Over the years working as a makeup artist in Los Angeles, I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible women in their seventies and beyond. What I’ve learned is that the right haircut can be just as transformative as the perfect makeup look. Short hairstyles, in particular, offer a refreshing freedom and elegance that many women discover later in life. They’re practical, stylish, and when done right, absolutely stunning.
Today, I want to share fourteen short haircuts that I’ve seen work beautifully on women over seventy. These aren’t just styles I’ve read about—they’re cuts I’ve witnessed transform my clients, friends, and even my own mother. Let’s dive into each one with the same care and attention I’d give if you were sitting in my chair right now.
The Classic Pixie Cut
There’s something undeniably chic about a well-executed pixie cut. I remember working on a client for a family portrait session who had just gotten this cut, and the confidence radiating from her was magnetic. A pixie cut is a short style where the hair is cropped close to the head, typically with slightly longer pieces on top and shorter sides and back.
What It Is
The pixie cut is characterized by its short length all around, usually no longer than a few inches. The beauty of this cut lies in its versatility—you can customize it with texture, layers, or swept bangs to suit your face shape and personal style. For women over seventy, it offers a youthful, fresh appearance while being incredibly low-maintenance.
Best For
This cut works wonderfully for women with fine or thinning hair because it creates the illusion of fullness. If you have delicate features, a pixie will highlight your eyes and cheekbones beautifully. It’s also perfect for active women who don’t want to spend much time on styling. I’ve noticed it looks particularly stunning on women with oval or heart-shaped faces, though a skilled stylist can adapt it to any face shape.
How to Style It
Start with damp hair and apply a lightweight mousse for volume. Use your fingers to tousle the hair as you blow-dry, directing the top pieces forward or to the side depending on your preference. For a sleeker look, use a small round brush to smooth the sides. A tiny bit of pomade or styling cream on your fingertips can define the layers and add shine. The whole process takes about five minutes—I promise, it’s that simple.
The Textured Bob
The textured bob has become one of my absolute favorite recommendations for clients over seventy. I styled one recently for a woman attending her granddaughter’s wedding, and she looked absolutely radiant. This cut combines the sophistication of a classic bob with modern, piece-y texture that adds movement and life.
What It Is
A textured bob typically falls between chin and shoulder length, with layers cut throughout to create dimension and body. Unlike the blunt bobs of decades past, this version has a softer, more lived-in quality. The stylist uses various cutting techniques to remove weight and add texture, making the hair appear fuller and more dynamic.
Best For
This style is ideal for women with medium to thick hair who want something manageable but not too short. It works beautifully on round or square face shapes because the length and angles create a slimming effect. If you’re someone who still enjoys styling your hair but wants something easier than what you had in your younger years, this is your sweet spot.
How to Style It
After washing, apply a volumizing spray to your roots while the hair is still damp. Blow-dry using a paddle brush, pulling the hair smooth as you work through each section. Once dry, wrap random sections around a large-barrel curling iron—don’t worry about perfection here. Run your fingers through the curls to break them up, creating that textured, effortless look. Finish with a light-hold hairspray. This routine takes about fifteen minutes and gives you a polished look that lasts all day.
The Stacked Bob
I’ve seen the stacked bob work wonders for women who want volume and shape without a lot of fuss. Last year, I worked with a client who had struggled with flat, lifeless hair for years, and this cut completely changed her relationship with her appearance.
What It Is
The stacked bob features graduated layers in the back that create a rounded, fuller shape. The back is cut shorter and stacked in layers, while the front is typically longer, often reaching the chin or just below. This creates a beautiful angle and silhouette that’s both modern and timeless.
Best For
This cut is exceptional for fine or thin hair because the stacking technique builds in natural volume. It’s particularly flattering on women with longer necks, as it draws attention to this elegant feature. If you have a round face, the angled front pieces will help elongate your appearance. I recommend this to clients who want a hairstyle that looks intentional and styled even on lazy days.
How to Style It
The stacked bob practically styles itself, which is part of its charm. After washing, apply a root-lifting spray and blow-dry the back first, using a round brush to enhance the rounded shape. The front pieces can be blown straight or with a slight bend. For extra polish, use a flat iron on the front sections to create a sleek finish. Total time? About ten minutes for a look that appears effortlessly put together.
