3 Lifting Hairstyles After 50 That Visibly Lift the Face

Hairdressers agree: certain hairstyles can visibly lift the face without injections or surgery. Especially after 50, when the skin starts to lose firmness, the right way of tying the hair back can make the cheeks, eye area and jawline look noticeably fresher. Three styles stand out in particular.

Why certain hairstyles can visually lift the face after 50

This effect is primarily mechanical. When hair is drawn back and upwards in a controlled way, it creates gentle tension at the temples and around the outer eye area. These are precisely the areas where fine lines and sagging contours tend to appear.

“Hair tied deliberately upwards can open up the eyes, smooth fine lines and define the jawline – creating a lifted look for a few hours.”

Exposing the forehead allows noticeably more light to fall on the upper part of the face. Dark circles become less prominent, while shadows across the middle and lower face appear softer. Attention is drawn upwards, making the face look longer and firmer overall.

From around the age of 50, the skin’s texture and resilience change. The lower part of the face in particular, including the chin and jawline, begins to lose tautness. Hairstyles that shift volume and tension upwards create the impression that everything has been “pulled up” slightly – similar to a very subtle facelift.

The foundation: smooth roots, targeted tension and gentle products

For these styling techniques, professionals begin with a very neatly prepared base. Hair at the roots, especially around the temples, is brushed close to the head. This can make small uneven areas and fine lines in this part of the face appear smoother.

Typical salon tools that can also be used at home include:

• a fine brush with firm bristles to smooth the roots properly
• gel or a light wax cream to tame flyaway hairs
• hairspray to hold the style in place for hours
• fabric-covered elastic hair ties to distribute tension evenly

Hairdressers do, however, warn against pulling the hair too tightly or doing so too often. Tying it extremely tightly every day can cause headaches or, over time, even hair loss around the temples. It is therefore worth varying the height of the ponytail, choosing looser styles from time to time and briefly massaging the scalp in the evening.

The 3 most effective lifting hairstyles after 50

1. A high ponytail for a more open look

A high ponytail is among the quickest and most practical everyday options. It creates an invisible upward line across the face – running from the tip of the chin, past the outer corner of the eye and up to the highest point at the back of the head, where the hair tie sits.

The ponytail should be secured at exactly this point. It creates diagonal tension that visibly lifts the facial contours. Hair at the temples is brushed consistently upwards towards the tie, helping to smooth lines at the sides of the eyes and subtly elongate their shape.

This hairstyle works particularly well for:

• medium-length to long hair
• round or oval face shapes
• anyone wanting to look fresher quickly, whether for the office or an evening meal

Important: the ponytail should not sit too low, as this can emphasise a downward-drawn chin rather than create a lifting effect.

2. A high twisted bun for extra definition

The second classic option is a high, twisted bun. It starts with a very high ponytail, which is then twisted tightly and wrapped around the hair tie. Once secured with hairpins, it forms a firm knot high on the head.

“The high bun acts like an anchor point, visually drawing the face upwards for hours and making the cheeks appear slimmer.”

As the weight of the hairstyle sits at the very top, the lower facial area appears narrower. The cheeks look more toned and the jawline more defined. There is an additional benefit, too: the neck is uncovered, which can be particularly flattering if this area already shows small creased lines.

The twisted bun is particularly suitable for:

• finer hair that quickly falls flat when worn loose
• warmer days when you want to avoid getting too hot
• occasions that call for a simple yet clearly structured look

3. A high half-up ponytail for a softer lift

Anyone wishing to visually lift the face without tolerating tightness through all of their hair can opt for a high half-up ponytail. Only the upper section, from above the ears back towards the crown, is gathered and tied.

This creates a kind of half ponytail that still provides a strong upward pull. Its advantage is that the upper facial features – especially the eyebrows and eyelids – appear lifted, while the loose lengths fall softly over the shoulders and neck, softening harsh angles around the jawline.

This option is ideal when:

• you would like to disguise the neck area slightly
• the hair is very thick or heavy and a fully lifted style looks too severe
• you prefer a softer, slightly romantic look

How to choose the right lifting hairstyle for your face

Selecting the ideal hairstyle depends not only on age, but also on face shape, hair texture and personal style. A few general guidelines can help:

Care, risks and small professional tricks

As helpful as these lifting hairstyles can be, it is important to wear them mindfully. Anyone pulling their hair back tightly almost every day should watch for warning signs: aching, pressure at the temples or increased breakage at the roots can indicate that the tension is too strong.

A few simple habits help protect both hair and scalp:

• never wrap hair ties repeatedly around the same extremely tight section
• switch occasionally to a looser, lower style
• massage the scalp with your fingertips as soon as the hair is worn down
• work a nourishing treatment into the lengths and ends once a week

The combination with make-up can also be effective: when the forehead is exposed, a little highlighter on the upper eyelid and beneath the eyebrow can enhance the lifting effect even further. A touch of blusher placed slightly higher than usual on the cheeks supports the visually elevated contour.

Many people underestimate how strongly hairstyles can influence perceptions of age. Just a few centimetres in the height of a ponytail can determine whether a face looks tired or alert. Particularly after 50, it is worth experimenting with these details and perhaps asking at your next hair appointment which tying techniques best suit your own hair and face shape.