18 Hairstyles For Women Over 40 With Wavy Hair
Wavy hair is a natural asset that becomes even more elegant with age. For women over 40, it represents a beautiful blend of maturity and softness. It offers the perfect balance between straight and curly—effortlessly stylish yet full of personality. The key to choosing the right hairstyle at this stage in life is finding something that complements your lifestyle, enhances your features, and works with your hair’s natural movement, not against it. Below are 18 flattering hairstyles that celebrate the grace of aging and the beauty of natural waves.
1. Shoulder-Length Layers
Shoulder-length layered cuts are universally flattering, especially for women over 40. The layers help to create shape and bounce, which can give thinning hair more volume and life. This cut also helps soften strong jawlines and elongates the neck, giving your face a natural lift. It’s versatile enough to be styled sleek or tousled, making it ideal for both professional and casual settings.
2. Wavy Bob
The wavy bob is a chic, age-defying style that never goes out of fashion. Whether it’s chin-length or grazing the jawline, this cut gives off an air of sophistication while allowing your natural waves to shine. It’s a great choice if you’re looking to make a bold but tasteful change. Styling takes minimal effort—just a bit of mousse or sea salt spray, and you’re good to go.
3. Long Shag
Inspired by the ’70s but made modern for today’s woman, the long shag is all about texture. With its layered, choppy ends and volume at the crown, this hairstyle is perfect for enhancing wavy hair’s natural pattern. It can frame the face beautifully and is especially flattering if you want to downplay forehead lines or elongate the face. This low-maintenance cut works great whether you’re running errands or dressing up for a night out
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4. Side-Swept Lob
The long bob, or lob, is ideal for women who want something classic with a bit of flair. A side-swept part adds drama and volume, giving your look an extra touch of polish. It works especially well with medium to thick wavy hair and flatters most face shapes. This cut is a modern classic and offers easy versatility—it can be curled, straightened, or left to air-dry naturally.
5. Curly Fringe with Waves
Adding a curly fringe can instantly refresh your look and take years off your appearance. When paired with wavy hair, it creates a romantic, playful style that softens your overall features. This works well for women who want to highlight their eyes or mask forehead wrinkles without relying on heavy makeup. Keep the fringe light and layered so it blends naturally into your waves.
6. Layered Pixie with Wave Texture
A layered pixie cut brings attention to your eyes and cheekbones and offers a youthful, modern edge. If your hair has a natural wave, this cut becomes even more dynamic. It’s an ideal choice for women looking for low-maintenance hair without compromising on style. Add a texturizing cream or light pomade to define your waves and give the cut a slightly tousled, chic vibe.
7. Asymmetrical Wavy Cut
An asymmetrical cut—where one side is longer than the other—adds drama and character to your hairstyle. It’s especially flattering for wavy hair, which naturally adds softness and texture to the sharp lines. This cut brings a touch of artistic flair and is great for women who enjoy standing out without appearing overdone. It can also subtly enhance facial symmetry and jawline definition.
8. Collarbone Cut with Wispy Ends
A collarbone-length cut with feathered, wispy ends is a delicate and graceful style. It’s long enough to pull back when needed but short enough to keep things fresh and modern. The light ends help remove bulk from thick wavy hair and create a soft, fluttery movement. It’s an ideal balance of casual and elegant, perfect for everyday wear or more formal events.
9. Soft Waves with Side Bangs
Side bangs add a feminine, face-framing touch to wavy hair. They blend seamlessly into medium or long layers and work well to draw attention to your eyes and cheekbones. This hairstyle is particularly flattering if you’re concerned about forehead lines or simply want a more romantic look. It also gives you the flexibility to pin the bangs back or style them to the side for variety.
10. Mid-Length with Feathered Layers
Feathered layers break up the weight of your hair and create light, flowing movement—perfect for women with thicker waves. This cut brings structure while maintaining softness and is especially flattering when blended with subtle highlights. It’s easy to manage, doesn’t require daily heat styling, and pairs well with both casual and professional outfits.
