Forget everything your mother told you about "age-appropriate" hair because, honestly, that concept died about a decade ago. If you're looking for hairstyles for women 70, you've probably noticed that most advice online is stuck in 1995, suggesting everyone over a certain age needs a stiff, sprayed-into-submission perm. That's just not how it works today.
Modern hair is about texture. It's about movement. It's about whether you want to spend twenty minutes with a blow dryer or twenty seconds with a bit of sea salt spray. You're seventy. You've earned the right to look exactly how you want, whether that’s a silver buzz cut or shoulder-length waves that make you feel like a rockstar.
The big "long hair" myth and why it's breaking
There's this weird, unspoken social contract that says once you hit sixty, the shears come out. But why? If your hair is healthy, long hair can actually be incredibly flattering because it softens the jawline. Look at Jane Seymour. She's in her seventies and her long, chestnut hair is basically her trademark. It works because she keeps it layered.
Flat, one-length long hair can drag the face down. That's the trap. When we talk about hairstyles for women 70, we're really talking about gravity. A few face-framing "curtain bangs" or some internal layers can lift your features more effectively than a surgical procedure. It's all about where the weight of the hair sits. If the bulk of your hair is hitting right at your chin, it’s going to emphasize any sagging. If you move that volume up to the cheekbones? Instant lift.
Silver is a choice, not a sentence
Let's talk about the transition to gray. It’s a massive trend, but it's also a pain in the neck to do correctly. You can't just stop dyeing your hair and hope for the best unless you want a harsh line for two years. Many women are now opting for "herringbone highlights." This is a technique where stylists mix cold and warm toned highlights to blend the natural gray with your remaining pigment. It's subtle. It's expensive-looking.
Some women, like the iconic Maye Musk, go for that striking, icy white. It's bold. To pull that off, the cut has to be sharp. A messy, unstyled gray head can sometimes look accidental, whereas a deliberate, sharp pixie in bright silver looks like a high-fashion statement. If you're going silver, you've got to invest in a purple shampoo. Brands like Oribe or even the classic Clairol Shimmer Lights are essential because gray hair turns yellow if you even look at a cigarette or a hard-water showerhead the wrong way.
✨ Don't miss: Weather Forecast Calumet MI: What Most People Get Wrong About Keweenaw Winters
The Bob: Still the undisputed heavyweight champion
The bob is the most requested of all hairstyles for women 70 for a reason. It’s versatile. But "The Bob" isn't just one thing.
You have the stacked bob, which gives a lot of volume at the crown. This is great if your hair is thinning. Then there’s the French bob, which hits right at the cheekbone and usually involves some messy bangs. It’s very "effortless chic."
The trick to a modern bob at seventy is avoiding the "triangular" shape. You know the one—flat on top and wide at the bottom. It makes everyone look like a Christmas tree. Ask your stylist for "shattered ends." It sounds aggressive, but it just means they'll use thinning shears or a razor to keep the bottom from looking too heavy.
Why the Pixie isn't always the "easy" route
People think short hair is low maintenance. Kinda.
While you save time on drying, you're at the salon every five weeks for a trim. If you wait eight weeks, you lose the shape and start looking like a Q-tip. A textured pixie—think Judi Dench—is brilliant because it embraces the natural "growth patterns" of your hair. It’s "wash and go" in the truest sense. You just need a little bit of pomade or wax to give it that piecey look.
🔗 Read more: January 14, 2026: Why This Wednesday Actually Matters More Than You Think
Thinning hair is the elephant in the room
Let's be real: hair changes. Hormones, especially post-menopause, mean the diameter of each hair strand shrinks. You might have the same number of hairs, but they're skinnier. This is where products become more important than the cut itself.
Volumizing mousses have come a long way since the crunchy 80s versions. Using something like Living Proof Full Thickening Cream can actually mimic the feel of thicker hair. Also, don't be afraid of a "shag" cut. The multiple layers in a shag create the illusion of density. It’s a bit rebellious, a bit 70s (the decade, not the age), and it hides a thinning crown beautifully.
The Bangs Debate
Should you get bangs? Maybe.
Bangs are "nature's Botox." They hide forehead wrinkles. However, if you have a very round face, straight-across bangs can make you look shorter and wider. Wispy, side-swept bangs are almost universally flattering. They draw attention to the eyes, which is usually our best feature as we age. Just avoid the "tiny fringe" look unless you're going for a very specific, artsy vibe.
Maintenance and the Reality of Scalp Health
At seventy, your scalp produces less oil. You probably don't need to wash your hair every day anymore. In fact, you shouldn't. Over-washing strips the hair of what little moisture it has left, leading to that "frizzy" look that many women mistake for damage when it's really just dehydration.
💡 You might also like: Black Red Wing Shoes: Why the Heritage Flex Still Wins in 2026
Switch to a sulfate-free shampoo. Invest in a silk pillowcase. It sounds bougie, but it actually prevents the friction that causes breakage overnight. Since our hair grows slower now, we have to protect the hair we have.
Real-world examples of aging gracefully
Look at Helen Mirren. She’s played with everything from long, flowing silver locks to a pink-tinted bob. She proves that the best hairstyles for women 70 are the ones that don't take themselves too seriously. Then you have someone like Viola Davis, who often embraces her natural texture in shorter, cropped styles that look incredibly sophisticated and powerful.
The common thread? Confidence. If you feel like you're wearing a wig or someone else's hair, it shows.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Salon Visit
- Bring Photos, but Be Specific: Don't just show a picture of a celebrity. Tell your stylist, "I like the bangs here, but I want the length to be more like this other photo."
- Talk About Your Morning Routine: If you aren't going to use a round brush and a blow dryer for thirty minutes, tell them. A haircut that requires high styling will look terrible if you're a "shower and leave" person.
- Address the Texture: Ask for a "gloss treatment." It’s often clear or very lightly tinted, and it smooths down the cuticle of gray hair, which tends to be more wiry and coarse.
- Don't Fear the Product: Gray and aging hair needs help. Get a good heat protectant and a lightweight oil. Moroccanoil Light is a solid choice because it doesn't weigh down finer strands.
- Eyebrows Matter: Your hair doesn't live in a vacuum. As you change your hair color or style, your eyebrows might need to be darkened or shaped to provide balance to your face.
Ultimately, the best haircut is the one that makes you want to look in the mirror. If you've spent seventy years caring what people think, use this decade to please yourself. Whether that's a purple streak, a classic bob, or a long mane of silver, just make sure it feels like you.
Stop looking for "age-appropriate" and start looking for "identity-appropriate." Your hair is an extension of your personality, not a tally of your birthdays.