Here are stunning short hairstyles for women over 40 that you can mix and match for your new look!
Most women over 40 say that they are way more confident than they were a decade ago. With that being said, your 40s is the best time to explore new hairstyles to express who you are! It’s no longer about the trends and definitely not about fitting in.
It’s all about the confident fabulous YOU.
Check out these inspiring pictures of short haircuts for women over 40 that are flattering, daring, and modern.
#1: Short Black Hairstyle
This flattering haircut is short as a pixie on the back and gradually turns into a bob in the front. It’s styled straight and with texture. Wider face shapes with hair that is medium in texture and density will suit this hairstyle best. Use Alterna’s Bamboo Smooth Anti-Breakage Thermal Spray, it smooths, repairs and protects hair.
#2: Jaw-Length Rooted Blonde Bob
Lots of ladies aged 40 are looking for a jaw-length bob. It’s a great choice as your hair ages, and I suggest a deep side part to give it a modern look. To style it, use your wide-tooth comb to detangle it. Then use a heat protectant to protect your hair from heat-styling tools. When it comes to using a blow dryer, keep it on a low heat setting and use a round brush to help create volume and movement. Finally, finish by curling the ends of your hair with a curling wand.
#3: Shaggy Mullet with Choppy Fringe
Women over 40 look stunning with this shaggy mullet that features a choppy fringe. For extra body and volume, wear your hair with short layers at the top. You can tousle the choppy fringe for even more face-framing texture.
#4: Highlighted Tight Blonde Curls
Tight blonde curls are making such a comeback this year. It’s a beautiful dimensional short hairstyle that brightens and freshens your face features. Ask your colorist to use a bond builder such as Smart Bond, Olaplex, or K18 for instance to protect and prevent your curls from breakage.
#5: Cute Side-Swept Pixie
One of the most low-maintenance haircuts to deal with at home is a pixie. They’re easy to style, quick to wash, and generally, always look good. The easiest way to style is with a quick blow dry and I suggest getting a wax or pomade to make your style stay in place.
#6: Mini Mullet Shag
Consider a mini mullet shag haircut if you want to feel more feminine with a bit more length. You can add curls and volume for that retro but classy look. You will love how confident this hairstyle will make you feel!
#7: Beautiful Undone Braids
Beautiful undone braids are the perfect go-to style when you are wanting something quick, yet put together. Undone braids give a very beachy wave curl illusion and they help to tame natural frizz, and help to avoid having to take the time to fully style your hair!
#8: Dark Red Tousled Short Hair
Transform your entire hairstyle by trying this tousled short hair. This is a classy hairstyle that is very versatile in the ways that it can be styled. Coloring your hair a dark red will enrich your tresses and give you a breathtaking new appearance. If you’re looking for the perfect new cut and color, don’t skip out on tousled short hair paired with a rich dark red color.
#9: Edgy Pixie
Women in their 40s have hair that’s starting to thin, so a short haircut cut into a pixie is perfect.
Keep your hair short and fun by adding subtle yellow highlights that are still flattering but not too much!
This is a fun look so you need to have fun rocking it!
For styling, use Bumble and bumble Sumo Clay. It’s a matte clay that gives moveable and workable hold.
This look is great for ladies who loves short hair and would have a fun time taking the time to style it in its edgy fashion!
#10: Organic Short Wavy Hair
Short hair with organic waves are more youthful through your 40s compared to structured perfect curls. They seem softer, more natural, freer, and most of all, more on-trend! To style, apply thermal protection to hair. Wrap sections of hair around a medium barrel iron. Shake hair with hands to loosen up the curls. Set the hair with a flexible hold spray. Try Alterna’s Caviar Working Hairspray as it gives a long lasting flexible hold while adding fullness and shine.
#11: Feathery Curls for Women Over 40
Super feminine hairstyles and haircuts feature big, bouncy, feathery curls for women over 40.
How To Style these feathery curls:
- Apply thermal protection to dry hair.
- Set sections of hair in hot rollers.
- Once they have cooled, remove the rollers and comb through curls with your fingers.
