamorous look.
#2: Thick Shoulder-Length Curls with Highlights
If your hair is thick and curly, consider getting a shoulder-length cut and add highlights during your next salon visit. Highlights can brighten up your look and blend grey hairs to hide them. A shoulder-length cut can ease the weight off your curls, making them look more full and defined. Remember, curly hair can shrink because of its texture. So, tell your stylist to cut your hair to shoulder length in its dry state. This way, your hair won’t end up at chin length after drying.
#3: Dark Brunette Collarbone-Length Hair with Fringe
Your next hair appointment should include highlighting fringe on collarbone-length, dark brunette hair. Adding a fringe to your haircut can change your face shape and highlight features you admire most. A bottleneck fringe sits around the brow. It gets longer at the sides, reducing the appearance of a large forehead. It also hides fine lines and wrinkles. Aging hair tends to lie flat and heavy. But adding layers and fringe can make it appear less weighted and more voluminous. Collarbone length is great for looking good when both up or down, which makes it a perfect length for most lifestyles.
#4: Gorgeous Ombre on Medium-Length Hair
If you are a woman over the age of 40, you should try a gorgeous ombré. Your hair will be easily styled and more manageable at a medium length. Split ends will be gone, and your ends will look nice and fresh with this chop. Add some ombré color to add some dimension for brighter-looking tresses.
#5: Soft 60s Bombshell Shag
If you have thick hair, a soft 60’s bombshell shag style would suit you well. The choppy layers in this cut remove any unwanted thickness and give your hair volume and thin ends.
#6: Very Fluffy Mid-Length Cut
You’ll want the fresh style of a very fluffy mid-length cut. Layering and texture cutting are crucial to give your hair the fluffy look of this style. You should start the layers just below the crown of your head. Doing so will reduce weight and add more volume and movement, giving your hair a tousled look. Try styling with your hands scrunch drying with a wave-enhancing product, and you’ll be surprised at the natural texture you can create.
#7: Medium Spiral Blonde Curls
If you want to show off your curly hair with a medium spiral texture, add soft blonde curls. If you like your natural curls but sometimes go flat, use hydrating products such as leave-in conditioners and hair masks to achieve the best bounce. Highlights added to mid-length haircuts for females above 40 give a youthful look with dimension and contrast.
#8: Soft Barbie Blonde Mid-Length Cut
Going for a soft Barbie blonde on any mid-length haircuts for women in their 40s is all-around beautiful and youthful. The style provides versatility and maintains the right hair thickness, particularly if you find maintaining hair density challenging and don’t prefer a shorter hairstyle. The soft blonde shade offers softness to her skin tone, creating a beautiful glow. To maintain this hairstyle’s soft and moveable aspect, all you need is a good-quality mousse.
#9: Medium-Length Brunette Straight Hairstyle
Medium-length hair may need extra volume to keep it looking full. Try asking for layers. This will give your hair more body. It’s great if you prefer softer and more flexible hairstyles. Dry your hair using a large round brush or heated rollers. Either technique will give you a natural, flicky look.
#10: Shiny Medium Brown Toned Hair
A medium brown-toned haircut can add elegance to a woman above 40. The shiny finish of this hair color complements the skin tone beautifully, giving a natural and youthful appearance. The medium length of the cut allows for versatility, whether you prefer to wear it straight and sleek or with soft, voluminous waves.
This hair color works best for those with warm undertones, as it brings out the richness in their complexion. Regular deep conditioning treatments are recommended to maintain the shine and silkiness of the hair. Incorporating a shine-enhancing serum into your daily styling routine can help achieve that healthy-looking finish.
#11: Chocolate Brown Mid-Length Straight Hairstyle
Women over 40 seeking a cute and trendy style would look great in a chocolate brown, mid-length, straight hairstyle. This low-maintenance hairstyle always looks polished. Adding a curtain bang gives this hairstyle more flair. If you have heavy hair, consult your stylist. You might need to remove some bulk for more texture and volume. This hairstyle is versatile. You can wear it straight or style it with waves.
