9 Hairstyles That Can Make Older Women With Gray Hair Look More Youthful: Herringbone Highlights, More

The only thing that can make gray hair even more gorgeous is a style worthy of your shining tresses. If your current haircut or hairstyle just isn’t singing, don’t throw in the towel. A little bit of a snip or some strategic highlights that blend in with your gray may be all it takes to elevate your style from where it is now to an 11.

These nine hairstyles are favorites among stylists and the gray-haired lovelies who sit in their chairs. If you’re looking for a haircut or style that will make you feel more youthful and carefree, look no further.

1. Wavy Bob

The bob stops at around the chin and this length automatically gives the face a natural lift. Adding waves to your bob is an unexpected treat, especially if your hair is thinning. Anytime you throw texture into the equation, it gives strands the appearance of more bulk and volume.

2. Layered Bob

So maybe your hair lacks natural texture and you’d rather not introduce heating tools to create waves and curls — understood. But layering your bob in a way that allows the ends to remain blunt but the top to have movement also does the trick of enhancing its volume and looking healthy.

3. Pixie

Gray hair and the pixie haircut were made for each other. This cut can feature longer layers on top that you can style and play with, but its sides and back stay short and chic.

4. Shag

Who said you can’t be playful with gray hair? The ‘70s-inspired shag features tons of short layers to encourage movement and volume, plus it can look funky, sexy, and slightly retro.

5. Asymmetrical Bangs

Bangs are usually a good idea, but you don’t have to limit yourself to those that are cut straight across. Asymmetrical bangs start off shorter and become lengthier along the side of your head, which creates a distinctive, fun style.

6. Herringbone Highlights

In the mood to bring some outside color to your hair without covering your grays completely? Herringbone highlights weaves strands of silvery gray with blonde and warmer tones to create a well-balanced, beautiful look.

7. Pixie With Side-Swept Bangs

Take a classic pixie and add longer bangs — then sweep them to the side for dramatic effect — and you suddenly have a mysterious, gorgeous look that is perfect for gray hair. You can even experiment with adding a money piece highlight along the front for a pop of bright color and contrast.

8. Italian Bob

The Italian bob has blunt ends and usually stop below the chin and above the shoulder. It is characterized by waves or fullness — think of a classic ‘90s supermodel blowout, but shorter and (dare we say it) sexier.

9. Bixie

Don’t choose between a pixie or bob — have your cake and eat it, too with the bixie. A bixie has more length to play with all around than a pixie, but it’s still relatively short, neat, polished, and requires less maintenance than a lot of other cuts. Plus, Jane Fonda is a fan of the style, which says everything you need to know about it.