The Asymmetrical Cut
Asymmetry might sound edgy, but I’ve seen it look absolutely sophisticated on mature women. There’s something about the unexpected nature of this cut that brings out a playful, confident side in my clients.
What It Is
An asymmetrical cut features hair that’s intentionally different lengths on each side. This might mean one side is chin-length while the other grazes the jawline, or it could be more dramatic with one side significantly shorter than the other. The beauty is in the deliberate imbalance that creates visual interest and modern flair.
Best For
This style works particularly well for women with thick hair that can hold the shape. It’s also wonderful if you have a favorite side or want to minimize certain features while highlighting others. I’ve found it looks stunning on women with angular features or strong bone structure. If you’re someone who’s always been a bit bold with your style choices, this cut will feel like coming home.
How to Style It
The key to styling an asymmetrical cut is embracing the difference in lengths. After washing, apply a smoothing cream and blow-dry the hair following its natural direction. Use a flat iron to emphasize the sleekness and precision of the cut. You can tuck the shorter side behind your ear or let it fall forward—both looks work beautifully. The styling takes about ten to twelve minutes and makes a statement every time.
The Layered Shag
The shag is back, and I’m thrilled about it. This isn’t your daughter’s messy shag from the seventies—it’s a refined, updated version that adds incredible movement and dimension to mature hair.
What It Is
A layered shag features multiple layers cut throughout the hair, creating a choppy, textured appearance. The layers start higher up on the head and cascade down, giving the hair tons of movement and volume. For women over seventy, stylists typically create a softer version with wispy, face-framing pieces that are incredibly flattering.
Best For
This cut is perfect for women with wavy or slightly curly hair, as it works with your natural texture rather than against it. It’s also excellent for fine hair because the layers create the illusion of thickness. If you’re someone who wants a youthful, carefree vibe without looking like you’re trying too hard, the shag delivers exactly that. I love it on women with oval or oblong face shapes.
How to Style It
The shag is wonderfully forgiving when it comes to styling. After washing, scrunch in some texturizing cream while the hair is damp. You can either air-dry for a more natural, tousled look or use a diffuser to enhance any natural wave. For a bit more polish, quickly run a curling wand through random sections, alternating the direction. The whole process can take as little as five minutes or up to fifteen if you want more definition. Either way, you’ll look effortlessly chic.
The Tapered Cut
I recommend the tapered cut to clients who want something neat and polished that’s still full of personality. It’s a style that exudes quiet confidence and timeless elegance.
What It Is
A tapered cut features hair that gradually gets shorter from the top of the head down to the nape of the neck. The top has more length and volume, while the sides and back are cut close to the head. This creates a clean, shaped silhouette that’s both professional and stylish. Think of it as a more structured version of a pixie.
Best For
This style is ideal for women with thick, coarse hair that tends to stick out when cut too bluntly. The tapering helps control the volume while maintaining a beautiful shape. It’s also wonderful if you have a petite frame, as it won’t overwhelm your proportions. I’ve seen it look particularly lovely on women with square or rectangular face shapes because it softens strong jawlines.
How to Style It
The tapered cut requires minimal styling, which is one of its greatest advantages. After washing, apply a small amount of styling gel to damp hair and comb it into place. Blow-dry using your hands to direct the hair in the desired direction. You can add a bit of shine serum at the end for a polished finish. The entire process takes about five to seven minutes—perfect for busy mornings.
The Side-Swept Pixie
This variation on the classic pixie adds a romantic, feminine touch that I absolutely love. One of my longtime clients switched to this style last fall, and she gets compliments everywhere she goes.
What It Is
The side-swept pixie features longer pieces on top that are styled to sweep dramatically to one side, while the sides and back remain short and close to the head. This creates an elegant asymmetry and draws attention to the eyes and cheekbones. The sweep can be subtle or quite pronounced, depending on your preference.
Best For
This style works beautifully for women with fine to medium hair who want a pixie but are concerned about it looking too severe. The longer swept section adds softness and femininity. It’s particularly flattering if you have beautiful eyes you want to highlight, as it naturally draws the gaze upward. I recommend it to women with heart-shaped or oval faces, though it can be adapted for most face shapes.
