The Top 5 Haircuts for Women in Their 30s

A woman's 30s are a busy decade—careers take off, dating gets serious, and families get started. Your haircut needs to keep up. We rounded up five styles so gorgeous, you'll be looking forward to your next birthday.

SOFTENED PIXIE

Anne Hathaway

A short cut is perfect for women who are on the move, says hairstylist Bridget Brager. While this cut isn't exactly wash and go, your drying time will be seriously reduced. But not all pixies are created equal: Ask your stylist for layers that, in Brager's words, "melt—they're barely noticeable, and keep the sides from looking choppy or poufy." All it takes to style is a bit of pomade (we love Göt2b Defiant Define + Shine Pomade) or, for those with heart-shaped faces, a spritz of volumizing spray, such as Alterna Bamboo Volume 48-Hour Sustainable Volume Spray, to give the roots a boost. The goal is for this to look effortless, so those with coarse, curly hair may want to avoid, as it will require lots of styling. "It's such a confident style," she says. "And at 30, that's how you should be."

GRADUATED BOB

Michelle Dockery

Dockery may play an Edwardian lady in Downton Abbey, but her haircut is far from stuffy—or worse, soccer mom–ish. "It's a beautiful way to do a bob," Brager says. "Shorter in back and slightly angled in front, it has so much volume and shows off her natural texture." A bonus? It's easy to style (and flatters just about every face shape and hair texture). Just blow-dry with a diffuser until it's about 60 percent dry, then let your natural texture take care of the rest. Curl a few face-framing pieces, and run a pomade, such as WELLA Texture Touch Reworkable Clay 2.51oz, through the ends to make them look piecey.

BLUNT LOB

Olivia Munn

"The common thread with all of these styles is that they look so effortless, but put together," Brager says. "A collarbone-length cut is one of the most versatile. You can wear it up or down without it getting in the way." For those with round or heart-shaped faces, ask your stylist for a version that's all one length with blunt ends. If your face is oval or square, request a few face-framing layers to give it dimension and accentuate your cheekbones. Those with thicker hair will also want to ask their stylist to thin it out, eliminating bulk (and any chance of helmet head). All this cut needs for that tousled finish is a little volumizing spray, such as Fekkai Advanced Full Blown Volume Lifting Hairspray, before blow-drying. Spritz from the roots to midshaft, Brager says.

TOUSLED LAYERS

Zoe Saldana

"When you're younger, you want to make a statement," Brager says. "In your late teens and 20s, you try every trend and fry the crap out of your hair. For your 30s, you want your hair to do its own thing, not be overdone." And Saldana does just that with this wavy, medium-length cut. Because of its length, anyone can pull off this cut—heart-shaped or square face, coarse or fine hair. Using your natural part, ask for layers that start at your chin. "They make waves look even more bouncy," she says.

LONG LAYERS WITH SOFT BANGS
Jessica Biel

Now, we're not saying you should try fringe as a way to cover up signs of aging. There's actually a much better reason to give bangs a try: "They frame your best features," Brager says. Those with round faces can pull off straight-across styles, while others should go for a lash-grazing version that angles down at the corners. Long, below-the-shoulder layers are a perfect complement; just blow-dry smooth with a round brush (a little bend at the ends adds softness) and dab an oil, like L'Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil, at the ends for major shine. "It looks so healthy—and totally age appropriate," Brager says.