- Set the style with a finishing spray.
Caviar Perfect Iron Spray protects the hair from thermal irons up to 450 F. Heart face shapes with hair that is medium in texture and density will suit this hairstyle best.
#12: The French Bob with Bangs
This stylish short hairstyle for ladies over forty is soft and blended and can be worn on straight or curly hair and is very low maintenance.
For women over 40 with grey hair, adding babylights with the shadow roots help to conceal the rapid regrowth.
For these short textured waves, use a trusty flat iron. Put in some sort of volumizing mousse on damp hair (blow dried in) to set the hair for either waves or a sleek look.
If you have a slender face and long neck, then the bob haircut complements you extremely well! The short length is quick and easy for someone who doesn’t have much time in the morning to style their hair.
The bob haircut is a classic haircut that stands the test of time, can be styled many different ways, and keeps mature women over 40 looking youthful.
#13: Carefree, Whimsical, and Sexy Bob
This short-length hairstyle pops of fun! For women over forty, this short style is a great way to style your hair. It’s a great way to make your hair look shorter, care-free, whimsical, and sexy.
Take into account your lifestyle, maintenance, personality, hair texture, and face shape. The most important things to consider for short haircuts for women are hair texture, neck, and face shape. This bob haircut looks great on women over 40 with an oval or heart-shaped face.
#14: Perfectly Trendy Long Pixie Cut
A long pixie is a trendy short haircut that is the perfect edgy style for 40-year-olds.
For women over 40 looking for something short and sassy, this may be the look for you. This cut is low-maintenance due to its convenience of quick and easy styling. Short haircuts for women should be easy to maintain at home.
For a woman over forty considering this short crop, consider your face shape and hair texture. This specific cut is great for someone looking for a smooth and sleek style by day, and a sassy and textured style by night.
You can add volume or texture to your short strands by using root lifting products. Use heat tools to create a youthful and natural-looking messy curl. This cut is super cute and quite a hit due to its elegance and convenience!
#15: Princess Cut
Women over 40 can look like a royal with this classic Princess Diana-inspired haircut.
How To Style:
- Apply product to wet hair.
- Blow dry the hair with a round brush, directing the hair backwards.
- Set with a finishing spray.
Recommended Products:
HydroMist Blowout Spray gives a hair a nice and airy lightweight volume.
Best Face Shape and Hair Type:
All face shapes with any hair type can rock this style.
#16: Chin-Length Bobbed Dimension
This gorgeous chin-length bob with a middle part is enhanced by its dark dimensional color.
How To Style:
- Apply product to hair.
- Blow-dry the hair with a styling brush.
- Smooth the hair with a flat iron.
- Apply a serum to the hair.
Recommended Products:
Gloss Drops add shine and control frizz.
Best Face Shape and Hair Type:
All face shapes with any hair type can pull off this flattering look.
#17: Easy Texture
This look features a short layered haircut that easily allows the hair to be styled with tons texture. It’s a great cut for women over 40 with thicker hair.
How To Style:
- Apply a product to wet hair.
- Power dry the hair with fingers.
- Apply a product for texture.
Recommended Products:
Shaping Cream adds flexible texture to hair.
Best Face Shape and Hair Type:
Oval face shapes with any hair type can pull off this textured style.
#18: Sleek Bob
This sleek long bob features layers that are shorter in the back and longer in the front.
How To Style:
- Apply product to wet hair.
- Blow dry the hair with a styling brush.
- Apply thermal protection to the hair.
- Smooth with a flat iron.
- Set with a finishing spray.
Recommended Products:
Hot Off The Press is a thermal protection spray and a hairspray in one.
Best Face Shape and Hair Type:
All face shapes with hair that is medium to high in density and medium to coarse in texture can wear this bob.
#19: Teased Bob
Bobs with layers are one of the best short hairstyles for women in their 40s.
Another way to wear a bob is smooth with volume. This bob has layers that fall below the occipital bone in the back and gradually get longer in the front.
Extra-Body Finishing Spray is perfect for holding teases!
