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Beauty

Guide to gorgeous hair: From your 20s to your 60s and beyond

Whether you want sexy shine, lush curls, beachy waves or beautiful, rich colour — every day can be a great-hair day with these age-erasing tips from your 20s to your 60s and beyond
Guide to gorgeous hair: From your 20s to your 60s and beyond

Steven Lovekin/ Getty Images

Revamp your routine

If we had our way, getting ready in the morning would be just like a hair commercial: Every strand would behave beautifully, frizz wouldn’t exist and strangers would stop us on the street to ask about our special secret to shine. But in reality, how we feel about our hair isn’t that easy or straightforward. “It’s normal to get bored by your hair, especially if you’ve had the same cut for a while,” says Jeni Thomas, a senior scientist with Pantene. “The key to keeping your look fresh, whether you’re 20 or 60, is as simple as tweaking your routine and style to play up your hair’s best assets.”

hair Christie BrinkleySteven Lovekin/ Getty Images

In your 20s

What you can expect: This is the glory decade, when hair is at its thickest and healthiest and seems to never stop growing. “The intense scalp-oil production that kicks in during the teenage years is still going strong, so you don’t need to work as hard to keep hair looking good,” says Thomas. She recommends washing it regularly, though, because hair can look oily.

Stylish solutions: Excess sebum helps protect the scalp and nourishes hair follicles, but it doesn’t always make its way to the tips, and primping can take a toll. “When hair has been damaged through regular use of fl at irons and aggressive styling, the ends of the hair may feel opposite to the roots: dry and brittle,” says Thomas. It’s key to protect your locks from heat styling and look for shampoos and conditioners that are gentle on your hair.

Best way to wear it: If you like long, loose locks, this is the time to go for it, says Daniel Naumovski, a stylist and the co-owner of Toronto’s Taz Hair Co. Avoid severe styles like a tightly pulled-back ponytail, unless you want to project an older, professional vibe.
Solutions that deliver: Purifying Shampoo, $5, Yves Rocher. Art of Hair Sheer Lacquer, $40, Shu Uemura. Super-Smooth Relaxing Serum, $30, Pureology.

hair Caterina ScorsonePhoto, Caterina Scorsone, Michael Tran/ FilmMagic

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In your 30s Rachel McAdams

What you can expect: This is the superwoman decade, when careers, marriage and babies take over, reducing mirror time with your hair. It’s no surprise then that hair takes a hit, receding at the temples and shedding. “This has to do with the hormonal swings that go along with pregnancy,” explains Thomas. You may also notice flaking, irritation and redness at the scalp, cautions Lisa Kellett, a dermatologist in Toronto.
Stylish solutions: Topical treatments are recommended if you suffer from any irritation. For more persistent issues like scalp psoriasis, make an appointment with a dermatologist. “Treatment may include prescription medicated shampoos and topical steroids,” says Kellett.
Best way to wear it: If you’ve ever dreamed of bangs, now is a great time to see how they complement your face, says Naumovski, who also recommends consulting with your stylist to create a haircut to optimize your hair’s texture. Ask for flirty side-swept bangs that soften your features and hide those new lines you may see on your forehead.

Solutions that deliver: Had & Shoulders Ocean Lift 2 in 1, $7. Shine Flash Spray , $20, Redken. Tresemmé 24 hour Body Root Boosting Spray, $7.

hiar Rachel McAdamsRachel McAdams (Charles Eshelman/ FilmMagic)

In your 40s

What you can expect: Yes, this is when wiry and coarse grey hairs pop up overnight and, no, we don’t like it. “Women start colouring their hair more frequently,” says Naumovski. “It’s not just for fashion; it’s for maintenance.” As a result, hair can become over-processed and “more prone to breakage,” warns Thomas. Women with sensitive scalps may not be able to tolerate additional chemical treatments and may “experience irritant contact dermatitis or allergic-contact dermatitis,” says Kellett.

Stylish solutions: Before adding colour, Kellett advises asking your colourist “to perform a patch test of the hair dye on your skin.” This will help ensure that there are no adverse reactions. Protect your scalp while maintaining the quality and longevity of your hair colour by using shampoos, conditioners and styling products designed for colour-treated hair, adds Thomas.
Best way to wear it: Skip the soccer-mom cut and aim for shoulder length with body-inducing longer layers. “There are no more rules,” says Naumovski. “You don’t have to chop your hair into a pixie cut and let the grey grow in or start highlighting your hair blond—unless you want to.”

Solutions that deliver: Garnier Fructis Color Shield Shampoo, $6. Essensity Colour Leave-In Mask, $25, Schwarzkopf Professional. Pantene Pro-V Colour Preserve Shine Conditioner, $6.

hair Sandra OhSandra Oh (Jason Laveris/ FilmMagic)

In your 50s

What you can expect: For most women, this means hair that is around 50-percent grey. “Your hair’s biological pigmentation process slows and eventually stops,” explains Thomas. “As well, your hair no longer benefits from the protective effects of melanin, so it may be more prone to UV damage, which has a weakening effect.” Hair will also be noticeably thinner in texture, says Kellett.

Stylish solutions: Naumovski recommends talking to your colourist about the different types of hair colouring treatments available for maximum coverage, and getting a fresh haircut. “Seventy to eighty percent of my clients in this age group cut their hair shorter,” says Naumovski. “It makes their hair look thicker.” Topical formulations such as minoxidil can help reduce the appearance of thinning hair, says Kellett.

Best way to wear it: You don’t have to go all G.I. Jane, but this is a great time to try a shorter style, like a bob. And if you simply can’t part with long locks, keep it polished with a smooth part and ends. For special occasions, avoid tightly pulled-back updos, which can add years to your look.
Solutions that deliver: Marc Anthony Be Ageless Advanced Color Protect Anti-Aging Leave-In Treatment, $13. Pro-Mend Overnight Treatment, $15, Nexxus. Phytargent Brightening Shampoo, $24, Phyto Paris.

hair madonnaMadonna (Michael Buckner/ WireImage)

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In your 60s and beyond

What you can expect: Your scalp isn’t producing as much sebum, so hair looks and feels drier, says Thomas. For some women, hair loss continues, adds Kellett.
Stylish solutions: To combat dryness, Thomas recommends using hydrating hair-care products, while Kellett suggests consulting a dermatologist for a proper diagnosis and treatment should scalp lesions appear. “We used to think that roller sets and a blue rinse were the only hairstyle options for women in their60s,” says Naumovski. “Now, these women are confident, funky and more willing to take chances with their hair than when they were younger.”
Best way to wear it: Anything goes, but avoid mistakes like teasing or over-styling. And if you wear it short, opt for volumizing layers with soft, feminine appeal. Whatever your style, make sure you have it trimmed every six weeks. And if you still have bangs, keep them a little shorter so they don’t draw attention to fi ne lines around your eyes.
Solutions that deliver: Herbal Essences Hydralicious Featherweight Shampoo, $4. L’Oreal Paris Re-Nutrition Nourishing Cream Care Conditioner, $7. Age Premium Mousse Substantive, $41, Kerastase.

hair Olivia Newton-JoneOlivia Newton-John (Jason Laveris/ FilmMagic)

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