14 Old Money Hairstyles Black Woman
The ‘Old Money’ aesthetic is all about understated luxury, classic sophistication, and an air of effortless refinement. For Black women, this trend beautifully merges with our rich textures and versatile styles, offering a fresh take on timeless elegance. As an expert hair stylist and trend forecaster, I’ve curated 14 visually inspiring hairstyles that exude quiet luxury, perfect for making a stylish statement without uttering a single word. These looks are modern, incredibly aesthetic, and poised to go viral on Pinterest!
The Polished Low Bun
A timeless classic, the polished low bun epitomizes ‘old money’ chic. This sleek, sophisticated style is perfect for all hair types and beautifully accentuates the jawline, making it ideal for oval and heart-shaped faces. To achieve salon-quality smoothness, use a strong-hold gel and a fine-tooth comb to lay down flyaways before securing your bun at the nape of the neck. Finish with a spritz of shine spray for an expensive-looking sheen that screams quiet luxury.
Sleek High Ponytail
Elevate your everyday with a sleek high ponytail, a dynamic style that offers both sophistication and a youthful lift. This look is universally flattering, pulling the face upwards and creating an elongated silhouette, perfect for round or square face shapes. For a flawless finish, ensure your edges are meticulously laid and wrap a small section of hair around the ponytail base to conceal the elastic. This creates a polished, seamless look that’s both chic and powerful.
The Sculpted Side Part Bob
The sculpted side part bob is a declaration of confidence and refined taste. This sharp, precise cut, often seen with a deep side part, frames the face beautifully and adds an air of mystery and glamour. It suits most face shapes, especially those seeking to soften strong jawlines or add width to narrow faces. Achieve a salon-quality look by using a flat iron for a razor-sharp finish and a light hold spray to maintain its sleek structure throughout the day, ensuring every strand is perfectly in place.
Soft Glamorous Waves
For those who prefer a touch more romance, soft glamorous waves offer an ‘old money’ aesthetic with an ethereal twist. This versatile style works wonderfully on medium to long hair and softens angular features, making it ideal for square or heart-shaped faces. To replicate salon luxury, curl sections of hair away from the face with a large-barrel curling iron, then gently brush them out with a wide-tooth comb for that signature voluminous, flowing look. A touch of serum will enhance shine and reduce frizz.
Coily Crown Updo
Celebrating natural texture with regal sophistication, the coily crown updo is a stunning ‘old money’ choice for naturalistas. This elegant style beautifully showcases the richness and volume of coily hair, framing the face with delicate tendrils while keeping the main body lifted and secured. It’s especially flattering for diamond and oval face shapes. To achieve this look, ensure your coils are moisturized and defined, then gently gather and pin them into an artistic updo, leaving a few face-framing pieces for an extra touch of grace. Use a strong hold gel for a sleek base.
Braided Chignon
The braided chignon marries classic elegance with intricate artistry, offering a refined ‘old money’ aesthetic perfect for formal occasions or everyday sophistication. This style works beautifully on various hair lengths, providing an elegant way to incorporate braids into a timeless updo, and suits most face shapes due to its versatility. For a polished finish, ensure your braids are neat and uniform, then carefully coil and pin them into a low chignon at the nape of your neck. A light mist of hairspray will secure the style without stiffness, maintaining a soft, luxurious feel.
The ‘Quiet Luxury’ Lob
The ‘quiet luxury’ lob (long bob) is the epitome of understated chic, offering a sophisticated and low-maintenance option that effortlessly conveys an ‘old money’ vibe. This versatile length flatters nearly every face shape, particularly elongating rounder faces and softening sharper jawlines. To achieve that coveted salon-quality bounce and movement, style with a large round brush during blow-drying, creating subtle volume at the roots and a slight curl at the ends. A texturizing spray adds modern polish without looking overly done.
