48 Classic Hairstyles for Women Over 40 with Thick Wavy Hair
Navigating the world of hairstyles for women over 40 can be as exhilarating as it is daunting, especially when blessed with thick, wavy hair. This article delves into 48 classic hairstyles that not only celebrate the texture and volume of your locks but also accentuate the sophistication that comes with maturity. From timeless bobs to elegant updos, these styles promise to elevate your look and confidence.
1. Layered Shoulder-Length Waves
Perfect for women over 40 with thick wavy hair, this hairstyle enhances natural volume while providing manageable length. Layering at shoulder length allows for a flattering shape that frames the face beautifully, making it a versatile choice for both professional and casual occasions. Regular trims ensure the layers stay sharp and voluminous.
2. Soft Wavy Lob with Feathered Ends
The soft wavy lob with feathered ends is an excellent choice for adding lightness and movement to thick hair. The feathering technique gives a delicate finish that softens the overall look, ideal for a youthful yet sophisticated style. This lob works well with a blow-dry and a round brush to accentuate the waves and feathered ends.
3. Voluminous Wavy Updo with Twists
This elegant updo combines volume with graceful twists, making it perfect for special occasions. The natural thickness of wavy hair provides the perfect foundation for creating a voluminous look that lasts all day. Pinning in twists adds a touch of class and intricacy, highlighting the hair’s natural texture.
4. Mid-Length Waves with Curtain Bangs
Mid-length waves paired with curtain bangs offer a fresh and modern look that frames the face attractively. This style is particularly flattering for women over 40, as it brings softness to the facial features and can be easily styled with a diffuser to enhance the waves and add bounce to the bangs.
5. Tousled Wavy Bob with Subtle Layers
A tousled wavy bob with subtle layers gives a chic and effortless look that’s easy to maintain. Ideal for thick wavy hair, the layers help reduce bulk while emphasizing natural waves. This hairstyle is perfect for a busy lifestyle, requiring minimal styling for a naturally polished appearance.
6. Classic French Twist for Thick Hair
The classic French twist is reinvented for thick, wavy hair, providing an elegant and timeless updo that controls volume and showcases texture. This hairstyle is excellent for formal events and can be adorned with accessories like clips or pins for an extra touch of glamour.
7. Wavy Half-Up, Half-Down Style
This versatile half-up, half-down hairstyle balances the face and showcases the hair’s natural waves. It’s a perfect choice for those who want to keep hair away from the face while still displaying its length and volume. This style can be dressed up with decorative pins or left simple for everyday wear.
8. Voluminous Crown with Natural Waves
Emphasize the natural beauty of thick wavy hair with a hairstyle that lifts the crown area, adding an illusion of height and drama. This look is naturally flattering and can be enhanced with light teasing at the roots for extra volume, making it suitable for both day and night settings.
9. Beachy Waves with Wispy Layers
Capture the essence of the seaside with beachy waves complemented by wispy layers. This hairstyle is not only trendy but also adds a playful, carefree vibe to the overall appearance. It’s perfect for a casual look and can be easily achieved with salt spray and scrunching techniques.
10. Swept-Back Waves with Volume
This dynamic look pulls the hair back to create a voluminous and commanding appearance, ideal for making a statement. The thick, wavy texture is perfect for achieving lasting volume with the help of some volumizing products and a good blowout, suited for both professional and social gatherings.
11. Wavy Shag Cut with Modern Twist
A modern twist on the classic shag, this cut is designed for women over 40 looking to add texture and edge to their thick wavy hair. The layers are strategically cut to enhance natural wave and volume, making it a low-maintenance but stylish choice that requires minimal styling products to look great.
12. Textured Waves with Deep Side Part
Enhancing the natural texture of wavy hair, this style features a deep side part that adds a dramatic touch and helps control volume. This look is perfect for adding a sense of sophistication and can be easily dressed up or down depending on the occasion, making it a versatile option for everyday wear or special events.
13. Elegant Chignon for Wavy Hair
Perfect for formal events, the elegant chignon is a classic updo that looks beautiful on thick, wavy hair. The natural texture adds a romantic touch to the bun, while the style itself provides a polished and refined look. This updo is ideal for showcasing earrings or a neckline on a special outfit.
14. Soft Wavy Ponytail with Puff
This hairstyle offers a playful yet elegant alternative by combining a puffy crown with a soft wavy ponytail. It’s excellent for adding height and drama to the silhouette and works wonderfully for both casual and formal settings. Secure with a stylish hair tie or wrap a strand of hair around the band for a seamless finish.
15. Glamorous Hollywood Waves
Channel classic glamour with Hollywood waves, a style that never goes out of fashion. This look is particularly striking on thick, wavy hair, giving a sleek yet voluminous effect that’s red-carpet ready. Use a large-barrel curling iron and a light hairspray to maintain the shape and shine all night long.
