Will having long hair or short hair make me look younger?

If you have medium to thick hair, a lengthier mane can give off an air of youthfulness. But if your hair leans thin, it's best to go with a cut that's mid-length or shorter to lend natural volume to your look. If you opt for shoulder-length, modernize your cut by incorporating long layers to create movement and texture.

What age-defying haircut is good for thin hair?

Blunt bobs are a trendy and timeless style that will flatter thin hair by making it appear thicker than it really is. Depending on your face shape, you may also consider a longer bob, or lob, with blunt ends. In general, avoid any cuts that may remove density and volume from thin tresses, such as heavily-layered styles.

How should I style my hair if I want to appear younger?

Typically, loose messy styles will allow you to achieve a youthful aesthetic. They can help soften your features and create a cool, effortless look. You may want to avoid super tight, pulled-back styles since they can appear severe Or, complement a slicked-back look by pulling out a few face-framing tendrils or pairing it with a long, loose ponytail.

24 Haircuts That Look Gorgeous at Any Age

woman — JAVIER DIEZ / STOCKSY / Design by Michela Buttignol

We believe people should feel empowered to get whichever haircut they choose—short, long, undercut, close-crop. Whatever it is that suits your mood or vibe, you should wear it. Hairstyling is artistry, and your stylist can work with your preferences and their own extensive knowledge to help craft the look that's most suitable for your features. This also pertains to age—and while you can and should rock whatever style you please, there are certain tricks of the trade that will actually help flatter your assets better than others.

To reveal just what could be aging you in terms of your hair, we asked professional hairstylists Marc Trinder and Sam Burnett to reveal the most anti-aging styles on the circuit.

Meet the Expert

Marc Trinder is the co-founder of Trinder Hair Studios in the U.K. Previously, he was an official stylist at the BAFTAs and an ambassador and educator for L’Oréal Professionnel.
Sam Burnett is the owner and creative director of Hare & Bone salon in the U.K. He has worked with celebrities such as Dua Lipa and Charli XCX.

Keep scrolling for 24 haircuts that can make you look younger.

01 of 24

Feathered Shoulder-Length

Heidi Klum layered shoulder-length cut — Michael Loccisano / Getty Images

A shoulder-length cut is not too long and not too short, making it just right for Heidi Klum here. “Shoulder-skimming styles are super flattering, as they graze the décolletage and gently frame the face,” says Burnett. They're also super customizable, meaning your hairstylist can work with you to create the perfect layers or face-framing look.

02 of 24

Modern Bob

Gabrielle Union — Anthony Harvey / Getty Images

No matter your hair texture, face shape, lifestyle, or age, there's a bob for you. “The modern bob has a defined outline that sits around the jawline, framing your face and directing the eyes toward your best features. Textured layers and a choppy fringe just above your eyebrows create even more of a playful feeling,” Burnett tells us.

03 of 24

Full, Blunt Bangs

Kerry Washington — Steve Granitz / Getty Images

Bangs are a great way to switch up your style but the key is to find the length and style that best suits your face shape and features. “A full, blunt fringe can be dramatic, but it will hide lines and can completely frame your face and draw attention to your eyes,” reveals Trinder. However, unless you have a long or oval face shape, stick with a softer gradient fringe, he adds.

When drying bangs, using the right hairbrush is key. We suggest opting for a boar-bristle paddle brush over a round brush. Wrapping your bangs around the latter can yield dated "bubble bangs."

04 of 24

Wavy Lob

As Julia Roberts demonstrates, a lob can go in multiple directions. One of our favorite iterations, though, is a wavy lob with a deep side part. “Lobs are one of the best ways to create the illusion of thicker, fuller hair, which is incredibly youth-boosting," Burnett tells us. Use it to show off a colorful earring or to better frame your face and try an easy DIY technique to create bouncy waves.

