9 Glam Holiday Hairstyles For Women Over 50

‘Tis the season for countless holiday parties. Here, find a little hair inspiration for your next shindig.

As the holiday season gets into full swing, there will be a flurry of occasions for you to get dressed up and go out for some celebratory cheer. Whether it’s a swanky office party, chic cocktails at the latest hotspot, opening night of The Nutcracker or a black tie New Year’s Eve shindig, you’ll want to put your best face forward—and a fabulous look should start with good hair.

We look back at a few red carpet looks for hair inspiration—from the grey haired to the long and curly. Toronto-based hair and makeup artist, Tana D’Amico chips in with some tips on how to achieve some of these looks. The hair and makeup pro not only worked on several Zoomer magazine cover stars but also worked on such celebrities as Marissa Tomei during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Here, find a little hair inspiration from these nine stars.

DIANA ROSS, 73

When the legendary entertainer appeared at the American Music Awards in November to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award, she not only performed a medley of her classic hits, she also sported one of her enduring style signatures—a billowing cloud of curly hair. Even decades later, the diva’s big mane of hair remains part of her glamorous repertoire.

But if you’re lucky enough to be endowed with soft curls, you probably know that it can easily go from fab to frizz.

“As with any curly hair,” D’Amico says, “mega moisture is key at all times such as a good shampoo and conditioner that boast words on the bottle as softening, moisturizing and shine.” She recommends Renewing Argan Oil of Morocco Conditioner.

To keep those curls intact—and the frizz at bay—she also suggests using a diffuser; an attachment for your hairdryer. To achieve that level of volume Ross sports, use the diffuser with your head upside down. Any styling product, such as Redken Curvaceous curl refiner, should be scrunched throughout the hair before using the diffuser.

EMMA THOMPSON, 58

The short pixie haircut is one frequently preferred by women over 50 for its easy, no-fuss attributes when it comes to styling. But what’s different about Emma Thompson’s breezy glam look is her highlights.

“The highlights help emphasize and show off the texture,” says D’Amico. To help get the look, shampoo and condition as usual and blow dry your roots in every which direction in order to give extra lift, she says.

Once dried, add a little bit of Schwarzkopf Styliste Ultime Biotin Magic Volume Powder to your roots. The dry texture powder will help give the hair more body.

JANE FONDA, 79

Not all glam evening hairstyles needs a towering up do. Sometimes a simple French roll at your nape will do the trick.

For this look, D’Amico recommends your hair length be between your jaw and shoulder. Blow dry with a medium to large round brush for extra body and shine, then gently tease the crown area for some extra volume.

“Spray hairspray in your hands and gather all your hair at the nape of your neck and just twist it and pin into a mini French roll low at your nape,” D’Amico explains. Secure the pins by criss-crossing them and use a finishing spray to hold—such as Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Strong Finish.

HALLE BERRY, 51

The messy up-do is easy and glamorous. Halle Berry’s red carpet beauty look for the premiere of Kingsman: The Golden Circle featured a high bun but lots of loose strands of hair framing her face for a softer look.

“If you don’t have long hair, extensions are readily available and inexpensive,” suggests D’Amico, for anyone who wants to try this look. Get a hair donut that matches your hair colour, gather your own hair on top of your head into a ponytail, then pull your hair through the hair donut, she instructs.

Then start wrapping your hair around the donut until it covers it and secure with bobby pins. To help capture Berry’s alluring feel, pull some pieces from the side and also some in front for loose bangs.

SARAH JESSICA PARKER, 52

The flip side to the messy up do is to go sleek and smooth. This look works well for an ultra-swanky event or an occasion which requires wearing a formal gown.

Keep in mind, when your hair is pulled away from your face in such a dramatic fashion, your makeup needs to follow suit and be stronger with some special attention given to your eyes or lips.

MELANIE GRIFFITH, 60

Scraping your hair up into an evening look can sometimes be too severe or harsh looking for more mature women. But here is an example of how to get it right, like Melanie Griffith did, at a recent amfAR gala in Beverly Hills. The loose waves and tendrils falling from the mound of hair piled at the top of her head, helps to soften her face.

“Start with a medium-hold mousse with thermal protection,” advises D’Amico. “It will do two things; give the hair body and hold and it will also protect it from hot styling tools like blow-dryers and curling irons.” Once the product is in, blow dry and put the hair into a loose bun at the top of your head. Then start pulling out pieces to frame your face or conceal areas around your jaw.

GOLDIE HAWN, 72

An evening hairstyle does not have to look as if you spent hours fussing. This Hollywood star has always sported a laid back and casual elegance with her evening looks, including her hair. Her bouncy, shiny and touchable hairstyle “instantly gives her a youthful look,” says D’Amico. “It also detracts from facial signs of aging.”

And it appears you just need to do one thing. “Don’t underestimate the power of a good blow out—it’s worth its weight in platinum,” declares D’Amico.

HELEN MIRREN, 72

A grey hairstyle does not have to be the image of a dowager. For a modern look, take a style cue from this British Dame. Start with a good cut, then slick the sides and put a quiff in front.

“It’s fearless and requires confidence to expose the face,” says D’Amico. If your hair is fine, you’d benefit from a thickening cream or lotion, she says. She also recommends using a blue shampoo for grey hair—it helps to keep the hair looking white and fresh.

LAURA LINNEY, 53

Yes, you can turn a pony tail into an elegant evening look. Laura Linney’s long shoulder length hair was pulled back into a low ponytail and her hair was given the slick and glossy treatment. It exudes sophistication—and works well with her tuxedo look—but it is also one of the simplest hair looks to achieve, but it does require a particular tool.

“To get any slick look, you need a broad bristle brush which has teeth very close to each other or a Denman brush,” advises D’Amico.

 

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