While beauty should be a stress- and judgment-free zone, many people often spend time worrying about how they look, especially as they get older. Changing up your go-to hairstyle, however, is one of the easiest ways to look younger. You'd be surprised by how your hair, cut and color included, can significantly alter your overall look.
Of course, as with all aspects of our beauty, hair choices are personal; they're also very subjective. So let's throw out the term "age appropriate," because while short bob haircuts can make one person look more mature, the same style can also visibly shave years off someone else. It's all about finding what works for you and maintaining an open mind. From exploring new hair colors to different hair lengths, the options for finding the perfect hairstyles that make you look younger are endless.
Whether you want to channel your inner Lori Harvey and try a chic blunt bob or your inner Becky G with Birkin bangs that frame the face perfectly, you've come to the right place. We asked a top hairstylist to share the easy hairstyle changes you can make to help you appear more youthful and feel your best.
Angled bobs are flirty and effortless; just look at Kendall Jenner's version of the style.
"A high ponytail will give the feel of a mini facelift," celebrity stylist Laurie Heaps tells POPSUGAR.
You can take a page out of Selena Gomez's book by opting for a blunt-cut lob that perfectly frames the face to make you look more youthful.
Although the ends of Margot Robbie's bob appear to be cut bluntly, there's texture to the hair around her chin, which adds a softness to the look.
Adding wispy pieces of hair around the face can instantly soften your features, not to mention give you an ethereal, romantic look.
Carey Mulligan's bob features a middle part and a slight bend around her ears to frame her face.
The subtle flip at the end of Viola Davis's bob makes the cut look super flattering and wearable.
If the front of your ponytail is super sleek, take a page out of Blake Lively's beauty book and fluff it up a bit to give it a youthful spin.
Opt for a half-up, half-down look, as seen on Zendaya. Not only does this playful style help give the illusion of a lift around the cheeks, but it also frames the face in flattering symmetry. It feels very high-school cheer squad in the best way.
"It is not necessarily the texture of the hair, but it is really a lack of volume that can age you," Heaps says. That is why you can never go wrong with bouncy, voluminous curls like Tracee Ellis Ross's.
Tia Mowry let her natural hair and high braided bun give off a polished, gravity-defying vibe.
Katie Holmes demonstrated how flattering soft, loose curls can be.
All-around volume like Gabrielle Union's puffy half-up, half-down style gives the illusion of lift at the crown of the head.
Cate Blanchett's tousled bob haircut is a great demonstration of the liquid hair trend, which gives the appearance of a healthy, mirror-like shine.
Many people believe that as you get older, you should go shorter with your hair, but sometimes leaving your style super long can give you a youthful glow.
Wearing a sleek topknot like Sanaa Lathan's pulls your hair back from your face and gives you a lift around your eyes and cheekbones.
Beachy waves can be worn at any age. Julianne Moore's midlength hair has a subtle wave to it, giving it a youthful feel.
If you're not ready to commit to a full-on eyebrow-grazing fringe, try curtain bangs like Jennifer Lopez here.
If you have longer hair, opt for medium, loose waves with flat-ironed ends, like Tamera Mowry's. "This will give your hair instant fullness and movement," Heaps says. "A softer finish like this is not only flattering but a youthful and quick way to create a new style."
Emma Stone made a low chignon look modern and chic with the help of a light wave and long, side-swept bangs.
Angela Bassett looked stunning with her long, coily hair parted in the middle and styled to have mega volume at the crown of the head.
Heaps says bangs, like Emilia Clarke's, are an easy way to hide fine lines, both on the forehead and around the eye area.
Curly bangs like Susan Kelechi Watson's add structure to your hairstyle and can cover up expression lines on your forehead if you so choose.
Remember that volume is key to a youthful-looking hairstyle, and bangs, like Zooey Deschanel's, can help with that. "You can experiment with clip-in bangs or even just a few one-inch pieces to add body," Heaps says.
Bangs come in many different styles. Even a side-swept fringe, like Reese Witherspoon's, helps soften the face.
A pixie haircut looks really modern and fresh when you add side-swept bangs like Viola Davis did.