05 of 24

Short and Natural

Viola Davis embraces her natural texture in this curly crop. “Going shorter will automatically give you a more confident and youthful look,” says Burnett. Meanwhile, curls add a certain softness to an otherwise bold look. To keep frizz at bay and curls defined, try moisturizing your mane with lightweight oils like argan.

06 of 24

Long With Curtain Bangs

Catherine Keener long hair and curtain bangs — Neilson Barnard / Getty Images

A lengthier mane—or anything that goes beyond the shoulders—can add to a style's youthfulness. Throwing in a few strategically-placed highlights and curtain bangs like Catherine Keener, are a fun addition, too. And according to Trinder, “Fringes that curve around and frame the cheekbones will give contour and lift."

07 of 24

Layered With Blunt Ends

Padma Lakshmi layered mid-length haircut — Tibrina Hobson / WireImage / Getty Images

Layered hair is polarizing. Too many layers can leave you with a dated look but the right kind of layers—like Padma Lakshmi's here—can add body and movement to straight tresses. Trinder recommends: "Keep [layers] long and have the weight removed using slicing or razoring techniques that will create a more natural, graduated effect."

08 of 24

Razored Pixie

Angela Bassett — Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images

Cool, short, cuts look great no matter your age. For pixie styles, a decent molding paste or wax, like Living Proof Style Lab Amp Texture Volumizer ($27), is essential for landing tantalizing texture. Without it, your hairstyle could fall flat to your head or, on the contrary, appear too poofy.

09 of 24

Waves With Center Part

Jennifer Garner long, wavy hair — Neilson Barnard / Getty Images

Jennifer Garner's wavy layers look especially great because of how the shape—and her face-framing highlights—opens up her face. Ask your stylist to round-layer the hair, which enhances hair texture and softness.

10 of 24

Wavy Bob

Loose waves and strategic layering give Charlize Therons' bob a fun and flirty appeal. “Layers that are too short can instantly make a haircut look old-fashioned due to the roundness in shape that it creates,” says Trinder. Meanwhile, "Fewer layers and breaking up the blunt outline with some freehand cutting keeps it fresh and modern,” adds Burnett. Apply a texture spray like the light-hold Verb Sea Texture Spray ($9) to get Theron's tousled waves.

11 of 24

Voluminous Curls

Take a cue from Eva Mendes and try over-the-top volume for a youthful look. To add lift, use foam rollers at the crown and concentrate product on the ends of hair. Finishing with a volumizing hairspray won't hurt, either.

12 of 24

Short and Textured

Leana Headey — Barry King / Contributor / Getty Images

A short, textured 'do can veer from casual to glam, as seen here on Game of Thrones star Lena Headey. If you have medium to thick tresses, ask your stylist to frame your face with layers to add dimension. Choppy side-swept bangs also add a nice touch.

13 of 24

Slicked-Back Ponytail

J. Lo slicked-back long ponytail — Kevin Mazur / Getty Images

J.Lo's signature ponytail is incredibly youthful but can still manage to look dressed-up. The trick is to smooth flyaways with Moroccanoil Smoothing Lotion ($34) and add plenty of length—natural or otherwise—for drama.

14 of 24

Shoulder-Length Curls

Consider putting away your irons and skipping the professional straightening treatment. Letting your natural curls shine à la Thandie Newton will emphasize youthfulness—just don't forget to invest in a quality curl cream. Utilizing a stark middle part provides a nice contrast to voluminous curls and adds a 1970s flair.

15 of 24

Slicked-Back Bob

Cate Blanchett's beautiful androgynous bob makes us feel things. Its rough, slicked-back texture looks effortlessly cool while keeping hair out of the face. A weightless, water-based pomade (we like Rudy's Shine Pomade, $22) will work to keep hair back without weighing it down.

