These 15 Long Hairstyles Look Especially Stunning on Women Over 50

If your goal is to maintain your youth (or perhaps defy the odds), your efforts should extend beyond your skincare routine. Interestingly, the secret to looking fresh and vernal often times lies north of your face. (We're, of course, talking about your hair.) The shape, style, and length of your mane serves as a time machine of sorts, and finding a complementary look can turn the dial back (or sit comfortably still in the present, because the constant tug and pull of trying to "turn back the clock" while maintaining confidence is honestly exhausting and aging is a privilege!). The key, really, is to find what works for you and makes you feel your best.

As women make their way into their 50s and beyond, the conversation around "appropriate" hairstyles often skews toward short hair, but it's a dated beauty trope that doesn't hold weight. Sure, long lengths are usually associated with younger generations, but growing out your hair is flattering at any age. Ahead, 15 beautiful long styles, as evidenced by our favorite 50-plus celebrities.

Right off the bat: solid proof that women over 50 can effortlessly wear long strands. Demi Moore, 56, is a vision in cascading raven mermaid waves.

54-year-old beauty Viola Davis strikes the perfect balance of hair and makeup with this ponytail look. Her snatched 'do styled with a center part shows off her long, voluminous curls, but more importantly, it gives her gorgeous face the spotlight it deserves. 

There's nothing like a fresh blowout to make a woman feel her best. Christie Brinkley (who happens to be 65 years old) wears her hair in a soft, smooth, shiny blowout that exudes youthfulness. Pro tip: Use a large round brush to blow-dry your hair while maintaining volume and a subtle bend at the ends.

Sarah Jessica Parker has always boasted a headful of long, sun-kissed hair, but we love how she styled it in this high, messy bun with middle-parted fringe at the Divorce premiere. It's no secret the 54-year-old is a fashion icon, but she's also one of our favorite women to follow for beauty inspiration too.

53-year-old Salma Hayek is often seen with her long locks worn down and wavy, but for a night out, she pulled it straight back into a gorgeous sculptural bun. Pro tip: For a quick, free face lift, pull your hair tightly back and up (just don't do it too often as this can cause stress on the scalp).

Women in their 50s tend to shy away from straight hair, fearing it will look thin. However, 55-year-old Sandra Bullock proves pin-straight strands with a center part screams sophistication.

A super simple half-up hairstyle holds much more power than you think. Nicole Kidman wears her natural waves in a soft pick-up at the back with a bit of volume at the crown. Her long hair is cut into face-framing layers that feel youthful and add tons of texture.

Angela Bassett styled her longer-than-life hair with a super-sleek center part and low-positioned base. If you ever think you can't wear your hair down past your hips after 50 years old, remember this gorgeous ponytail. Take that, 61!

Over the years, Iman has worn every hairstyle from a short pixie cut to finger waves. Here, she's sporting sleek, straight hair, but in a much lighter hue than we're used to seeing on the model and entrepreneur: a pretty golden caramel.

When in doubt, a sleek, low chignon is always a good idea, no matter your age. The LBD of hairstyles goes with any outfit from jeans and a tee to a glitzy ballgown—and the best part is it's easy to create no matter how long your hair is. Part your hair in a deep side part, pull straight back ar the nape of the neck, twist, and secure. You can even do it on wet hair for times when you're in a pinch. 

There's something so stunning about a long, blunt cut, especially when it's paired with statement-making fringe. Bangs are such a fun style to begin with, but they're also used tactfully to hide skin maturation like frown lines and 11s (should that be something you're trying to conceal).

Diana Ross' iconic voluminous natural curls transcend each decade. Here, she wears it layered, which adds shape and a face-framing element.

A modern, crimped-style wave adds pretty texture to long lengths. Plus, the added volume throughout the ends gives you the thickness you might've lost over the years.

Roberts' piece-y low ponytail with loose pieces on either side of her face is carefree yet stylish. There's also added height throughout the crown, a great trick for thin-haired girls looking to feign volume.

Halle Berry has a face that looks stunning with short hair, even at 53. However, the gorgeous actress steps out in long locks from time to time. Similar to Roberts' look, we love the easy, breezy vive of this messy updo with face-framing pieces.