Outdated 80s & 90s Hair Trends Women Over 60 Should Skip

Updating your hairstyle is not about erasing the past; it’s about evolving it. If you came of age in the 80s and 90s, you likely experimented with perms, power fringes, and a hairspray habit to rival any backstage beauty team. Today, the most flattering looks for women over 60 are lighter, softer, and more effortless—celebrating texture and movement rather than locking hair into a single, rigid shape. Here’s a stylist-informed guide to help you retire those dated details with confidence and choose modern alternatives that do your features—and your lifestyle—real justice.

Why Updating Your Look Matters (Without Losing Yourself)

Hair evolves with us. Changes in density, texture, greying patterns, and face shape all influence what looks best now. A fresh cut or colour approach can sharpen your silhouette, soften fine lines, and reduce day-to-day styling effort. The goal isn’t to chase trends—it’s to curate a look that feels current and true to you: polished, low-maintenance, and quietly chic.

9 Outdated Hair Trends to Retire—And What to Try Instead

1. The “poodle” perm with crispy curl cast
   Uniform, ultra-tight curl patterns set with stiff mousse flatten the face and can make hair look dry. Today’s texture is about softness and movement.

   Try instead: A modern body-wave perm or soft digital perm for larger, more natural bends. Style with a light cream or curl balm and diffuse gently for touchable definition.

2. Helmet hair from industrial-strength hairspray
   Shellacked styles freeze volume in place but highlight breakage and dated silhouettes.

   Try instead: Flexible-hold hairspray or a volumising mousse at the roots, then a round-brush blow-dry for airy lift that still moves.

3. Bumper bangs and over-teased crowns
   Excessive teasing creates a hard ridge and draws attention to the hairline rather than the eyes and cheekbones.

   Try instead: Soft curtain fringes or a wispy side-swept fringe. For lift, use root powder or a lightweight volumiser, then backcomb gently only at the interior.

4. Chunky zebra highlights and frosted streaks
   High-contrast stripes can look blocky against silver growth and make fine hair appear thinner.

   Try instead: Babylights, grey-blending highlights, or balayage for soft dimension. Toning in mushroom, sand, or champagne hues keeps the finish refined.

5. One-shade box-dye black
   Inky, flat colour can harden features and emphasise changes in skin tone.

   Try instead: A multi-dimensional brunette, deep espresso with soft caramel lowlights, or demi-permanent glossing. If you’re embracing silver, ask for lowlights to “marble” greys for a luxe blend.

6. Heavy bowl cuts with blunt, straight fringe
   Severe lines plus uniform weight can read costume-like and accentuate roundness at the crown.

   Try instead: The “bixie” (bob–pixie) with piecey edges, or a soft crop with micro-layers for lift. Point-cutting removes bulk and creates flattering, feather-light edges.

7. Rat-tail remnants and extreme tails
   Sharp, dangling tails pull the eye downward and rarely complement contemporary tailoring.

   Try instead: A clean nape taper or undercut detail for structure—sleek, modern, and fuss-free.

8. Flip-out ends set rigidly
   Dramatic, sprayed-out flips feel costume-y and limit styling versatility.

   Try instead: A soft bevel at the ends with a round brush or hot brush, turning under or creating a loose S-bend for a polished, modern finish.

9. Pageant ringlets and tightly set evening updos
   High-shine, tight curls stacked into a fixed updo can read overly formal and dated.

   Try instead: A relaxed chignon or low textured bun with face-framing wisps. Use a soft glossing serum and flexible pins for a lived-in, elegant feel.

How to Modernise Your Cut and Colour—Gracefully

• Prioritise texture and movement: Ask your stylist for internal layers, soft graduations, and point-cut ends to keep hair from sitting in a single block.
• Embrace grey on your terms: Grey blending with highlights/lowlights creates a luxurious “salt-and-pepper” effect. A demi gloss can refine tone without harsh regrowth lines.
• Lift the face: Gentle face-framing layers or a curtain fringe can highlight cheekbones and eyes, creating the impression of lift without heavy teasing.
• Choose low-maintenance colour: Balayage and smudged root techniques soften demarcation, stretching appointments while keeping the look polished.
• Protect condition: Mature hair benefits from bond-building treatments, weekly hydration masks, and heat protection. Healthy hair always looks more modern.
• Match cut to lifestyle: If you air-dry most days, request a shape that forms naturally with minimal product—your stylist can tailor layers to your texture pattern.
• Rethink fringe weight: Lighter, slightly textured fringes are more forgiving and less fussy to style than heavy, blunt ones.
• Bring inspiration, not replicas: Show 2–3 photos to illustrate texture, length, and fringe you like. Your stylist will adapt them to your features and hair density.

Consultation Tips With Your Stylist

Arrive with clean, dry hair in its natural state so your stylist can assess texture honestly. Explain what you loved—and didn’t—about past cuts, and be honest about your daily routine. If you heat-style only for occasions, say so. Ask for a maintenance plan: how often to trim, when to refresh toner, and which at-home habits will preserve shape and shine. Finally, request a grow-out strategy so your look stays flattering between appointments.

Key Takeaways

• Trade rigid, highly sprayed shapes for flexible, touchable movement and soft finishes.
• Swap chunky streaks and flat black for grey blending, babylights, or multi-dimensional tones.
• Modern fringes and face-framing layers lift features without heavy teasing.
• Healthy hair is the most modern look—invest in hydration, bond care, and heat protection.
• Choose styles that suit your texture and routine for effortless elegance every day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do women over 60 need to cut their hair short?
Not at all. Length should suit your texture, density, and lifestyle. A long, softly layered cut with healthy ends can look exceptionally polished. The key is movement and condition.

Is grey hair ageing?
Grey is simply a colour family. When the tone is refined and the cut is modern, silver can be striking and sophisticated. Grey blending and glossing treatments help it look intentional and luxe.

Are perms still a good idea?
Modern perms create larger, softer waves rather than crunchy coils. If your hair is healthy and you work with a skilled stylist, a body-wave perm can add volume and texture with minimal styling.

What’s the easiest way to get volume without teasing?
Try a root-lifting spray or powder, blow-dry with a round brush or hot brush for lift, and finish with a flexible-hold spray. A subtle underlayer of internal layering also supports volume.

How often should I colour if I’m blending grey?
Grey blending and balayage typically stretch to 8–12 weeks or longer, depending on contrast and technique. A quick gloss every 4–6 weeks can refresh tone without full colour.

What fringe works best for mature features?
Soft curtain or side-swept fringes are universally flattering and low-fuss. Ultra-heavy, blunt fringes demand precision styling and can feel severe; a lighter edge is more forgiving.

Can I still wear layers?
Yes—just keep them soft and strategic. Ask for internal layers to remove bulk and support lift without creating a choppy, dated effect.