21 Curly Hairstyles for Women Over 40 That Are Chic, Flattering & Full of Volume
If you’ve got curly hair, you already know it has a personality of its own.
Some mornings, your curls are glorious. Other mornings, they appear to have held a private meeting overnight and decided to do something completely different.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need to fight your natural texture to look polished.
In fact, curls can be one of the most beautiful things about your hair—especially when you lean into their natural volume, movement, and texture.
The trick is knowing how to wear them.
From beautifully defined curls and effortless half-up styles to elegant buns, claw clips, ponytails, and second-day hairstyles, these curly hairstyles are designed to make your natural texture look intentional, feminine, and incredibly chic.
And yes, they’re very much for those of us who would rather spend five minutes styling our hair than half our morning arguing with it.
Defined Curls With Soft Volume
Sometimes the most glamorous thing you can do with curly hair is simply let the curls shine.
Enhance your natural curl pattern with a lightweight curl cream or styling mousse, then allow your hair to dry naturally or use a diffuser. Instead of aiming for perfectly identical curls, focus on definition through the lengths while keeping a little softness around the crown.
This creates beautiful movement without making the hair look stiff or overly styled.
Why it’s flattering: Defined curls frame the face beautifully while natural volume adds softness and dimension. It’s an effortlessly glamorous way to embrace your texture rather than trying to tame it.
The Half-Up Curly Hairstyle
The half-up hairstyle is practically made for curly hair because it gives you the best of both worlds: your curls remain loose and voluminous while the hair around your face is neatly pulled back.
Gather the top section loosely and secure it with a small elastic, claw clip, or pretty barrette. You can gently pull a few curls forward around your face for an even softer effect.
Why it’s flattering: Pulling back just the upper section opens up the face while keeping plenty of gorgeous volume through the lengths. It’s polished without looking too formal.
The Curly Ponytail
A curly ponytail is proof that putting your hair up doesn’t mean sacrificing volume.
Gather your curls into a high, mid-height, or low ponytail and secure them loosely. Avoid brushing the curls out completely—instead, use your fingers to gather the hair while preserving as much texture as possible.
You can leave a few curls around your face or wrap a small section of hair around the elastic.
Why it’s flattering: The height of the ponytail can create a lovely lifted effect, while the curls add fullness and softness that a straight ponytail simply can’t replicate.
The Curly Low Bun
For those days when you want your curls contained but still want to look elegant, the curly low bun is a winner.
Gather your hair loosely at the nape of your neck and twist it into a bun, allowing some curls to remain visible rather than smoothing everything completely flat. Secure with pins and gently pull out a few curls around the face.
Why it’s flattering: The low placement feels sophisticated while the curly texture keeps the hairstyle soft and romantic rather than severe.
Curls With a Claw Clip
Claw clips and curly hair can be a match made in heaven—especially when you embrace the volume.
Gather your curls into a loose twist and secure them vertically with a large claw clip. Don’t worry if some curls escape. In fact, those loose pieces are part of what makes this look so effortlessly chic.
Choose a tortoiseshell, gold, cream, or neutral clip for an elevated finish.
Why it’s flattering: The clip lifts your curls away from your face while leaving plenty of texture and volume visible at the back.
Side-Parted Curly Hair
Changing your part can completely transform curly hair without changing the hairstyle at all.
Try moving your part from the centre to one side and allow your curls to fall naturally. A slightly deeper side part can create additional volume at the crown, while a softer side part gives the face a romantic frame.
This is especially effective on days when your curls need a little extra lift.
Why it’s flattering: A side part creates asymmetry and visual volume, making your curls look fuller and giving your overall hairstyle a more glamorous shape.
The Big, Voluminous Curls
If you’ve been trying to make your curls smaller, tighter, and more controlled, perhaps it’s time to do the opposite.
Embrace the volume.
Use lightweight products that define without weighing your hair down, then gently fluff the roots once your curls are completely dry. The goal isn’t perfectly controlled curls—it’s beautiful, touchable volume.
Why it’s flattering: Full curls create a gorgeous halo around the face and add softness, movement, and youthful energy to your overall look.
Heatless Curls
Want beautiful curls without spending time with a curling iron?
Heatless curls are perfect for busy mornings because much of the work happens while you’re sleeping. Use a soft heatless curling ribbon, braid your damp hair, or twist sections before bed and unravel them in the morning.
For naturally curly hair, you can also use heatless techniques to refresh and reshape areas that have lost their definition.
Why it’s flattering: Heatless curls create soft movement without the overly polished appearance of uniform curls. The result is relaxed, feminine, and wonderfully effortless.
Second-Day Curly Hair
Don’t automatically wash your curls just because they aren’t looking exactly the way they did yesterday.
Second-day curls can often look even better once they’ve had time to settle.
Refresh your hair with a little water, curl-refreshing spray, or lightweight leave-in product. Scrunch the curls gently with your hands and allow them to spring back into shape.
You can also pin back one side or turn your refreshed curls into a loose ponytail.
Why it’s flattering: Day-two texture often gives curls more volume and personality. You’re working with the natural texture rather than trying to recreate day-one perfection.
Curly Hair With Bangs
Curly bangs can look incredibly chic when they’re allowed to retain their natural texture.
Rather than straightening the bangs while leaving the rest of the hair curly, encourage them to curl naturally. Use a small amount of curl cream and gently scrunch them into shape.
Keep the rest of your curls soft and voluminous for a cohesive look.
Why it’s flattering: Curly bangs beautifully frame the forehead and eyes while adding personality and softness around the face.
