Hairdressers are unanimous: this anti-ageing haircut is dethroning the curtain fringe
You’re thinking about getting a curtain fringe to look younger, but your hairdresser is steering you in a different direction? That shift in salons is no coincidence. The anti-ageing hairstyle that’s taking over for women over 45 is no longer the one everyone assumed it would be, and it all comes down to one precise length.
Why the curtain fringe is losing ground after 45
For a long time, the curtain fringe was pitched as a quick fix for softening facial features. Salons were happy to recommend it as an express solution. Yet past the age of 45, this choice can actually produce the opposite of the desired effect.
For one thing, a curtain fringe can weigh down the eyes rather than opening them up. On top of that, it demands regular, time-consuming upkeep to stay looking sharp. Hairdressers now agree on a different approach, one that’s easier to wear day to day and more flattering on hair that changes with age.
Because after 45, as Doctissimo points out, hair often loses density and movement. A cut that doesn’t account for this reality risks emphasising features rather than softening them.
The clavi-cut, the mid-length style that’s becoming the new anti-ageing benchmark
The professionals’ answer centres on one specific length: mid-length, sitting between the chin and the collarbone. This format, often called the clavi-cut, is currently the most popular length among women aged 35 to 50 in Provalliance salons, according to HK Coiffure, a specialist hair media outlet.
Its main strength lies in where it falls on the body. By leaving the neck exposed, it creates a subtle lifting effect and visually lightens the hair. It frames the face, adds volume at the ends, and lets the hair move freely. On finer strands, this balance prevents the heavy, dragging effect that longer hair can have on facial features.
Inspired by the 90s, this mid-length cut softens contours and gives the impression of a more rested face. It’s also the cut Kim Kardashian chose for the 2026 Oscars after-party, with a soft, straight base and movement around the face. A strong signal of just how relevant this anti-ageing hairstyle is right now.
How to adapt this mid-length cut to your hair type
This anti-ageing hairstyle doesn’t translate the same way for every hair type. Here are the key points to keep in mind before your next appointment:
- Ask for a chin-to-collarbone mid-length with a soft, straight base and a light graduation around the face.
- Don’t go past the collarbone, as Doctissimo recommends.
- For fine hair, add a few shorter pieces around the face and a texturising spray through the lengths to build volume.
- For curly hair, keep a little more length and structure the curls around the cheekbones to avoid a bulky effect.
- Favour natural movement over a stiff blow-dry.
Grazia also notes that this mid-length works just as well sleek and polished as it does slightly wavy, with ends barely flicked out to open up the lower part of the face. That styling versatility makes it a particularly practical option for everyday wear.
Easy upkeep for a long-lasting anti-ageing hairstyle
One of the strongest arguments for this anti-ageing hairstyle is how low-maintenance it is. Unlike a curtain fringe that needs frequent touch-ups, the clavi-cut only requires a trim every two to three months.
Nourishing treatments and a gentle brush-dry are enough to keep it looking its best. A few face-framing pieces, and if desired a subtle lightening around the features, add brightness and enhance the fresher effect. These details more than make up for a heavy fringe, without any of the hassle.
For anyone looking for an anti-ageing hairstyle after 45, this mid-length cut is a concrete alternative, endorsed by professionals and embraced all the way to the red carpet. Neither too short nor too long, it strikes a balance that works with the face rather than against it.
