Mushroom brunette sounds like a joke and describes a specific thing: a cool, slightly smoky brown with gray undertones running through it. It is one of the few brunette shades that works alongside emerging gray rather than fighting it, because the gray reads as part of the tone instead of as regrowth.
Pair it with a silver money piece at the front and you have a color strategy rather than a color. The bright section beside the face gives you the lift a solid brunette loses, and it also gives your natural silver somewhere to belong when more of it arrives. Several of these looks are essentially a plan for the next five years rather than a decision for the next six weeks.
The length is the other half. Long hair in your forties usually still has the condition to justify it, and the layers in this collection are cut long and soft rather than short and choppy. That keeps the weight, which is what makes long hair look healthy, while still allowing movement around the face.
Thirty-five long styles follow in smoky brunette, caramel, red, blonde balayage and ombre, layered, waved, shagged and blown out, with money pieces, face framing, center parts and side parts. If you are somewhere in the early stages of going gray, look at the smoky and silver-accented ones first.
Smoky Mushroom Brunette with Silver Money Piece
This hairstyle features long, wavy layers that beautifully frame the face, making it suitable for various face shapes. The smoky mushroom brunette base is enhanced by a striking silver money piece, adding depth and dimension. This look works best on medium to thick hair types, providing a voluminous finish. Styling can be achieved with a curling wand for soft waves. Consider this color if you want a chic, modern update that remains versatile for both casual and formal occasions.
Effortless Long Brown Shag Haircut
This long brown shag haircut features beautifully layered lengths that frame the face, ideal for oval and heart-shaped faces. The model’s fine to medium hair density allows for a light, airy feel, enhanced by soft waves. The fringe adds a playful touch, making it versatile for casual or polished looks. Styling is minimal; a texturizing spray can enhance waves without weighing hair down, perfect for an effortlessly chic appearance. Consider this cut for a trendy yet low-maintenance style!
Caramel Kissed Feathered Layers
This stunning hairstyle features medium-length hair with feathered layers that beautifully frame the face. The caramel-kissed highlights add depth and warmth, enhancing the model’s natural beauty. Ideal for those with straight to wavy hair types, this cut provides a lightweight feel and movement. The layers are perfect for softening angular face shapes, while the color creates a sun-kissed glow. Styling can be as simple as a quick blowout or using a flat iron for a sleek look. Perfect for everyday wear!
Luxurious Long Layers with Soft Waves
This hairstyle features flowing, long layers that add movement and dimension, perfect for women over 40. The model has thick, straight hair, which showcases soft, cascading waves for a youthful look. This style complements oval and heart face shapes beautifully. To achieve this look, consider using a round brush while blow-drying for volume and a light styling cream for definition. It’s ideal for those wanting a low-maintenance style that offers versatility for both everyday wear and special occasions.
Soft Layered Blowout with Face Framing
This soft layered blowout features long, flowing layers that beautifully frame the face, ideal for enhancing features. The model’s fine to medium hair density showcases volume without overwhelming the face. Perfect for various face shapes, this style requires a round brush for styling and a lightweight mousse for added texture. The subtle color gradation adds depth, making it distinctive. Consider this look if you want effortless elegance with manageable maintenance.
Vibrant Long Red Hair with Layered Volume
This stunning long red hairstyle features soft, layered waves that create a beautiful, voluminous effect. Ideal for medium to thick hair types, this cut enhances natural texture and works well with oval and heart-shaped faces. The layers start at the collarbone, adding movement while framing the face. Styling can be achieved with a round brush and a blow dryer for lift, or a curling iron for defined waves. This look is all about embracing rich color and dynamic dimensions without overwhelming your features.
Long Layered Brunette Hair
Long layered hair is ideal for women over 40 with thick hair because it’s easier to maintain and it adds immediate depth and style. It’s an easy-going hairstyle that’s also easy to manage.
Classic Long Layers and Ombre
Opt for a classic long layer with an ombré. If you have a square hairline, try coloring with a darker root. It should hit your eye area with the lightness staying below the brows. A long ombre hair style will elongate and balance the squareness of your face, along with showing a youthful appearance.
Side-Parted Hair with Subtle Layers
Side-parted hair with subtle layers is a glamorous, feminine, and timeless look. Paring it will a soft money piece is such a trendy style at the moment. Having the longest hair in a crowd will give you the feeling of lush, and all the confidence in the world.
Wavy Blonde Balayage with a Center Part
A wavy blonde balayage with a center part is the perfect way to rock long hair. This style offers is flattering while also showing off your natural beauty. With its soft waves over your shoulders, this hairstyle will frame your face. Your aging hair should be given special care and attention. To maintain it, make sure to use a deep conditioner once a week to add moisture and shine.
Side-Swept Hair with Layers
Side-swept hair with layers gives you so much height and volume framing your face. Ladies over 40 still deserve to feel attractive and beautiful, and adding big soft curls will give you all the confidence you need.
Long Messy Hairstyle
A long messy hairstyle with a funky pair of glasses is a fun hairstyle for women wanting a youthful feel. Balayage coiffure gives your long hair the brightness it was lacking, leaving you with beautiful ribbons of dimension to show off.
Blowout Style on a Layered Cut with Bangs
A blowout style on a layered cut with bangs is luxurious, giving you a polished finish to your rich auburn hair. A woman in her forties will love to add height and volume to her hair, that’s why a blowout is a go-to style.
