32 Must-Try Curly Hairstyles For Women In Their 40s That Are So Flattering

There’s something about curls that makes every style a bit more playful, a little more vibrant, and a whole lot of fabulous. And if you’re in your 40s, now’s the perfect time to show off your curls and have some fun with your look. Whether your curls are loose waves or tight coils, there’s a curly hairstyle that’s just waiting to highlight your natural texture.

1. High-Volume Curly Pixie with Side-Swept Bangs

High-Volume Curly Pixie with Side-Swept Bangs Hairstyle on a woman in her 40s with blonde hair.

This curly pixie is pure drama – in the best way! The top is all about height and fullness, with lush curls that add so much texture. The longer sides balance the style, keeping things chic and bouncy.

2. Shaggy Curls with Bangs

Shaggy Curls with Bangs Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with highlighted brown hair.

If your curls have a wild spirit, this shaggy cut is ready to let them roam free. With layers upon layers of curly goodness, this cut gives you full-on volume and movement. The bangs add a dash of energy, perfectly blending into the rest of your textured look.

3. Tapered Natural Curls

Tapered Natural Curls Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with dark brown hair.

This tapered look is a celebration of natural curls in all their glory. The gradual tapering from full-bodied curls on top to shorter sides creates a flattering shape. Your curls get to shine without overpowering your look. Bouncy, gorgeous curls that are here to steal the show.

4. Long Defined Curls

Long Defined Curls Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with long blonde curly hair.

If you’ve been blessed with long curls, it’s time to let them shine. This look is all about length and definition. The curls flow in a way that’s full of energy, thanks to the subtle layers that keep them from feeling (and looking) heavy.

5. Face-Framing Medium-Length Curls

Face-Framing Medium-Length Curls Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with highlighted brown hair.

These medium-length curls bring a whole new level of soft sophistication. The curls are soft and touchable, with enough layers to keep them bouncy and light. To keep that softness intact, try a leave-in conditioner that defines your curls without making your hair feel sticky.

6. Cropped Curls for Round Faces

Cropped Curls for Round Faces Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with brown hair.

This cropped curl style is ideal for women with rounder face shapes looking to add some height and dimension. The beauty of this style lies in its simplicity – you get the benefit of volume without too much length to manage. To keep the curls in check, try a lightweight styling cream that defines each curl while keeping them soft and touchable.

7. Short Curly Bob with Subtle Layers

Short Curly Bob with Subtle Layers Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with brown hair.

Short, curly, and totally fabulous – this bob is perfect for women who want their curls to shine without them taking over their look. The subtle layers add the right amount of lift while maintaining that full, rich texture.

8. Soft Curly Layered Bob

Soft Curly Layered Bob Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with brown hair.

If you’re looking for a style that lets your curls flow naturally, this is the one. This soft, curly layered bob brings all the romance and charm with layers that create a flowing shape. It’s an easygoing style that lets your curls take center stage while keeping them soft and touchable.

9. Shoulder-Length Curly Lob

Shoulder-Length Curly Lob Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with brown hair.

For women who want the versatility of length with the bounce of curls, this shoulder-length lob (also known as a long bob) is a fantastic choice. The layers help give the curls shape and definition so they don’t drag down your hair. You’ll love how the length makes it easy to style, but the natural texture of the curls adds that playful energy.

10. Soft Tousled Curls

Soft Tousled Curls Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with blonde hair.

Dreamy, soft, and full of movement, these loose, flowing curls bring a natural, beachy feel. The subtle tousling adds texture without being over the top. This style pairs well with a light curl-defining cream to give the curls hold while keeping them soft and touchable.

11. Long Layered Curls

Long Layered Curls Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with long brown hair.

The layers in this look keep your curls full of volume while maintaining definition. (The highlights help with definition, too.) For extra definition, a curl cream will help those luscious spirals stay full and voluminous, while a diffuser will give your hair that soft, voluminous bounce.

12. Curly Pixie with Subtle Highlights

Curly Pixie with Subtle Highlights Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with brown hair and blonde highlights.

This curly pixie is short to keep things neat, and the curls add all the fun you need. The added highlights weave through your locks like little glimmers of sunshine. It’s the kind of style that makes your curls pop in both shade and volume.

13. Curls with Gray Blending

Curls with Gray Blending Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with dark hair with gray blended in.

These curls add a soft texture to your hair, making your gray strands look intentional, not something to cover up. The gray tones accentuate the texture, giving your curls a rich and sophisticated finish. To maintain the brightness of your gray tones, a purple shampoo will keep the silver from dulling while nourishing your curls.

14. Long Voluminous Blonde Curls

Long Voluminous Blonde Curls Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with thick blonde curly hair.

Big, bold, and blonde – these thick curls are full of volume. The long layers give you that “wow” factor, letting your curls flow in soft, bouncy waves. And with that bright blonde shade? It’s like summer sunshine all year long.

15. Voluminous Coils

Voluminous Coils Hairstyle on a smiling black woman in her 40s with dark brown curly hair.

Say hello to full-on volume with these fabulous coils. The layers work their magic by giving your hair shape, and the curls add texture and bounce. It’s like having a halo of curls that frame you in all the right ways.

