Denise McAdam is an expert on hairstyles for older women. Whether your hair is short or long, thick or thin, she knows exactly what to do to make you look your best.

For 40 years, Denise has worked with women from all walks of life. She has worked her magic on celebrities, royalty, models, and the rest of us. Through it all, she has learned the secrets of what it takes to deliver the best haircuts and hairstyles for women of any age.

Exploring Short Hairstyles for Older Women

As our hair gets a little thinner with age – and I know about this phenomenon first hand – short hair is often the way to go. Personally, I’ve resisted the urge to cut my hair too short, but, after talking with Denise and looking at all of the amazing short hairstyles for older women, I’m honestly reconsidering!

In today’s interview, I talk with celebrity hairdresser, Denise McAdam. I hope that you enjoy listening to her advice. If you have any questions for Denise, please add them in the comments section at the end of this article. Enjoy the show!

Denise starts by reminding us of two important things. First, short hair can look quite masculine, so, it’s important to make sure that it has some height and movement. Secondly, if you’re going to go short, you need a great cut!

Let’s summarize the main options that Denise and I discussed when it comes to short hairstyles for older women.

18 Best Short Haircuts for Women Over 60

Very short hairstyles are pretty easy to style, and you even have more styling options than you may think. You can sleek it, wear it messy, or style it back. The only thing with short hairstyles is that you need to visit your hairstylist more often for upkeep.

Beautiful Blonde Pixie

We all love Dame Judi Dench and her wonderful blonde pixie haircut. Adding a little bit of volume and short wispy bangs create a super feminine look.

Messy Grey Pixie

This messy pixie looks great if you have thick hair and are a little edgy. Perfectly messy!

Sleek White Pixie

Another woman who sports a gamine style haircut is Annie Lennox. She is simply natural and radiant. Just on the edge of grey, Annie chose this haircut as a statement about the way that she was aging. She wanted to be seen as strong, independent, and inspirational.

Natural Salt & Pepper Pixie with Bangs

Soft layers and wispy short bangs is easy to style.

Grey Side-Swept Pixie

Bold, choppy, and all-natural! We love it.

Stylish Platinum

An edgy and stylish way to wear a short hairstyle is to give it some extra volume on the top and slicked back on the sides.

Curly Short Hair

Soft upswept curls are always trendy and suit many face shapes.

Tailored Short Bob Hairstyles

Another short hairstyle for older women to consider is the more dramatic smooth bob. This is the haircut that television host Suze Orman became famous for.

Denise points out that women in the public eye, such as journalists, corporate leaders, and politicians often go for this haircut and sculpt it back and to the side. They opt for soft hairstyles, letting their hair fall over their foreheads, with an edge of elegance.

The tailored “bob” can be a sassy, sexy, and professional-looking cut, which is perhaps why I chose it for most of my corporate career.

One thing that Denise reminds us is to keep the hair slightly shorter at the back. This helps with the chin line, which may have become beautifully jowly.

Short Bob with Highlights

Suze Orman is known for her perfect short bob hairstyle. Add highlights to create texture.

Textured Short Bob for Thick Hair

Add layers at the back of a short bob hairstyle for a softer look and added volume.

Longer Bob with Bangs

No-layer bob and bangs softens the features.

Layered Short Bob

Add layers to the style if you want more bounce and texture.

Short Bob Hairstyle with Oomph

This is definitely not a wash-and-go style as it needs a blow-out and some teasing. Looks fabulous!

Layered Chin-Length Hairstyles

Another short hairstyle for older women is the layered, chin-length style. This is the hairstyle that is preferred by actresses like Jane Fonda and Meg Ryan. Both of these women use a brush to flick the layers of the cut and give their hair fullness and sparkle.

Light and layered, this cut can create an organic look. The hair is long enough to fall into your eyes and give a sense of seductiveness.

Big Soft Curls

Meg Ryan wears this chin-length hairstyle very well. Natural-looking blonde flirty curls soften and flatter her features.

Flicked Highlights

Timeless Jane Fonda wears this hairstyle with elegance and grace. The added highlights in her bangs and around her face create softness and perfect texture.

Loose Waves

Large loose waves and a longer version of this hairstyle looks amazing in natural grey.

Big Curls

Create side part longer curls for a flirty look.

Curls with Oomph

Blow out the hair to add volume.

Swept Back Natural Curls

Sweep the curls back for a professional look.

What About Wigs?

Joan Collins has worn wigs all her life, and they’re fabulous. Denise worked with her many years ago on some TV adverts. There’s always a bit of movement in her wigs and they’re always layered. She looked stunning whether she wore the three-quarter wig or a part wig. There’s nothing wrong with using a bit of hair extensions as we get older.

Transitioning from Long Hair Gradually

Denise traveled the world with Cindy Crawford. They went everywhere and worked together for Revlon among other brands. Cindy’s hair back then was long and one length. It had an iconic height that will be remembered on the cover of Elle. She had stunning hair!

She’s in her 50s now and her hair’s a bit finer, more layered, and there is movement to it. She’s transitioning into the next stage of her life, the next decade.