How to Style It
Start with damp hair and apply a volumizing mousse, focusing on the longer top section. Blow-dry the top pieces to one side using a round brush for lift and curve. The sides and back can be dried quickly with your fingers. Once dry, use a small amount of pomade to define the swept section and keep it in place throughout the day. This takes about eight to ten minutes and gives you a polished, put-together appearance.
The Curly Crop
For women blessed with natural curls or waves, the curly crop is an absolute dream. I worked with a woman last summer who had been fighting her curls for decades, and when she finally embraced them with this cut, the transformation was breathtaking.
What It Is
The curly crop is a short haircut specifically designed to work with natural curl patterns. The hair is cut to enhance the curls’ natural shape and bounce, typically ranging from one to three inches in length all over. The cut removes excess weight that can drag curls down while maintaining enough length for the curls to form beautifully.
Best For
This is obviously ideal for women with naturally curly or wavy hair. It’s particularly wonderful if you’ve spent years straightening or fighting your natural texture and are ready to embrace it. The curly crop works on virtually any face shape because the curls create softness around the features. It’s also perfect if you want maximum impact with minimal styling time.
How to Style It
The key to styling curly hair is working with moisture and definition. After washing, apply a generous amount of curl-defining cream to soaking wet hair. Scrunch the product in, encouraging the curls to form. You can either air-dry or use a diffuser on low heat. Once completely dry, you can scrunch again to break up any crunch from the product. Resist the urge to touch your hair while it’s drying—this prevents frizz. The active styling time is just a few minutes, though drying can take longer depending on your curl density.
The Blunt Bob
Sometimes simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, and the blunt bob proves this beautifully. I’ve styled this cut on clients attending everything from casual lunches to formal galas, and it always looks appropriate and elegant.
What It Is
The blunt bob is cut to one length all around, typically falling somewhere between the jawline and shoulders. Unlike layered bobs, this style has minimal to no layers, creating a clean, sharp line at the bottom. The precision of the cut is what makes it so striking and modern.
Best For
This style works best for women with thick, straight hair that can hold the blunt line without looking limp. It’s incredibly flattering on oval and heart-shaped faces. If you appreciate clean lines and classic style, you’ll love this cut. I recommend it to women who want something polished and sophisticated that doesn’t require elaborate styling. It’s also wonderful if you have a long neck you want to showcase.
How to Style It
The blunt bob is all about sleekness and precision. After washing, apply a smoothing serum to damp hair. Blow-dry each section straight using a paddle brush, pulling the hair taut as you work. For extra shine and smoothness, follow up with a flat iron, working in small sections. The result should be glossy, straight hair with a perfect blunt edge. This takes about fifteen to twenty minutes but creates a incredibly polished look. For a quicker option, you can blow-dry smooth and skip the flat iron on days when you’re short on time.
The Wispy Pixie
The wispy pixie is perfect for women who want something short and easy but worry about looking too harsh or masculine. I love this cut because it’s both practical and undeniably feminine.
What It Is
The wispy pixie features soft, feathered layers throughout, with particularly delicate, face-framing pieces around the temples and ears. The overall shape is similar to a classic pixie, but the cutting technique creates a lighter, airier feel. The ends are point-cut or razored to create that wispy, feathered effect.
Best For
This style is exceptional for women with fine or thinning hair because the wispy layers create the illusion of more hair than is actually there. It’s also lovely if you have delicate features or want to soften a strong jawline. I recommend it to women who want a low-maintenance style that still looks feminine and polished. It works beautifully on most face shapes, particularly round and square faces.
How to Style It
The wispy pixie requires very little styling, which is part of its appeal. After washing, apply a lightweight styling cream to damp hair. Blow-dry using your fingers to tousle and direct the hair, creating a soft, piece-y texture. You can use a small round brush on the front pieces if you want a bit more polish. Finish with a small amount of texturizing spray for definition. The entire process takes about five minutes, making it perfect for women who want to look put-together without spending much time in front of the mirror.
