Short hairstyles for women over 40 are chic, modern, and absolutely ageless. Whether you want a bold pixie, a classic bob, or something edgy and unexpected, the right short cut can take years off your face and make styling effortless. Here are 63 stunning short hairstyles that prove beauty and style have no age limit.
#1. Platinum Pixie Cut with Side Bangs
image via @rachelwstylist
This sleek platinum pixie is bold, edgy, and incredibly youthful-looking. The side bangs add versatility and frame your face beautifully, flattering all face shapes. Ask your stylist for textured layers on top with longer side-swept bangs for that perfect balance of edge and femininity.
#2. Jaw-Length Wavy Caramel Bob
image via @latesthair
This jaw-length bob is perfect for wavy hair—it creates gorgeous volume and movement even on thinning strands. The captivating caramel color shines beautifully in any light and adds warmth to your complexion. It’s flattering, low-maintenance, and absolutely stunning.
#3. Undercut Bob with Feathered Layers
image via @therighthairstyles
This is my go-to cut for fine or thinning hair over 40. The undercut creates essential volume and fullness at the crown, while feathered layers provide gorgeous texture and movement. It’s modern, youthful, and surprisingly easy to style every day.
#4. Sleek Gray Bob with Inverted Ends
image via @oliviaantonhairstylist
This contemporary take on a classic bob is ideal for embracing your natural grays gracefully. The inverted ends frame your face beautifully and add dimension, while the sleek finish keeps everything polished. It’s sophisticated, modern, and absolutely timeless.
#5. Chocolate-Tousled Lob
image via @dollup_beauty_studio
If you’re not ready to go super short, this lob is the perfect compromise. The chocolate brown color is low-maintenance and rich, while the length gives you styling versatility. It’s chic, effortless, and ideal for busy women who still want to look polished.
#6. Classic Rounded Bob with Subtle Highlights
image via @toniandguykw
This timeless rounded bob is sophisticated yet youthful and fun. It’s incredibly easy to style and flattering on everyone. Add subtle highlights to brighten your face and create beautiful dimension—it’s the perfect upgrade to a classic cut.
#7. Copper Asymmetrical Shag Cut
image via @sickhairbyval
Feeling bold? This asymmetrical shag with fiery copper color is for you. The shag layers give thin hair gorgeous fullness and volume, while the asymmetry adds serious edge. The copper color makes the whole look pop and gives you that confident, bold energy.
#8. Angled Bob with Razored Ends
image via @magdajagri_hair
This is a cool bob—not just a regular bob. The razor-cut ends create straight, clean lines for a sleeker, more contemporary look. It’s incredibly versatile, works with any color or face shape, and looks amazing on short to medium-length hair.
#9. Textured Chin-Length Cut for Curly Hair
image via @evanjosephcurls
Curly girls, this one’s for you! A chin-length bob showcases your natural curls with maximum volume and bounce. It’s super simple to style (just scrunch and go), and it revives your curls beautifully. This cut lets your natural texture shine.
#10. Wispy Curtain Bangs and Short Bob
image via @mikihair11o1
Two of the hottest trends combined—wispy curtain bangs and a short bob. The bob creates a confident, sophisticated look, while the curtain bangs soften everything and frame your face beautifully. It’s modern, elegant, and incredibly flattering.
#11. Layered Salt-and-Pepper Bob
image via @hairbabemiranda
This layered bob adds gorgeous depth and movement to salt-and-pepper hair. It’s a glamorous, low-maintenance way to embrace your grays with style. The layers create dimension and keep everything from looking flat or one-dimensional.
#12. French Bob with Micro Bangs
image via @hairbrained_official
This classic French bob has stayed chic for over 100 years for good reason. Add micro bangs for extra flair and a modern twist. It’s sophisticated, timeless, and brings that effortless Parisian elegance to your everyday style.
#13. Two-Tone Pixie with Side-Swept Bangs
image via @hairmakesupbee
Get playful with a two-tone pixie that creates massive visual interest. The dual shades add dimension and depth, while side-swept bangs soften the pixie and frame your face beautifully. It’s fun, modern, and totally eye-catching.
#14. Razor-Cut Bob with Blunt Bangs
image via @jayne_edosalon
This razor-cut bob with blunt bangs keeps you looking sharp and polished. The clean-cut layers add texture and fullness, while the effortlessly chic blunt bangs draw attention straight to your face. It’s modern, structured, and absolutely stunning.
