Your hairstyle has a huge impact on your overall appearance—and it can either enhance your features or unintentionally add years to your look. Often, we stick with the same cut or color for comfort, but what once worked might now be working against us. The wrong hairstyle can drag your face down, emphasize the wrong areas, or just feel outdated. Fortunately, a few smart tweaks can take years off your style and boost your confidence in the process.
Here are 8 common hairstyle mistakes that could be aging you—and what to try instead for a more modern, flattering look.
1. The Outdated Layered Bob
The voluminous, choppy bob that was once all the rage is now one of the biggest culprits when it comes to looking dated. Harsh layers that flip out at the ends can create a boxy shape and emphasize jawlines in an unflattering way.
What to try instead: A soft, blunt bob that sits just above the shoulders. Ask for subtle internal layers that add movement without creating bulk. Pair with face-framing pieces to soften angles and elongate the neck.
2. Overly Dark, One-Tone Hair Color
A flat, inky-black or dark brown shade can sap dimension from your face, especially as your skin tone and hairline change with age. One-tone colors can also highlight fine lines and dark circles.
What to try instead: Add dimension with balayage or low-maintenance highlights. Even just a few soft caramel or golden strands can brighten your complexion and give your hair more life. Ask your stylist about “root smudging” or “face-framing lights” for a modern update.
3. The Helmet Hair Blowout
A perfectly curled and sprayed blowout may have been stylish years ago, but today it often comes across as stiff and overly polished. This overly set look lacks the movement that modern hairstyles embrace.
What to try instead: A looser, undone blowout. Focus on volume at the roots and soft bends through the ends. Use a round brush or large-barrel curling iron, then brush out the curls for a more natural finish. Modern hair moves—it doesn’t stay locked in place.
4. Super Short, Tight Curls All Over
While natural curls are beautiful, cutting them into an overly uniform, tight shape can shrink your face and create a dated, helmet-like effect.
What to try instead: Ask for a curl-specialist cut that works with your natural texture and face shape. Adding layers and varying the curl pattern gives volume without bulk. Moisturizing products and diffusing techniques also bring curls to life without frizz or stiffness.
5. Heavy Side-Swept Bangs
Side bangs that start at the crown and sweep dramatically across the forehead can drag your features down, especially if they’re thick and overly styled. They also tend to separate awkwardly during the day, making them hard to manage.
What to try instead: Curtain bangs or soft, wispy fringe. These lighter, middle-parted bangs open up the face and can be styled in multiple ways. They grow out beautifully and suit a wide range of face shapes, from round to heart-shaped.
6. Too Long Without Shape
Extra-long hair may feel youthful, but once it loses its shape, it can actually have the opposite effect. Hair that hangs straight with no layers or styling ends up pulling your face downward and making your features look tired.
What to try instead: Keep length if you love it, but add long layers and internal movement. Subtle shaping around the face—starting at the cheekbone or jawline—can lift your features and add interest. Even just trimming a few inches can make a big difference.
7. Over-Straightened Hair
Flat-ironing your hair until it’s pin-straight may seem sleek, but it often emphasizes fine lines and creates a harsh contrast against your skin. This style can also make thinning or aging hair appear flatter and more lifeless.
What to try instead: Embrace your natural texture with soft waves or loose curls. Use heat tools to create movement, but keep the ends looking soft—not fried. A texturizing spray or mousse adds body without stiffness and gives hair a more youthful, healthy bounce.
8. Harsh Middle or Deep Side Parts
Parting your hair in the same way for decades can date your look. A sharp middle part can be too severe on some face shapes, while a deep side part might feel overly retro.
What to try instead: Experiment with a soft off-center part or a slightly zig-zag part to break up your routine. A flexible part that adapts to your natural growth pattern looks fresher and more flattering. Don’t be afraid to play around—sometimes a tiny adjustment is all you need to revitalize your entire hairstyle.