33 Chic Short Hairstyles For Women Over 40

I don’t know about you, but I’m thrilled that the days of “age-appropriate” hairstyles are over. Today’s short hairstyles for women over 40 are as diverse and vibrant as you are.

Whether you’re juggling a busy schedule or just craving a change, these short haircuts are here to add some spice to your look.

1. Stacked Pixie With Volume

The stacked back of this pixie creates a rounded shape that looks full and voluminous. Ask your stylist for a short stacked pixie with tight graduation at the nape of the neck and soft, blended layers through the crown. Use a root-lifting spray/mousse to help maintain volume.

2. Tousled Pixie With Layers

Tousled Pixie With Layers hairstyle on a woman in her 40s with highlighted brown hair, back view.
Photo: @zokkozsalon

Layers flow in different directions, giving this short cut a natural look. The choppy texture keeps it from looking flat, making it great for women who want a style with built-in movement. Highlights and lowlights boost the depth and provide extra dimension.

3. Tapered Long Straight Pixie

A close-cropped pixie with soft graduation gives a clean and refined look without feeling too sharp. The nape of the neck is tapered short, and the layers on top stay slightly longer for added softness. A round brush and blow-dryer can add subtle lift at the roots, or you can let it air-dry for a more natural finish.

4. Short Side Parted Bob

Short Side Parted Bob hairstyle on a woman in her 40s with brown hair.
Photo: @peteburkill

A slightly longer front gives this short bob a chic finish. The side part gives you instant volume (plus it makes styling easy and low-maintenance). For this look, ask your stylist for a short, slightly angled bob with soft layering through the top for light movement.

5. Angled Bob With Tapered Back

Longer layers in the front create a soft, flattering shape, while the back of this angled bob is cut shorter for a clean finish. The subtle angle keeps it feeling fresh and modern. Ask your stylist for an angled bob with a softly stacked back, subtle layers and slightly longer pieces in the front.

6. Layered Bob With Wispy Bangs

Soft layering keeps this bob light and wispy, with see-through bangs that add a delicate touch. Use a texturizing spray to improve depth without making your hair look messy. If your hair is naturally straight, this cut air-dries well with minimal effort.

7. Pixie Bob With Soft Layers

A pixie bob blends the cropped shape of a pixie with the longer structure of a bob. Soft layers prevent the excess weight from flattening out the style. The length sits just at the jawline, making it a great choice for older women who want a short cut with a little extra shape.

8. Shaggy Pixie With Choppy Layers

A shaggy pixie combines soft, choppy layers with a casual feel. Texturizing spray or pomade will define the layers without making the hair look too styled. If you like a tousled finish, scrunch in a lightweight wax and let the layers do their thing.

9. Stacked Pixie

Stacked Pixie hairstyle on a woman in her 40s with brown hair, back view.
Photo: @tulaorganic

A pixie with soft, piecey layers adds natural lift to your hair. The slightly longer top creates volume. Choppy layers prevent the style from looking overly styled. For a natural finish, use your fingers to tousle the layers with some styling cream.

10. Long Pixie Bob With Subtle Layers

A long pixie bob strikes the perfect balance between a cropped cut and a short bob. The longer front pieces give it a modern feel, especially with the blonding highlights. Blow-dry with a round brush to lift the roots for a bit of volume.

11. Layered Bob With Feathered Ends

Soft, feathery layers give this bob a lightweight flowing look. The subtle shaping at the ends keeps it sleek. Layers at the nape adds to the rounded effect, making it easy to style with just a quick blow-dry.

12. Short Wavy Pixie

Highlihgted waves and choppy layers deliver style with a low-maintenance finish. The short length of this pixie keeps it easy to maintain – just be sure to get regular trims keep the shape fresh and prevent the waves from getting weighed down. Women with naturally wavy or curly hair will find this cut especially easy to wear with minimal effort.

13. Classic Bob

If one thing is for sure, it’s a classic bob never goes out of style. A slight bevel at the ends softens the shape, making it flattering for women in their 40s and easy to wear. Women with fine hair will appreciate how this cut adds fullness and sleekness to your look.

14. Stacked Bob With Soft Layers

Stacked layers at the back give this bob a voluminous shape that holds its structure. The slightly longer front keeps it modern while maintaining easy manageability. The lavender-silver shade blends cool tones with a soft metallic sheen that shines brightly.

15. Short Vibrant Red Bob

A bold red shade takes this short bob to the next level. The sharp, precise cut gives it a sleek and modern feel, and the rich shade adds extra dimension. The angled shape subtly tapers toward the back, complementing the striking color.

