How to Wear Long Hair With Style and Flair After 50

4. Get a lift with a few long layers.

Choppy, shaggy layers are not a great option for aging hair. “All you need are a couple of long layers framing the face to add movement and enhance your facial features,” says Cohen. “You don’t want them to compromise the length, shape or basic cut. They can give long hair a more contemporary attitude, whether you wear your hair down, up, or pull it back.”

I have a cautionary beauty editor tip: This is not a more-is-more situation. Once you see the benefits of subtle layers around the face, don’t get carried away and ask for more. And be sure those few layers you snip in are no higher than mouth or chin level.

(From left) Fergie, Tyra Banks

AARP (Getty Images, 2)

5. Update your ideas about how long hair looks.

Just like fashion, long hairstyles go in and out. You can’t just grow long hair like you did in high school, college or the ’60s, and you shouldn’t tease, feather or curl it like a beauty queen, red-carpet star or newscaster.

“Stay away from what I call pageant hair,” says Cohen. “It looks overdone, especially on women over 50. The most flattering look for long hair now is a looser, more casual vibe with a tousled or wavy effect.”

So if you’re forcing your long hair to look a certain way — stop. “If your long hair is naturally straight, keep it that way and add some airy, carefree volume; if it’s curly, use the wave and don’t try to go straight; and if you want extra height at the crown, just try switching the part to add lift at the roots,” he says. 

Though center parts are trending for celebs, Cohen says an off-center part is more flattering for most women. Ditto for pulling long hair back at the nape into a low, sophisticated ponytail.

“Avoid tightly controlled, pulled-back hair,” Cohen says. “That only works for wet hair on the beach or for celebs in full stage makeup and jewelry for gala evenings.”

6. Change your heat-style routine. 

Having long hair at 50 and beyond needn’t involve a time-consuming, high-maintenance routine, many products, or buying a multi-attachment super dryer. Cohen prefers a minimalist approach.

“Those expensive dryers are overpriced and underperform,” he says. Instead, he tells his clients to “wash, condition, apply a leave-in conditioner and one moisturizing styling product before letting hair dry naturally 90 percent of the way, then using an ordinary blow-dryer to finish. Increased air-drying before you get to the heat-styling part creates movement and a more natural look. This makes long hair look healthier, contemporary and not so fussed-over and controlled.”

Think of it as the long-hair equivalent of an untucked, relaxed T-shirt and ballet flats rather than a tightly tucked-in shirt and stilettos. Cohen adds: “Once the hair is dried, you can always throw in a couple of hot rollers for a few minutes to enhance shape and bounce.”

AARP (Kohl’s; Target, 2)

(From left) Amika The Wizard Detangling Hair Primer; Pantene Pro-V Miracles Infinite Lengths Biotin + Collagen Shampoo and Conditioner

7. Keep it trimmed and treated.

There’s only one rule for long hair at 50: Keep it healthy. While short cuts and bobs get frequent trims, long-hair devotees — especially those growing their hair longer — often neglect to snip frayed ends and pamper their new length. That’s a mistake. Stay on schedule with salon trims and at-home products. “I always say, keep in shape but don’t go short!” says Cohen. “A mini trim — known among hair pros as ‘dusting the ends’ — gives bangs, layers and the bottom line a fresh look without sacrificing length.”

This is good advice, considering hair growth can slow down slightly from its dependable half-inch-a-month rate. Compensating for concerns like thinning, dryness and cumulative damage from chemical processes and heat styling is essential.

“Choose products that require minimal effort but maximum impact, like hydrating shampoos and conditioners, a leave-in conditioner/heat protectant, and moisturizing styling cream or a touch of hair oil,” Cohen says. “I like Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner ($26, ulta.com), Virtue Hydrating Recovery Shampoo + Conditioner Set for Dry, Damaged & Colored Hair ($65, sephora.com) and Sisley Paris Hair Rituel Cream 230 ($120, nordstrom.com), which is expensive, but lasts forever — you only need a tiny bit.”

Some other affordable choices from beauty-editor me include:

Pantene Pro-V Miracles Infinite Lengths Biotin + Collagen Shampoo- Sulfate Free and Conditioner ($11 each, target.com), Amika The Wizard Detangling Hair Primer ($16, kohls.com), and Eva+Avo Shine Avocado Oil ($10, walgreens.com).