To wear my hair long at 40

I’m 48 with long (dark!) hair.

The idea that you have to get a nice inoffensive bob and some ‘flattering! lowlights as soon as you hit 40 is very old fashioned.

What's wrong with not being a model and having long grey hair? If it's not your preference then that's fine, but maybe some don't mind and prefer their hair that way : )

I don't think this has been a thing for at least 30 years! I cut my hair shorter (long bob) in my mid 40s but that was because the menopause and the change of texture with greying is making my hair look thinner and scraggly and it just looks nicer above the shoulder now. Nothing to do with how anyone else sees me etc. It is a bit more practical I guess but that wasn't why I did it.

@BreatheitAllIn they've just reformulated Elvive and it’s terrible stuff, makes even my thick hair lank and greasy. Over on the ‘What the fuck have they done to Elvive’ thread there are good recommendations for brands such as Monday and good old Herbal Essences.

Has anyone tried the Cornwall seaweed stuff that’s all over my social feeds?

I cut my hair in my early 40s but only because I always wanted to try short hair and my time for getting that skinny body I always wanted was running out so I did it anyway. I liked it but I’m now back to long hair and I’m 49. I find it easier to manage and have no intention of cutting it again, I’m loving it atm.

i use L’Oréal Professional. It’s more expensive but you can get it on sale regularly. I also occasionally use Avon detoxing shampoo and conditioner, I bought it for my teens greasy hair and will occasionally give mine a wash with it, or use it on holidays so I’m not carrying too many different shampoos ( 5 people with different hair).

I never liked the elvive shampoos, found they always made my hair feel greesy and heavy regardless of type I used.

Ive never been one to splash money on toiletries but I now fully appreciate spending the extra on a decent shampoo. I feel I use less because my hair is in better condition and it’s fully worth it.

Maybe look at things like Olaplex for mature hair, OGX do a mature hair shampoo, I’ve used the greasy hair one, again bought for teen dd and used, it was her go to shampoo till I got her the Avon one to try. Kerastase and Christophe Robin is also a good shampoo brand. But I’m sure there are others out there.

My friend has sworn by collagen supplements for her hair and nails, I’ve just started Elevate but it’s too soon to say. Same friend uses Philip Kingsley, I tried his swim cap recently which I loved but not anything else.

What! I'm 43 and my hair is well past my shoulders. I won't be cutting it.

Im 42 with waist length hair. It looks fucking good too I’ll tell you.

Never got the memo though that I had to cut it off at 40? Where’s you see that?

I think older women really only cut their hair short for the same reasons as younger women - a) they like it short or b) the condition or thinning of their hair makes it the most sensible option. I don't know why a hairdresser would say short hair ages a woman. I do think hairdressers don't work as much on short hair these days though, certainly my local ones only ever post pictures of long hair with the exact same styles.

Most of the mums in our year group have long hair, and the vast majority of them are rising 40 plus. Why do you think there is pressure for women of this age to have short hair?

My hair is no different and I’m mid 40’s. No one has ever told me to cut it and if they did I’d tell them to fuck right off

As oestrogen drops hair becomes thinner and can become more dry so lots of women choose a shorter style for this reason.

Ignore the online clickbait stuff.

I know several women who are much older than you, who have beautiful long hair, and are themselves beautiful.
Mine is short because I prefer it that way, and always have, but if I wanted it long I would do just that!

I've only ever heard this ageist shite (like your thread title) on Mumsnet.

Meanwhile in the real world, people tend to look exactly how they want.

I’ve also never heard anything to suggest that you can’t have long hair over 40. Where the heck have you heard that, OP?

Well we used to be told not to wear it long after age 30. Absolutely ridiculous.
I don’t like too see long, thin, grey hair on women in their 60’s as it ages them but no need for them to cut it short.

Wear your hair how you like it, and sod anyone else.

im older than you and my hair is the longest it has ever been, almost waist length.

I love it, no one has ever made any negative comments to it, quite the opposite actually!

And you can do some much with long hair, wear it up or down, curl, wavy or straight.

I’ve got long grey hair and I’m 50. And most definitely not a model. My hair is lovely.

I'm 46 and hate having long hair. But I hate going to the hairdresser too. About once a year the hatred of the former finally outweighs the hatred of the latter and I get it taken from my shoulders to my chin.

It's not getting any thinner is my issue. It seems to actually be getting thicker and forms a big helmet all around me so being longer and able to tie it up is easier. But the length still annoys me. Can't win.

All that however is entirely my own issue. I think I look a bit silly this long at my age but I have no idea if anyone else does and I don't think anyone else does particularly.

I've just turned 50. My hair is long, half way down my back.

have had it most lengths, but was in a jaw length bob for years. Then Covid so couldn't get it cut, and decided to grow it. I'll cut it when I want to, but truthfully I like it longer. Can easily tie it back etc. and have totally embraced my curls.

I’m 39 and have had long hair my whole life. I do not suit it short. It’s quite thick and too bushy to be short. I won’t be cutting it next year but to be honest I’ve never heard or seen anything about needing to have shorter hair past 40

54 and hair past shoulders.. Haven't dyed it for 2 years so it's nearly 100%grey and gorgeous so I'm told!!

Absolutely loads of women over 40 have long hair. The only place I've really heard of it being frowned upon is MN!

I have straight, fine, mid-length hair. I like Tigi Bed Head products, especially their 'Small Talk' thickening cream.

My hair is definitely a bit shorter now I’m in my 50s. I tried to keep it longer in my 40s but it started to become really straggly at the ends. It is still shoulder length though and I am not going for the ‘old lady helmet’ haircut any time soon!

I think some women must cut their hair shorter because of the change in quality of the long hair, it is unavoidable for some