19 Chic Medium-Length Hairstyles That Just Make Sense for Women Over 45

As we get older, it's only natural that we lean towards hair changes. If you've sported a long, straight look for most of your adult life, it's totally normal to want to chop it all off into a shorter style as you start to creep towards your 50s. This is normal not just because tastes and fashions change but also because, much like our skin, our hair ages too. "At the scalp, we may find dryness, sensitivity and slackness, and in the hair, we may see dullness, brittleness and thinning," says Nicky Lazou, Kérastase expert and celebrity hairstylist. 

For these reasons, switching up your signature hairstyle with age is a very common, and often necessary, change to make. The problem is that when hair is going through this transition, it can feel hard to keep up with what your strands want. While chopping off your lengths into a chic, more manageable bob might seem like the right thing to do, it's totally understandable if you find the idea more than a little daunting. Instead, why not take it a step at a time and opt for a medium-length hairstyle? For proof it's far from boring, keep scrolling for the 19 celeb-approved medium-length hairstyles that are perfect for older women.

Sleek and Straight

Don't want to faff with daily styling? Make like Gillian Anderson and sweep your hair back, fixing it in place with a holding putty or spray.

Nothing says chic quite like a centre-parted, sleek lob. We can't get enough of Angela Bassett's choppy ends.

Not quite a medium-length style, but not long either, this super-straight, super-sleek style from Julianne Moore is the perfect way to take off some unwanted length without going whole hog on a short style.

Give straight hair some lifted volume by blow-drying ends under. With face-framing bangs that open up the face, this look proves that straight hair is anything but boring.

A lob doesn't have to be high maintenance. If your hair is naturally straight, take inspo from Charlize Theron and part your blunt lengths to the side for an edgy take on an otherwise boring style.

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Sweeping Side Part

While middle partings have been all the rage for a little while, as we get older, it can sometimes be worth switching things up. With hair naturally turning a little drier and coarser, it's typical to find your roots hold more volume. To add shape and definition, opt for a sweeping side parting.

To soften up mid-length curls, incorporate a side fringe into your style like Kerry Washington's. It doesn't have to be big or bold—subtle side bangs are all it takes.

Once again proving that the side fringe is making a major comeback, Jennifer Garner's tousled lengths are nothing short of hair goals.

If it's glam you're after, take notes from Cate Blanchett. Sweeping hair over to the side and loosely curling ends delivers the ultimate Hollywood 'do.

At a loss with what to do with your super-thick hair? J.Lo's got you. Work some texturising cream or mousse through lengths and go for mega volume.

You can always rely on Julia Roberts to deliver A-list hair inspo. Proving perfectly that medium-length styles work just as well for the evening as they do the daytime, this side-parted look couldn't be more polished.

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Natural Curls

There's no time like the present to start embracing your natural hair texture. Tracee Ellis Ross's natural curls are full of bounce and definition.

If your hair is tightly coiled, like Viola Davis's, a medium-length cut is perfect. For the evening, wearing your coils out, utilising grips at the sides to create lift.

Proving that you should never feel pressured to cover up your greys, Andie MacDowell's curly grey lengths are the epitome of chic.

She might play the queen on screen, but Golda Rosheuval's natural curls, picked out into an afro prove she's the queen of mid-length hairstyles, too.

Make like Nicole Kidman and reach for curl-holding mousses and creams to give your loose ringlets some bouncy definition.

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Tousled Lob

No one does beachy hair quite like Halle Berry, and her fringed, tousled, balayaged lob proves it.

While Cindy Crawford has sported long, supermodel strands with enviable bounce for as long as we can remember, more recently, she has opted for a shorter, medium-length, tousled lob—and we're here for it.

Keep your lob looking laid-back and effortless by incorporating some super-fine, balayaged babylights like Jeanne Tripplehorn's. 

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Next up, trust me—these are 37 of the best celebrity hairstyles ever.