Long Soft Shag for Women with Long Faces
A long soft shag for women with long faces helps bring out their soft natural features. Ladies in their forties are usually looking for an effortless, trendy-style shag cut. Adding beach waves when styling will do that for you.
Shaggy Haircut with Face-Framing Bangs
A shaggy haircut with face-framing bangs is a unique style that is flawless for most face shapes. Styling this edgy hair with a crop top and oversized jacket is a style that always turns heads.
Long Loose Waves for Thin Hair
Long loose waves for thin hair give an elegant finish to a beautiful honey balayage. Adding ribbons of dimension to your long luscious tresses will give you a divine and timeless look.
High Ponytail for Very Long Hair
A high ponytail for very long hair is a cute, youthful style that a lot of ladies go to when busy. Long hair gives you so much styling options and makes it easy to keep up with the fashion trend, whether it’s braided, waved, or crimped – you will always have eyes on you.
Long Haircut with Face-Framing Layers
A haircut with face-framing layers removes the bulk that was camouflaging your beauty. Haircuts for women over 40 can be super easy and comfortable to style, and having layers makes it so much more manageable.
Natural Grey Hair for Women with Fine Hair
Natural grey hair for women with fine hair is a style that will make your hair feel and look so healthy and alive. Long hairstyles for fine hair on women over 40 will give you a youthful charm by adding soft, voluminous curls to finish off the style.
Soft Waves with Razored Layers
Soft waves with razored layers give a timeless finish to your already beautiful seamless balayage. Less is more when it comes to hair, especially for 40-year-old women. Having a low-maintenance, easy-to-manage hairstyle will keep you wanting to style your hair rather than making it a chore.
Long Feathered Layers for Thick Hair
Long feathered layers for thick hair is a look that is timeless. You will always be up to date since this look will never go out of style. Longer hair is so luxurious, and having voluminous layers will leave your hair feeling and looking spot on.
Shagged Curly Hair with a Fringe
Shagged curly hair with a fringe will let you steal the spotlight with your big bouncy voluminous curls. Enhancing your natural texture will leave your hair feeling healthy and fresh all day long.
Long-Length Cut with Soft Layers
A long-length cut with soft layers will give you a seamless finish to your style. Short layers help by adding so much height to the crown area. This effortless style can go to work all day in a low bun giving you a sophisticated style, then rocking your beautiful locks in the evening for a night out.
Side-Swept Bangs on Long Hair
Side-swept bangs put the spotlight on your beautiful sparkling eyes. These cuts are so much fun to style, adding layers and a fringe will give you a dramatic finish to your already beautiful style.
Related: See more hairstyles for overweight 40-year-olds.
Long Layers and Full Bangs
Long layers and full bangs are chic, classic styles for women with glasses. Long hairstyles with bangs for women over 40 give you a very professional look without working too hard.
Blonde Wavy Hair
Blonde wavy hair is such a glamorous look to wear, as it will give you Barbie doll vibes and will guarantee you many compliments. Styling options are endless, especially on a long-length hairstyle. Use a wand to add voluminous texture, and finish with a shine spray that will leave your blonde locks looking amazing.
Tousled Long Wavy Shag with Short Bangs
A tousled long wavy shag with short bangs is a fun, comfortable style to wear all day long. Long hairstyles for ladies in their 40s can be so low-maintenance, yet so trendy by adding a seamless balayage for extra dimension.
Long Choppy Shag with Curtain Bangs
A long choppy shag with curtain bangs gives off a rock-and-roll edgy look. Having hair long with bangs will take your simple style to another level, especially when adding textured soft waves to complete the look.
Middle Part Silver Hair
Middle-part silver hair with a beautiful bold money piece will give you the youthful glow you needed. These haircuts can easily be spruced up by adding curtain bangs and seamless face layers.
Layered Cut for Straight Hair
A layered cut for straight hair will take your basic cut to another level. Removing bulk will give your look a light, airy feel. A long straight hairdo can look extremely plain and simple, but adding those face-framing layers will give you the glamour finish you were lacking.
Long Dimensional Wavy Hair
Long dimensional wavy hair will give you the bright glow you were looking for. Luscious locks with ribbons of blonde will take your styling to another level of beauty.
Textured Shaggy Hair with Beach Waves
Textured shaggy hair with beach waves is a lived-in, very trendy style. Layering gives a hairdo the texture and movement it needs, also making your day-to-night styling super simple.
Very Long Waves on Round Faces
Very long waves on round faces will elongate your face shape, framing it beautifully with bouncy waves. Longer dark hair with volume compliments round face shapes so flawlessly, leaving you feeling so fresh.
Related: Flattering long hairstyle ideas for round faces.
Long Hair for Women with Glasses
Long hair for women with glasses complements each other very well. When adding curls, it takes your style from simple to stunning. Long-length hairstyles are great when you want more choices for styling and color preferences.
Long-Length Hair for Square Faces
Long-length hair for square faces will show off your natural beauty, especially when adding loose curls.
Michelle King Keenan
Michelle King Keenan is the founder and editor of Haircut Tips, where she shares hairstyle ideas, haircut inspiration, and practical styling advice for women and men of all ages. A lifelong hair and beauty enthusiast, Michelle has spent years exploring cuts, color, and styling techniques and sharing them with a growing community on Instagram. Through Haircut Tips she breaks down trends into easy, real-life advice so readers can feel confident about their next look.
