To wear my hair long at 40

Menopause has made my har slightly drier, but I don't mind that, it used to be quite oily and look limp but now I can go longer between washes.

Helmet hair always makes me think of US tv presenters. Although Brigitte Macron has the look too, despite being French.

Yes decades ago, this was a thing. But no one says or has this expectation any more. Look at all the female celebs over 40 with long hair.

Menopause did not affect my hair at all. Still thick and great condition. I do colour it though, that helps greatly with the texture and condition.

Are you talking about a bob?

A lot of older women, not 40s, but 65 onwards perhaps seem to have this "helmet" hairstyle. I can't think of a better way to describe it. Or the ubiquitous blonde bob with a fringe.

Old ladies used to have a cauliflower/ broccoli perm, little did they know it would be picked up by teenagers!

Response true but lighthearted;

OP, l’m a little bit older than you and l have long hair. No pubic hair though 🤭.

I like to think this attitude has changed a bit now, look at Jennifer Aniston, Tess Daly, Kate Middleton- well into their forties and fifties with gorgeous hair. As long as my hair is still soft and shiny I’ll keep it like this, I think it might go dry and wiry post menopause and I might cut it then, but I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.

Appreciate this. I will be trying this tomorrow

Do a test patch, coconut oil can have reactions.

Op I’ve had some success re itchy scalp with Neutrogena T gel shampoo for dry hair (yellow front of box). I use it once a week in between an Aveda one. It gently exfoliates the scalp but not as harsh as the usual dandruff ones like Nizoral etc which made mine worse.

Philip Kingsley do scalp soothing conditioner & scalp serum - green band on bottle - I’m not a great fan usually of his stuff but the combo of the T Gel & the Kingsley worked (for me).
I got a discovery set to try as it’s quite pricey but you use and need very little.
Also avoid putting the remaining styling products you use anywhere near your roots & scalp which also helps avoid itching & greasiness.

I’m older and have long hair and I remember my mum having shorter hair as she got older - was definitely a thing back then. I’m actually going to grow mine longer as I like it, it’s in good condition and I’m past caring what other people think.

Appreciate this. I will be trying this tomorrow

I'm 50 and I have hair down to my arse. It's not getting cut any time soon (ever).

Im still not sure about who 'society ' is and why they care about women's hair.

I know my nan had a thing about wanting my hair to be short and went on and on about it but I was 13 at the time and we took no notice, that was nearly 50 years ago though!

Ah PP must be one of those women. Look down their noses at a perceived slight.

My husband loves my previously bum
length hair. Only currently shorter because I donated my fabulously needy hair to needy children.

Maybe it depends where you live. Of all the women I know in the 50-60 age group, there's only two of us with long hair. The rest all have a variety of bobs, crops or shoulder length layers.

All of my friends have long hair - we are 56 - 60. I have a chin length bob., but was long until 3 years ago. I actually think the problem is that women aren't expected to have short hair anymore. Very boring.

If you like long hair and it looks good on you, don't even consider cutting it! Enjoy it! Fwiw I'm past 40 and wear my hair long. Apart from a trim to cut off split ends and such things, I don't cut it at all.

People think that older women should have short hair because the old women they knew when they were young had short hair.

But the old ladies had short hair because they had always had short hair. It was very fashionable in their youth. They didn't have short hair to look their age, they had short hair because it made them feel young and hip. It was a rebellion against having long hair in an updo.

It is also exceptionally rude to make that kind of comments to someone. You can tell them that you are hardly going to take any kinds of advice on etiquette from someone so out of touch that they think that kind if comment is acceptable.

If they say that they just wanted to help then tell them that you are returning the favour by telling them to keep their rude mouths shut.

I don’t think “society” has thought this way for at least a generation

Am in my 60s with long hair well almost to my waist now, started growing it during Covid and haven’t stopped

in fact it’s quite wavy when I do it properly and I like it and don’t care what anyone else thinks

I have short chin length hair myself and love it. I think having hair that looks like it has regular professional attention is the opposite of ‘giving up”.

I agree. I had mine chin length and it looks good on me as well. I like mixing it up. My hairdresser says I like to keep her guessing.
I think both long and short hair need regular attention to look good consistently.

I had short hair in my late teens (bloody posh spice and her elfin cut that looked ghastly on me 😂). My hair will always be long since that disaster!!

Vivascal supplements are great!!

I always remember my Dad telling me when I turned 30 that I would have to get my hair cut short and have a nice perm like my Mum. Needless to say I ignored him, and I'm now 67 with waist length hair that I always wear loose. I can't imagine ever cutting it. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, my biggest fear wasn't the prospect of a 10 hour operation or follow up treatment, but losing my hair, and I felt SO incredibly lucky when I was told I didn't need chemotherapy.

I have short chin length hair myself and love it. I think having hair that looks like it has regular professional attention is the opposite of ‘giving up”.

Haven't read the whole thread.

Caffeine shampoos are supposed to reduce hair loss, but your mileage may vary.

I'm over 40 and just had a short haircut, but that was from choice and wanting a change, no doubt when I want it long again I shall grow it and stuff what anyone else thinks!