As we embrace our forties, it’s the perfect time to refresh our look with a stylish new haircut that complements both our age and individuality. Short hairstyles are an excellent choice for women over 40, offering a range of chic options that can enhance your natural beauty, fit your lifestyle, and make you feel fabulous.
Whether you’re drawn to the timeless elegance of a classic bob, the playful charm of a pixie cut, or the modern edge of a shaggy style, there’s a short hairstyle out there that’s just right for you.
In this guide, we’ll explore 51 stunning short hairstyles for women in their forties, each designed to highlight your features and add a touch of sophistication to your everyday look. Discover how the right cut can make a world of difference, giving you a fresh and confident appearance that suits your unique style.
1. Classic Bob
A timeless cut that works beautifully for women in their forties, the classic bob frames the face elegantly. It’s perfect for fine hair, adding volume and structure. The bob can be styled sleek or tousled, making it versatile for various occasions.
2. Textured Pixie
The textured pixie hairstyle is a chic choice for older women looking for a low-maintenance yet fashionable look. It adds body to fine hair and can be styled with light products for a tousled, carefree appearance. Ideal for those who want a modern edge.
3. Blunt Bob
The blunt bob offers a bold, defined look that works well with thicker hair. Its straight, even cut enhances the natural shine and can be paired with glasses for a sophisticated touch. This style is flattering for a variety of face shapes.
4. Shaggy Pixie
A shaggy pixie combines the ease of a short cut with a playful, textured finish. Perfect for older women, this style adds movement and volume to fine hair, making it look fuller and more dynamic. It’s easy to style and maintain.
5. Side-Swept Bangs with Bob
Adding side-swept bangs to a bob can soften the look and highlight your features. This hairstyle is great for women over 40, especially those with glasses, as it balances the face and frames the eyes beautifully.
6. Layered Bob
The layered bob adds dimension to fine hair, giving it a fuller appearance. This style is perfect for women in their forties who want a sophisticated yet modern look. Layers can be adjusted to suit different face shapes and hair textures.
7. Pixie Cut with Volume
For a more dramatic change, the pixie cut with added volume is a fantastic option. It provides a youthful appearance and is easy to style. This cut works particularly well for women with fine hair, making it appear thicker and more vibrant.
8. Blonde Bob with Highlights
A blonde bob with highlights can brighten up your look, adding dimension and warmth. This hairstyle is flattering for women in their forties, enhancing the natural shine of the hair and providing a fresh, youthful appearance.
9. Classic Shag
The classic shag is a versatile cut that can be tailored to suit various hair types. Its layered design adds volume and texture, making it a great choice for those with fine or thick hair. It’s a timeless look that remains stylish across decades.
10. Short and Sleek
A short and sleek hairstyle is ideal for older women who prefer a polished, sophisticated look. This style is easy to maintain and works well with fine hair, providing a smooth, elegant finish that highlights your features.
11. Curly Pixie
Embrace natural curls with a curly pixie cut. This hairstyle is perfect for women over 40 who want to show off their curls while keeping a chic, manageable length. It works well with both fine and thick hair, adding bounce and texture.
12. Asymmetrical Bob
The asymmetrical bob adds a modern twist to a classic cut. With one side slightly longer than the other, this style provides a dynamic look and works well with glasses. It’s a great option for women in their forties seeking a fashionable, edgy appearance.
13. Feathered Pixie
The feathered pixie cut features layers that create a soft, airy look. This style is particularly flattering for older women, adding texture and volume to fine hair while remaining easy to style. It’s a youthful and contemporary choice.
14. Pixie with Side Bangs
A pixie cut with side bangs offers a stylish and practical solution for women with glasses. The bangs frame the face beautifully and add a touch of softness, making this a great choice for women in their forties looking for a fresh update.
15. Wavy Bob
A wavy bob adds a playful, relaxed vibe to your look. This style is perfect for women over 40 who want to add movement and volume to their hair. It’s easy to achieve with a curling iron or sea salt spray, making it a versatile option.