#15. Wavy Inverted Bob in Strawberry Blonde
image via @katiebluesalon
The inverted bob is beautifully flattering for various face shapes, especially on textured hair. The cut lets curls look their best with gorgeous body and bounce. Add soft strawberry blonde for a romantic color that turns heads wherever you go.
#16. Sleek Angled Cut for Fine Hair
image via @hairbysarahante
Don’t hide fine hair—flaunt it with a sleek angled bob! This cut is made to look smooth and polished without needing tons of volume. It’s perfect for fine or thinning hair and creates a chic, minimalist aesthetic that’s totally on-trend.
#17. Curly-Tapered Pixie with Volume
image via @bghrocks
This voluminous tapered pixie is perfect for all curl types. It leaves lots of volume and curls at the top for fullness and texture, then gradually tapers down for a polished finish. It’s easy to style, low-maintenance, and lets your curls shine beautifully.
#18. Messy Beach Wave Bob
image via @owayorganics
For a relaxed, casual vibe on wavy hair, this messy beach bob is perfect. The textured layers are laid-back and enhance your natural waves for that salt-air-treated look. Styling is as easy as tousling and going—effortless beauty at its finest.
#19. Slicked-Back Undercut Pixie
image via @hairmakesupbee
If you’re feeling bold and adventurous, this slicked-back undercut pixie commands attention and exudes confidence. Once thought to be masculine, this style is now edgy with a dose of elegance. It’s fierce, modern, and absolutely stunning.
#20. Classic Pageboy Cut with a Soft Fringe
image via @hairuwear_inc
Bring retro glam into your life with a pageboy cut and soft fringe. The bangs beautifully frame your face, while the rounded edges provide that classic, polished look. It’s vintage-inspired, timeless, and totally charming.
#21. Shaggy Mullet with Curtain Bangs
image via @erika_cuts
This isn’t your typical mullet—it’s a shaggy, modern version with face-framing layers and curtain bangs. It maintains length while adding tons of texture and versatility. It’s daring, cool, and gives you endless styling options.
#22. Voluminous Curly Afro
image via @thelaurynicole
Celebrate your natural beauty with a voluminous afro that enhances your gorgeous curl texture. This style has height, body, and texture—everything you could want. It looks stunning on short or medium-length hair in any color you choose.
#23. Flapper-Inspired Bob with Finger Waves
image via @simply_bold_and_beautiful
Nothing beats vintage glam like a flapper-inspired bob styled with finger waves. This old Hollywood look is stunning, glamorous, and gives women over 40 a more youthful appearance. It’s elegant, timeless, and absolutely gorgeous for special occasions.
#24. Tapered Buzz Cut
image via @ashpaintshair
For something super short and simple, a tapered buzz cut is virtually zero-maintenance. Just wake up and go—it’s that easy. It’s daring, but if you have the facial features to pull it off, you definitely won’t regret this bold choice.
#25. Cropped Pixie with Pastel Highlights
image via @decolasalon
Take your pixie up several notches with soft pastel highlights. These subtle hints of color add just enough pop, especially on a white or platinum base. It’s playful, modern, and adds gorgeous dimension without being too bold.
#26. Asymmetrical Cut with Peekaboo Colors
image via @leadstylist36
Get a big helping of drama with a playful twist—an asymmetrical bob with colorful peekaboos. The dramatic asymmetry brings edge, while the hidden pops of color keep everything fun and less severe. It’s bold yet playful and totally unique.
#27. Textured Pixie with Long Bangs
image via @salty_blondes_gc
This textured pixie is edgy yet sophisticated with gorgeous body and movement. The long bangs take this chic style to the next level, providing more styling options and an amplified feminine touch. It’s modern, versatile, and absolutely stunning.
#28. Bob with Blended Grays and Lavender
image via @rainbowabstractions
Lavender is the perfect color to upgrade your gray hair beautifully. A classic bob highlights the pop of lavender color perfectly. This is the ideal compromise between staying youthful and embracing the natural beauty of gray hair.
#29. Wavy Lob with Side Bangs
image via @fashionbyally
This classic lob with side bangs creates gorgeous balance between length and body for wavy hair. The side bangs have a flattering, somewhat anti-aging effect that softens your face. It’s versatile, pretty, and works on all face shapes.
#30. Short Spiky Faux Hawk
image via @shmoakin_hair
If you love to stand out and embrace your spunky side, this short spiky faux hawk is for you. This bold look adds excitement and interest with effortless edge. It does need daily styling to keep those spikes up, but the impact is totally worth it.