#12: Medium to Long Straight Hairstyle with Wispy Fringe
This medium to long straight hairstyle with a wispy fringe is a versatile and timeless option for women over 40. Medium to long hairstyles with a wispy fringe add a soft and feminine touch to the look. The length offers various styling options. This haircut allows easy style changes. You can wear your hair straight or add loose waves for a relaxed vibe. The wispy fringe also frames the face and enhances your features. This hairstyle works best for those with straight or slightly wavy hair. Book regular trims to maintain this look. It helps prevent split ends and keep the shape.
#13: Mid-Length Tousled Waves with a Side Part
This mid-length tousled waves with a side part style is versatile and flattering that ladies over 40 might want to check out. The soft waves add movement and texture to the hair, while the side part adds a touch of sophistication. This style is a great option for those looking for a chic and effortless look that can be dressed up or down. To get this style, apply a volumizing mousse to your damp hair. Then, scrunch lightly with a micro-fiber towel to remove excess moisture. Then, use a diffuser to gently dry the hair to encourage the natural wave pattern. These voluminous mid-length hairstyles for women aged 40 and above are achievable using a pick to fluff up the strands lightly.
#14: Medium-Length Dark Red Straight Hair
The dark red straight hair is a stylish and versatile choice for women over 40. This sleek and polished look exudes sleekness and adds class to any outfit. The dark red color adds depth and dimension to the hair, creating a striking visual appeal. This hairstyle is especially flattering for women with straight hair. It also allows for easy maintenance and styling. To enhance the sleekness of your hair, I recommend using a smoothing serum or oil before blow-drying. For an added touch of glam, you can also add soft waves with a curling iron or hot rollers.
#15: Sophisticated Mid-Length Blonde Cut
You might be a woman in her 40s seeking a timeless haircut. A mid-length blonde cut could be perfect for you. This versatile style is great for enhancing your features and being easy to maintain. Medium-length hairstyles for women over 40 give various hair options, such as straight, curled, or loose waves. This cut can help create a more youthful appearance by adding movement and texture to your hair. Also, the blonde color brings a fresh and vibrant look to your overall style. To keep this chic look, regular dusting trims are advised. They’re key to preventing split ends and keeping the ideal shape.
#16: Gorgeous Natural Curls with Highlights
Imagine a gorgeous natural curl enhanced with highlights. If you have curls, finding a talented haircutter specializing in curly hair can change your life. Try a rounded layer to add shape and volume and to get rid of the unwanted triangular shape. Adding highlights to curly hair will help blend in grays and add depth to your hair. Moreover, the twists and turns of curls will show off all the gorgeous colors throughout, creating a stunning visual effect.
#17: Grey Balayage Makeover for Mid-Length Feathered Hair
It’s time to embrace your natural grey with a grey balayage makeover and mid-length feathered hair! Accepting your natural grey hair can be quite bold. Still, a feathered haircut that reaches chest level can boost your morale. It can also intensify the gloss of your new grey hair color.
#18: Caramel Brown Curls
Try a caramel balayage to brighten up your brown curls if you’re a woman in your forties with dark, textured hair. Caramel is a perfect shade to warm those with olive or medium to dark skin tones.
#19: Mid-Length Textured Hair
You can rock mid-length textured hair. Cut your length up and make your hair healthier and more stylish. Ask for medium layers and point cutting to create a funky shape. Don’t forget to leave the ends out when curling your style. You’ll want to apply some texture paste to bring those ends out.
#20: Dirty Blonde Balayage with a Side Part
A dirty blonde balayage with a side part is a low-maintenance hairstyle. This style offers a seamless blend of golden tones against the darker base color. The side part adds a softness to the overall look. And the mid-length cut provides enough length for easy styling options. Ask for regular dusting trims and a good-quality hair mask to avoid split ends. It will keep the hair shiny and healthy. This hairstyle can be styled with loose waves or a half-up for a polished look.
#21: Middle Parted and Rooted Mid-Length Cut
For a fresh and youthful appearance, opt for a middle-parted and rooted mid-length cut. This hairstyle can make you look 10 years younger. It adds a touch of sophistication and elegance. The middle part creates symmetry, framing your face beautifully. While the rooted color adds depth and dimension to your hair. This cut is versatile and easy to style, giving you endless possibilities to switch up your look.