16. Blunt Bob

A blunt bob delivers a clean, bold shape that looks refined. This style works beautifully on medium to thick hair, keeping everything sleek and full. A paddle brush and a quick blow-dry are all you need to keep it looking sharp.

17. Softly Layered Pixie Bob

A pixie bob with soft layering has gentle graduation at the back. The longer top layers add volume and depth at the crown. A side-swept fringe blends into the cut, making it easy to style.

18. Feathered Layered Bob

Feathered Layered Bob hairstyle on a woman in her 40s with blonde hair, back view.
Photo: @jodiesier

Feathered layers bring natural movement to this soft and airy bob. The stacked back keeps it looking voluminous, and is complemented by the beautiful blonde shade. The feathered ends create a light feel and built-in volume.

19. Tapered Bob With Bangs

Soft, tapered layers give this bob a rounded, flattering shape. The addition of bangs adds a youthful touch, blending into the longer layers. If you want to try this low-maintenance look, ask your stylist for a tapered bob with soft, blended bangs.

20. Layered Pixie With Tapered Back

Layered Pixie With Tapered Back hairstyle on a woman in her 40s with brown hair, back view.
Photo: @modsalons

Layers and a tapered neckline keeps everything lightweight in this stunning pixie. This cut works well with natural hair texture, whether straight or slightly wavy. For an extra touch, a subtle highlight or tonal gloss can boost the dimension and make the layers pop.

21. Short Wavy Bob

Short Wavy Bob hairstyle on a woman in her 40s with blonde hair, side view.
Photo: @frisorsalon

Soft waves bring lift to this short bob, making it feel fresh and light. The subtle layering keeps it from looking weighed down. A few face-framing pieces and/or bangs can also add a flattering touch.

22. Curled Bob

Loose curls bring a playful feel to this style, and are a great way to add volume. Soft curls give the hair some interest, giving it a relaxed yet stylish look. A curling iron or rollers can easily create this effect in minutes.

23. Feathered Layered Bob

Soft feathered layers create a stunning effect on this short bob. The delicate shaping makes the hair look fuller as you can clearly see each and every layer. The layers create a natural, flowing effect that’s easy to style.

24. Silver Pixie with Bangs

A silver pixie with bangs has short, tapered sides keep the look clean.The longer top gives you some texture but also creates that rounded effect. Side-swept bang complete the look.

25. Stacked Bob With Layers

A sharp, stacked bob gives creates sleek and modern look with its precise shape. A flat iron and a smoothing serum will keep the sleekness intact for several hours. The clean, geometric shape pairs well with straight hair or lightly textured styles.

26. Wispy Purple Pixie

Wispy Purple Pixie hairstyle on a woman in her 40s with short purple hair, side view.
Photo: @embossdhair

A pixie with wispy layers and a pop of purple brings instant fun to short hair. The purple shade makes a statement, but the soft, blended tones keep it wearable. If you’re feeling bold, this is a great way to mix edgy with easy styling.

27. Voluminous Pixie Bob

Layers and volume come together in this pixie bob, creating a full, lifted look that’s never ever flat. The back is stacked with longer top layers for added height and lift. If you love a short cut with plenty of volume, this one’s a clear winner.

28. Short Curled Bob with Highlights

Soft curls add a playful bounce to this short bob. The highlights really make the curls stand out. The back is subtly stacked for a flattering shape that lifts the crown to make the hair look thicker.

29. Blunt Wavy Bob

Waves give this blunt bob a modern finish while keeping the cut sleek. The natural movement of the waves lightens the look while adding some volume, too. The beauty of this style is that you can wear it smooth one day and wavy the next – both styles are stunning.

30. Short Angled Bob

The angled shape of this bob gives your hair a major lift, especially in the back. The back is softly stacked, creating a gradual slope that gives the illusion of thicker hair. Straight strands accentuate the crisp lines, making this a great option for women who like a sleek, sharp look.

31. Blonde Chin-Length Bob

A chin-length bob is always a classic, and this one is no exception. The pretty blonde shade brightens up the look, making hair appear healthy and fresh. Tip: A deep side part can switch things up, giving the cut a more dramatic effect when you’re in the mood for a change.

32. Short Blunt Bob with Bangs

Blunt edges and a blunt bang make this short bob look sleek and smooth. The precise cut allows for simply a quick blow-dry or flat iron pass to keep everything looking sleek. Bangs add a chic touch, bringing attention to the eyes and balancing out the shape.

33. Textured Bob with Waves

This bob uses waves to give it a naturally tousled effect. Layers amplify the texture, keeping the style lightweight and full of bounce. A curling wand or diffuser can bring out even more shape, making it easy to switch between a straight or wavy look.

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