Females 50 and over make up a large percentage of salon clientele, and research indicates they spend a lot of money getting professional hair services. It’s no wonder: These women may face many challenges dealing with their changing hair. Fortunately, there are suggestions you can offer to help them keep their tresses looking better than ever. Want even more inspiration? View our slideshow (below) to see some of our favorite legendary Hollywood beauties, who are still turning heads today.

A significant percentage of his client base is women 50-plus, reports Matt Sanderson, a stylist at Salon Envy in Chicago. He says the biggest concern they have is the texture of their hair since, as we age, hair tends to become drier and more coarse. “It just becomes harder to style,” he explains. “I have many clients who say it’s become more difficult to work with their hair.”

That difficulty is one reason why women opt to go shorter as they age; societal pressure may be another. “I hear a lot of, ‘People tell me I shouldn’t have long hair,’ and they feel the need to cut it,” says Sanderson.  But for clients who wish to maintain longer hair, regular salon appointments and the right texture products can go a long way towards restoring its smoothness and shine. Sanderson has his clients follow this regimen: “Apply Bumble and bumble Grooming Creme to damp hair and blow dry, then finish with Kérastase Elixir to help with any stray pieces or frizz.”

Thinning hair can be another major issue. While layered cuts can help camouflage loss and build volume, thinning-hair treatment systems go to the root of the problem. Sanderson recommends the Nioxin line: “I have seen results from that, and it does work,” he reports. If the thinning is dramatic, you may want to have a conversation about extensions or hairpieces that will fill out the look of the hair.

For clients concerned about graying, Sanderson recommends his color clients go lighter: “Blondes tend to hide gray better,” he says. But don’t go so light that the color washes out the complexion. Sanderson says Jane Fonda’s look is one he loves, and he typically recommends a similar ash-toned blonde semipermanent color with highlights to blend. His formula: “I do a 10-volume developer with Up to 7 from Redken, and tone with Redken’s Shades EQ 9NB Irish Cream,” he says.

In the end, it’s not just products and hair color that makes a mature woman radiant. “It’s the way she carries herself. The way she looks content with who she is, ” explains Sanderson. That’s true beauty.

For some truly inspirational beauty, check out our slideshow of legendary Hollywood stars below!