Martha Stewart Haircut Style: Why It Is The Ultimate Power Move

Martha Stewart is basically the only person on the planet who can turn a simple trip to the salon into a national news event. Honestly, while most of us are just trying to get through a Tuesday without spilling coffee on our shirts, Martha is out there reinventing what it means to age with a blowout that looks like it cost more than my first car. People are obsessed. And they should be.

The martha stewart haircut style isn't just a haircut; it’s a strategic asset. If you look at her recent appearances, like that "mocha mousse" transformation she did with Chris Appleton in early 2026, or her classic buttery blonde chops at the Julien Farel salon, there’s a consistent theme: volume, precision, and a refusal to look "old."

What Actually Is the Martha Stewart Haircut Style?

If you walked into a salon today and asked for "The Martha," your stylist would probably know exactly what you mean, but for the sake of your split ends, let's get specific. It is fundamentally a structured, layered bob that usually hits right at or slightly above the shoulders.

It’s not a "mom bob." Let’s be clear about that. It’s a "mogul bob."

The magic is in the internal layering. Martha has fine hair—she’s been open about that—so her stylists, like the legendary Katsu Nakamura or John Barrett, use short, choppy layers throughout the crown to create height. Without those layers, the hair would just hang there. Flat. Sad. Instead, she gets this bouncy, face-framing silhouette that highlights her jawline and hides just enough of the neck to keep things looking tight.

Recently, she’s been pushing the boundaries with the "lob" (long bob) and even experimented with temporary extensions to get that "Hollywood glamour" look. But even when she goes longer, it’s never past the collarbone. Why? Because length pulls the face down. Martha is all about the lift.

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The Secret Sauce: Color and Texture

You can’t talk about the cut without talking about the color. Parvin Klein at Bergdorf Goodman has been doing Martha’s color since 1989. Think about that. That’s longer than most marriages.

The color is a multi-dimensional "buttery blonde." It’s not a single process; it’s a mix of balayage and traditional highlights that blend her natural salt-and-pepper (mostly salt these days) into a warm, expensive-looking gold. In 2026, she even experimented with "mocha mousse" tones—a slightly deeper, richer brunette-blonde hybrid—proving she’s still willing to take risks.

Texture-wise, Martha doesn't do "woke up like this."

Every strand is accounted for. She uses products like the Living Proof Full Thickening Mousse to get that grit and hold. If you have fine hair, you know the struggle of keeping a style for more than twenty minutes. Martha’s hair looks like it could survive a Category 5 hurricane and still be ready for a segment on The Today Show.

Why This Style Works for Women Over 60 (and 70, and 80)

Most women reach a certain age and feel like they have to choose between a "grandma" pixie cut or long, stringy hair that doesn't do them any favors. Martha found the middle ground.

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1. The Lift: By keeping the length around the jaw, the eye is naturally drawn upward. It creates an optical illusion of a facelift.
2. The Bangs: She often incorporates a soft, wispy side-swept bang. This is the oldest trick in the book for hiding forehead lines without needing a bottle of Botox (though she’s honest about her dermatological "tweaks" too).
3. The Versatility: One day it’s sleek and straight for a business meeting, the next it’s tousled and beachy for a Sports Illustrated cover. It’s a chameleon cut.

Honestly, it’s a power move. It says, "I’m here, I’m relevant, and I have a really good blow-dryer."

How to Get the Martha Stewart Haircut Style at the Salon

Don't just show a picture and hope for the best. You've gotta speak the language.

First, ask for a graduated bob with internal layers. Tell your stylist you want the back to be slightly shorter than the front to give it that forward-leaning momentum. If your hair is thinning, specifically ask for "point cutting" on the ends to create texture without losing the weight of the perimeter.

For the color, don't just say "blonde." Ask for a warm honey base with cool-toned baby lights. This creates the "expensive" look Martha is famous for. If you go too ash, you look washed out. If you go too gold, you look brassy. You want that middle-of-the-road "I own a vineyard" glow.

Maintenance: It’s Not Low-Key

Let's be real: this is not a wash-and-go situation. To maintain the martha stewart haircut style, you’re looking at a professional trim every 6 to 8 weeks. No exceptions. Once a bob loses its shape, it just looks like a haircut that gave up.

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You’re also going to need some tools. Martha has famously recommended ionic ceramic hair tools to keep the frizz at bay. A 1.5-inch curling iron is her go-to for those soft, "S-shaped" waves that don't look like ringlets.

And please, for the love of all things holy, use a heat protectant. You can't get this much volume without a lot of blow-drying, and fried hair won't hold the "Martha bounce."

Your Martha-Inspired Action Plan

Ready to take the plunge? Here is exactly how to pull it off without the "lifestyle mogul" budget:

• Find a "Bob Specialist": Not every stylist is good at short hair. Look for someone whose Instagram is full of crisp, clean edges and voluminous layers.
• Invest in Mousse: If you aren't using a thickening mousse on damp hair, you’ll never get the height Martha has. Start at the roots and work it through.
• The "Half-Turn" Technique: When curling, don't wrap your hair all the way around the iron. Just do a half-turn, hold for three seconds, and let it drop. This gives you that "I’m at my farm in Bedford" effortless wave rather than "I’m going to prom."
• Don't Fear the Trim: If your hair feels heavy, it’s because the layers have grown out. Get them refreshed.

Martha Stewart proves that you don't have to fade into the background as you get older. Your hair can be your loudest statement. It’s polished, it’s intentional, and it’s a little bit intimidating. Which is exactly the point.