Hair that makes YOU younger!
Imagine if you could smooth wrinkles, illuminate skin and brighten eyes without shelling out a dime on pricey anti-aging potions. Great news! You absolutely can—with a hair refresh!
A SHOULDER-SWEEPING SHAG
The vertical pull of overly long locks exacerbates the volume-sapping effect that gravity has on facial features, says hairstylist Marcus Francis, who’s worked with celebrities like Julianne Moore and Cindy Crawford. This, along with the wrinkle-magnifying look of dry hair and split, scraggly ends easily adds years onto the complexion.
THE HAIR TWEAK: “Simply snipping hair to a collarbone-grazing length and adding in subtle layers that frame the face directs attention up to the fullest part of the face instantly ‘filling in’ and ‘contouring’ cheeks for a more youthful, voluminous appearance,” says Francis.
GET THE LOOK: Ask your stylist for a crop that hits right at collarbone with point-cut ends throughout and graduating layers that begin right below the cheekbones. And for added hair-boosting bounce and texture, wrap random 2" sections of hair around a 11⁄2" curling iron, leaving ends out for less structuredlooking waves. Gently comb through hair with fingertips, then set the style with hair spray.
SUBTRACTS YEARS BABYLIGHTS
A dark, one-dimensional hair hue has a way of magnifying shadowy creases on the face from crow’s-feet to laugh lines.
THE HAIR TWEAK: Thin, subtle highlights reflect light onto skin to blur any shadows or fine lines on the face, says colorist Mike Petrizzi, who’s worked with Joan Jett and Mandy Moore. Plus, they blend easily with grays so you can go even longer between colorings.
GET THE LOOK: Use a clean baby toothbrush to paint on the formula from a highlighting kit (like Clairol Nice’n Easy Balayage for Brunettes, Walmart.com) onto 1⁄4" sections from mid-length to ends. Let sit 30 minutes; rinse.
SUBTRACTS YEARS SIDE-PARTED FRINGE
When parted in the middle, bangs not only put forehead furrows on display, they act like an arrow pointing down, putting unwanted attention on harsh features like an angular jawline.
THE HAIR TWEAK: Parted to the side, the sweeping curtain of bangs masks brow lines and creates a curved silhouette that visually softens the jaw, says hairstylist Bridget Brager, who’s worked with Jennifer Garner and Kristen Bell. Plus, a side part covers more of the hairline to conceal thinning or sparse spots for a fuller-looking head of hair.
GET THE LOOK: Swoop the heavier side of a side part diagonally over the arch of the opposite brow. Then, wrap 1" sections of hair around a 1" curling iron. Brush through curls; set with hair spray.
SUBTRACTS YEARS A BEVELED BOB
Hair that lacks any layers, no matter how thick it may be, often ends up appearing limp and lifeless. And that long, hanging look can drag the eyes, cheeks and neck right down with it, adding years to one’s look.
THE HAIR TWEAK: “A slanted bob has such a fresh, youthful feel,” says hairstylist Kim Kimble, who has worked with Angela Bassett and Gabrielle Union. “And the slightly uneven style directs focus diagonally so features get an age-defying lift!” Bonus? The uneven cut removes a lot of hair’s bulk and adds beautiful bounce and movement for a more lightweight appearance.
GET THE LOOK: Ask your stylist for an asymmetrical bob with choppy, blended layers throughout. To style in buoyant beachy waves, mist damp hair with a sea salt spray (like Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray, Walgreens.com), which gives strands added bounce and texture. Then, scrunch hair from ends to BEFORE roots in 2" sections and blow-dry using a diffuser attachment.
SUBTRACTS YEARS REVIVED COLOR
Sun exposure, over-washing and heat styling can all cause color to fade fast so it looks dull and lackluster. Plus, since hair produces less natural oils to keep it adequately moisturized as we get older, all that damage fast-tracks drying so you end up with an unhealthy head full of frizzy, straw like strands.
THE HAIR TWEAK: “A color-depositing glaze restores vibrancy and richness to hair’s hue in minutes,” says Mike Petrizzi, colorist and artistic director with AGEbeautiful hair color. Plus, these athome glazes are packed with hair-nourishing nutrients like antioxidants that deep-condition hair to amp up hydration, increase shine and repair damage. The result? Lustrous hair that not only looks healthy, but reflects light onto the face for a more luminous complexion to boot!
GET THE LOOK: Apply a glaze (like
Kristin Ess Signature Hair Gloss, Target. com; available in 13 different shades) in the shade closest to yours all over damp hair. Let sit on hair for 10 to 20 minutes before rinsing. Use once a month to maintain results.
SUBTRACTS YEARS
A RICH COCOA ‘GLOSS’
“Hair that’s similar in tone to skin causes the complexion to look washed-out and pallid,” says celebrity colorist Rick Wellman, who’s worked with Brooke Shields and Mariska Hargitay. “It also lacks hair-volumizing depth.”
THE HAIR TWEAK: Swapping a pale blond for a rich brown with a kaleidoscope of red and gold pigments. The colorful contrast against fair skin draws out the complexion’s warm undertones for a rosy, radiant glow, says Wellman. And the multi-tonal color gives depth and dimension to even the thinnest of tresses.
GET THE LOOK: Look for a warm-toned brunette dye (the box will have descriptors like “golden”) that’s infused with avocado oil (it hydrates hair and propels dye molecules deeper into strands) for longer-lasting color. One we like? Garnier Nutrisse Permanent Nourishing Color Creme in #43 Dark Golden Brown (RiteAid.com). Apply the formula from roots to ends of dry hair, then brush through with a wide-tooth comb to evenly distribute dye. Let sit 35 minutes; rinse. For the most natural look when changing to a darker hair hue, Wellman suggests dying eyebrows one shade deeper than hair. Simply use a kit like Godefroy Instant Eyebrow Tint in Dark Brown (iHerb.com) and follow box instructions.