As spring breathes new life into 2025, I found myself craving a change as vibrant as the season itself. At 70, I’ve learned that nothing transforms your appearance quite like a fresh haircut. So, I embarked on a journey to try six different youthful styles that promised to take years off my face. What happened next surprised even my hairdresser of twenty years.
The unexpected journey to a younger-looking me
When you reach your seventies, society often expects you to settle for “age-appropriate” styles. But after seeing how French bobs have been making women over 50 look years younger, I decided to challenge these expectations. Armed with celebrity inspiration photos and a lot of courage, I scheduled six appointments over three weeks.
“Most women your age are afraid to make dramatic changes,” said Melissa Hunt, my stylist of two decades. “But hair is the frame for your face—change the frame, and you change how people see the portrait.”
The pixie cut that added years instead of removing them
My first attempt was a classic pixie cut—think Jane Fonda or Jamie Lee Curtis. While these icons rock this style beautifully, on me, it accentuated my jawline in all the wrong ways and emphasized the thinning areas of my hair. The super-short cut actually added years to my appearance, proving that what works for one woman doesn’t work for all.
The layered bob that fell flat
Next came a chin-length layered bob. While this style has fantastic potential for adding volume—similar to styles in these transformative short hairstyles for thinning hair—my fine hair couldn’t hold the shape without excessive product. By lunchtime, the volume had collapsed, leaving me looking deflated.
The wispy bangs disaster
The third appointment introduced wispy bangs to my shoulder-length cut. Dr. Emily Chen, a psychologist specializing in aging and self-image, explains: “Bangs can mask forehead wrinkles, but the wrong type can draw attention to aging eyes.” Unfortunately, my wispy bangs did exactly that, constantly falling into my eyes and requiring constant adjustment.
The shoulder-length layers that added movement
By my fourth appointment, I was getting discouraged. But the shoulder-length cut with face-framing layers surprised me. It added movement and softness around my face, though it still wasn’t the dramatic transformation I was hoping for. This style acts like a gentle filter, softening facial features without hiding them completely.
The asymmetrical bob that turned heads
The fifth style—an asymmetrical bob with one side slightly longer than the other—earned me compliments at the grocery store. Much like how finding the right pants can transform your silhouette, this cut reshaped how people saw my face. Still, it wasn’t quite “the one.”
The 5-minute miracle: A modern shag with curtain bangs
For my final appointment, my stylist suggested a modern shag with curtain bangs—and I witnessed a miracle in the salon mirror. Within just five minutes of cutting the first layers, my face looked lifted, my cheekbones more pronounced, and my eyes brighter.
“This cut works because it creates the illusion of fullness while drawing attention to your best features,” Melissa explained as she continued snipping. “The curtain bangs frame your eyes without hiding them, and the layers create movement that’s inherently youthful.”
Why this transformation works for spring 2025
This modern shag is perfect for the current season, requiring minimal styling while offering maximum impact. Like finding the perfect jeans that take years off your appearance, discovering the right haircut can be transformative at any age.
The beauty of this cut is its versatility—it works with natural silver tones while adding dimension that catches the spring sunlight. And unlike my other attempts, this style actually requires less maintenance as it grows out beautifully.
What makes a truly youthful hairstyle isn’t how short or trendy it is, but how well it harmonizes with your unique features. At 70, I’ve discovered that embracing change doesn’t mean chasing youth—it means finding what makes you feel most confidently yourself.