One look at recent red carpets and runway shows and it's clear the era of women in midlife feeling they have to cut their hair short is well and truly over.
From Sarah Jessica Parker's waist-length hair to Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock's long locks in Practical Magic 2, our A-listers are proving there's no rule when it comes to hair in midlife and beyond.
© Getty ImagesTo inspire your next salon appointment, we spoke to celebrity stylist and owner of Soho's Salon 64, Ricky Walters, for his take on the most flattering haircuts for midlife women.
The long and short of it
While long hair is all the rage for A-listers, it's not the most practical for us mere mortals, which is why mid-length manes are the go-to for many of us.
"Very long, heavy hair can sometimes feel ageing, but equally, an overly structured, 'strict history teacher' bob can have the same effect. On the other hand, mid-length hair is almost always a wonderfully flattering choice for a more mature woman," Ricky says.
© InstagramOn the beauty of a mid-length cut, Ricky says it strikes the perfect balance of polished and sophisticated, but still youthful and effortless. "Soft, gentle layering, particularly around the face, is key, as it creates movement and softness rather than making the style feel too severe," he says.
As for styling, Ricky advises loose, flatter waves over rigid, high volume, as this can add years to a look. "Looser waves feel much more modern. They give the hair movement and body without making it look as though it’s been styled within an inch of its life."
When it comes to flattering colour in midlife, Ricky says that shades that feel close to what your hair may naturally have been in the past is a clever approach. "This makes colour feel soft, believable and keeps it low-maintenance."
Read on for the celebrity inspiration we've saved this season, which we shared with Ricky for his thoughts. "The secret to all of these looks is that they're polished without being perfect, youthful without trying too hard, and most importantly, they look like real, beautiful hair rather than hair that has been overly styled."
Jane Fonda's brightening look
© Corbis via Getty ImagesIt's hard to believe Jane Fonda turns 89 this December – and that's in part due to her brightening hair.
"This is such a brilliant example of embracing grey and making it feel incredibly glamorous," says Ricky. "The softness through the layers gives the hair movement around the face, while that beautiful silver tone reflects light and brightens the complexion."
As for her cut, Ricky said it's a brilliant shape for fine hair because it creates the illusion of fullness without looking stiff or overdone.
Isabella Ferrari's jaw-defining bob
© Getty Images62-year-old Italian actress Isabells Ferrari's extreme side-parted bob gives definition around the jaw but still feels soft and feminine – and her colour is perfect too.
"I love the slightly warmer blonde," says Ricky. "Going too icy can sometimes drain warmth from the complexion, whereas these creamy, beige tones add luminosity and make the skin look beautifully fresh."
Halle Berry's liberating look
© GC ImagesShort hair often feels practical rather than pretty, but it can be liberating, particularly when you keep texture and movement in it, says Ricky.
"Halle Berry's fringe softens the forehead, while the little pieces around the face make the whole haircut feel effortless."
As for 60-year-old Halle's colour? "A rich brunette with subtle tonal variation gives the hair incredible shine, which is one of the easiest ways to make hair look healthy and expensive at any age."
Anna Geislerová's lesson on how to do blonde in your 50s
© Getty ImagesAt 50, Czech actress Anna Geislerová has kept her hair long, but softened the look to keep it fresh.
"The reason this longer look works is that there's softness everywhere: the fringe, the layers and those loose waves," says Ricky. The multidimensional golden blonde is gorgeous too. "Having more than one tone running through the hair gives it depth and stops blonde from looking flat against mature skin."
Grazyna Torbicka's face-flattering fringe
© Getty ImagesWho says youngsters like Sabrina Carpenter get to have all the fun when it comes to fringes?
Ricky says in midlife, a fringe can be one of the most flattering changes you can make to your hair, because it immediately draws attention to the eyes.
67-year-old Grazyna's mixture of soft beige and slightly warmer blonde tones makes the hair look thicker and gives the complexion a lovely softness, according to Ricky.
Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu's warm copper hair
© Corbis via Getty Images for SainAt 63, Emily in Paris star Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu is one of our ultimate later-life icons, and her swishy hair is part of that.
"Copper, caramel and soft auburn tones bounce warmth back into the complexion and can make the skin look more luminous," says Ricky. "Paired with these undone waves, it feels sexy and sophisticated without looking overly 'done'."
Victoria Beckham's caramel and honey dark hair
© GC Images"This is a great way of wearing darker hair," comments Ricky. "Rather than one dense brunette shade, you’ve got softer caramel and honey tones running through it, which break up the colour and add light around the face. That dimension is important because it gives the hair movement and stops a darker shade from feeling too harsh."
Viola Davis' high shine
© Corbis via Getty Images"The hero here is shine," Ricky says of 61-year-old Viola Davis' glossy hair. "Deep brunette hair can look phenomenal on mature women when it has this richness and gloss to it.
"Soft waves catch the light at different angles and give the hair body, while keeping the colour deep and luxurious creates a really beautiful contrast with the complexion. It feels powerful, polished and modern."