Wider face shapes with hair that is medium in texture and density can pull off this style.
#20: Black Shaggy Cut with No Bangs
Try an iconic black shaggy cut without bangs to really freshen up your overall style. The shaggy cut combined with the crisp, dark color like black allows for a very healthy and voluminous appearance to the hair. A black shaggy cut can do a lot to revitalize an aging face in terms of lifting, brightening, and accentuating face shape and key facial features. Avoiding bangs means you keep the face open and brighter while reducing the amount of horizontal lines for the eye to follow which keeps the eyes focused on following a vertical line on either side of the face. This then beautifully frames it while enhancing the focus on key features such as eyes.
#21: Gorgeous & Textured
This is very short hair with short layers. With short haircuts for women in their 40s, it is very important to create volume and shape it to highlight their features.
For those who are considering this short crop, it’s very important we take into account a few factors such as hair type, face shape, time, and lifestyle.
When it comes to short hair, we like to look at if your hair is straight or curly, thick or fine, because it is important that we get to know our client and for the client to know us as we are entrusted with their hair. Some short hairstyles will work with specific types of hair, but some may not. This style especially suits people with wavy or curly hair.
Another thing to keep in mind when your hair is cut short is whether or not this hairstyle will suit the shape of your face. Even though a style may not suit your facial features, there is always a way to work around it and find an exact short hairstyle that suits you best.
With all hairstyles, lifestyle plays a big factor in how your hair is. Short hair like this is easy to maintain and therefore makes your daily routine easier. You can enjoy a lot of different looks with just styling and product use.
#22: Chic Short-Medium Length Bob
Cut your hair short into a bob as a good in between cut for ladies over 40 who want to go shorter but not “too short”.
One of my favorite things about this cut is that it has longer layers that make it possible to wear it fun and flirty with some waves, or sleek and straight.
This cut goes with many face shapes and most hair types. There are many women over 40 who choose this cut, especially during the spring and summer months for a fun, short, and seasonal style. It’s also pretty simple when it comes to styling as well.
To get a fun and flirty when going short, use a flat iron or a 3/4 to 1-inch barrel curling iron to create loose waves. I recommend using a good texture or working spray to give it that fun, messy, and textured look. Try Matrix Texture Spray and Kenra Working Spray. Top it off with a light finishing hairspray.
#23: Multi-Dimensional Style
Short hairstyles for women over 40 are multi-dimensional lots of texture and lines.
If you have short hair, make it so it can be worn straight or wavy, leaving you with great options for whatever the day holds.
When hair is cut short it’s great to add in the dimension of color, giving light and depth to each angle. I’m really loving the look of a slightly shorter length in the back. It’s so flattering for so many people.
For women turning 40 wanting this look would be to embrace their natural texture. Embrace your curl, your color, your texture, your own unique look, and rock it!
#24: Fresh and Young Pixie Cut
This super short hairstyle is great for women in their forties with glasses who still wants to look fabulous!
My favorite thing about this short pixie cut style is that there are so many elements to it. From the color to the texture to the undercut, they all harmonize so well together. The look feels so fresh and young but polished at the same time.
To style, I pre wet hair with Matrix Miracle Creator. Dry it directionally, spray it with Joico Ironclad. Use a a flat iron to bend sections for texture and smoothness, then finished it with Joico Texture Boost, which is one of my all-time favorite products for texture.
This short style works extremely well for women over 40 with thick hair. The undercut makes it less bulky, more manageable, and adds a touch of funk and youth. It is perfect for ladies with all face shapes, especially those with round faces as it can be tailored to their particular needs to flatter and frame.
#25: Fun & Sassy Pixie Haircut
This super short hair looks fun and sassy that you can wear all down, all up, or super messy.
I recommend these short tresses for any forty year old lady looking for something low maintenance that is versatile and a little edgy.
#26: Short Copper Colored Hair
This chic bob is styled with a deep side part that gives it an asymmetric short look.
How To Style:
- Apply a styling product to damp hair.
- Give the hair a deep side part using a comb.
