I’m a celeb hairdresser – 5 styles that give away your age & the awful ‘Karen’ cut adding years to your face
NINETIES modelling icons Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford look as stunning as ever on the cover of US Vogue’s latest issue.
But the fiftysomethings have barely altered their long hairstyles since their heyday.
And they are not the only women whose tresses are trapped in a timewarp.
A recent poll found that 40 per cent of us don’t like change — and that our haircuts are top of the list of things we refuse to alter.
Stylist Jonathan Andrew, who has worked with pop star Anne-Marie, says sticking with a tried-and-tested look can be a dead giveaway of how old you really are.
“Not only can I tell your age from your style, but I can also tell what age your hairdresser thinks you should be,” he says.
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“Today, women are looking more youthful than ever, but their hair hasn’t necessarily caught up.”
He tells Alex Lloyd which hairstyle you are likely to have for your age – and how to instantly update your locks.
TWENTIES: Bright dye jobs and shaggy cuts
THIS is a chameleon decade — with pop star Billie Eilish as the poster girl.
One minute she has green roots, the next she has a shaggy blonde look with a fringe.
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If she overhauls her locks every week, I can tell she’s in her 20s.
Women this age have always been experimental, happy to try new trends until they find their own style.
But whereas model Agyness Deyn’s early Noughties pixie cut led to six months of imitators, the current digital age means the leading trend changes week to week.
This age group is fearless, with the attitude that “it’s just hair, it’s going to grow”.
It can be very creative and fun, just be aware that not every look will be right for you.
Your hair can get damaged in the process too, so use products to protect its condition.
THIRTIES: Extensions and block colour
THE Kardashians are THE hair inspiration for women in their 30s.
They aim for glamorous, expensive-looking locks and block colour, with heavy use of extensions and colour treatments to achieve the image.
But it’s easy to switch between raven black and icy blonde when you have the funds and time for a 16-hour colour process.
You can often see the inevitable damage in their hair condition too.
I love clients bringing pictures to the salon for inspiration.
But Generation Instagram offers images that are styled specifically for social media.
They are heavily filtered with a fake colour that is unachievable.
I can always spot these women because their hair shade isn’t quite the lilac they want and they are never happy with it.
I’d advise them to focus on hair quality to get the expensive look they crave and embrace good care routines.
Dial back on the extensions and colour treatments too. Opt for more forgiving but glam ones, such as balayage.
FORTIES: Straight bobs
PRACTICALITY is the top priority of ladies in their 40s, who tend to be juggling kids, work and everything else in between.
Although they grew up with the experimental colours and cuts of the Spice Girls, they have left that all behind for a long bob, or “lob”, often with a side fringe.
They see it as low maintenance, especially as it can be tied back.
It’s a look actress Jessica Alba has nailed beautifully in the past, along with Cheryl Cole and, more recently, Holly Willoughby.
But it needs blow-drying to be at its best — and the average fortysomething doesn’t have time for that.
The bob is timeless, but there are ten different ways to style one.
Get out of your one-layer “mum bob” rut by adding a wave or a flick.
And don’t let those 1990s perm nightmares put you off curls either.
Vary it for different occasions, whether that’s the school run, work or evening.
Invest in products to add body and combat limpness.
FIFTIES: Long with sunkissed highlights
THESE women grew up with TV’s Friends. They probably had the “Rachel” in their youth — and every Jennifer Aniston style since.
Today, they opt for the same long, straight and layered locks of the star, as well as the Californian sun-kissed highlights.
They might change it up with a wave or a big blow-dry for a night out.
While you absolutely don’t need to go shorter as you get older, keeping the length requires it to be in tip-top condition.
It’s unforgiving to any kind of damage, which gets worse after decades of colouring, air pollution and hormones.
Jen and other A-list fiftysomethings like J-Lo and Sandra Bullock have invested heavily in maintaining their hair quality.
They’ve also adapted their colour to be more light-reflecting.
Focus on your hair health at this time — use repairing and conditioning treatments.
SIXTIES AND OLDER: The ‘Karen’ bob and short crops
AFTER the menopause, there is a myth that women have to cut their hair.
To combat thinning or finer hair, they go for the so-called “Karen” – an ear-length bob which is shorter at the back, maybe with an asymmetric or heavy fringe.
If they are too nervous to go that short, their stylist might compromise by cutting it to sit on their shoulders.
It’s one of the most unflattering cuts, in my opinion, and very ageing.
It ends up flicking up sideways, like Daphne from Scooby Doo.
My rule is to go below or go higher.
If you do opt for the crop, learn to style it in a modern way.
One of my favourite short looks is Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada, with that quiff at the front.
It’s grey but still has a chic edge. I’m not suggesting you need a cut to take ten years off you — that’s patronising.
But the right style can make you look as cool as you feel inside.
Likewise, you don’t need to embrace the grey if you don’t want to.
This generation grew up during the 1980s celebrity hairdresser boom, when colour was very experimental.
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You can still rock bright red or chunky highlights, if you find a stylist who won’t make it look dated.
- Jonathan Andrew is a global brand ambassador for Fudge Hair. Find out more at .