16 of 24

Piecey Bob With Bangs

Robin Wright with a piecey bob — Steve Granitz / Getty Images

Robin Wright's piecey, almost shag-like bob is youthful and fashion-forward. Bangs work double-time by concealing forehead wrinkles—in case that's a concern of yours—and drawing attention to the eyes. To achieve a similar look, use a dry shampoo—we like Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo ($39)—on unwashed hair and tousle with fingers.

17 of 24

Long and Curly

Iman long curly highlighted hair with center part — Mike Pont / WireImage / Getty Images

Follow Iman's lead and brighten up your hair—and complexion—with highlights. A lengthy mane and free-flowing curls will also lend a youthful aspect to your look. And when it comes to your part, change it up. “If you’ve had your parting in the same place for a long time, it can make your hair sit extremely flat,” notes Trinder.

If you normally wear your part straight, try combing your hair back at a diagonal angle, and allow the hair to fall down in a new position, suggests Trinder. Use the power of your nozzle to push and direct it into place if you need to.

18 of 24

Teased Ponytail

While ponytails are considered casual, daytime hairstyles, Eva Longoria proves they can work at night, too. However, rather than veer into severe pulled-back-face territory, Longoria goes with a looser, youthful style. Her teased crown and a slight wave throughout the rest of the hair work to lend volume to thin or thinning tresses.

19 of 24

Long Layers

Jennifer Aniston's cool surfer-girl look comes courtesy of bright highlights, long layers, and a natural center part. To add youthfulness to the look, add a texturizing product and rough up the hair a bit.

20 of 24

Long Dreadlocks

Lisa Bonet's long locs likely came as the result of many years of hard work and patience—but what a result. For healthy and moisturized strands, turn to a product like Murray's Gel Loc-Lock ($3), which won't dry hair out.

21 of 24

Beach Wave Bob

A great beach spray comes in handy for Kelly Ripa's short waves. For a surf-and-sand look, invest in a product without any stickiness or heaviness so that hair can shine. We recommend IGK Beach Club Volume Texture Spray ($15).

22 of 24

Long and Feathered

Christie Brinkley long blonde feathered hair — Desiree Navarro / GettyImages

For a modern take on Farrah Fawcett's iconic feathered 'do of the 1970s, take a page out of Christie Brinkley's book. Here, highlighted blonde hair is only slightly feathered outward, with plenty of body and layers throughout to add interest.

23 of 24

Braided Updo

Jada Pinkett-Smith's braids are young and hip. That's due in part to the color (hello bright, platinum blonde) and also to the style. Rather than wear her braids loose and long, she fashions them into a bun. The resulting look places the texture and intricacy of each strand on full display.

24 of 24

Long and Straight

Demi Moore long, straight hair — Jim Spellman / Getty Images

Demi Moore's signature long hair looks great worn straight, and even better with a cool-girl side flip. It adds an instant boost of volume that can revitalize limp locks. Finish with a shine spray to take strands from dull to glossy.

FAQ

Will having long hair or short hair make me look younger?

If you have medium to thick hair, a lengthier mane can give off an air of youthfulness. But if your hair leans thin, it's best to go with a cut that's mid-length or shorter to lend natural volume to your look. If you opt for shoulder-length, modernize your cut by incorporating long layers to create movement and texture.
What age-defying haircut is good for thin hair?

Blunt bobs are a trendy and timeless style that will flatter thin hair by making it appear thicker than it really is. Depending on your face shape, you may also consider a longer bob, or lob, with blunt ends. In general, avoid any cuts that may remove density and volume from thin tresses, such as heavily-layered styles.

LEARN MORE: 20 Fantastic Bob Hairstyles for Older Women
How should I style my hair if I want to appear younger?

Typically, loose messy styles will allow you to achieve a youthful aesthetic. They can help soften your features and create a cool, effortless look. You may want to avoid super tight, pulled-back styles since they can appear severe Or, complement a slicked-back look by pulling out a few face-framing tendrils or pairing it with a long, loose ponytail.

10 Hair and Makeup Mistakes That Are Low-Key Aging You