MomSkoop
The modern shag borrows its name from the 1970s, yet today’s version trades those choppy edges for soft, tailored layers. That means a cut many women first wore decades ago has come back with better manners. I love that detail because it shows how haircuts keep reinventing themselves. Classic shapes like the bob and pixie now come in blended, angled, and textured versions that feel fresh without being fussy.
For women over 70, a new cut can be a simple way to change things up. Hair often shifts in texture and thickness over time, so a shape that worked years ago may not match the hair you have today. The good news is that you have plenty of choices beyond the standard set and curl. Which of these updated styles might be the one that makes you grin at the mirror?
1. The Modern Pixie Cut
Short hair can be surprisingly flexible, and the modern pixie proves it.
The shape stays short on the sides and back, with a little extra length on top.
That longer top section is where the fun happens.
Many stylists add short, wispy bangs that sweep to one side, which softens the look around your eyes and forehead.
You can ask for soft layers too, so the cut frames your face instead of hugging your head like a swim cap.
Fine or thinning hair often does well with a pixie.
Shorter lengths weigh less, so the roots have an easier time lifting, and the top can look fuller as a result.
If flat hair has been bugging you, this is worth a conversation with your stylist.
Daily care tends to be quick.
A dab of light cream or texture spray, a few minutes with your fingers, and you are basically out the door.
The trade-off is more frequent trims, since short cuts lose their shape faster.
Bring a photo to your appointment and point out exactly what you like.
Words like short can mean very different things to different people, and a picture clears that right up.
2. The Bixie Cut
Can’t pick between a bob and a pixie?
The bixie happily refuses to choose and blends the two into one cut.
It takes the structure of a bob and adds the airy movement of a pixie.
The length usually lands somewhere between the ear and the chin, so it sits longer than a classic pixie but shorter than a bob.
Think of it as the middle child that turned out pretty well.
Strategic layering is what makes it work.
Stylists use those layers to create soft shaping that curves gently around the face, which can draw attention to your cheekbones and jawline.
The texture also adds a bit of bounce to hair that might otherwise lie flat.
Fine and medium hair tend to suit the bixie nicely.
Another bonus is how gracefully it grows out, so you won’t have an awkward stage that sends you hiding under a hat.
This cut is a handy stepping stone if you want to try shorter hair without jumping straight into a pixie.
Start a little longer, see how it feels, and trim it down later if you love the lighter feel.
3. The Modern Shag
Disco may have ended, but the shag found a second career.
Today’s version keeps the playful spirit of the 1970s and drops the aggressive chop.
The modern shag uses soft, tailored layers with tousled texture and slightly choppy ends.
Bangs or a fringe often join the party, giving the face a little frame.
The overall finish feels relaxed, like your hair just came back from a nice walk.
Movement is the main reason people love it.
If your hair has become thinner in some spots and thicker in others, the layers can work with those changes instead of fighting them.
Shorter layers at the crown can add lift and make fine hair appear fuller.
Styling can be pleasantly low effort.
Scrunch in a mousse or texture spray, let it air dry, or use a diffuser if you have natural wave.
Messy is part of the point, which is very freeing.
Ask your stylist to keep the layers soft rather than blunt.
That small request keeps the cut looking current and keeps you far away from the full rock-band look, unless that is your plan.
4. The Layered Bob
Plenty of haircuts come and go, but the bob keeps getting invited back.
Adding layers gives it a fresher, more relaxed attitude.
A layered bob can sit anywhere from your chin to your shoulders.
Light layers throughout help the hair move, and that movement can make fine or thinning strands look thicker.
Nobody needs to know your secret.
Versatility is a big selling point here.
You can wear it sleek and smooth for a polished dinner look, or scrunch it into loose texture for weekend errands.
The layers help the hair fall into place with less fuss, so your blow dryer gets a little vacation.
Customization is easy too.
Side-swept bangs soften the forehead, while face-framing pieces near the cheeks can highlight your features.
Talk with your stylist about where you want the shortest pieces to land.
A quick tip: keep up with trims every couple of months.
Layers lose their shape as they grow, and a regular tidy-up keeps the bob looking intentional instead of tired.
Small effort, big payoff.
5. The Long Bob (Lob)
Not ready to say goodbye to your length?
The lob lets you keep some while still getting a clean, defined shape.
Short for long bob, this cut usually falls between the chin and the collarbone.
It offers more length than a classic bob, yet it still looks neat and finished.
For many women, it feels like the sweet spot between long and short.
Styling options are wide open.
Wear it straight for a smooth, sleek look, or add soft waves and curls for extra bounce.
A round brush or a large curling iron can give you two different hairstyles from one cut.
Fine hair can benefit from subtle layers.
They add volume and movement without making the ends look thin or stringy.
Ask for light layers rather than heavy ones if your hair lacks density.
The lob is also a comfortable choice if you are curious about shorter hair but feel nervous.
You can live with it for a while, then decide whether to go shorter.
Think of it as a test drive with the windows down.
6. The French Bob
A little Parisian flair never hurt anyone.
The French bob brings that easy, café-ready look straight to your bathroom mirror.