Her hair is not considered short, but maybe that is where she will be transitioning in the next years, one step at a time.

Denise encourages us to be flirtatious and not worry about what other people think. So, love yourself and embrace your short hairstyle.

Finally, remember that these are only guidelines. No matter what short hairstyle you choose, you are a whole woman, complex and beautiful. Your hair is an important part of your look, but, more importantly, you should choose a cut that brings out your personality and makes you feel amazing!

Caring for Your Short Hairstyle

If you have had long hair and also short hair in your life, you know that typically short hair is a bit trickier to style. It’s sometimes easier to “wash-n-go” with longer hair than it is with shorter hair.

Short hair often needs texture and styling to keep it from going places it shouldn’t and to sculpt out some volume. Here are a few products we feel are excellent for short hairstyles. Whether you like foam, gel, or spray there is sure to be a product for your short hair on our list.

Paul Mitchell Flexible Style Sculpting Foam

This versatile hair styling mousse from Paul Mitchell enhances texture with long-lasting memory that controls frizz and flyaways while adding shine and balancing moisture.

Kristin Ess Dry Finish Working Texture Spray

Thai dry texturizing spray from Kristen Ess creates a soft, matte texture or lived-in look.

Verb Sculpting Clay

This sculpting clay from VERB is a pliable pomade that provides medium hold, natural texture, and flexibility to re-shape your hair throughout the day as you wish.

Living Proof Amp2 Instant Texture Volumizer

Living Proof makes this great styling cream that creates amplified volume, touchable texture, and flexible hold.

Kenra Professional Platinum Texturizing Taffy 13

Kenra Platinum Texturizing Taffy 13 creates separation and texture with a soft, moveable touch and feel. Flexible styling without stiffness!

Oribe Rough Luxury Soft Molding Paste

Oribe molding paste is a texturizing formula that defines hair while lending a soft touch and shine.

Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray

Thermal Creations from TRESemmé is a heat protection spray for hair that is heat-activated to help guard against harsh styling damage and hold your hair shape.

The Tiny Tress Press from Drybar

Small, travel size, hair straighteners are best for short hairstyles. The Tiny Tress Press is perfect for styling your short hair everyday.

Do you have a short haircut? Which one? What questions about haircuts and hairstyles for older women have you wondered about? Please join the conversation.

Jennifer Armstrong’s Pink Midi Tank Dress

Real Housewives of Orange County Season 16 Episode 3 Fashion

I am really loving Jennifer Armstrong’s at home attire. Her pink midi tank dress that she is wearing in tonight’s ep is just so cute. The best part about it is that even though she is wearing it in more of a relaxed way, it can totally be dressed up. Which makes it that much better because it’s like two dresses in one.

And okay maybe I lied…the real best part about it is that it is still in stock and in multiple colors.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to Shop Her Enza Costa Dress

Click Here to Shop Additional Stock

Originally posted at: Jennifer Armstrong’s Pink Midi Tank Dress

After a night of restlessness or in the midst of a hectic week, the last thing you need is to worry about dark circles or puffy under eyes. Apparently, there’s a foolproof way to get rid of these annoyances in just 20 minutes. Amazon shoppers are obsessing over a pair of 24k gold eye patches that, according to them, provides “immediate” results by decreasing puffiness and diminishing droopiness in one use.

The Demora patches have more than 10,000 perfect ratings thanks to their fast-acting capabilities. Shoppers credit them for being highly effective and easy to use.

“I work different hours throughout the week and when I work nights and have to get up early, these eye patches make the difference,” wrote one five-star reviewer. “Goodbye dark circles and under-eye baggage! I always put them in the fridge no less than 30 minutes before I put them on (super hydrating!). They are simple, not sticky, NO mess, no smell, just absolutely perfect.”

RELATED: Murad Just Came Out With Its Own Wrinkle-Smoother That Mimics Botox

Courtesy of Dermora Store.

24K Gold Eye Mask Puffy Eyes and Dark Circles Treatment

These impressive results make sense given that the patches are soaked in supremely nourishing and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and castor oil, two ingredients known and loved for their conditioning and plumping capabilities. Not to mention, the patches are packed with glycerin and collagen so that when they’re applied to your skin, it gets a boost in elasticity and water retention.

All of these ingredients work together to de-puff your skin, diminish the appearance of fine lines and give it a youthful glow.

“I have used every kind of eye cream for years with NO results and believe me, this result is an absolute first and immediate, which blows me away,” wrote one shopper who said they were shocked after using these patches. “I used this the same day I received it and after 25 to 30 minutes I removed the pads and noticed a difference, literally.”

Each pack comes with 20 patches so you get 10 uses for just $2 a piece. These are ideal for using before big days at work, prior to nights out or ahead of events where you want to look and feel like your best self. They’re simple to use, too. Place the patches along your under eyes and wait for 20 minutes before taking them off. They’re designed to stay in place, so you can go about your day as normal while you use them. Cook a meal, watch the latest episode of And Just Like That… or go for a stroll. Once you’re done, you’ll be able to see and be impressed by how good your skin looks.

Now, excuse us while we stock up on a few dozen of these patches.

