Hair mistakes that make you look older

You are the perfect picture of youthfulness. You hit the gym four days a week, you invest in the best eye cream, your makeup is expertly applied, and you still look great in a pair of skinny jeans. If it wasn't for your hair, no one would ever guess your age. 

The truth is that no matter how many age-defying steps you take, the wrong hairstyle, length, or color can undo all of your other efforts. Here are 10 of the most common hair mistakes that will, in fact, make you look older than you really are. 

Sporting a defunct 'do

While Dorothy Hamill's wedge and Farrah Fawcett's feathers were hot in 1970's, they are completely out of their element today. And if your hairstyling regime involves a backcomb, an overly generous helping of Final Net, and anything resembling The Flock of Seagulls, it should be Fed-Ex'd back to the eighties where it belongs. Even "The Rachel" looks ridiculous in the modern world. 

The best way to recapture your youth is not to steal a hairdo from it. Instead, go for an update. If you're not sure what style would best suit your face, check out this guide or pay a visit to your favorite stylist and see what they suggest. The results may surprise you—in a good way. 

Resembling Rapunzel

While most experts say that long hair can look great at any age, there is such a thing as too long. Mitch Stone, stylist to the stars, warns, "once hair has passes your ribs, it is officially making you look older." Trimming a few inches off your locks is an easy fix for this common hairstyle mistake, taking years off your appearance and revitalizing your look. If you are old enough to remember Crystal Gayle, you are not young enough to pull off her hairstyle. 

Dabbling in darkness

Dyeing your hair too dark is a sure-fire way to accentuate lines and dark spots—the very things we all try to hide as we age. The experts agree that framing your face with a warmer shade will brighten up your coloring and better hide the signs of aging. Brad , the Color Director of the Salon and Spa at Saks Fifth Avenue, recommends strategically placing highlights and lowlights with "the brightest around your face and on top, and darker underneath."  A quick way to achieve this, while giving yourself a fuller head of hair, is to opt for hair extansion in a warm hue and clip a few face-framing pieces in.  

And don't forget to ensure that your eyebrows match your new color. We reccomend picking a shade that matches the lightest highlight in your hair for best results.

Flattening your follicles

Poker straight hair can look shimmering and healthy—in your twenties. As we age, however, it simply looks flat and dull. Limp and lifeless hair will make your face look drawn, while highlighting laugh lines and crow's feet. And, if you are using a flat iron to achieve this look, you are subjecting your hair to damaging heat, making hair strands themselves look older! 

An easy way to correct this hairstyle mistake is to use velcro rollers to create natural looking volume or opt for products that promote body and fullness. Remember, can also be used to add dimension to your hair. These products are not just for adding length, but increasing volume and thickness.