#22: Mid-Length Blonde Thin Hair with Side Bangs
For ladies in their 40s, try mid-length blonde thin hair with side bangs to create a fresh new look. The bangs add dimension and frame the face nicely. It’s important to keep the length but add layers for texture to avoid making the hair appear thinner. Blow-drying with a round brush for a smooth finish can make this style pop. For those with naturally wavy hair, use a sea salt spray when you want to add a beachy vibe to the look. Overall, this cut is the perfect mix of classic and trendy for a youthful appearance.
#23: Eye-Grazing Fringe on a Mid-Length Cut
Try an eye-grazing fringe on a mid-length cut. It’s a chic and timeless look that can help add volume to thin and lifeless hair. The fringe should be cut to highlight your best features. For example, your eyes or cheekbones. And your cut can be slightly angled for a modern touch. This cut works best for oval or heart-shaped faces, especially for 40-year-olds. It can be styled with a texturizing spray to create a messy and effortless look. Regular trims are essential to keep the fringe from becoming too heavy and weighing down your strands.
#24: Medium Cut with Volume
If you’re a woman in your 40s, you might like to accentuate your features and have a beautiful style. Ask about a butterfly cut if you’re looking for volume and soft-flowing layers. Style with a round brush up and away from the face for an uplifting effect. Try a new Inoar Liso com Ondas Texturizing Spray and Pós Progress Leave-In.
#25: Honey Brown Balayage on a Mid-Length Cut
This honey-brown balayage is a great color option for wearing light and dark shades of blonde. Remember to talk with your stylist so they can direct you toward the best shade of honey blonde for your skin tone.
#26: Mid-Length Shag with Bottleneck Fringe Bangs
If you’re looking for a versatile cut, try out the mid-length shag with bottleneck fringe bangs. An easy style balances facial proportions and adds a slimming effect on the cheeks. It can be worn straight or wavy, giving you different options to create your look. The length of this cut pairs well with most hair types. Although, if you have thick hair, avoiding too much layering is best. When styling at home, use mousse for body and hold as needed. A round brush will help smooth down frizziness and add shine. To finish the look, use an anti-frizz serum to create a sleek, effortless texture.
#27: Chic Blonde Balayage on Medium Hair with No Bangs
When going lighter, allow your stylist to recommend tones. They will know what will suit your complexion. Medium-length hair worn with waves looks lovely and chic with a balayage. It shows off the different depths of color. Looking after lightened hair is a must. Remember to ask for a home care plan to maintain the condition.
#28: Brown Balayage with Loose Curls
Ask about a heavy layered frame if you’re a woman in your forties and want to rejuvenate your features. Add a few paint highlights around your face. The combo will soften your facial features. It will also brighten you up, giving you a glowing appearance. Before you leave your appointment, ask your stylist for tips and tricks in styling your hair.
#29: Blonde Balayage with Full Bangs
Consider a blonde balayage with full bangs if you want a low-maintenance color and trendy look! Keeping your base color and bangs natural will leave the grow-out seamless—style with some waves to show off your new color.
#30: Chic Shoulder-Length Bob Cut
Shoulder-length cuts are so versatile. Add longer layers and shape around your face to create volume and softness. Use a lightweight volumizing spray on wet hair to help. A round brush will lift your hair to create body. Remember to ask your stylist to recommend when to book your next trim to maintain the shape.
#31: Mid-Length Thick Curls
If you have a bend of texture in your hair from wavy to curly, your hair is more versatile than you see. Blown out with a round brush creates thick curls when you style it. And it can hold its style and last long periods between washes. My best advice is to add styling aids like blow-out jellies that support style and wear. Talking with a stylist who can create a styling routine for you is helpful.
#32: Sleek Extra Long Bob with Fringe Bangs
Long bobs are flattering on most face shapes, and adding a fringe can give a chic look. Perfect for fine to medium hair types. If your hair isn’t naturally smooth, remember to ask your stylist to show you how to recreate the look at home. Always finish with a shine spray for glossy locks.
#33: Shoulder-Length Blonde Balayage with a Middle Part
Shoulder-length blonde balayage with a middle part is what you need if you’re looking for added depth and dimension to your tresses. A money piece, middle part, and soft face layers are the perfect trio to bring out all your beautiful features, giving you a natural bright glow.
