Staying Fit
Remember big hair? The supermodel mane of Cindy Crawford, the swirling locks of Tina Turner, the feathered layers of Farrah Fawcett and the cloud of curls framing Julia Roberts and Donna Summer? The ’70s and ’80s were the days of perms, roller sets, teasing and hairspray way before stick-straight flat-ironing. Well, big “done” hair is back. Love it but skeptical? Here’s how to get fuller, fluffier, more fabulous hair fast at 50:
1. Decide how big to go
(Left to right) Jennifer Coolidge and Tracee Ellis Ross
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Albie Awards
Most big hair we see on celebs is long, luscious and thick. How many of those manes are real or supplemented by pieces or extensions? Who knows. Behind the scenes, big hair is often a fake-it-till-you-make-it thing. But get realistic. A supersize ’do (say for a special evening event) is one thing and often involves the help of a pro; DIY everyday-big is another. The good news is anyone — even those with fine, thin hair and shorter bobs and lobs — can pump up the volume for a look that says bombshell 2023. Choose your level of oomph, wave and curl.
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2. Know when to layer or not
(Left to right) Jane Krakowski, Christie Brinkley and Fran Drescher
Bruce Glikas/WireImage; Jim Spellman/Getty Images; Leon Bennett/Getty Images
The right cut makes the difference between puny and plush. Layered cuts (some extreme) are trending, but note that many layers can chisel away volume. You need only a few long layers around the face to add movement and separation. They’ll help magnify the look of your hair when waved or curled, especially when the ends are flicked out. However, don’t layer at all if you have fine, thin hair. Instead, opt for a blunt cut to provide a thicker starting point for building volume.