16. Side-Swept Layered Curls

Side-Swept Layered Curls Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with brown hair.

These curls have soft layers that fall beautifully to one side, creating a sweeping, romantic look. The soft layers work well with the curls to create a beautiful texture that gives your hair a naturally full-bodied look. I love how the layers give the curls more definition.

17. Curly Layers with Bangs

Curly Layers with Bangs Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with long brown hair.

Consider adding some style to your curls with bangs. This layered curly cut gives you bouncy bangs that blend smoothly into soft, curly layers. It’s fun, flirty, and totally on-trend.

18. Bouncy Curls with Side-Swept Bangs

Bouncy Curls with Side-Swept Bangs Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with coppery brown hair.

Get ready to bounce with these gorgeous curls paired with side-swept bangs. The layers add lift, letting your curls do their thing while staying perfectly shaped. The bangs bring a soft, sweeping look that’s oh-so-elegant.

19. Tousled Textured Curls with Bangs

Tousled Textured Curls with Bangs Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with brown hair.

These layers keep things textured and messy – in a good way. The bangs are key in softening the look and adding an extra layer of charm. It’s a blend of shaggy chic (😉) and textured layers with just the perfect amount of volume.

20. Tousled Curly Pixie

Tousled Curly Pixie Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with short brown hair.

This pixie cut is all about texture, texture, texture. With its tousled, messy curls, it’s equal parts playful and refined. It’s a cut that brings out the best in your natural curls while keeping things simple and stylish.

21. Long Tousled Curls

Long Tousled Curls Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with long brown curly hair.

You’ll love how this long, curly style amplifies the fullness of your hair while still maintaining a soft, touchable texture. It’s a playful, slightly messy style that’s laid-back and brings an easygoing charm to your look with its loose, flowing curls.

22. Voluminous Natural Curls

Voluminous Natural Curls Hairstyle on a smiling black woman in her 40s with golden brown hair.

Talk about show-stopping! These voluminous curls are big, bold, and absolutely beautiful. For women with naturally curly or coily hair, this look is stunning and practical, offering volume and definition in equal measure. It’s perfect if you love making a statement with your hair.

23. Cropped Layered Curls

Cropped Layered Curls Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with short brown hair.

Here’s a curly look that’s short, sassy, and full of texture. Layers add a playful bounce, giving your curls volume without being too fluffy. It has just the right balance of volume and structure, with the layers adding depth to the curls.

24. Voluminous Curls

Voluminous Curls Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with long highlighted brown hair.

Voluminous curls never go out of style, and this look is proof. The curls flow beautifully, creating a full-bodied, textured appearance. This cut’s about making a bold statement with texture and shape.

25. Short Curly Pixie

Short Curly Pixie Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with long highlighted brown hair.

This curly style brings an abundance of texture to your look while keeping things ultra low-maintenance. The short length brings the curls into focus, making them the star of the show. The short sides and back keep the style lightweight and easy to manage.

26. Short Textured Layered Curls

Short Textured Layered Curls Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with brown hair.

What makes this style special is the combination of short layers and well-defined curls, giving your hair an airy lift. The layers create a structured yet natural shape, so the curls don’t just sit flat – they fall in a way that brings depth and dimension.

27. Cropped Side-Parted Curly Bob

Cropped Side-Parted Curly Bob Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with blonde hair.

If you want a curly bob that is high volume but is totally manageable, this side-parted curly bob is a winner. The defined curls add bounce and even more volume when they are brushed out. You’ll love how the curls stay full of life without overwhelming your face.

28. High Volume Side-Parted Curly Bob

High Volume Side-Parted Curly Bob Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with brown hair.

This curly bob with a side part focuses on volume and definition. The curls give this cut so much texture, and the side part gives your curls extra lift. Ask your stylist to layer your curls lightly to avoid too much volume (yes, you can have too much volume!).

29. Curly Layered Bob

Curly Layered Bob Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with dark brown hair.

Layered curls always add a bit of drama, and this bob is no exception. The layers add so much dimension, giving your curls that extra lift and making them pop. Use a curl-defining mousse to leave your hair looking bouncy and soft.

30. Loose Highlighted Curls

Loose Highlighted Curls Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with brown hair and blonde highlights.

These loose curls with highlights are perfect if you love a soft, beachy look without too much maintenance. The curls are big, relaxed, and full of texture, with highlights adding extra dimension and shine. It’s a great style for showing off natural curls while keeping things light and voluminous.

31. Short Layered Curly Bob with Bangs

Short Layered Curly Bob with Bangs Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with brown hair and highlights.

Short curls meet playful bangs in this layered bob that’s fun and easy to style. Filled with texture, it’s a style that’s totally modern but with a nostalgic nod to classic curls. It’s a look that stands out, especially if you want something a little different from the typical curly bob.

32. Auburn Curly Bob

Auburn Curly Bob Hairstyle on a smiling woman in her 40s with auburn hair.

This auburn curly bob is bold, vibrant, and full of warmth. The rich auburn shade brings a glowing touch to your curls. The shorter bob length keeps things fresh and fun. It’s a style that stands out and works with the natural texture of your hair, letting your curls shine.

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