Classic pixie for a vibrant aesthetic

Best for: Oval face shape

Pixie cuts are always fun, and they're minimal-maintenance hairstyles for women on the go, says celebrity hairstylist Sophia Porter. When your hair is this short, you can literally wash your hair and let it air-dry, and it will still look like you have a finished style. Just keep in mind that this haircut shines a spotlight on your beautiful face, so you'll need to be comfortable with that.

Pro tip: Make sure hair has a bit of texture. If a pixie cut is too flat, it can put saggy skin or aging angular features center stage. A styling cream can help give your short hair just a bit of texture, like in Michelle Williams's 'do. "I love to use Pai-Shau Style Soufflé to style shorter cuts like this," says Porter. "It gives just enough control and definition to create an effortless look in minutes." Simply apply a bit of the product to your fingertips, and muss up your strands for that slightly textured look.

Long, face-framing layers for a youthful look

Best for: All hair types and face shapes

Jennifer Aniston just might be the queen of layers. Her "Rachel" cut was all about short face-framing layers, but as she's aged, she's embraced slightly longer layers. "This haircut adds a youthful appearance by making the face more round and full," says Tauber.

Pro tip: Layers should start below your chin, rather than above it. This will cradle your face rather than dissect it, giving it a more youthful feel.

Soft bangs for style and camouflage

Best for: Fine to medium hair

"Bangs are a fantastic way to add softness and hide any dynamic lines on a person's forehead," says Porter. However, if you don't have thick hair, bangs can look sparse and sad. If your hair tends to be on the finer side, Porter says the key is to embrace a wispy look like Anna Faris is sporting here. "It is a stylish look for women of all ages."

Pro tip: Rather than styling this type of fringe straight across, sweep it toward one side or let the bangs fall to either side. This will keep them looking soft and fresh, and can help hide crinkles around your eyes, making it one of the smartest hairstyles for women over 40.

Long bob for framed features

Best for: All face shapes and hair types

Also known as the lob, this style gives you the polished vibe of a shorter bob but the versatility of long hair, says Porter. A middle part, like Kristen Bell's, can add fullness if your cheeks have started to look a little sunken in as you get older. And the super-sleek styling makes hair look shiny and youthful.

Pro tip: For Bell's straight look, blow-dry hair by pointing the nose of your dryer down at hair and using a flat brush in downward strokes as the hot air hits strands. This seals hair cuticles downward to give you ultimate sleekness.

Heavy bangs for a rejuvenating boost

Best for: Thick hair

Think of a heavy curtain of bangs as a quick and painless Botox alternative! They also distract from tired eyes, explains Brown, making them doubly appealing. For a modern look, you want these bangs to go straight across before slightly tapering down into a rounded shape as they reach the sides of your forehead, just like Christina Ricci's. That slightly rounded edge helps keep the look from being too harsh and highlighting angular, aging features.

Pro tip: To keep your bangs looking their best, our experts recommend getting them trimmed by a hairdresser every two to three weeks.

Tousled with volume for an effortlessly youthful feel

Best for: Round faces

A slightly messy 'do is a great way to distract from neck wrinkles. "The key to making this work is adding lift at the roots," says Porter. And rather than perfect waves, tousled is the way to go. This helps keep the whole look youthful and fun.

Pro tip: To get the slightly roughed-up look that Gabrielle Union has, use a two-inch curling iron. Take two-inch sections of hair, and going in alternating directions, wrap it around the barrel halfway for just a few seconds. When you're done, run your fingers through to loosen the style and make it look effortless.

Deep side part for an elegant look

Best for: Round and heart-shaped faces

Are you ready for the easiest styling trick ever? Where you part your hair can really switch things up, and a deep side part is by far the most elegant option. Whereas a middle part feels young, Reese Witherspoon proves that a deep side part gives off a pulled-together vibe.

Pro tip: To keep your part crisp, spritz a little hairspray on your fingertips and pat down along your part. This will keep the hairs from popping up.

Half-up for an instant face lift

Best for: Long hair

The right style can draw the eye up, doing a favor for sagging skin. Enter the half-up 'do. Wearing your hair this way opens and lifts the face, says Mackinder. There's also a ton of variation to be had. You can keep it sleek like Jennifer Lopez, curl your hair for a more youthful vibe or even try a half-up bun. For a softer look, leave a few pieces out at the front.

Pro tip: To keep hair slick like JLo's, spray a little hairspray on a comb and gently run it through the hair that's pulled back.

Layered bob with fringe for hiding imperfections

Best for: All hair types

Tauber likes this look (as shown on Gayle King) because the soft fringe adds a playful touch to a classic bob silhouette. "This hair shape is ideal for hiding age imperfections around the eyes and forehead," she says. That's because the bangs add a little camouflage, and the layers add an element of fun and youthfulness.

Pro tip: Keep bangs on the longer side—think right at your eyebrows. Any shorter and you'll end up highlighting the wrinkles around your eyes instead of hiding them, which will make you look older.

Side-swept fringe for softening lines

Best for: All face shapes

Bangs are a big commitment. Long fringe, like Hoda Kotb has here, is a great alternative for those who aren't ready to make that leap. "They are a versatile style that can lay gently across the face, softening age lines and imperfections, or they can be easily tucked away and pulled back," says Tauber.

Pro tip: When getting this type of fringe, Tauber suggests asking for layers to be cut just long enough to be tucked behind your ears. This will allow for the most versatility. Sweep fringe sideways for a coquettish look, or tuck it straight behind the ears to hide it.

