Hairstyle Ideas for Women in Their 70s: Your Hair, Your Rules

By the time we hit our 70s, we've had decades of people telling us what we should and shouldn't do — those unwritten rules of society that tell us how to look, act, speak, and even feel. And we don't know about you, but we've had it up to here with that... especially all of the "rules" for older women.

This isn't that! We aren't here to tell you how you should wear your hair. We want you to turn your hair into an expression of you. There are no rules for hairstyles for women over 70. Instead, we have ideas you can use to create your own best version of you — one that makes you feel like your authentic self. 

We love the defined curls in this style with some carefully applied highlights. To embrace your curls, keep your hair well-hydrated with a conditioner and hair mask for your hair type, and then apply curl cream like Mielle Coil-Sculpting Custard. 

Let your face be the focus with a cute short cut. The great thing about super short hair is how easy it is to care for. It washes and dries quickly, and all you need to do is apply a product that helps you shape your hair the way you want, like Aveda Control Paste. 

We love the swing and movement of a flattering chin-length bob along with how easy it is to maintain. This low-maintenance style is perfect for straight hair and fine hair. A quick blow-dry may be all you need to keep it styled. Don't forget a heat protectant to keep hair smooth and safe from heat styling. We love the HSI Professional Argan Oil Heat Protector. 

Curtain bangs help frame your face in the most flattering way, and we love them with all lengths of hair. But they're especially cute with this textured chin-length cut that has lots of movement. 

Simple, low-fuss, and super fun, this pixie-bob is both cute and practical. It's perfect for straight hair. Wash and go or add a little heat styling to fancy it up for special occasions. 

Your curls are gorgeous, so isn't it time you let them shine? We love this super curly shoulder-length cut so much. The key to great curls is lots of moisture and a good curl cream, like Ouai curl cream, to define your coils.  

Waves look fab in a pixie cut, and this one is so cute with a long wavy bang and short, wavy sides and back. Apply a curling cream, like Moroccan Curling Perfection, and then diffuse and scrunch dry to create waves. 

A super close crop is adorable, low fuss, and so easy to maintain. It's the ultimate get-up-and-go hairstyle, and we love how it allows your beautiful face to be the focus. 

Who says you can't rock out in your 70s? Not us! We love an edgy punk cut with bright colors as a true statement of who you are. Rules for hair in your 70s? We don't need 'em. 

This easy style uses long layers and face-framing to give beautiful motion. Allow your hair's natural texture to define the direction and movement, and give it some easy hold with a soft sculpting mousse, like Bumble & Bumble's Thickening Full Form Soft Mousse. 

Another low-fuss style with lots of versatility, you can definitely rock long dreadlocks in your 70s. Keep your scalp and hair super healthy with a shampoo made specifically for dreadlocks, like Dollylocks Tea Tree Spearmint Liquid Shampoo. As a daily refresher, use the Dollylocks Dreadlock Refreshing Spray. 

Long, side-swept bangs are such a flattering shape for any face, and paired with this breezy short cut, it brings your face into focus. We adore this low-fuss style that you can dress up with waves or keep straight and simple. 

Related: Eye Makeup Tips for Older Women to Keep Your Look Fresh & Flattering

This smooth, sleek style is as classic and pretty as an LBD. We love the length, slight flip and the end, and the face-framing side part. Keep it healthy and sleek with a hair repair treatment like Olaplex No 3, and give grey hair plenty of shine with Olaplex No 7 Bonding Oil before blowdrying. 

Rules? Nope. Not for us. We want you to find a hairstyle that makes you feel authentically gorgeous. So pay no attention to those who tell you that women over 70 should look a certain way. Instead, find a hairstyle that you love and rock it proudly. We've got your back.