16. Casual Layered Waves with Side Bangs
Casual yet chic, this hairstyle uses layers and side bangs to frame the face beautifully, making it a flattering choice for women over 40. It’s easy to maintain and perfect for everyday elegance. The side bangs can also be styled to blend seamlessly with the waves for a cohesive look.
17. Chic Updo with Braided Details
Add a touch of intricacy to your updo with braided details that weave through thick, wavy hair. This chic style elevates the traditional updo, making it suitable for weddings, galas, or any occasion where you want to feel a bit more dressed up without compromising on style.
18. Sassy Wavy Pixie Cut
For those looking to make a bold statement, the sassy wavy pixie cut is an excellent choice. It’s particularly flattering for thick, wavy hair as the natural texture adds volume and dimension to the short style. Easy to style and maintain, this cut is ideal for a modern, edgy look.
19. Loose Waves with Volumizing Blowout
This style maximizes the natural volume of thick wavy hair with a volumizing blowout that leaves the waves loose and flowing. It’s a great option for adding body and movement, enhancing the hair’s natural beauty. A round brush and a good volumizing mousse can help achieve this full-bodied look.
20. Sophisticated Wavy Bob with Bangs
This sophisticated bob combines the elegance of wavy hair with the stylish flair of bangs. The waves add texture while the bangs frame the face, providing a balanced and modern look that’s suitable for both professional environments and social occasions. Styling with a smoothing serum will keep the waves defined and frizz-free.
21. Multi-Layered Wavy Cut
The multi-layered wavy cut is specifically tailored for thick, wavy hair, using multiple layers to reduce bulk and enhance natural texture. This hairstyle offers a dynamic and youthful appearance that is easy to manage and style. It’s particularly effective at distributing volume evenly, making it a stylish choice for everyday wear.
22. Twisted Half-Up Bun for Thick Waves
This hairstyle elegantly tames thick wavy hair by twisting it into a half-up bun, creating a look that’s both functional and fashionable. The bun provides an uplifted effect at the crown, while the remaining waves flow freely, offering a look of effortless grace ideal for both casual and formal occasions.
23. Flowing Layers with Off-Center Part
Flowing layers cut into thick wavy hair with an off-center part provide a flattering silhouette that balances the face shape. This style adds movement and lightness to dense hair, making it appear softer and more fluid. It’s a great option for adding a touch of sophistication to your daily look.
24. Sleek Ponytail with Wavy Ends
Combining sleekness at the top with playful wavy ends, this ponytail style is a chic solution for managing thick hair. The contrast between the smooth crown and the textured waves provides a contemporary edge that works well in both professional and social settings. Use a smoothing serum to enhance the sleekness.
25. Long Cascading Waves with Texture
Long cascading waves bring out the best in thick hair by utilizing its natural volume to create a dramatic, textured look. This hairstyle is perfect for showcasing the lush thickness of your waves, making it an excellent choice for special events or everyday glamour with minimal effort.
26. Asymmetrical Wavy Bob
An asymmetrical wavy bob adds a modern twist to traditional styles, making it a standout choice for those who wish to experiment with their look. The uneven lengths add an element of intrigue and can be styled to either highlight or downplay the asymmetry based on your preference.
27. Wavy Side Bun with Elegance
Ideal for formal gatherings, the wavy side bun exudes elegance and sophistication. This style gathers thick wavy hair into a soft, low bun at one side, creating a romantic and refined look. Accessorize with decorative pins or a floral accessory for an extra touch of elegance.
28. Retro Waves with Modern Flair
Inspired by vintage styles, retro waves with a modern twist are perfect for making a bold fashion statement. This look combines classic wave techniques with contemporary styling, resulting in a glamorous and timeless hairstyle that suits various occasions.
29. Boho Wavy Layers with Middle Part
The boho wavy layers with a middle part embody a free-spirited and laid-back style, ideal for casual days or festive occasions. This look emphasizes natural texture and volume, with a middle part that adds symmetry and frames the face beautifully.
30. Wavy Hair with Sweeping Bangs
Wavy hair paired with sweeping bangs offers a soft and flattering look for women over 40. The bangs help to balance facial features, while the waves add body and movement. This hairstyle is versatile, suitable for both a polished office look and relaxed weekend style.
31. Tapered Neck-Length Wavy Bob
This hairstyle combines the elegance of a bob with the dynamic texture of waves, tapered at the neck to enhance the hair’s natural volume. It’s particularly flattering for framing the face and neck, providing a sophisticated yet manageable look that’s perfect for both professional environments and casual outings.
32. Wavy Layers with Subtle Volume
Ideal for adding a natural boost to thick wavy hair, this style features layers that are cut to create subtle volume without overpowering. It’s a soft, attractive look that enhances the hair’s inherent texture, making it suitable for those who prefer a more understated yet styled appearance.