- Blow dry the hair using a styling brush.
- Smooth sections of hair using a flat iron.
Recommended Products:
Caviar Style Satin Rapid Blowout Balm smooths the hair and protects it from heat while giving it shine and condition.
Best Face Shape and Hair Type:
All face shapes with hair that is medium in texture and density will suit this hairstyle best.
#27: Textured Short Haircut
The length of this short sexy haircut is pretty much the same all over and is styled with a lot of texture.
How To Style:
- Apply a styling product to damp hair.
- Blow dry the hair with a styling brush.
- Smooth sections of hair with a flat iron.
- Apply a styling product for texture.
Recommended Products:
Caviar Style Concrete Extreme Definition Clay gives the hair texture.
Best Face Shape and Hair Type:
Oval face shapes with hair that is medium in texture and density will suit this hairstyle best.
#28: Neck-Length Inverted Bob
Since this sleek and stunning short haircut’s graduation/stack has a steep angle, it gives volume at the crown area instead of the occipital bone area. This helps boost fullness for older women over 40. For styling products, try Alterna’s Bamboo Kendi Dry Oil Micromist Spray gives the hair a weightless shine while taking out frizz.
This inverted bob works with all face shapes with hair that is medium in texture and density will suit this hairstyle best.
#29: Cute Asymmetrical Pixie
This trendy short haircut and style is tighter and shorter on one side, and longer and bigger on top and the other side.
How To Style:
- Apply a styling product to damp hair.
- Blow dry the hair with a styling brush.
- Apply a product to keep the hair on the sides down and to add texture and height to the hair on top.
- Set the style with a finishing spray.
Recommended Products:
Caviar Style Concrete Extreme Definition Clay gives hair texture and definition.
Best Face Shape and Hair Type:
Wider face shapes with hair that is medium in texture and density will suit this hairstyle best.
#30: Long Asymmetrical Pixie
This short asymmetrical haircut and style is a pixie on one side and gradually gets longer into a bob on the other side. All face shapes with hair that is medium in texture and density will suit this hairstyle best.
To style:
- Apply a styling product on damp hair.
- Blow dry the hair with a styling brush.
- Smooth the hair with a flat iron.
- Apply a product for shine.
#31: Short Bob with Bangs
This micro bob with bangs haircut is as short as a pixie would be just in the back, but gradually gets longer in the front. It’s styled with messy stylish organic waves.
For styling, use Caviar Perfect Iron Spray. It protects hair from the heat of irons up to 450 F. Also, Oval face shapes with hair that is medium in texture and density will suit this hairstyle best.
#32: Flattering Long Layered Bob
This is a universally flattering long layered bob that is shorter in the back and longer in the front.
How To Style:
- Apply a styling product to damp hair.
- Blow dry the hair straight with a styling brush.
- Smooth the hair with a flat iron.
- Apply a product for shine.
Recommended Products:
Caviar Style Satin Rapid Blowout Balm smooths the hair and protects it from heat, while giving it shine and condition.
Best Face Shape and Hair Type:
Wider face shapes with hair that is medium in texture and density will suit this hairstyle best.
#33: Sexy Fringe
Over 40 bangs hide wrinkles and they typically ask for them to look like the type of bangs most women get to hide wrinkles — straight across and wispy. Those bangs do cover wrinkles, but they also send a message that you are hiding something!
That look is also very dated which can actually age you. Why not get a different and more stylish type of fringe with short hair, one that’s primary purpose isn’t just to hide wrinkles, but to actually express your style? This long, lash-grazing fringe sweeps stylishly across the model’s forehead and is beautifully textured.
How To Style:
- Apply a styling product to wet hair.
- Blow dry the hair with a styling brush.
- Apply thermal protection to hair.
- Smooth ends with a flat iron.
- Apply a product for texture.
- Set the style with a flexible hold spray.
Recommended Products:
Alterna’s Perfect Iron Spray protects hair from the heat of irons up to 450 degrees.
Best Face Shape and Hair Type:
Longer face shapes with any hair type will suit this hairstyle.
