A grave misconception floating around is that once a woman reaches her 40s, she stops caring about her looks. But in reality, women become more confident in who they are and what they want as they grow older. And this reflects how they dress and style their hair. But women with curly hair may think it is better to straighten their hair to manage it. Or maybe they feel their curls are not as beautiful as they were when they were younger. Therefore, it is time to change and embrace your stunning curls! Explore the various ways you can style your wild curls based on your face shape. And if you do not have curly hair, there’s something for you too. Keep reading to know how to curl your hair using a flat iron, curling iron, or a blow dryer.
How To Create Big Voluminous Curls Using A Blowdryer
Volumizing mousse Round Brush Blowdryer Smoothening serum
How To Curl Your Hair Using A Flat Iron
Heat protectant Flat iron
Master stylist Paul Labrecque says, “When curling with a straight iron, you have to make sure you choose the right straightening iron. It should be thin and the blades of the iron should be movable so no ridges are made on your hair. Those with super curly hair should avoid all heating devices and be left to dry more naturally and slowly.”
Which Type Of Curls You Should Go For Based On Your Face Shape
The shape of your face plays a huge role in determining how your curly hair will look on you. Since there are a variety of curly hair styles that you can go for, it’s important that you pick one that will suit your face shape. Big blowdried curls done on layered hair work perfectly for round faces as they add more definition to your facial structure. For oval and oblong face shapes, tightly coiled kinky curls work beautifully as they add tons of volume around the faces and give them a softer look. Any kind of curly hair parted and swept to one side is perfect for anyone with a square-shaped face. People with diamond and heart face shapes are those lucky ones who can carry off any and all curly hairstyles with elan. Labrecque says, “Long narrow faces don’t do well with curls. The width of curls and waves can make the entire narrow face disappear.” Well, now that you know how to curl your hair and which type of curls work best with your face shape, let’s dive into the best curly hairstyles that you can sport if you are over 40!
22 Glamorous Curly Hairstyles For Women Over 40
1. Messy Curly Bun
Switch up your entire look by simply going for a messy bun. Just the hairdo that will make it difficult for people to take their eyes off you. It’s playful and can be made in a few minutes. So, the next time you are running late, you know which hairdo to opt for.
2. Long Layered Curls
Cascading curls with layers are a match made in heaven! These voluminous locks look glamorous and subtle at the same time. You can finish off your look with a shine spray to get those luminous curls.
3. Shaggy Red Headed Bob
Now that you’ve hit your 40s and have a bit of time for yourself, why not shake things up a bit and have fun? This shaggy bob with texturized curls looks uber cool all by itself. But get your hair colored in a bright red shade to infuse some funk into your look.
4. Texturized Spiral Curls On Medium Length Hair
Imagine yourself frolicking in a meadow, wearing a long flowy dress and some wild flowers in your hair. This is the kind of curly hairstyle that would fit in that fantasy perfectly. These big spiral curls (achieved easily with the help of a curling iron and some texturizing spray) look their gorgeous best when done on medium or long hair.
5. Messy Curls On Layered Long Bob
Get back to your 70s’ groove with this messy style that will channel your youth. The key to a good curly style lies in its layering. Layered haircuts make curls look super defined the way no other cut can. So, try out this layered long bob style with messy curls and bangs to feel young and fresh once again.
6. Kinky Curls With Subtle Highlights
Kinky curls have an appeal of their own that no other kind of curls can match. So, whip out that curling iron of yours (or maybe try out this technique that involves chopsticks?) to give your short bob a kinky twist. Complete your hair transformation with some subtle light brown highlights to give your hair that perfect sun-kissed look.
7. Curly Cropped Bob With Cropped Bangs
Gone are the days when long hair was the only suitable hairstyle for a woman. It’s time to break that barrier and experiment with some unconventional styles, don’t you think? So check out this ultra cropped curly bob that will have everyone sitting up and taking notice of you. The halfway cropped bangs only add to the funky vibe of this look.
8. Elegant Open Curls
If there’s one actress who has aged gracefully in Hollywood, it has got to be Julia Roberts. And one hairstyle that she has managed to perfect over the years is the loose open curls style. This relaxed wavy style done on her shoulder length blonde hair personifies elegance and class.
9. Romantic Curls Bob
You probably fell in love with her the first time you watched You’ve Got Mail and have dreamt of getting her look ever since. Well, your quest ends here! These soft romantic curls (the result of a 1 inch curling iron) done on a short bob will leave you looking like the cute protagonist of a feel-good rom-com for sure!
10. Center Parted Curls
If a red carpet look is what you desire, then a red carpet look is what you’ll get with this Michelle Pfeiffer inspired curly hair look. Just leave your hair in some hair curlers overnight to wake up with a totally transformed look in the morning!
