The 35 Best Hairstyles for Women Over 40, According to Celebrities

It's all about individuality.

Age is nothing but a number when considering the best hairstyles for women over 40. If you don't believe us, trust that experts agree: There are no rules.

"We're moving away from any sort of language that perpetuates the idea that women have to have certain hair at a certain age," says celebrity stylist David Lopez. "[These days] I think a lot of women over 40 look for hairstyles that just fit their lifestyle and their routine better." What's most important? Finding the hairstyle that feels best and using the right tools and products to keep lengths healthy.

All this being said, we know it can be a bit overwhelming to narrow down a style with so much free rein. So, if you're looking for some guidance, we've got you covered with help from Lopez and Bumble and bumble hairstylist Andrean Noir. Here, the pair reveals their best hair tips and styles they love for those over 40. Scroll down to find the best one for you.

Reese Witherspoon

Sorry, Gen Z: the side part is back, and it's not going anywhere. A deep side part is an easy way to add volume and dimension to your hair. Here, Reese Witherspoon wears hers on the left side

Gemma Chan

If you need some convincing to get bangs, there's no better inspiration than Gemma Chan. Here, she wears her long hair swept into a classic bun and lets her wispy bangs hang just past her brows.

Jennifer Garner

Bobs are the hottest cut of the season and suit any face shape. For a unique spin on the timeless style, opt for a wet-look hair effect like Jennifer Garner.

Beyoncé

If you're looking for long-hair inspiration, try something soft and romantic. Beyoncé's Botticelli-esque curls are defined with ribbons of golden highlights.

Halle Berry

A retro vibe supplies classic elegance. For proof, look no further than Halle Berry's 1940s-inspired hair at the 2023 Academy Awards. Created by celebrity stylist Sara Seward, Berry's hair is a "deconstructed finger wave" that covers one eye for a modern twist.

Michelle Yeoh

Slicked-back hair is forever stylish. Case in point: Michelle Yeoh, whose swept-back long dark hair looks regal and elegant.

Helen Mirren

Leave it to Helen Mirren to debut one of the most fun hair colors this year. At the Cannes Film Festival 2023, Mirren wore a mix of periwinkle, turquoise, and electric blue highlights throughout her white hair.

Kate Beckinsale

Elevate a classic ponytail like Kate Beckinsale's by giving it a loose wave at the end for movement. You can also give the top of your head a slight pouf for some added volume.

Missy Elliot

There are so many ways to wear your protective styles. Here, Missy Elliot gathers her mix of micro braids and twists into an intricate top knot.

Kerry Washington

Noir says that no matter what bob you choose — shaggy, rounded, blunt, etc. — you're bound to end up with one you'll absolutely love. We're currently obsessed with this full and wavy bob on Kerry Washington. It gives off Old Hollywood glam vibes with its luscious waves and deep side part. Noir recommends a product like the Bb.Hairdressers Invisible Oil to keep hair looking shiny.

Zoe Saldana

Naturally, Zoe Saldana's latest cut stopped us all mid-scroll. Created by celebrity stylist Mara Roszak, Saldana's cut is the "French bob" with rounded ends that add a cool dose of polish.

Sofia Vergara

Lopez says to throw the antiquated notion that "older" women can't wear their hair long out the window. "As long as it's healthy, shiny, taken care of, and styled well, that’s where you can land," he says. "You can wear your hair however you want as long as you have the tell-tale signs of youthful hair: fullness, shine, body, bounce."

Sofia Vergara's long hair is layered to frame her face and warmed with caramel highlights.

Nicole Kidman

A ponytail is a reliable style if you're looking for something easy while still looking put together. For a more casual vibe, make like Nicole Kidman and leave a few pieces of hair out front for face-framing tendrils.

Jennifer Lopez

Simple and chic, the tight ballerina bun is a great go-to hairstyle for any occasion. Jennifer Lopez wears her knot slicked back at mid-level.