Bouncy Blowout
A bouncy blowout screams ‘old money’ glamour with its voluminous, free-flowing elegance. This style exudes confidence and a polished finish, making it a fantastic choice for those with medium to long hair seeking to add dramatic volume and movement. It’s particularly flattering for oval and long face shapes, adding width and softness. For that enviable salon-quality bounce, use a volumizing mousse at the roots and a large round brush to blow-dry, rolling hair upwards for maximum lift and curl, then setting with cool air.
Sleek with Curtain Bangs
Combining sleek sophistication with a modern touch, the ‘old money’ sleek look paired with elegant curtain bangs offers a beautifully framed silhouette. This style is incredibly versatile, softening foreheads and cheekbones, making it a flattering choice for almost any face shape, especially those with broader foreheads. To achieve that pristine salon finish, flat iron your hair for ultimate sleekness and then expertly style your curtain bangs with a round brush, sweeping them away from your face for a graceful, face-framing effect. A light shine serum will seal the deal, adding a luxurious gloss.
Tucked Behind Ears
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, and the ‘old money’ tucked behind ears style embodies this perfectly. This minimalist look focuses on revealing the face and elegant accessories, working best on straight or gently waved hair of any length. It’s incredibly flattering for highlighting sharp cheekbones and jawlines, suiting heart and oval face shapes. To perfect this understated elegance, ensure your hair is impeccably clean and smooth, then simply tuck both sides neatly behind your ears, perhaps securing with a touch of hairspray for hold. The goal is an effortless, polished appearance that speaks volumes.
Twisted Halo Braid
The twisted halo braid offers a protective and incredibly regal ‘old money’ aesthetic, perfect for showcasing intricate natural hair artistry. This style beautifully frames the face with a crown-like effect, adding an air of sophistication and grace. It’s particularly flattering for round and square face shapes, providing a delicate softening effect. To achieve this elegant look, ensure your hair is well-moisturized and detangled, then carefully section and twist the hair into a halo around your head, securing with pins. A final spritz of setting spray will keep the braids neat and defined, maintaining that salon-quality finish.
Retro Finger Waves
Channeling the glamour of the 1920s with a modern ‘old money’ twist, retro finger waves are a stunning choice for special occasions. This highly stylized look creates a mesmerizing, fluid pattern on the hair, offering a unique blend of vintage charm and contemporary elegance. It works best on short to medium-length hair, beautifully complementing oval and heart-shaped faces by highlighting delicate features. To achieve this iconic style, use a strong hold setting lotion and a fine-tooth comb to sculpt the waves, allowing them to set completely for that signature polished, almost sculpted appearance. A high-shine spray enhances the luxurious feel.
Long, Straight & Shiny
The epitome of understated wealth, long, straight, and incredibly shiny hair is an ‘old money’ staple that never goes out of style. This look exudes health, luxury, and meticulous care, making it a perfect choice for those who appreciate classic elegance. It’s universally flattering, creating a sleek, elongating effect. To achieve this salon-quality finish, deep condition regularly, use a heat protectant before flat ironing, and finish with a high-shine serum. The key is to achieve a glass-like finish that reflects light beautifully, showcasing strength and vitality.
Voluminous Half-Updo
The voluminous half-updo strikes a perfect balance between casual elegance and refined glamour, making it a versatile ‘old money’ option. This style adds beautiful height and dimension, while allowing your luscious locks to cascade freely. It’s particularly flattering for round and square face shapes, providing a lifting effect and softening angles. To achieve that salon-quality volume, backcomb the crown before gathering the top section, and use a flexible hold hairspray to maintain the lift without stiffness. The goal is an effortlessly chic look that’s both polished and romantic.
These ‘Old Money’ hairstyles for Black women are more than just trends; they are an embodiment of timeless elegance, confidence, and sophisticated style. Each look, whether a sleek bun or a voluminous blowout, is designed to enhance natural beauty with an air of quiet luxury. Embrace these styles to not only elevate your aesthetic but also to channel an empowered, effortlessly chic persona. Which one will you try first to capture that viral Pinterest-worthy allure?