33. Classic Low Bun with Wavy Strands
The classic low bun with wavy strands pulled gently out to frame the face offers an effortlessly chic look that’s both timeless and elegant. This style is perfect for formal events or a polished everyday look, keeping hair neatly away while showcasing its texture.
34. Structured Wavy Updo with Pins
This structured updo uses pins to secure thick wavy hair in a design that’s both artistic and functional. It’s an excellent choice for special occasions, providing a secure way to manage volume while creating a visually interesting look that’s sure to turn heads.
35. Bold Wavy Mullet with Texture
Reviving an old style with a new twist, the bold wavy mullet with added texture is for the daring. This cut keeps the hair short at the front and sides while allowing the back to flow with waves, offering a unique style statement that embraces both retro vibes and modern flair.
36. Long Flowing Wavy Hair with Layers
Long, flowing layers are ideal for thick wavy hair, as they allow the natural texture to shine through while reducing weight and adding movement. This style is perfect for those who love their long hair and want to maintain its length without sacrificing shape and health.
37. Effortless Wavy Twist-Updo
An effortless twist-updo for wavy hair provides a simple yet elegant solution for styling thick, unruly locks. It’s quick to assemble, charming for everyday wear or special occasions, and keeps your hair securely in place while highlighting its texture.
38. Edgy Stacked Bob with Waves
The edgy stacked bob introduces layers that are shorter in the back and longer at the front, creating a sharp, voluminous look that’s full of attitude. This style is particularly effective with wavy hair, adding a modern edge that’s both stylish and easy to maintain.
39. Soft Wavy Hair with Discreet Layers
Soft, discreet layers cut into thick wavy hair help to tame bulk and enhance the hair’s natural flow. This look is ideal for those seeking a natural and understated style that highlights the beauty of their waves without excessive styling.
40. Mid-Length Waves with Blunt Ends
Mid-length waves with blunt ends offer a contemporary look that combines texture with a clean, defined line. This style is striking in its simplicity, providing a chic and polished appearance that works well in both casual and more formal settings.
41. Wavy Tousled Layers with Volume
This style brings life and movement to thick wavy hair with tousled layers that enhance natural volume. Perfect for a vibrant, youthful look, it combines ease of maintenance with a playful flair. Ideal for daily wear or more relaxed social events, this hairstyle looks effortlessly chic when enhanced with a texturizing spray.
42. Refined Wavy Bob with Undercut
A refined wavy bob paired with an undercut provides a modern and sleek look while managing the volume of thick hair. The undercut keeps the style manageable and cool, while the wavy bob on top adds a touch of elegance. This dual-character style suits those looking for a bold yet polished appearance.
43. Delicate Pin-Up Styles for Wavy Hair
Pin-up styles for wavy hair offer a nostalgic and charming look, perfect for themed parties or when you want to channel a vintage vibe. These styles can range from simple rolled bangs to more intricate updos featuring curls and waves, all secured with stylish pins.
44. Vintage Waves with Elegant Silhouette
Vintage waves create an elegant silhouette that harks back to the glamour of past eras. This hairstyle is ideal for formal events where a touch of class is desired. Using a deep side part and glossy hair products will enhance the wave’s definition, providing a sleek and refined finish.
45. Wavy Pixie with Defined Layers
A wavy pixie cut with defined layers offers a fresh and modern take on short hairstyles. It’s excellent for showcasing facial features and can be easily styled for texture and volume. This pixie cut is particularly suited for those who want a low-maintenance yet stylish look.
46. Bohemian Waves with Braided Crown
Embrace a bohemian aesthetic with waves topped by a braided crown. This style is perfect for outdoor festivals or casual outings, where its laid-back charm shines. The braided crown not only adds a decorative touch but also keeps hair neatly in place, enhancing the natural wave pattern.
47. Wavy Angled Lob
The wavy angled lob is a sophisticated choice that angles slightly longer in the front, drawing attention to the jawline and neck. This style works well for adding shape and movement to the hair, making it suitable for both formal settings and everyday chic.
48. Classic Hollywood Waves with Retro Touch
Classic Hollywood waves with a retro touch bring timeless glamour to any occasion, particularly elegant events. This style uses smooth, glossy waves to create a sophisticated look reminiscent of old Hollywood. Achieve this look with a wide-barrel curling iron and finish with a shine-enhancing hairspray to capture the essence of vintage glamour.
Each of these 48 classic hairstyles for women over 40 with thick, wavy hair offers a unique blend of style and practicality, tailored to enhance your natural beauty and suit your lifestyle. Whether you choose the effortless charm of layered cuts or the structured elegance of controlled updos, these hairstyles are designed to make you look and feel fabulous. Let your hair be a statement of your experience and elegance, and perhaps try something new to refresh your style quotient.