#34: Straight Blonde Hairstyle
Think about a straight blonde hairstyle if you’re not quite ready to drastically change your hairstyle. Haircuts that are medium-length are well balanced with just enough length to rock a ponytail some days and styles full of body and life on other days. Best for not-so-thick hair types, texture on the ends allows this haircut not to fall flat and have some life.
#35: Blonde Highlights on a Medium Cut
Consider blonde highlights on a medium cut if you want to add something jazzy. Highlights add depth and dimension to your underlying hair color, keeping your hairstyle from looking flat. Ask your stylist for a few highlights to add spice to your haircut.
#36: Beautiful Balayage Medium-Length Hair
The only thing that can make a beautiful balayage on medium-length hair even more stunning is adding a money piece to the front. A money piece is when a very small section of hair (usually on the middle part) is placed in the very front to brighten and frame the face. A balayage is always one of the easiest hair colors to maintain, making it perfect for women who may be on a budget or don’t frequently frequent the hair salon.
#37: Retro Shaggy Mullet for Ladies Over 40
A retro shaggy mullet for ladies over 40 is insane! Try a shag cut if you’re looking to stand out in a crowd of thousands and bring back a decades-old style.
#38: Platinum Blonde Beach Waves for Mid-Length Hair
Platinum blonde beach waves for mid-length hair are the perfect style for fine hair types for women over 40. The color and the style combined create the illusion of fuller-density hair. Ask your stylist for baby lights with a honey blonde tone, heat-styled with a large barrel iron, to get this look.
#39: Low-Maintenance Shag for Fine Hair
Try a low-maintenance shag for fine hair if you want all the texture, layers, and softness without having to spend hours in front of the mirror. As women are maturing we tend to take on fine lines and wrinkles, a medium shag haircut is a great option to add softness to the face. Ask your stylist to point cut into the layers to add body without removing the hair density.
#40: Youthful-Looking Updo on Medium Hair
Try a youthful-looking updo on medium hair for your next big event! You can achieve a soft, youthful updo even if you keep your hair at the shoulders. To get this style, ask your stylist for backcombing in the crown and a twist or a braid to pull back into a low bun. To keep it soft around the face, try leaving some face-framing pieces out and styling with a light hold spray.
#41: Edgy Undercut with Designs for 40-Year-Old Women
An edgy undercut with designs for 40-year-old women can be a bit intimidating to some, but can be the perfect way to add flair to your style. You can choose to add an undercut and design to most medium-length styles. Undercuts are a great option for those looking to remove unwanted weight from the hair and can also be added to the nape for a more subtle look.
#42: Collarbone-Length Haircut for Thick Hair
A collarbone-length haircut for thick hair is the perfect style to help lighten up the weight of the hair without sacrificing too much length. Medium-length haircuts help elongate the face and create a shape that adds brightness to all your features.
#43: Medium-Length Pixie Bob
A medium-length pixie bob is the perfect style for women in their forties. A pixie bob with length at the face that works to conceal fine lines and wrinkles and a cropped shape at the back is an easy maintenance style that adds both edge and sophistication.
Related: See more medium-length pixies.
#44: Medium Layered Hair for Women in Their 40s
Medium layered hair for women in their 40’s, gives a youthful, stylish, yet tidy appearance. Getting rid of unneeded length helps lift and brighten the face. Cuts with added soft layers are easy to style, whether you want to doll it up or dress it down.
#45: Shoulder-Length Perm for Women Over 40
A perm for women over 40 is a great style choice to change things and make it easier to style. Perfect for all hair types, perms add amazing body to the hair and create a flawless wash-and-wear look—a style to consider when searching for your next shoulder-length hairstyle.
#46: Medium-Length Very Long Bob for Women Passed 40
A medium-length, very long bob for women past 40 keeps things soft, styled, and feminine. The length can be worn off the face or styled down, making for a very versatile look.
#47: Wash-and-Wear Cut for Wavy, Thick Hair
A wash-and-wear cut for wavy, thick hair is defined by texture. Adding texture and de-bulking thick, wavy hair makes for easier styling, especially if you are on the go. Ask your stylist for a blunt length with long layers, with point cutting throughout.