The Short Shag with Bangs
Bangs can be intimidating, but when done right on a short shag, they’re absolutely transformative. I recently gave this cut to a client who was nervous about the commitment, and she now tells everyone it’s the best decision she’s made for her appearance in years.
What It Is
This style combines the layered, textured nature of a shag cut with bangs that frame the face. The bangs can be wispy and piece-y, swept to the side, or more substantial—it depends on what flatters your particular features. The combination of the shaggy layers and bangs creates incredible dimension and movement.
Best For
This cut is wonderful for women who want to minimize forehead lines or draw attention to beautiful eyes. It works with various hair textures, from straight to wavy. If you have a longer face, bangs will help balance your proportions. I particularly love this style on women who want something youthful and modern without looking like they’re trying to recapture their youth—there’s a distinction, and this cut understands it perfectly.
How to Style It
Start by styling your bangs first while the hair is damp. Blow-dry them forward using a round brush, then sweep them in your desired direction. For the rest of the hair, apply a texturizing spray and scrunch or tousle as you dry. You can add waves with a curling iron if desired, or embrace the natural texture. The bangs require the most attention—they’ll need a quick blow-dry most mornings to look their best. Total styling time is about ten to twelve minutes.
The Graduated Bob
The graduated bob offers beautiful shape and structure while remaining soft and approachable. I’ve seen this cut work wonders for women transitioning from longer hair to something more manageable.
What It Is
A graduated bob features subtle layers that create a gentle slope from back to front, with the back being slightly shorter than the front. It’s less dramatic than a stacked bob but offers more movement than a blunt bob. The graduation creates a rounded shape that hugs the head beautifully while the front pieces provide face-framing elegance.
Best For
This style is versatile and works for most hair types and face shapes. It’s particularly lovely for women with fine to medium hair who want body without excessive volume. If you have a round face, the longer front pieces will provide a slimming effect. I recommend this to women who want something classic and timeless that won’t look dated in photos years from now.
How to Style It
After washing, apply a volumizing spray to the roots and a smoothing cream to the lengths. Blow-dry the back first using a round brush, creating that rounded shape. The front pieces can be blown smooth or with a slight bend inward. For extra polish, you can use a flat iron on the front sections. The graduated bob takes about twelve to fifteen minutes to style properly, but the result is a sophisticated look that works for any occasion.
The Choppy Pixie
The choppy pixie brings edge and personality to a classic short cut. I love recommending this to women who’ve always had a bit of a rebellious spirit and want their hair to reflect that.
What It Is
The choppy pixie features varying lengths throughout, creating a deliberately piece-y, textured appearance. Unlike a smooth pixie, this version has a more lived-in, undone quality. The stylist uses point-cutting and texturizing techniques to create separation between the pieces, giving the hair incredible movement and dimension.
Best For
This style works wonderfully for women with thick hair that can hold the choppy texture. It’s also great if you have natural wave or curl that you want to enhance rather than fight. The choppy pieces are incredibly forgiving, hiding any areas where hair might be thinning. I recommend it to women with angular or strong features, as the texture softens those lines beautifully. It’s perfect if you want something that looks effortlessly cool.
How to Style It
The choppy pixie is remarkably easy to style. After washing, apply a texturizing cream to damp hair and scrunch it in. You can air-dry for maximum texture or quickly blow-dry using your fingers to tousle and lift. Once dry, use a small amount of pomade or wax to define individual pieces, creating that choppy, separated look. The whole process takes about five to eight minutes and looks intentionally messy in the best possible way.
The Chin-Length Layered Cut
This versatile cut sits right at that sweet spot—short enough to be manageable but long enough to offer styling options. I’ve recommended this countless times to women who aren’t quite ready to go very short but want a significant change.
What It Is
The chin-length layered cut features hair that falls right at the chin, with layers cut throughout to add movement and remove bulk. The layers prevent the hair from looking heavy or triangular while creating beautiful movement when you turn your head. It’s a polished, professional look that’s still approachable and feminine.