#31. Soft-Feathered Bob
image via @kathleenryanart
If chic and spunky isn’t your vibe, this soft-feathered bob is stylish yet gentle. Feathered layers add body, movement, and texture—perfect for fine and thinning hair. This timeless look works beautifully with any hair color and feels effortlessly elegant.
#32. Undercut Bob with Chunky Highlights
image via @hairpin_me_down85
Take your undercut bob up a notch with chunky highlights that create serious statement-making style. The cut enhances the highlights and vice versa, working together for something bold, flattering, and totally captivating. It’s edgy, dimensional, and absolutely gorgeous.
#33. Tousled Short Cut with Balayage
image via @vivahairlounge
Balayage isn’t just for long hair—on short, tousled waves, it gives a flawless sun-kissed glow. The cut adds volume, bounce, and fullness to your waves. This even works on curly hair for beautiful added dimension and detail.
#34. Retro Victory Rolls
image via @fittshair
Release your inner pin-up girl with retro victory rolls! This hairstyle works perfectly on short to medium hair and always stands out. When you take the rolls out, you’ll have gorgeous voluminous bombshell waves—it’s a total win-win.
#35. Buzz Cut with an Etched Design
image via @voiceofhair
Why settle for a traditional buzz cut when you can get creative with a cool etched design? The design can be anything you want—geometric patterns, florals, or abstract art. It’s bold, unique, and guaranteed to catch attention.
#36. Short Layered Cut with Curls
image via @majasalonspa
If you want voluminous curls, a short layered cut is simple yet makes a huge statement. Your curls will fall better, you’ll have more volume, and your styling routine will be cut in half. It’s easy, flattering, and lets your curls shine.
#37. Short Bob with Ombre Ends
image via @onaiaziz
Ombre absolutely belongs on short hair, especially on a bob. This captivating look is trendy yet subtle—the ombre ends add serious flair to the short bob, but the easy color transition keeps it softened and wearable. It’s modern, dimensional, and totally gorgeous.
#38. Modern Bowl Cut
image via @hstylze
This isn’t your childhood kitchen-scissors bowl cut—it’s a modern ’90s comeback with perfectly straight edges that frame your face. When done right, it’s a great look that’s perfect for finer hair. It’s bold, structured, and surprisingly chic.
#39. Pixie Cut with Long Feathered Bangs
image via @scissoredbyfig
Keep a little length on your pixie with longer feathered bangs. You get all the spunk of the pixie cut with added edge from the long bangs and feathered layers. It’s versatile, textured, and gives you more styling options.
#40. Platinum Blonde Crop Cut
image via @b_andrew_hair
Platinum blonde is one of the best ways to do gray your way—your gray roots blend perfectly as they grow in. Take this to the next level with a youthful short-cropped cut. It’s bright, modern, and effortlessly cool.
#41. Short A-Line Bob with Deep Side Part
image via @hairbylisamathews
The short A-line bob is one of the most popular cuts for women over 40, especially if you need extra volume. Pair it with a deep side part for an extra trendy look, or keep a middle part for versatility. Either way, it’s flattering and gorgeous.
#42. Messy Textured Crop with a Fringe
image via @meglandis.hair
Crank up the heat on your crop cut with messy textured layers and a fringe bang. This style has volume, texture, and serious style. It’s fun, edgy, and gives you that cool, lived-in vibe that’s totally on-trend.
#43. Blunt Jawline Bob
image via @amandarose.hair
Who needs contour when you have a blunt jawline bob? The razor-sharp edges accentuate your jawline perfectly for a more youthful appearance. This cut is ideal for thinner hair and looks stylish in absolutely any color.
#44. Pixie Cut Hair with Face-Framing Twists
image via @therighthairstyles
Face-framing twists add uniqueness and a feminine vibe to your pixie cut. Cut specially to frame your facial features, this brings total customization and accentuates all the right spots. It works beautifully on straight, wavy, and curly hair.
#45. Pixie Cut with Micro-Braids
image via @braidsbytasha
Pump up your pixie with artistic micro braids that add a beachy, bohemian vibe. These barely-there braids are perfect for blonde hair and add so much interest. It’s a small detail that makes a huge difference in your overall look.
#46. Short Wavy Shag with Bangs
image via @hirohair
The shag haircut is made for shorter, wavy hair. The layers create maximum body, volume, and movement and may even enhance your natural waves. Finish with bangs for that super-chic, trendy look that’s effortlessly cool.
