Cute Curly Hairstyles for Women Over 50 –

Finding cute hairstyles for women with curly hair is a challenge even at best. And when middle age comes, it’s even harder to find curly hairstyles for women over 50. Because as hormones change, the effects of menopause can make every day a bad hair day!

Hairstylist and curly hair expert Lynn Johnsen Draddy (@privatecurldective) gives us some advice on managing and styling curly hair, and also has real-life examples of her work with a gorgeous group of middle-aged women over 40 and 50.

Deborah Boland: Lynn, what’s the biggest mistake women over 40 and 50 make when it comes to styling their curly hair?

Lynn Draddy: One of the biggest mistakes women make when it comes to managing curly hair is trying to straighten it. Curly hair doesn’t need to be straightened, it needs to be embraced. Women try to straighten it by using heat to dry it or by ironing it flat. This causes a cycle of drying the hair and creating more frizz. Curls should only be embraced by properly moisturizing them with water-soluble products.

DB: How does curly hair change as you age?

LD: Age and menopause can particularly affect hair and curly hair. Hair often becomes drier and many women experience hair loss. Because the hair loses its pigment and turns gray, the curls do not want to clump together as before. On curly or very textured hair, white hair will be looser, while on wavy or less textured hair, white hair will be more curly or textured. Thyroid problems can also become a problem. Do you find a lot of hair on your brush or some hair in the shower? If you are experiencing unusual hair loss, this is something you should investigate.

DB: Wow! For curly-haired women over 40 and 50, this sounds like a recipe for frizz. Any tips on how to avoid this?

LD: It is possible to curl without curling! Curly hair is dehydrated and needs more water before adding water-soluble leave-in products. Deva Curl, Mop Top, or my favorite Innersense Organic Beauty.

One tip is to use a spray bottle in the shower to add water to each section before adding the product. Water is the primary part of hydration!

On the wash day, apply two no-rinse products after cleansing and softening; a filler/moisturizer (cream or mousse) to help eliminate frizz and a gel to lock in moisture. Foam is a great filler for fine or wavy hair because it promotes frizz, and cream is a great filler for curly or higher porous hair because it helps remove frizz while adding moisture. As for the gel, it is always a sealer. Avoid heavy types of butter or oils! Again, Innersense products are my number one choice!!!

Sleeping on a silk or satin hat or scarf or a silk or satin pillowcase at night can help reduce frizz and pull long hair into a “pineapple” with a loose ponytail holder on the top of the head.

DB: Do you have any recommendations for the best hairstyles for women with curly hair – long or short?

LD: Long hair and short hair can be worn at any age, and both can look beautiful depending on one’s hair type, facial features, and body type.

Fine or fine hair should be kept shorter to increase its volume and shape. Many middle-aged women have curly hair because their hair is sparse. short Hairstyles for women are very popular.

Coarse or thick curly hair can be long and look luxurious on the right person. For optimum curl, it should be twisted 2 1/2 times to reveal its true beauty. At the end of the day, the most important thing is healthy hair.

DB: Is there anything curly-haired women should keep in mind when it comes to dyeing their hair?

LD: Textured hair needs attention to be drier and more porous. Semi or semi-permanent color may be a better choice for mixing gray. Permanent color is required for total gray coverage.

While curls are highlighted, they must be hand-painted on individual curls to create a natural movement.

DB: How about styling curly hair? Any advice?

LD: Women with curly hair should only use water-soluble products on their hair. This includes shampoo, conditioner and permanent products. For those with very messy hair, use a wet brush or a large tooth comb to comb through the conditioner while in the shower. Start and work from the ends.

There are several ways to dry curly hair. You can let it air dry or use a hooded dryer or diffuser. Remember to use medium to cool air settings only. Hot air will burn your curls. And never use a comb or brush on dry hair.

DB: You obviously know your stuff when it comes to curly hair. Do you have any advice for readers who are looking for a curl specialist but don’t live in your area?

LD: Make sure your chosen one cuts your hair in a dry, natural curl pattern where they live. Typically curls only need to be trimmed every 12 weeks. This may be longer for more textured hair and sooner for less textured hair.

Finally, more and more women are choosing to go gray these days. Short curly hairstyles for women like this can look very attractive if you leave a touch of natural gray.

DB: Great tips Lynn! Thank you so much. For more from Lynn, visit her Instagram feed (@privatecurldetective) and Facebook page (Just For Your Curls).

Photos: Red Angle Photography

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