#48: Shoulder-Length Shag with Curtain Bangs
A shoulder-length shag with curtain bangs is all the rage these days. This hairdo adds volume, texture, and youthfulness to your look. Adding bangs and blended layering around the face also helps conceal fine lines and wrinkles.
#49: Medium Brown Curly Hair
Try brown curly hair if you want to keep things subtle and timeless. Medium cuts on curly hair are perfect to help keep your unruly locks shaped up and easy to style. Add some layers to perfect the shape to what you desire.
#50: Edgy Choppy Bob with Layers
An edgy, choppy bob with layers should be your next look if you want to update to a more modern hairstyle. An edgy, choppy bob adds volume, texture, and style, perfect for all hair types.
#51: Chic Sleek Bob for Shoulder-Length Hair
Try a chic, sleek bob for shoulder-length hair. Perfect for any hair, a sleek long bob remains timeless. Ask your stylist for point cutting on the ends rather than blunt cutting to help give the hair soft movement. This will help to keep this style easy to maintain.
#52: Professional Long Inverted Bob for Women 40+
A professional long inverted bob for women 40+ relies on clean lines and soft texture. Keeping the lines clean and the shape tapered in the nape helps keep this style looking sleek and sophisticated, perfect for day and night. Don’t forget to ask your stylist for soft texturing in the crown to add body.
#53: Chic Collarbone-Length Asymmetrical Cut
A chic collarbone-length asymmetrical cut has it all! Length, body, and flair make for a youthful, low-maintenance look!
#54: Shoulder-Length Wavy Bob
Try a shoulder-length wavy bob as your next look. Most medium haircuts come with easy maintenance and styling, perfect for women on the go! Whether your hair is naturally wavy or you are adding waves to straighter hair, the wavy bobs, soft textured ends, and cropped length make for a very versatile look.
#55: Voluminous Medium-Length Bob for Thinning Hair
Look 10 years younger with a voluminous medium-length bob for thinning hair. Cutting the length at the chin helps the hair density appear full and allows for layers to be added to get major height on top.
#56: Medium to Long Blunt Cut with Bangs
A medium to long blunt cut with bangs is perfect for women over forty. A blunt edge helps define the perimeter of the hair and adds a sleek fullness. Adding bangs helps conceal wrinkles on the forehead to give a soft, youthful look.
#57: Feathered Shag with Wispy Bangs for Thin Hair
Try a feathered shag with wispy bangs for thin hair to add body to the crown as well as texture and movement throughout the ends. Adding a bang or “fringe” to medium styles is a great way to make a big change without sacrificing length.
#58: Medium to Short Long Bob for Straight Hair
A medium-to-short long bob for straight hair is perfect for flat, shapeless hair. Cropping the back and adding in an angle gives a lot of shape and aids in lifting the hair at the crown to create volume. With medium-length hairstyles, angling to a length in the front is a great way to help keep the face elongated and your hairstyle tidy.
#59: Mid-Length Shaggy Bob Hairstyle for Wavy Hair
A shaggy bob hairstyle for wavy hair removes length and saves time styling. Keeping the ends softened is key to keeping wavy hair from getting unruly. Medium hairstyles are a great way to add body and shape to those tired ends.
#60: Soft Rounded Bob on Medium-Length Hair
A soft, rounded bob on medium-length hair is the perfect style if you’re looking to add body and volume. Haircuts with rounded shapes are easy to style with a blow dryer and round brush. The added volume around the base helps slim and elongate the face. Ask your stylist to point-cut the ends and use a razor to feather around the face.
#61: Natural-Looking Beach Waves for a 40-Year-Old Woman
Natural-looking beach waves for a 40-year-old woman are a timeless style. Beach waves help define your natural hair texture and are a quick and easy way to feel done up, even if you are on the go. Use your large barrel curling iron to loosely curl the hair to get this style. Shake the curls out and finish with a sea salt spray or light-hold hairspray.
#62: The Best Bob for Women Over 40
Check out the best bob for women over 40. Traditional styles can be dull, so spice things up! This bob is cute and stylish but doesn’t require frequent visits to the salon. For this beautiful balayage look, ensure your stylist is experienced in freehand hair coloring.
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