Best For
This cut works for virtually all face shapes and hair types. It’s particularly flattering if you have a strong jawline, as the chin-length pieces soften that area. For women with thick hair, the layers prevent the style from looking too heavy. If you like having options—wearing it straight, adding waves, tucking it behind your ears—this length gives you that flexibility. I recommend it to women who want a change but prefer a transitional style rather than a dramatic transformation.
How to Style It
The styling possibilities with this length are wonderful. For a smooth, classic look, blow-dry straight using a paddle brush and finish with a flat iron if desired. For something more casual, apply a sea salt spray to damp hair and scrunch or twist sections as you dry, creating loose, beachy waves. You can also curl the entire head with a curling iron for special occasions. The versatility means you can adjust your styling time based on the day—anywhere from eight to twenty minutes depending on the look you’re going for.
Conclusion
Sitting here in my Los Angeles studio, watching the afternoon light stream through the windows, I’m reminded of something my mother told me years ago when I was just starting my career. She said, “Belle, beauty isn’t about fighting time—it’s about celebrating every moment we’re given.” Those words have stayed with me through every client session, every makeup application, and every conversation about transformation.
Working with women over seventy has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. I’ve watched these incredible women—grandmothers, professionals, artists, friends—embrace change with courage and grace. They’ve taught me that style doesn’t diminish with age; it evolves, deepens, and becomes more authentic. A short haircut after seventy isn’t about trying to look younger—it’s about looking like the most confident, comfortable version of yourself right now.
Each of these fourteen haircuts offers something unique, but they all share one important quality: they’re designed to make life easier while helping you look and feel beautiful. Whether you’re drawn to the classic elegance of a blunt bob, the playful texture of a shag, or the liberating simplicity of a pixie, there’s a style here that can work for you. The key is finding a skilled stylist who listens to your concerns, understands your lifestyle, and sees the beauty in you that you might have forgotten was there.
I think about Mrs. Eleanor often—the client I mentioned at the beginning who took that leap with her pixie cut. She came back a month later for a makeup session before a family reunion, and she told me something that brought tears to my eyes. She said that for the first time in decades, when she looked in the mirror, she saw herself. Not who she used to be, not who she thought she should be, but who she actually was in that moment. And she liked what she saw.
That’s what the right haircut can do. It’s not magic, but it feels close to it. It’s not about perfection—it never has been. It’s about confidence, creativity, and feeling empowered to express yourself however you choose. It’s about waking up in the morning and spending less time wrestling with your hair and more time living your life. It’s about walking into a room and feeling like yourself, only better.
My advice? If you’re considering a change, don’t let fear hold you back. Hair grows. Styles evolve. But regret from never trying? That stays with us. Find a stylist you trust, bring photos of cuts you love, and have an honest conversation about what will work for your hair type, face shape, and lifestyle. Don’t be swayed by what worked for someone else or what you wore twenty years ago. Focus on what makes sense for you right now, in this moment, at this age.
And remember, a great haircut is just the beginning. It’s how you carry yourself afterward that truly matters. When you feel good about your appearance, it radiates outward—in your posture, your smile, the way you engage with the world. That confidence is more beautiful than any specific style could ever be.
I’ve spent my career working with makeup, but I’ve learned that true beauty comes from a combination of things: taking care of yourself, embracing who you are, surrounding yourself with people who lift you up, and making choices that align with the life you want to live. Sometimes, that choice is a bold new haircut that makes you feel like you’re stepping into a new chapter.
So whether you choose a textured bob, a wispy pixie, or something entirely different, do it with intention. Do it for yourself. Do it because you deserve to feel beautiful, confident, and empowered at every single age. Seventy is not an ending—it’s a continuation of your story, and you get to decide how you want to write this chapter.
Step into the salon with an open heart. Trust the process. And when you see yourself in that mirror with your new cut, I hope you feel what I’ve watched so many of my clients feel: a renewed sense of possibility, a spark of excitement, and the deep knowledge that you are beautiful, worthy, and exactly where you’re meant to be.
As I always say, beauty is not about perfection. It’s about confidence, creativity, and feeling empowered to express yourself however you choose. And from where I’m sitting, watching women over seventy embrace short haircuts and the freedom they bring, I can tell you that the best is yet to come. Your hair is just hair, but how it makes you feel? That’s everything.