11. Long Wavy Hair with Subtle Highlights
There’s no reason to ditch your long locks after 40—especially if they’re healthy. Enhance your natural waves with soft, dimensional highlights that add depth and luminosity. Lighter strands around the face can help brighten your complexion and draw attention to your best features. Use a leave-in conditioner to keep your waves frizz-free and shiny.
12. Tousled Shoulder Cut
A tousled, shoulder-length cut radiates effortless beauty. The lived-in texture complements natural waves and adds a youthful, laid-back vibe. It’s the kind of cut that doesn’t require perfection—just a spritz of texturizing spray and a quick finger comb. This hairstyle is particularly forgiving on busy mornings and still looks put-together throughout the day.
13. Wavy Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs part down the middle and flow into your layers, creating a soft, face-framing effect. They work exceptionally well with wavy hair because the texture gives them volume and movement. Curtain bangs are also low commitment; they grow out beautifully and can be pinned back or blended easily into the rest of your hair.
14. Cropped Wavy Bob with Volume
A cropped bob cut at or just below the jawline gives a sharp, contemporary look. Add in some wave, and the result is a bold yet feminine style that oozes confidence. Ideal for fine or thinning hair, this cut provides structure and volume in all the right places. Add a light mousse to enhance natural texture and keep things airy.
15. Inverted Wavy Bob
An inverted bob—shorter in the back and longer in the front—offers shape and definition to wavy hair. This dynamic style lifts your features and adds movement. It’s great for women who want a clean, modern silhouette without losing length around the face. You can play it sleek for workdays and go wavy and wild for weekends.
16. Half-Up Wavy Style
The half-up style is simple, elegant, and incredibly functional. It keeps your hair out of your face while showcasing the beauty of your natural waves. You can add a braid, a twist, or even a decorative clip to personalize it. It’s perfect for work meetings, dinners, or just adding a bit of polish to your daily look.
17. Low Wavy Ponytail
Sometimes, simplicity is stunning. A low ponytail with soft, face-framing waves gives a graceful, grown-up feel to any look. This style is ideal for warmer days or busy mornings and can be made more elegant with a side part or volume at the crown. A silk scarf or clip can add a splash of personality.
18. Classic Blowout with Soft Waves
A salon-style blowout with smooth waves is a go-to for special occasions. It offers bounce, shine, and a polished finish that enhances your natural beauty. While it requires a bit more effort or a professional touch, the results are timeless. Use a round brush and a large-barrel curling iron to achieve soft, glamorous waves at home.
FAQs
How do I care for wavy hair after 40?
Aging hair tends to get drier, so hydration is key. Use sulfate-free shampoos, moisturizing conditioners, and incorporate weekly deep conditioning treatments. Leave-in sprays or lightweight oils help reduce frizz and keep your waves defined and healthy-looking.
Can I still wear long hair over 40?
Absolutely. Long hair can be elegant and age-appropriate when well-maintained. Focus on healthy ends and subtle layers to avoid a heavy or dragged-down look. Long waves can beautifully frame your face and even soften aging features.
What’s the easiest hairstyle to maintain for wavy hair?
A shoulder-length layered cut is one of the easiest to maintain. It offers shape and volume with minimal styling, works well with natural texture, and doesn’t require frequent trims. Air-drying is often all you need.
Should I color my hair or embrace the gray?
Both are beautiful. If you choose to embrace your gray, consider using purple shampoos or glossing treatments to maintain vibrancy. If you color your hair, opt for soft, natural tones that enhance your complexion rather than mask your age.
How often should I trim wavy hair?
Every 8–12 weeks is ideal to prevent split ends and maintain the shape of your haircut. Layered styles may need more frequent trims to keep their structure and avoid looking overgrown.
Conclusion
Turning 40 doesn’t mean toning things down—it means refining your style to reflect who you are. Wavy hair offers a dynamic and expressive foundation, perfect for showcasing both beauty and individuality. These 18 hairstyles celebrate movement, texture, and