16. Choppy Bob
The choppy bob features uneven layers and a textured finish. This edgy style works well with both fine and thick hair, adding volume and a contemporary touch. It’s a great choice for older women looking for a stylish, modern look.
17. Tapered Pixie
The tapered pixie cut is short and sleek with gradually shortened sides. It’s a great way to highlight your facial features and works well with fine hair. This style offers a clean, stylish look that is easy to maintain and perfect for women in their forties.
18. Bob with Loose Waves
Adding loose waves to a bob creates a relaxed, natural look. This style is ideal for older women, adding texture and volume to fine hair. It’s easy to achieve with a curling wand and is perfect for a casual, everyday style.
19. Slicked-Back Pixie
The slicked-back pixie offers a sophisticated, polished appearance. This hairstyle is ideal for women over 40 who prefer a clean, elegant look. It works well with fine hair and can be styled with a light gel or pomade for a sleek finish.
20. Messy Pixie
The messy pixie cut is a fun, effortless style that adds texture and volume to fine hair. It’s perfect for women in their forties who want a low-maintenance yet trendy look. This hairstyle is easy to style and maintain, making it a practical choice.
21. Graduated Bob
The graduated bob features a back that is shorter than the front, creating a stylish, angled look. This hairstyle works well with fine hair, adding volume and movement. It’s a great choice for women over 40 seeking a chic, modern appearance.
22. Side-Parted Bob
A side-parted bob adds a touch of elegance and sophistication. This style is particularly flattering for women with glasses, as it frames the face beautifully. It’s a versatile option that works well with both fine and thick hair.
23. Cropped Cut
The cropped cut is a bold choice for women in their forties, offering a sleek, minimalist look. This style is ideal for fine hair, as it emphasizes its natural shine and smoothness. It’s a low-maintenance option that provides a polished appearance.
24. Soft Waves Bob
Soft waves in a bob create a relaxed, textured look. This hairstyle is great for older women, adding movement and volume to fine hair. It’s easy to achieve and perfect for those who want a stylish yet effortless appearance.
25. Textured Lob
The textured lob, or long bob, offers a bit more length while maintaining a modern edge. This style works well with fine hair, providing volume and a laid-back vibe. It’s a versatile option that can be dressed up or down.
26. Tousled Pixie
A tousled pixie cut provides a carefree, textured look. It’s perfect for women over 40 who want a youthful, low-maintenance style. This hairstyle adds volume and dimension to fine hair, making it look fuller and more vibrant.
27. Retro Bob
A retro bob brings a classic charm with a modern twist. It’s ideal for older women who want a sophisticated, polished look. This hairstyle works well with fine hair, enhancing its natural shine and adding a touch of vintage elegance.
28. Modern Shag
The modern shag cut features layered, choppy ends that create a dynamic, textured look. This style is great for women in their forties, adding volume and movement to both fine and thick hair. It’s a trendy, youthful option.
29. Bob with Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs add a stylish frame to a classic bob. This hairstyle is flattering for women with glasses and adds a touch of softness around the face. It works well with fine hair, enhancing volume and providing a chic, modern look.
30. Pixie with Highlights
Adding highlights to a pixie cut can brighten your look and add dimension. This style is ideal for women in their forties, offering a fresh, vibrant appearance. Highlights enhance the natural texture and shine of fine hair.
31. Sleek Lob
A sleek lob combines elegance with a touch of edge. This hairstyle is perfect for older women who prefer a longer, sophisticated look. It works well with fine hair, providing a smooth, polished finish that highlights your features.
32. Layered Pixie
The layered pixie cut offers a playful, textured look. It’s ideal for women over 40 who want to add volume and movement to fine hair. Layers can be customized to suit different face shapes and styles.
33. Smooth Bob
A smooth bob is a classic choice that provides a sleek, refined appearance. This style works well with fine hair, making it look polished and elegant. It’s a versatile option that can be worn straight or slightly wavy.
