We all want to look our best, but sometimes our fashion and hair choices can accidentally add years to our appearance. The wrong combinations of hairstyles and outfits can make even young people look older than they really are. Let’s explore some common styling mistakes that might be aging you and discover simple fixes to keep you looking fresh and youthful.
1. Harsh Dark Hair With Heavy Black Clothing
Solid black from head to toe creates a severe look that emphasizes lines and shadows on your face.
Soften your look by adding color accents to break up all-black outfits, and consider warmer hair tones that brighten your complexion instead of draining it.
2. Super Teased Hairstyles With Outdated Blazers
Remember the 80s power look? That over-teased hair paired with shoulder-padded blazers screams dated style. Volume is good, but excessive teasing creates a helmet-like appearance that instantly ages you.
Modern blazers with cleaner lines and hair with natural-looking volume create a much more contemporary, youthful impression.
3. Blunt Bob With Matronly Cardigans
A straight-across, bob de un solo largo paired with shapeless, buttoned-up cardigans creates a stereotypical “school librarian from 1985” vibe. This combo lacks modern shape and movement.
Add layers to your bob for softness and swap the boxy cardigan for a more fitted or draped style that shows your shape.
4. Overly Permed Hair With Elastic-Waist Pants
Tight, uniform curls reminiscent of the “grandma perm” paired with high-waisted elastic pants create an instantly aging effect. This combination lacks modern texture and silhouette.
Looser, more natural waves and structured pants with a proper waistband offer a more contemporary look that flatters rather than ages.
5. Helmet-Like Hair Spray With Matching Skirt Suits
Stiff, immovable hair locked in place with excessive hairspray paired with matchy-matchy skirt suits creates a dated, formal appearance. This rigid combo ages even younger women significantly.
Hair with natural movement and separates that coordinate rather than perfectly match create a more modern, youthful impression.
6. Gray Roots With Drab Neutral Clothing
Unintentional gray roots combined with beige, taupe, or gray clothing wash out your complexion and emphasize signs of aging. These non-colors can make you look tired and faded.
Either embrace your grays fully with a stylish cut or maintain your color, and pair with vibrant clothing that brings life to your face.
7. Outdated Mullet With Acid-Wash Denim
Business in front, party in back—but the party ended decades ago. The peinado mullet paired with acid-wash jeans or jackets creates a time-capsule effect that screams “stuck in the past.”
Modern shag cuts and contemporary denim washes offer the edge you’re seeking without the dated reference.
8. Thin, Flat Hair With Oversized Clothing
Limp, unstyled hair paired with baggy, shapeless clothes creates a diminished, overwhelmed appearance. This combination can make you look frail and significantly older.
Adding volume to fine hair through layering or styling products, along with clothes that show some shape, creates a more vibrant, youthful presence.
9. Too-Dark Lipstick With Overly Structured Hairstyles
Very dark lipstick draws attention to fine lines around the mouth. When paired with rigid, structured hairstyles, the overall effect is harsh and aging.
Softer lip colors and hair with some movement create a more approachable, youthful appearance that doesn’t emphasize texture changes in skin.
10. Frosted Hair With Pastel Twinsets
The 90s called—they want their frosted highlights back! Paired with matching pastel sweater sets, this combo screams “dated” rather than “classic.” The cool tones can make skin appear sallow.
More natural-looking highlights and contemporary knitwear in flattering colors offer warmth and modernity to your look.
11. Short, Curled-Under Bob With Orthopedic Shoes
The mushroom-shaped “soccer mom” bob that curls under at the ends paired with clunky comfort shoes creates an instantly aging effect. This combination prioritizes convenience over style in an obvious way.
A more textured short cut and stylish yet comfortable footwear maintain ease without sacrificing youthfulness.
12. Outdated Feathered Bangs With Mom Jeans
Wispy, flequillo de plumas popular in the 70s combined with high-waisted, tapered “mom jeans” create a look frozen in time. This pairing emphasizes middle age rather than timeless style.
Modern, side-swept bangs and contemporary denim cuts flatter your features while keeping your look current and age-appropriate.
13. Harsh Updo With Boxy Pantsuits
Severely pulled-back hair creates tension on facial features, emphasizing lines. When paired with rigid, shapeless pantsuits, the overall effect is stern and aging.
Softer updos with face-framing pieces and tailored suits with feminine details create authority without adding years to your appearance.
14. Chunky Highlights With Holiday-Themed Sweaters
Thick, stripy highlights popular in the early 2000s paired with novelty holiday sweaters create a dated, matronly appearance. This combination lacks sophistication and can look childish on older women.
Subtle, blended highlights and elevated knitwear with tasteful seasonal accessories offer festive spirit without the aging effect.
15. Overly Thin Eyebrows With Heavy Makeup
Pencil-thin eyebrows from over-plucking paired with heavy foundation and powder create a harsh, dated appearance. This combo emphasizes texture and fine lines rather than minimizing them.
Fuller, natural brows and lighter-weight makeup with strategic coverage create a fresher, more youthful look that enhances rather than masks.