8 Timeless Hairstyles for Black Women Over 50

When it comes to natural hairstyles for Black women over 50, there are a few timeless trends to be aware of. Whether you’re looking for a simple short crop, or something a little more styled, there are plenty of ways to keep your hair looking fresh and youthful.

Celebrity hairstylist Alifia Young says it’s all about working with products and styles that allow you to liberate your freedom of expression without sacrificing your hair health. “I’m all about embracing whatever style makes you feel the most confident and keeps your hair healthy,” Young says.

If you’ve been thinking about what hairstyle to try out next, help is at hand. We asked Young, as well as celebrity hairstylist Jawara, to share some of their favorite natural hairstyles for Black women over 50. Check out eight of their top picks, ahead.

Bob With Highlights

Taraji P. Henson’s deep side-parted bob cut is stunning and fresh. Her copper highlights bring out her features and perfectly complement her skin tone. The asymmetry of the bob, falling longer on the side with the deep part, also adds to the face-framing benefits of this style.

French Braid

The great thing about a French braid is that it works on any hair texture and you can style it however you want. Blow out your hair before braiding and pinning it into a crown or keep your hair natural and wear a French braid with more texture.

“This hairstyle is versatile for all ages and can be glammed out with hair accessories,” says Jawara. “I love this French braid hairstyle because it creates a subtle snatch and pulls the temples back, like a complimentary facelift!”

High Ponytail Braid

A long ponytail is simple yet stylish and works for all hair densities and curl types. To give yourself more volume, try blow-drying your hair with a volumizing mousse before you style it into an updo.

“This versatile look can take you from the office to a night out,” says Young. Since this look requires a lot of sculpting and holding products, removing all of that is a must. “I always reach for the K18 Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo, to remove any residual product from the hair and leave the hair with that reset canvas and avoid damage,” says Young.

Cropped Cut

This effortlessly chic cropped cut is for the carefree, low-maintenance-seeking naturalista. It is bold and unapologetically beautiful. “This look allows all of Viola Davis’s beautiful facial features to be front and center. The color options for this style are endless as well,” says Young. “The cropped sides and fuller, longer top can be great for hair that is lower density.”

Young explains that it’s important to maintain a healthy scalp, especially when you have a short haircut. “You can play with your curls by using a curling tool to create curl clumping and add definition to switch up your look.”

Dreadlocks

Locs are so versatile and can be low maintenance. Whether you choose natural locs or faux locs, the possibilities are limitless. Ava DuVernay’s long dreadlocks with caramel highlights throughout are the epitome of effortless beauty. You can also try a shorter length, as well, says Young. She recommends cleansing with a shampoo that will clean hair without stripping it. K18 Damage Shield pH Protective Shampoo will get the job done.

Wigs

A wig provides a temporary style change in a matter of minutes, and we love this curly one on Halle Berry. “These full, curly layers are gorgeous,” says Young. “The halo of curls frame her face really nicely with her jawline, and the curly fringe brings attention to her eyes while creating width through the cheekbones.”

“Whether you’re wearing your natural hair or a wig, maintaining bouncy, resilient curls can be a challenge, Young tells us. “I always use a lightweight curling foam to help define the curls and support maximum volume for a voluminous look.”

Box Braids

Mary J. Blige’s protective style is chic and gorgeous. The braids frame her face perfectly without overwhelming her features. “Starting with a clean canvas is important for any braided style,” says Young. For cleansing, we love the Pattern Cleansing Shampoo. “Moisture is important when wearing any braided style for an extended amount of time,” says Young.

The TWA (Teeny Weenie Afro)

“The TWA (teeny weenie afro) is like a coming of age or right of passage for many Black women who transition to wearing their natural hair texture,” says Jawara. “Adding a bit of form and structure created a new evolution of the style.” We love how this ‘TWA’ accentuates the model’s bone structure, especially her cheekbones.

To add more structure and volume to this style, Jawara recommends using the Dyson flyaway attachment with the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer. And if you want your TWA to be a little less TW, we can’t get enough of the CB Smoothe Wild Jamaican Black Castor Oil.