Jennifer Aniston

If you love your length but are looking for a cut that adds to new shape and dimension to your hair, layers are the way to go. Arguably the queen of layers (the "Rachel" is famous for a reason), Jennifer Aniston has rocked face-framing layers for years and continues to look fabulous.

Angela Bassett

Celebrate your curls in big and bold fashion. Angela Bassett wears her soft spirals voluminously and just past her shoulders.

Jane Fonda

If you're going gray, consider a sleek silver bob like Jane Fonda's. Add white highlights for more depth and shine.

Naomi Campbell

If you're looking for just a hint of bold without fully committing to a full head of bright color, let Naomi Campbell's purple streaks be your guide. They pop against Campbell's dark hair and is worn with her blunt bangs for dramatic effect.

Naomi Watts

Simple doesn't mean boring. Give a blunt bob some volume by bending the ends for body and bounce, as seen here on Naomi Watts. Lopez recommends having a customizable hair tool, like the T3 Switch Kit Curl Trio Interchangeable Curling Iron, to style safely.

Gabrielle Union

Choosing between braids and leaving your curls loose? Why pick one when you can have both? Gabrielle Union wears her hair in thin braids that flow into loose curls as they reach the ends.

Leslie Mann

Lobs are just as versatile as their shorter counterparts. Leslie Mann wears her's with slight waves to give her fine hair some body.

Tracee Ellis Ross

If you're looking to style your braids in a simple yet striking way, try a plaited ponytail look. Tracee Ellis Ross wears her hair slicked back into a high updo made of braided twists that go long past her shoulders.

Cindy Crawford

Cindy Crawford is serving the major '90s supermodel blowout look with her shoulder-length hair parted with a deep side part for volume.

Charlize Theron

Add some texture to an ultra-short bob by giving it slight waves. Charlize Theron wears hers with a side part for added body.

Jada Pinkett-Smith

There's beauty in simplicity, and a shaved head makes for a bold and powerful look. Just take a look at Jada Pinkett-Smith.

Sandra Bullock

These loose waves on Sandra Bullock's long layered hair communicate an easy elegance. Use a curling iron like InStyle's 2023 Best Beauty Buys winner, the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System, to make styling hair easy and safe for your strands.

Kim Kardashian

If anyone can give side bang some edge, it's Kim Kardashian. Here, she wears hers slicked on her forehead for a wet-look effect that's cool and futuristic.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis' Afro is a stunning example of the beauty of embracing your natural texture. Be sure to use conditioning products, like the Mielles Organics Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner, to keep curls healthy and moisturized.

Gwyneth Paltrow

If you're going pin-straight like Gwyneth Paltrow, remember to keep your hair looking smooth and sleek with hair oil. Look for something like the John Freida Frizz Ease Extra Strength Hair Serum to add shine and tame any frizz or flyaways.

Lucy Liu

Not just any bob, Lucy Liu wears hers with a deep side part to elevated effect. The ends are cut at a rounded angle to soften the entire look.

Priyanka Chopra

Who says pigtails should be reserved for your adolescent years? Priyanka Chopra gathers a small section of hair on each side before twisting them up in high pigtails. She keeps the rest of her long hair down for a more sophisticated interpretation of the classic childhood style.

Heidi Klum

To create the appearance of a more lifted face, Lopez says you can cut your hair into layers that sit at the high points of your face, as seen here on Heidi Klum. Have a short layer that sits at the tail of the brow or at the end of your jaw to add some symmetry to the face.

Kate Hudson

You can't go wrong adding a few face-framing tendrils to an updo for an effortless feel. Give them a slight wave for a touch of polish like Kate Hudson.

Andie MacDowell

Andie MacDowell wears her wavy medium-length hair in a gray ombré. The top of her roots start off silver and gradually turn darker as they reach the ends for a more dynamic look.

Jamie Lee Curtis

Lopez says shorter cuts can keep things looking really fresh. If you're looking to go short, take a page from Jamie Lee Curtis' playbook.

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