#34 Deep Side Part
A deep side part gives short to medium hair lengths an asymmetric look. It immediately changes your look without having to do much! All face shapes with any hair type will suit this hairstyle.
How To Style:
- Apply a styling product to hair.
- Blow dry the hair with a styling brush.
- Smooth the ends with a flat iron.
- Apply a serum for shine.
For products, Alterna’s Bamboo Luminous Shine Mist gives hair a mirror-like shine while eliminating frizz and flyaways.
#35: Soft Waves
Anything soft and touchable will always be more youthful than structured, stiff hairstyles. These short locks have beautifully soft and shiny waves just at the ends of the hair, without going too short. All face shapes with hair that is medium in texture and density will suit this hairstyle best.
How To Style:
- Apply a styling product to hair.
- Blow dry the hair with a large round brush.
- Apply thermal protection to hair.
- Curl the middle to the ends of sections of hair with a large barrel iron.
- Set the hairstyle with a flexible hold spray.
Try Bamboo Silk-Sleek Brilliance Cream, a leave-in cream that nourishes the hair, giving it healthy-looking shine and radiance. It also eliminates frizz and flyaways!
#36: Tousled Bob
Bobs are so chic, modern, and stylish. This would definitely be the power suit of hair! On days we want to feel a little more feminine, organic soft waves are the perfect finish for short bob hairstyles.
Bamboo Volume 48-Hour Sustainable Volume Spray is “clinically proven” to increase volume by 105%. What I love most about it is that it doesn’t leave hair stiff or shiny.
All face shapes with hair that is medium in texture and density will suit this hairstyle best.
#37: Touchable Short Shag with Volume
Short shags are the best short hairstyles for women over 40 because they add a lot of volume and are even teased up a bit. But, it remains very soft, feminine, and touchable. The volume, fullness, and softness of this hairstyle make it very youthful.
For styling, try Bamboo Volume Uplifting Root Blast. It’s a root booster that gives hair long-lasting volume. It’s lightweight and doesn’t make hair stiff or sticky.
All face shapes with hair that is medium in texture in density will suit this hairstyle best.
#38: Asymmetric Chic Crop
As we get older, our hair sometimes gets finer and at that point, the best thing to do is to go shorter. That doesn’t mean that we should automatically go for a soccer mom bob. Try this super stylish asymmetric textured bob instead!
How To Style:
- Apply a styling product to hair.
- Blow dry the hair sooth with a styling brush.
- Apply thermal protection.
- Smooth the middle to the ends of each section with a flat iron.
- Apply a product for texture to the hair.
Recommended Products:
Bamboo Style Texturizing Body Boost Volumizing Liquid Powder easily and effortlessly adds volume and texture to hair.
Best Face Shape and Hair Type:
All face shapes with hair that is medium in texture and density will suit this hairstyle best.
#39: Straight A-Line Bob with Wispy Fringe
This is an short A-line bob with shorter layers and a wispy fringe.
For being 40 years old, the layers can be pushed forward for a fun and edgy look, or round brushed back for the typical short stacked bob.
For this short straight hairstyle, use Kitoko Oil before blow drying and used it again after styling to keep it shiny and frizz-free. The use Puff Me to give your short fine hair some volume.
This cut and style would work for all ages and hair textures. It’s fun and very low maintenance!
#40: Cherry Red Asymmetry
These bold, bright red pieces and asymmetric cut come together to create a really stylish cropped cut. Oval and heart face shapes with hair with any hair texture and density can achieve this look.
To style:
- Apply a styling product to wet hair.
- Blow-dry the hair with a styling brush.
- Smooth the hair with a flat iron.
- Set with a finishing spray.
#41: Peek-A-Boo Black
Here is another asymmetric haircut with bright color! This cropped style has more layers in it with a fun color just peeking through the hair on the surface. Heart and oval face shapes with hair that is medium in texture and density can achieve this style.
#42: Asymmetrical Lob with Dimension
Short bobs are perfect short haircuts for women over 40 because they are super flattering.
