To wear my hair long at 40

@BestieBunch I've got hair envy now, your hair is fab!

I'm finding it interesting (and a bit odd, tbh) what people are classing as "long hair" here. I don't consider hair touching your shoulders to be long at all. To me, that's still short hair, past shoulders is shoulder length, past shoulders blades is long.

I've had no hair, short hair, long hair

I wear it exactly how I want to, forever

There are no rules !

Love yourself !

Yes you can cook with it too. I don’t- it’s only for my hair

I’m 55 with hair about an inch or so below shoulder length. It’s grey/blond as I’m beginning to let the grey in with the help of my colourist (that sounds poncy!)

Im lucky to have thick hair - I use Elvive purple, can’t say I’ve noticed a change in it. I also use wonder water on the bottom half. Only wash it twice a week.

i use Aussie hair rescue spray and a Kérastase styling serum - also hair oil on the ends every morning - it’s in pretty good condition

I’m 47 and have hair to my mid back. My mum is nearly 70 and has hers past her shoulders.

I’ve had short hair before, but am too lazy for the six week trims it needs to keep it looking good. Long hair is lower maintenance, so I will be keeping mine long for as long as it looks good long.

Do you have fine hair?

If your roots are itchy, you might try a ketoconazole shampoo. I use it every couple weeks. Brand name here is Nizoral.

Another thing that might help is blow drying using low heat towards the scalp and flipping your hair over.

I use a microfiber towel after my hair care because my hair takes forever to dry if I don't use that or blow dry. I've had an Aquis towel for years that I use.

Is this the stuff you can eat too? Bonus!!!

It's a question of choice, though, not being told what is appropriate at a certain age. Short hair or long hair it's a personal choice. Naturally, given the original question, women with long hair have responded.

Because its not about what is attractive or flattering really, it's about appropriating the codes of youth

From where are you getting a message that long hair is not acceptable over the age of 40?

Most women have long hair these days at any age, and certainly most mature female celebrities do also.

I'm 49 and never heard this in my life away from Mumsnet.

you need to change your shampoo regularly as hair gets used to it, or they change the formula.

You need silicone free shampoo as the plastic is weighing your hair down. It may take a few months to wash out - so don’t give up.

53 - waist length curly hair.

But why is it considered the norm to have long hair whatever the age? As I said, if it is thick and in good condition it looks glorious long, like my grandmother who had a lovely, silver bun into her nineties, but so many women do not suit long hair when it’s thin and fine as so often happens past 40. It does nothing for facial features and enhances the worst bits of aging, jowls, double chin, because the thin hair isn’t a frame for the face. It’s as if some are frightened to cut it short because they think it ages them, so they’ll hang on to their long hair even though it’s unflattering. Perhaps no one is brave enough to tell them long hair no longer suits them, or perhaps they know and don’t care anyway! I’ve had long and short hair, and I’ll stick to short hair now, because being fine and thin, it’s the only way for it to look half decent.its become quite wavy in my later years, which I suppose is some consolation! If I had thick, luxurious hair I’d be wearing it long, but I recognise that as it isn’t, long hair would be most unflattering! I’d just like for some to appreciate that short hair in a pretty style, not butch, doesn’t have to look frumpy!

I have used the lavender and geranium Faith in Nature shampoo, just because it was the only one I could get. It felt nice and mild and didn't seem to leave anything behind, if you know what I mean (my hair is very long and very fine). The downside was that my hair was very tangled afterwards. Currently using John Frieda Volume and Lift, which has to be my favourite for a long time. My hair feels hydrated but not as if it has residue on it, it does have volume and it is also easy to brush my hair afterwards.

I'm a similar age OP and I don't think this has been a thing in my lifetime. Maybe back in the 50s and 60s.

I suggest you get a bit more discerning about the content you're viewing online.

Nope I’m 41 & have absolutely no intentions of cutting my hair… don’t know anyone who’s hit 40 and been told that they should cut their hair short.

https://share.google/CeSrSWNAGQ6pjzKbc

Super Nutrient Seaweed Shampoo – The Cornish Seaweed Bath Co. It's amazing.

Nothing whatsoever, if you’re lucky enough to suit it, but not all women do. I certainly don’t.

57 and no intention whatsoever of cutting my long hair short. Or removing my nose piercing, come to that.

I turned 40 earlier this year and my hair is the longest it’s ever been. I think as long as you keep it in good condition and have regular trims it looks great!

I have never heard that, and I have no idea what you’re talking about.

This sort of applies to me. I’m in my 40s and have a long bob. Mine was below my shoulders until my late 30s. I saw a photo lately and don’t think it suited me at all, I feel the haircut I have now is far more stylish.
I’m also far more likely to actually bother blow drying or styling it, because it only takes a couple of minutes.

I saw photos of Kate Middleton yesterday and just don’t get the love for her hair at all. I think it looks so old fashioned on her. It just weighs her down. I think it would look much better with a few inches chopped off.

That said, I have no intention of cutting my hair up short. I think a lot of my mother’s generation did that after marriage.