This style is short, landing at the chin or slightly above.
It often comes with soft bangs and subtle waves for a tousled finish.
The result frames the face boldly without demanding hours of effort.
Minimal layers are part of the formula.
Keeping layers light helps the cut hold its structured shape while still allowing some natural movement.
That balance is why it looks put together even on a lazy morning.
Texture is welcome here.
Curly hair can wear a French bob, and so can straight or wavy hair, with a few adjustments from your stylist.
It also suits many face shapes, including oval, heart, square, and round.
For styling, let it be a little imperfect.
A light salt spray or a small amount of cream, scrunched in and left alone, keeps the casual vibe going.
Pair it with a striped shirt and red lipstick if you want to commit to the theme.
Beret optional, confidence required.
7. The Asymmetrical Pixie
Symmetry is overrated, at least when it comes to this cut.
An asymmetrical pixie leaves one side intentionally shorter than the other.
Usually the top stays longer, often with sweeping bangs that fall to one side.
That uneven shape gives the cut a modern edge without looking wild.
It also helps steer attention toward the features you most like showing off.
Fine or medium hair can look fuller with this style.
The extra length on top creates the impression of more volume, especially when you add a bit of lift at the roots.
A small round brush or your fingers can do the job.
Bold yet wearable is a fair way to describe it.
Day-to-day upkeep stays minimal, but the finished look still seems polished and deliberate.
You might even get asked where you had it done.
One practical note: the longer side may need to be tucked or pinned during gardening or exercise.
A small clip handles that easily.
Otherwise, enjoy a haircut that has a bit of personality built right in.
8. The Textured Crop
Very short hair does not have to look severe.
The textured crop keeps things brief but soft around the edges.
Choppy layers and feathered ends give this cut a stylishly undone feel.
Instead of a harsh, buzzed look, you get movement and a little volume.
It is short with a sense of humor.
Thinning hair often benefits from this approach.
The texture breaks up flat spots and creates a fuller appearance.
Since there is less length pulling the hair down, the top tends to look livelier.
Your face takes center stage with a crop.
Eyes, cheekbones, and a great pair of earrings become the focus, which can feel refreshing.
It also works with a range of face shapes, so it is worth considering even if you have never gone this short.
Morning routines can shrink to almost nothing.
A pea-sized amount of paste or pomade rubbed between your palms and pushed through the hair is usually enough.
Plan on trims every few weeks to keep the shape crisp.
That is the one real commitment, and it is a small one.
9. Soft Face-Framing Layers
Love your longer hair?
Good news, you can keep it and still get something new.
Soft face-framing layers are cut around the cheeks and jawline.
They add definition and structure near the face without removing much weight from the rest of your hair.
It is a subtle change that can make a noticeable difference.
These layers work on medium or longer lengths.
The pieces curve inward, which brightens the area around your face and softens features.
They also give otherwise straight, heavy hair some much-needed motion.
Fine hair tends to respond well to this approach.
Because the layers are concentrated in front, the overall hair does not get thinned out.
You get movement up front while the back keeps its fullness.
Styling can be as simple as blow-drying the front pieces away from your face with a round brush.
On relaxed days, tuck them behind your ears.
Ask your stylist to start the shortest layer where it best flatters you, often around the cheekbone.
Then enjoy a refresh that does not require a dramatic chop or a brave speech in the salon chair.
10. The A-Line Bob
Angles are the star of this show.
An A-line bob is shorter in the back and gradually longer toward the front.
The front pieces often end at the chin or just below it.
That sloping shape creates strong, deliberate movement and can boost volume at the crown.
From the side, it has a sleek, sculpted outline.
Naturally thick or wavy hair is especially well suited to this cut.
The angle removes bulk from the back, which helps keep a full head of hair from looking puffy.
At the same time, the shape can make hair appear thicker overall.
Maintenance is fairly easy.
A quick blow-dry with a round brush, aimed under at the ends, keeps the line clean.
Wavy hair can also be left natural for a softer version.
Talk with your stylist about how steep you want the angle.
A gentle slope looks softer, while a sharper one feels more dramatic.
Either way, the A-line bob gives you a crisp silhouette that looks planned rather than accidental.
Neat edges, minimal fuss, and plenty of style.
11. Curtain Bangs With Medium-Length Hair
Bangs can feel like a big leap, but curtain bangs are more of a polite step.
They part in the middle and sweep out to each side, framing the face softly.
Pairing them with medium-length hair creates a balanced look.
The bangs soften the forehead and draw attention to the cheekbones.
It adds a trendy touch without changing the overall length you are used to.
Commitment levels stay low with this choice.
Curtain bangs grow out gracefully, so if you change your mind, they simply blend into face-framing layers.
No awkward months of pinning back stubby fringe.
Straight or slightly wavy hair usually works best.
Round or square faces can also benefit, since the center part and sweeping shape help create a longer look.
Very curly hair can still try them, but expect a different finish.
Styling takes a minute or two.
Use a round brush or even a large velcro roller to curve each side outward.
On busy days, a little dry shampoo and a quick finger sweep will do.
It is a small change with a fresh result, and your mirror might just do a double take.