This is an asymmetrical bob also has some highlights and lowlights to give it added dimension.
My favorite thing about this cut on short hair is that it’s an edgy spin on the classic bob haircut. It’s slightly longer than a normal bob, and the one elongated side really draws attention to the shape of her face and neckline!
When styling short styles like this try using Living Proof products. Prior to cutting, use their Full shampoo and conditioner. Before blow drying, use their thickening cream at the root and their nourishing oil on the ends to keep things nice and smooth.
#43: Wavy Ombre Bob
A short wavy bob hairstyle is perfect for ladies over forty who struggle with thin, fine hair.
The best short hairstyles for fine hair have lots of texture to create more volume
Once your hair has been cut into the proper short length bob for your face shape, have some layers and texture added. How much depends on the thickness and texture.
This short hairdo can work for almost any woman over 40 and is most suited to those who want something easy with a lot of style. It’s a great way to manage wavy thick hair, and a great way to maximize straighter thin hair!
It is also fresh and modern looking, and a great choice to blend white hairs when we aren’t ready for an all over color treatment.
#44: Leslie
This high volume haircut is short on the sides and longer on top. This pixie cut with long bangs gives women over a 40 with a round face a face-slimming effect. Women over 40 with wider face shapes with hair that is medium in texture and density wear this look best.
For products, try Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Thick & Volume Mousse gives the hair serious volume.
#45: Wavy Disconnection
Style and fun shouldn’t end at 40. This short, asymmetric and disconnected haircut makes that statement!
Wider face shapes with hair that is medium in density and texture can easily pull off this style.
Try the product call Spray Wax; it is a wax in a can. It allows for an even and controlled distribution of texture.
#46: Airy Feathered Layers
This pretty hairstyle for women over 40 features volume and an airy texture that sweeps away from the face. Oval and heart face shapes with hair that is fine to medium in texture and low to medium in density can pull off this pretty look.
To style, apply product to wet hair. Blow-dry the hair with a round brush, directing the hair backward. Set with a finishing spray. Using HydroMist Blowout Spray gives a hair a nice and airy lightweight volume.
#47: Pixie Dust
This gorgeous pixie draws emphasis to its wearer’s delicate feminine features. Oval and heart-shaped faces with hair that is low to medium in density and fine to medium in texture can rock this pixie. Fast Form is a cream-gel that sculpts the hair the way you want.
#48: Naturally Fabulous
Maximize the natural beauty of your short curls and get this fabulous haircut for women over 40!
Twirl Around is a crunch-free curl definer that is a mixture of what curly hair needs the most — moisture and hold!
#49: Long Layered Bob
This long bob has just enough layers to have some texture in the front, allowing the hair to keep most of its density. Which is great for women over 40 with thinning hair.
How To Style a bob with layers:
- Apply a product to wet hair.
- Blow dry the hair with a round brush.
- Smooth the midshaft to the ends with a flat iron.
- Set with a finishing spray.
Hold Me Tight is a finishing spray that gives long-lasting hold without the crunch. Longer face shapes with hair that is fine to medium in texture and low to medium in density can wear this layered look.
#50: Diagonal Fringe & Disconnected Undercut
The most flattering short haircuts for women over 40 is a one-length, short bob with bangs. This cut has a diagonal fringe and disconnected undercut at the nape area. The undercut/disconnection at the back creates more of an edgy look for those wanting something classic with a twist. The diagonal fringe is optional and can also be cut square. You could also opt for no fringe at all, and this style will still look great.
When it comes to short haircuts for ladies in their forties, the disconnected undercut isn’t for everyone. My favorite thing about this look is that it is excellent for ladies over forty with fine but dense hair that doesn’t have time for lots of blow-drying. It’s perfect for those who desire a contemporary, feminine look and like to be noticed.
#51: Neck-Length Bob for Thick Hair
A neck-length bob is an ideal option for ladies with thick hair. Sitting in between the chin and the shoulders, the neck-length bob can be worn wavy or smooth with a bit of a flick. If the hair is very thick consult with your stylist if some secret layers can be put in to remove weight.