#47. Short Cut with Tapered Nape
image via @hairmakesupbee
For something modern and adventurous, try a simple short cut with a tapered nape. The tapered style gives undeniable edge while making styling easier. It’s contemporary, sleek, and adds gorgeous shape to the back of your head.
#48. Slicked-Back Undercut
image via @foiledandfaded
This slicked-back undercut is bold, feisty, and exudes sophistication and confidence. Once a men’s style, it’s now incredibly chic for women. Plus, it’s extremely easy to style with just gel or pomade and a comb.
#49. Choppy Layered Pixie
image via @latesthair
If your pixie looks flat, add choppy layers for instant texture and volume. This timelessly trendy style offers multiple styling options and is perfect for keeping some length while still rocking a short, modern cut. It’s textured, fun, and totally versatile.
#50. Wavy Short Cut with Subtle Pink Highlights
image via @planbhairco
Infuse whimsy into your look with subtle pink highlights throughout your waves. The delicate pink brings playful vibes, while the waves create gorgeous texture and movement. It’s a perfect combo of fun and feminine.
#51. Angled Bob with Wispy Bangs
image via @nada__salon
Angled bobs actually make you look younger by drawing the eye upward, creating the illusion of tighter skin and higher cheekbones. Finish with wispy bangs for extra style points. It’s flattering, youthful, and absolutely gorgeous.
#52. Curly Mohawk
image via @_aubreanascurlss
Curly hair absolutely rocks a mohawk! This spunky style embraces your natural curls and showcases them in a bold fashion statement. Keep your curls looking their best with curl-enhancing products for maximum definition and bounce.
#53. French Bob with Baby Bangs
image via @alexusestellehair
Adding baby bangs to a French bob is a charming blend of classic and modern. This super-chic look accentuates your jawline for a more youthful appearance, while the baby bangs add that perfect touch of je ne sais quoi.
#54. Short Coily Afro
image via @curlyaho_madagascar
Celebrate the beauty of your natural texture with a short coily afro. This confident choice showcases your natural beauty while keeping your style low-maintenance and easy. It’s powerful, gorgeous, and uniquely you.
#55. Asymmetric Cut with Long Side Bangs
image via @latesthair
This asymmetrical cut with longer side bangs is youthful and playful yet sophisticated and elegant. It gives gorgeous body and fullness to thinning hair and works beautifully on any hair type. It’s versatile, modern, and totally flattering.
#56. Short Bob with Chunky Purple Streaks
image via @ashleysimna
Grab attention with a classic bob and chunky purple streaks. The bob provides the perfect offset for unexpected purple chunks that show off your fun side. Whether your base is gray, brown, or blonde, this adds serious personality.
#57. Tapered Cut with a Quiff
image via @wahlprosea
This tapered cut with a quiff adds much-needed volume on top while everything else stays sleek and tapered. It’s bold, confident, and you can even add streaks for extra fun. It’s modern, edgy, and absolutely striking.
#58. Short Stacked Bob
image via @davidpeacemaker
If you’re after volume, the stacked bob is your answer. This style is packed with layers for maximum body and movement. It’s completely universal—any hair type, any color, it all works beautifully together.
#59. Curly Pixie with Shaved Sides
image via @
coilsandglory
Showcase your natural curls in a unique, contemporary way with a curly pixie and shaved sides. The contrast between the shaved sides and curly top creates a daring, modern look suitable for any curl type. It’s bold, dimensional, and totally stunning.
#60. Spiky Platinum Blonde Cut
image via @chrisjones_hair
This spiky platinum blonde pixie is the quintessential short hairstyle for women over 40. It’s got texture, volume, and spunk—everything you need. Personalize it with different styling or add a few fun colored streaks for extra personality.
#61. Caramel Balayage on a Short Bob
image via @shebick_hairpics
Caramel balayage looks gorgeous on anyone at any age. Infuse your short bob with sweet, smooth caramel for a sun-kissed vibe without sun damage. It’s warm, flattering, and adds beautiful dimension to your bob.
#62. Chin-Length Cut with Feathered Ends
image via @ahappyjustin
Achieve effortless movement and softness with a chin-length cut and feathered ends. This wispy style is perfect for medium to fine hair that needs an extra boost in body and volume. It’s light, airy, and beautifully textured.
#63. Layered Pixie with Silver Highlights
image via @thewaywardhairdresser
Bring pep to your pixie with layers and silver highlights. This bold, beautiful look suits any face shape and adds an air of class in a truly flattering way. The silver highlights let you embrace graying with a cool, modern twist.