Curtain bangs for soft framing

Best for: Round and square faces

If you don't want the commitment of straight-across bangs but still want something to soften your face, consider curtain bangs like Sienna Miller. These bangs are cut shorter in the center and get longer at the sides. Often, they're worn slightly parted, so they fall to either side of your face and create a nice frame. "This hair shape is ideal for hiding age imperfections around the eyes and forehead," says Tauber.

Pro tip: To style curtain bangs, divide them in half, and use a round brush to pull each side away from the face and in the opposite direction of where you want the hair to ultimately fall. Once hair is dry, use your fingers to comb each section into place. This will help create a more natural shape.

Mega volume for mega drama

Best for: All hair types and face shapes

A little oomph at the roots can go a long way. Not only does it give you a va-va-voom vibe, but it can also lift your entire face to reverse aging. Priyanka Chopra gets it right by keeping the rest of her hair sleek and shiny. The end result? Polished and ladylike.

Pro tip: "For volume at the roots, use a round brush while blow-drying," says Daniels. "Hold the heat at the root and then blast it with cold air before removing the brush to really set the volume."

Sleek ponytail for elongating the face

Best for: Oval face shapes

Aging is a beautiful thing—it means you have lots of life experience and have truly earned your stripes. Want to show off your gorgeous face? A slicked-back ponytail can be very elegant, says Mackinder. Even better: It's super easy and can be done in minutes. Just brush hair back and up, and secure it with an elastic band.

Pro tip: Take note of Kim Kardashian's slight middle part. It's a subtle, smart way to break up a sleek look like this and add some dimension. This can be especially good for those with faces that are on the rounder side, since it breaks up your face.

Long shag for softening angular features

Best for: Thicker hair

"One of my favorite styles to bring back on women who want their length, as well as the fun along with it, is the shag," says Brown. "I know, many of us still have this idea of a shag in our heads from decades ago, and it maybe wasn't the cutest style then. However, creating the effect of long hair with cascading shorter and flirty pieces in front is such a vibe." Halle Berry's long length keeps this cut feeling modern, as opposed to retro.

Pro tip: To get that shag-a-licious definition, put a little styling putty on your fingertips and dab it on the ends of hair. This will add texture and highlight the cut.

Super short and curly for balance and definition

Best for: Tight curls

There's no such thing as too short. "I love a short pixie cut on curly hair," says Brown. "This style, in particular, can really open up the face and allow for more boldness to come through with clothes and accessories." Viola Davis's closely cropped style lets her natural texture shine and shows off her elegance and beauty.

Pro tip: Going super short for the first time? Experts recommend taking it slow. Try a slightly longer pixie cut first and see how you like it. From there, you can go a little shorter, depending on how you feel. Remember, you can always take more off—it's trickier to add hair back.

Shaved for a striking look

Best for: Oval or heart face shapes

Speaking of short! "Shaving your head can be one of the most liberating things a woman can do in her life," says Brown. "It's a bold choice, but damn, is it a showstopper." This can be a particularly fun option for women who have had short hair for some time and want to take a daring next step.

Pro tip: Though it may seem like an easy cut to give yourself, you really should leave it to the pros. A stylist will be able to help you determine just how much to shave off. For example, Jada Pinkett Smith is completely shaved. But you could also opt to leave just a tiny bit of hair at the top. A pro will know what will work best for your hair type and face shape.

Short on the sides, long on top for an edgy vibe

Best for: Square or heart-shaped faces

A cut that is short on the sides but long on top will make your cheekbones pop and give you a young, rocker vibe—just like Pink! Many people don't think short hair has versatility, especially when it comes to hairstyles for women over 40, but a little length gives you just that, says Tauber. You can curl the longer part, slick it back or rough it up to add a little casual messiness.

Pro tip: This cut is all about the dichotomy of length on top and super-short sides. So ask your stylist to buzz the sides and keep the top at least a few inches long.

Shoulder-skimming with face-framing layers for dimension

Best for: Thick hair

If you have thick hair and want to keep it above your shoulders, the key is face-framing layers. "This maintains fullness without it looking bulky, and it will take minimal effort to style," says Porter. Getting rid of the bulk that thicker hair can have will also help you look fresher and keep your 'do from dragging down your face.

Pro tip: Your layers should start just below eye level. Any higher will draw attention to crow's feet.

Simple twist for a classically feminine feel

Best for: All face shapes and hair textures

One of the beautiful things about aging is that you realize you don't have to embrace every single trend—and instead can lean into classic looks. A simple twist is always stunning, says Porter. It also works day or night. Pair it with a breezy dress or slacks and a top, and you've got a great work look. Throw on a cocktail dress, and you're ready to hit a party.

Pro tip: Kate Winslet has the right idea by leaving a few loose pieces at the front. This helps soften the look and keeps it from looking too fussy.

Messy pony for a soft, relaxed look

Best for: All hair types and face shapes

To get Kate Beckinsale's messy bouffant ponytail, Mackinder suggests teasing hair at the crown and using a curling iron to curl strands. Brush out the curls so they're not perfect ringlets, then gather it all into a messy ponytail. "This style is perfect for the woman who loves undone hair but also wants her hair off the neck," she says.

Pro tip: You may wish you had the skin of a college student, but you don't want to actually look like one. To avoid having your pony look juvenile, take a small piece of hair from your ponytail, wrap it around the elastic band and bobby-pin it in place. This hides the hair tie and looks more elevated.