11. Pin Up Curls
Just because you’re in your 40s doesn’t mean that you have to give up on your dream of looking like a pin up model! Life begins at 40, after all. So, whip out those trusty ol’ hair curlers of yours and leave them in on the lower half of your hair overnight to get this sexy Marilyn Monroe-esque look.
12. Loose Curls Long Bob
On countless occasions I’ve found myself wondering if Nicole Kidman ever ages. And I’ve come to the conclusion that she is some sort of immortal being. And over the years she has perfected her signature wavy long bob look to the T. Just a few minutes with a curling iron after you’ve put on your outfit should work splendidly to create this look.
13. Rock Chic Curls Bob
It’s amazing how far a set of hair curlers and a can of texturizing spray can take you in styling your curly hair. This rock chic look done with the aforementioned items will have everyone thinking of you as a woman who is in total control of her life and will not take any shit from anyone.
14. Sleeked Down Curls
When it comes to curly hair, you can play around with textures and styles to create unique hair looks. Take Sandra Bullock, for instance. She has parted her texturized curls down the middle and sleeked them down with some hair gel and bobby pins to create a stunning style of contrasts.
15. Low Defined Curls
One classic look that Hollywood actresses keep going back to is the low curls look. This straight on top/curly at the bottom style is the easiest way to create a look that is red carpet ready. Do what Salma Hayek did and part your hair on one side to look like the epitome of grace and class.
16. Wet Curls
Admit it, nothing can beat the sex appeal of the wet hair look. And when done on curly hair, the effect is even more breathtaking. Sofia Vergara shows us how it’s done with her layered hair done up in voluminous curls and given the ‘wet’ effect with the help of some hair gel.
17. Tightly Coiled Curls
As you grow older, you may find yourself letting go of that straightening iron and your need to conform to societal beauty standards, and leaving your hair just the way it is. So, if your hair is naturally this curly (because the Lord knows you can’t recreate these kind of curls) then it’s time you forgo those heating tools and let them be just the way they are.
18. Dual Toned Vintage Curls
Eva Longoria is one starlet who slays the hair game every time she steps onto the red carpet. So, it’s no surprise that she looks absolutely stunning in this vintage era inspired curls. The brown and black combo of her short bob only enhance the look of her super defined curls.
19. Super Shaggy Curly Bob
The great thing about curly hair is that you can go as subtle or as crazy with it as your heart desires. So, if a sexy mop of shaggy curls is what you want, this is a style you definitely need to check out. These super texturized curls done on a short bob are the result of some great usage of a diffuser on a blowdryer. Paul Labrecque adds, “Here’s a tip for a beautiful diffused curls look — apply a plant humectant product and wrap your fingers around your curls. As you’re drying and using the diffuser you’ll start to see lush and large curls.”
20. Swept Away Curls With Bangs
When it comes to Susan Sarandon, subtlety is her style statement. So, of course, her take on curly hair had to be super simple and understated. On her long bob, she has gone for gently swept away curls and some wispy bangs to create this classy hair look.
21. Sweetheart Curls
Diane Lane has that face that seems to say she is always going to be there to nurture and comfort you, don’t you think? And this sweet curly hair style only adds to her fresh faced look. Just bust out your curling iron and spritz on some texturizing spray to get this sweetheart curls look.
22. Lion’s Mane Curls
First things first, I’m pretty sure Jennifer Lopez sold her soul to the devil to still look like she’s 20. Secondly, there’s no way you can resist this curly hairdo. With big texturized curls that cascade down her face, Lopez looks nothing less than a fierce goddess who will eat your heart for breakfast if you cross her. Does curly hair make a woman over 40 look younger? Yes, curly hair can make a woman over 40 look younger as it adds volume to your tresses. The curls make your hair look fuller and thicker. Should curly hair be layered? This depends on your face shape. You can add layers to your curls if you want to add more volume to your tresses and give your face a more streamlined and elongated appearance. Is it OK to have long hair in your 40s? Yes, it is perfectly fine to have long hair if you are in your 40s. The main reason most older people prefer short hair is that it is easier to maintain. As you grow older, your hair loses its natural pigmentation and texture. But you can maintain it with the right hair routine and style. Can a 40-year-old woman wear braids? Yes, people of all ages can wear braids, whether you are a teenager or someone over 40. What is the best hairstyle for over 40 with glasses? There are many hairstyles for women over 40 who wear glasses to try out, such as the classic lob, a slicked back pixie, and a stacked bob. Do bangs look good on 40-year-olds? Yes, bangs look great on older women who have round, oval, diamond, and heart-shaped faces. They can conceal any fine lines or wrinkles on the forehead. However, bangs do require some maintenance, like regular trimming, to look fresh.
