Hairstyles: The right one can take years off your appearance, while the wrong one can add them back on and leave you looking like a hot mess. From the severe blunt bob to outdated, overly teased hair, these looks make you look older and less attractive than you are.
1. The Long Straight: Drags You Down
Long hair is beautiful, but seriously long, seriously straight hair can drag your face down and make you look older. Sleek, flat hair also clings to the scalp, highlighting thinning or a receding hairline.
Style Advice: Add some volume with soft waves or layers to give your hair life and keep your look youthful. Or go for a length that hits just below the shoulders to keep things bouncy and youthful.
2. The Pixie: Too-Short and Severe
Short pixie cuts are edgy but can highlight fine lines and wrinkles, making you look older. If your pixie is too short or lacks volume, it may look too harsh and severe.
Style Advice: Opt for a pixie with softer edges and texture to keep it fresh and youthful instead of too sleek and severe.
3. The Choppy Bang: Heavy and Chaotic
Heavy, choppy bangs can overpower your face and draw attention to forehead lines and wrinkles. This can also make you look dated and disheveled.
Style Advice: Switch to soft, face-framing bangs or wispy layers that bring softness to your features without dragging your look down.
4. The Harsh Bob: Blunt Don’t Flatter
A blunt bob that ends at the jawline creates a hard line that can make your face appear wider. It’s also a severe look that, against mature skin, can look less youthful.
Style Advice: Opt for a shoulder-length cut with soft waves or a subtle side part to keep things chic without feeling harsh.
5. The Overgrown: Hot Mess Alert
Overgrown hair left unstyled can make you look like you’ve given up; it’s also bad for the health of your hair. No style is a style—just the wrong one.
Style Advice: Keep your look fresh with regular trims and haircuts every 6-8 weeks. A little shape goes a long way.
6. The 80s Perm: Belongs Back There
Tight spiral perms add bulk and make your hair look over-processed, and the damage is real. Plus, the look is so stiff and dated.
Style Advice: Embrace natural curls or use a curling iron for soft, beachy waves instead of relying on harsh chemical treatments.
7. The Edgy Undercut: Don’t Age Well
Undercuts can be daring, but they highlight thinning hair and scalp imperfections. They’re also a little on the “trendy” side, so they will date fast, and you could look like you’re trying too hard.
Style Advice: If you want something edgy, opt for a layered cut with texture instead of drastic shaves or undercuts that are hard to maintain.
8. The Severe Part: No-Go Zone
Parts are tricky to pull off unless you have dead straight hair. A center part is a severe look that can make your face look longer and more angular.
Style Advice: Choose a softer side part to balance your face and soften your look.
9. The Asymmetrical: Tacky Not Trendy
Asymmetrical cuts are also more cringe-worthy than cool. They will date first and are tricky to pull off as you look uneven and lopsided.
Style Advice: Choose a classic, balanced cut that flatters your face shape and is easier to maintain.
10. The Faux Volume: Extensions Overboard
Hair extensions have gone into outdated territory. While they are great for adding length and volume, too many extensions can make your hair look fake and overly voluminous, which is unattractive and aging.
Style Advice: If you want more volume, opt for subtle, well-blended extensions that look natural and enhance your hair’s appearance.
11. The Bowl Cut: Little Boy Vibes
The pageboy or bowl cut is cute—if you are a 4-6-year-old boy. However, this outdated look is the opposite of cool and sexy and emphasizes round facial features in the worst possible way.
Style Advice: Choose styles with soft, flowing layers to create movement and avoid a helmet-like appearance.
12. The Slicked: No Escape
Slicked-back hairstyles can be chic, but they are also severe and unforgiving. If you have mature skin, they can accentuate fine lines, crow’s feet, and a receding hairline.
Style Advice: Instead of going full slick-back, try a looser, tousled look that softens your face and makes it look more relaxed.
13. The OTT Layered: Ugly and Aging
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Layers are great to add volume, texture, and bounce, but subtlety is the key. Too many can look choppy, dated, and even like you’re showcasing a mullet.
Style Advice: Stick to subtle, blended layers that add volume without sacrificing the smooth flow of your hairstyle.
14. The Coiff: Overstyled Tease
Too much teasing or over-styling is like a little Barbie meets a stripper. It will make your hair look stiff and unnatural, instantly aging you.
Style Advice: Go for natural, effortless volume instead of over-teasing. Less is more when it comes to looking youthful.
15. The Bad Dye Jobs: Step Back from the Bleach
When it comes to color, it’s best to keep it natural looking. Go for either one shade lighter or darker, or it will create a harsh contrast. Beware that over-bleaching your hair or having streaky highlights can make your hair look brittle and strawlike, and you will look aged and unkempt.t
Style Advice: Opt for softer, well-blended highlights that complement your skin tone and give your hair a natural glow.