34. Feathered Bob
The feathered bob adds a soft, airy texture to your look. This hairstyle is perfect for older women, enhancing volume and movement in fine hair. It’s a stylish, easy-to-maintain option that provides a youthful appearance.
35. Tousled Lob
The tousled lob offers a relaxed, natural look with added volume. This style is ideal for women in their forties who want a chic, low-maintenance hairstyle. It works well with both fine and thick hair, adding texture and movement.
36. Side-Swept Pixie
A side-swept pixie cut provides a modern, elegant look with a touch of playfulness. This style works well with fine hair and is perfect for women with glasses, as it frames the face beautifully. It’s easy to style and maintain.
37. Curly Lob
A curly lob adds bounce and texture to your look. This hairstyle is ideal for women over 40 who want to embrace their natural curls while maintaining a chic, manageable length. It works well with fine hair, adding volume and movement.
38. Messy Bob
The messy bob offers a carefree, relaxed vibe with a touch of style. This cut works well with fine hair, providing a natural, textured look. It’s a great option for older women who want a low-maintenance yet trendy appearance.
39. Angular Bob
An angular bob features sharp, clean lines that create a striking look. This style is ideal for women in their forties who want a modern, edgy appearance. It works well with fine hair, enhancing its natural shine and texture.
40. Soft Pixie
The soft pixie cut offers a gentle, feminine look with a bit of texture. This style is perfect for women over 40 who want a low-maintenance hairstyle that adds volume and softness to fine hair.
41. Bob with Face-Framing Layers
Face-framing layers in a bob add dimension and highlight your features. This style is ideal for older women, providing a flattering, sophisticated look. It works well with fine hair, adding volume and movement.
42. Wavy Pixie
A wavy pixie cut adds texture and dimension to a short hairstyle. This look is great for women in their forties who want to embrace their natural waves while keeping a chic, low-maintenance cut. It works well with fine hair.
43. Sleek Pixie
The sleek pixie cut offers a polished, refined look. This short cut is perfect for older women seeking an elegant, easy-to-maintain hairstyle. It works well with fine hair, providing a smooth, sophisticated finish.
44. Voluminous Bob
A voluminous bob adds body and bounce to your hairstyle. This cut is ideal for women over 40 who want to enhance the natural volume of fine hair. It’s a chic, modern option that provides a youthful appearance.
45. Pixie with Undercut
The pixie with an undercut adds an edgy, contemporary touch to your look. This style is perfect for women in their forties who want a bold, unique appearance. It works well with fine hair, adding texture and contrast.
46. Bob with Subtle Highlights
Subtle highlights in a bob create a natural, sun-kissed effect. This style is ideal for older women, adding dimension and warmth to fine hair. It’s a chic, sophisticated option that enhances your overall look.
47. Choppy Pixie
The choppy pixie cut features uneven layers for a playful, textured look. This style is great for women over 40, adding volume and movement to fine hair. It’s an easy-to-style option that provides a modern, youthful appearance.
48. Soft Shaggy Bob
A soft shaggy bob offers a relaxed, textured look with a bit of volume. This hairstyle is perfect for older women, adding dimension to fine hair while remaining easy to maintain. It’s a stylish, contemporary choice.
49. Side-Parted Pixie
A side-parted pixie cut provides a sophisticated, elegant look. This style is ideal for women in their forties who want to frame their face beautifully. It works well with fine hair, adding volume and a touch of glamour.
50. Short Curly Bob
The short curly bob adds playful volume and texture to your hairstyle. This cut is perfect for women over 40 who want to embrace their natural curls while maintaining a chic, manageable length. It’s a youthful and stylish option.
51. Classic Shaggy Pixie
The classic shaggy pixie cut combines the best of both worlds with a textured, youthful look. It works well for older women with fine hair, adding volume and a fun, carefree vibe. This hairstyle is easy to style and maintain, making it a versatile choice.
