Stay on top: keeping your haircut cool

Reaching a certain age doesn’t mean you have to adopt a standard hairdo – we’re all for ageless individuality


Individuality doesn’t jolt to a halt when you hit a certain age, a fact hairstylist Elaine Sullivan, owner of the Aviary Lane hair salon in Dublin’s South Anne Street, is acutely aware of. “Many women sport the same over-40s hairstyles, which don’t take into consideration their personality and character.” Sullivan’s mother inspired her to reinvent the image of the blond “set” with mandatory highlights, seen on so many women of a certain age. “

Fifty is the new 30, and the notion of a one-size-fits-all style is ridiculous. You don’t stop having your own personality after a certain age.” Here she gives some feisty fashionistas some cuts worthy of their anything but beige sense of style.

Grainne wears feather necklace, stylist's own; perspex necklace, Cooee Design; heart ring, Melissa Curry
Grainne wears feather necklace, stylist's own; perspex necklace, Cooee Design; heart ring, Melissa Curry
(L-R) Mary wear button earrings, Om Diva; fever collar and necklace, Melissa Curry; Philip Lim brocade dress, Brown Thomas, Elsie perforated coat, Manley. 
Mary wears Abbie patent jacket, Manley; Laurel yellow dress, Harvey Nichols; hand-blown Venetian glass necklace, Melissa Curry; crystal necklace, Joanne Hynes
Emer wears pink Escada jacket, Brown Thomas; black top, M&S; Palm Springs collar, Melissa Curry; purple gold-rimmed round sunglasses, Om Diva
(L-R) Mary wear button earrings, Om Diva; fever collar and necklace, Melissa Curry; Philip Lim brocade dress, Brown Thomas, Elsie perforated coat, Manley. Mary wears Abbie patent jacket, Manley; Laurel yellow dress, Harvey Nichols; hand-blown Venetian glass necklace, Melissa Curry; crystal necklace, Joanne Hynes Emer wears pink Escada jacket, Brown Thomas; black top, M&S; Palm Springs collar, Melissa Curry; purple gold-rimmed round sunglasses, Om Diva

Grainne wears feather necklace, stylist's own; perspex necklace, Cooee Design; heart ring, Melissa Curry

Sophie wears tank top, M&S
Sophie wears tank top, M&S

Sophie wears tank top, M&S

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Emer wears raw quartz necklace, Folkster; white round sunglasses, Om Diva; oversized vintage shirt, Miss Daisy Blue; Tara Jarmon print jumpsuit, Harvey Nichols; satin belt, stylist's own
Emer wears raw quartz necklace, Folkster; white round sunglasses, Om Diva; oversized vintage shirt, Miss Daisy Blue; Tara Jarmon print jumpsuit, Harvey Nichols; satin belt, stylist's own

Emer wears raw quartz necklace, Folkster; white round sunglasses, Om Diva; oversized vintage shirt, Miss Daisy Blue; Tara Jarmon print jumpsuit, Harvey Nichols; satin belt, stylist's own

Emer wears pink Escada jacket, Brown Thomas; black top, M&S; Palm Springs collar, Melissa Curry; purple gold-rimmed round sunglasses, Om Diva

Mary wears Abbie patent jacket, Manley; Laurel yellow dress, Harvey Nichols; hand-blown Venetian glass necklace, Melissa Curry; crystal necklace, Joanne Hynes


PHOTOGRAPHS: CONOR CLINCH
STYLIST: ANNMARIE O'CONNOR
STYLIST ASSISTANTS: MARY KATE, SINEAD KELLY
HAIR: ELAINE SULLIVAN @ AVIARY LANE
MAKE UP: JUDY WONG
NAILS: NIAMH CAREY @ TROPICAL POPICAL
MODELS: EMER, MARY, GRAINNE, SOPHIE