Shannon Beador’s Black Star Print Blazer at Lunch with Nicole James

Real Housewives Orange County Season 16 Episode 3 Fashion

Shannon Beador certainly caused a lot of drama in last week’s episode. That’s okay because now she’s taking care of business trying to smooth things over with everyone. And in good fashion I must say judging by her black star print blazer. Of course her blazer is out of this world stock, but you can still thank your lucky stars because we have great Style Stealers of it below.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to See Her Cinq à Sept Blazer

Originally posted at: Shannon Beador’s Black Star Print Blazer

You may not know Wende Zomnir personally but you definitely know her products. She became the co-founder and executive creative director of Urban Decay in 1995 and still serves as the brand’s chief creative officer today. She helped launch the brand with just nail polish and lipstick and sold it to L’Oréal in 2012 for an estimated $300-$400 million. I’d say she knows a thing or two about makeup. Today, she launches Caliray, a clean makeup brand inspired by the low-key glam of California.

The first thing I ask Zomnir is why start over with a whole new makeup brand? To be honest, it sounds exhausting, even with the help of brand consultant and “vibeologist” Jenna Dover. Apparently, I’m not the only one asking her that. But she swears she loves the creative process. “I really do love the whole ‘creating something from nothing’ and starting with that white piece of paper,” she says. “And I really do love the constraints being clean and sustainable put me in.” She explains that she couldn’t just “back-metalize” the lids and use thick plastic because then it wouldn’t be easily recyclable.

“I’m a creator and my canvas is beauty,” she continues. “Urban [Decay] is awesome. I’m still involved. I have lunch with all of the senior people there all of the time and try to inspire them and give them my feedback and be the founder. But it’s not the same creatively as starting from zero.”

Keep reading to learn more about her process and her first Caliray products, including my favorite mascara.

Caliray.

What the Name ‘Caliray’ Means

Considering this is a SoCal-inspired brand, I thought I knew what Caliray meant. California sun rays, right? I was close. “I was opening different countries for Urban and people would always ask me, ‘what’s it like to live in California?’” Zomnir says. “That’s really what inspired it.” She then thought of a shirt she owns — but hasn’t worn — emblazoned with the phrase “I’m a ray of fucking sunshine,” which she feels embodies her spirit. “Yes, I’m a ray of sunshine but sometimes I can be prickly, too,” she says.

How She Approaches Sustainability & “Clean”

Caliray mascara tubes are made from 100 percent recycled ocean plastic and decorated in a way that they can be recycled again. The paper on the boxes is 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper without coating so it can be recycled, too. Zomnir knows the brand isn’t perfect when it comes to sustainability but she’s going to try her hardest to get close. “I always say sustainability is a journey. We’re not at the destination,” she says. “We’re always going to be like, ‘oh we can do that better!’ Or, ‘there’s a better source now!’ Or, ‘oh that wasn’t that good, we should change that.’ There’s a lot of different things we can improve all the time.”

When it comes to the clean beauty label, the brand prides itself in formulating without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, alcohols, nanomaterials, microplastics or formaldehyde. While “clean” is different for every brand and not regulated, Caliray looked to major beauty retailers to get on the same “clean” page.

Source: Instagram

Why Mascara and Eyeliner

Urban Decay is known for its eye makeup so it makes sense Zomnir would use her expertise in the area for her new brand. “There’s a lot of clean mascara out there but it’s not all high performance,” she says. “It’s not all long-wearing. I felt like there was a space in clean to have pencils and mascara — two eye basics almost everyone uses — that were high-performance.”

Come Hell or High Water mascara is a tubing formula that Zomnir promises it easily comes off with simple makeup remover or cleansing oil and doesn’t pull at your lashes. “You get that same performance of zero smudging. It’s very life-proof,” she says. “I’ve even surfed in this mascara and it doesn’t come off. You get this incredible result but with a little warm water and massage action, it rolls off.” No black streaks on your face, here. Plus, it contains lash-softening argan oil.

As for the Surfproof Easy Glider Eye Definer, Zomnir says “they work just as well as some of the long-wearing 24/7s that most people know and love” — a nod to an Urban Decay best seller. The ultra-pigmented pencils are wrapped in a 65 percent bio-based (sugarcane) barrel, something Zomnir hopes to get to 100 percent. All three shades (black, brown and deep navy) have a velvety smooth finish.

I gave the mascara a try for the first time in the car and I was very impressed with the length of my lashes.

Source: Instagram

Why You Shouldn’t Recycle the Packaging — Yet

The first thing I noticed when I opened the mascara box was the copy inside the box that says “Don’t look down here,” so of course, I ripped open the box to look. Zomnir knows you’ll probably do that, too. A sign in a dive bar in Chicago had the same phrase and it stuck with her. “What’s inside are little hand drawings by me talking about more details on the product,” she says. There’s also a QR code to scan and get more info on the sustainability aspect. So, don’t recycle the box just yet!

What’s Next for Caliray

Don’t expect the brand to only hawk eye makeup. Zomnir hopes to expand into other categories. “I do have some plans,” she says. We’ll be watching — and trying all the results. Shop Caliray now at Sephora!