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Original poster

Is this an ‘ageing’ hairstyle for someone nearly 50?

187 replies

Toastedcheese · 17/07/2021 08:19

I love this cut, I showed it to a colleague and she said it’s a ‘Karen’. I hate that phrase and can’t understand why it’s been attributed to women with short hair??

My hair is already short, think chin length all the way around but I’d love a complete change.

WWYD? Is it a nice cut? And how easy is it to do? I don’t want to ask my hairdresser for something she will struggle to do.

Is this an ‘ageing’ hairstyle for someone nearly 50?
OP posts:
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14
SarahBellam · 17/07/2021 12:33

The 1990’s called. They want their hairstyle back. I hate the demonisation of the name Karen but it’s definitely a bit ‘hard’ looking, like Lego hair.

spinningspaniels · 17/07/2021 12:34

I ended up with a graduated bob at my last visit........ and hated it. I went to another salon, and they really hacked into it to make it a choppy blunter bob that is much thinner and I can tuck behind my ears.

As a 50 year old with a round face, I really like it.

heyyellowyellow · 17/07/2021 12:35

You’ve already got a bit of a wave in your hair, would you consider a French bob? These cuts are beautiful and work with the texture of your hair. They are lovely and soft which I think would be super flattering on you.

Is this an ‘ageing’ hairstyle for someone nearly 50?

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BiscuitLover09876 · 17/07/2021 12:36

That's exactly what I think of and I hate the term, sorry. But if you love it then own it!

Seascape2839 · 17/07/2021 12:39

I've just seen the photo you've posted of your hair. Definitely grow it. Get it all one length and have a blunt chin length bob. I'd ditch the highlights too and work with your natural wave. It would look really lovely. You have to go through the pain of growing it first, no trims but it will be well worth it.

Teaandjam · 17/07/2021 12:40

100% Karen. Please don’t get it!

LaTomatina · 17/07/2021 12:41

See, I've had this haircut several times over the last decade and it really suits me. It isn't aging, actually makes me look a lot younger than when it's longer or all the same length bob.

I really don't care if some people think it's dated - I would rather have a haircut that looks good on me than something fashionable that really might not, simply to please other people. The trick to looking good is knowing what works for you, your hair type and face. I would show these pictures to your hairdresser and ask for their opinion on whether it would work for you, and for suggestions if they think not.

Killahangilion · 17/07/2021 12:41

Anyone that calls any women’s haircut ‘a Karen’ is clearly very dim and probably rather unpleasant too.

Short hair can still be styled in lots of different ways assuming you have some degree of creativity and flair.

jonkersdeplonkers · 17/07/2021 12:43

I had a similar style at uni in the 90's that I hoped made me look like Louise Weiner (it didn't!). But no sorry I really dislike that style. It's a default hair style for lots of women in their late 40s and 50s, and I can predict the clothes they would wear too.

user6v87 · 17/07/2021 12:44

It reminds me of the 1980s for some reason - maybe that is why it is a bit ageing on someone approaching 50?

If you were alive the first time, you shouldn't do it the second time round, goes the saying. But you don't need to follow the 'shoulds'!

LaTomatina · 17/07/2021 12:45

And as for the Karen thing, I'm not in the UK so not an issue here, nobody thinks like that, thank god. But what a horrible trend that is, I sincerely hope everyone (especially adults) who are playground-style perpetuating (or living in fear of being labelled by) it, are able to move on from it soon. Honestly!!!!!

user6v87 · 17/07/2021 12:45

Oh, sorry, pps state it is from 1990s not 1980s, but still yes it's been in fashion before so probably best not repeated unless you weren't around the first time

Blossomtoes · 17/07/2021 12:46

@user6v87

It reminds me of the 1980s for some reason - maybe that is why it is a bit ageing on someone approaching 50?

If you were alive the first time, you shouldn't do it the second time round, goes the saying. But you don't need to follow the 'shoulds'!

Me too. It’s a close relative of the ubiquitous short cut that everyone over 50 used to have.
AndSoFinally · 17/07/2021 12:46

OP your hair is a lot like mine, really fine. A lot of the cuts on here only look good with thick hair, I've been caught out a few times!

I have a round face too, and mine is like Sharon Stone's in the attached pic.

Don't think that short hair won't suit you if you have a round face, it really does! Best cut I've ever had

Is this an ‘ageing’ hairstyle for someone nearly 50?
AndSoFinally · 17/07/2021 12:48

The trick with short hair on a round face is to make sure there's something below ear length that you can tuck begins your ears like in that picture, and something falling onto your forehead. It just cuts down on the roundness

SprayedWithDettol · 17/07/2021 12:51

I don’t particularly like the style OP has chosen. I think it is a bit stuck in the past. I do think that the photo of Sharon Stone is fabulous. It’s a much more timeless look.

EarthSight · 17/07/2021 12:52

@Toastedcheese

I love this cut, I showed it to a colleague and she said it’s a ‘Karen’. I hate that phrase and can’t understand why it’s been attributed to women with short hair??

My hair is already short, think chin length all the way around but I’d love a complete change.

WWYD? Is it a nice cut? And how easy is it to do? I don’t want to ask my hairdresser for something she will struggle to do.

I hate that phrase and can’t understand why it’s been attributed to women with short hair??

Because there's nothing worse than a middle aged women sporting a shorter haircut that works for her. that she can't flip over her shoulder whilst flirting.

frigglerock · 17/07/2021 13:00

@ahoyshipmates

I feel really sorry for people actually called Karen, and I find it unfathomable that the use of a woman's name as a misogynistic sexist put-down insult is so easily used and perpetuated on a forum largely used by women.
Agreed. Perhaps it is because I knew a woman named Karen who died many years back at a tragically young age, and hearing her name used this way makes me think of her and the children she left behind. I can imagine it must be painful to have your dead mother's name casually tossed about as an insult.

I hope this stupid meme goes away soon. Imo, it's never ok to use a person's name as an insult. It's disgusting behaviour.

(But I also agree that it would probably be better to avoid that particular cut for a while, unless you are thicker-skinned than I am!)

drumandthebass · 17/07/2021 13:03

I'm sorry but I always think of it as a "midlife" hairstyle.

I like the one that @SwedishEdith posted

thepeopleversuswork · 17/07/2021 13:03

I couldn't really care less about the hairstyle but I really object to the "Karen" thing and I hate the idea of designatd haircuts for women over 50.

Elune · 17/07/2021 13:05

Yes it's a bit 'I would like to speak to the manager'. I think it's just a bit severe and something a bit softer would be good.

BrandNewHeretic · 17/07/2021 13:21

I had this hairstyle in my 20s. It was easy for the hair dresser to do, but for me it was the most high maintenance hairstyle I've ever had. I had to style I every day (which I don't have to do with longer hair) and had to get it trimmed every 4 weeks to keep it in shape and tidy. I really loved the look of it but not the work. It is a lovely cut, so I wouldn't let age comments or ridiculous Karen comments put you off

Fizbosshoes · 17/07/2021 13:24

I feel really sorry for people actually called Karen, and I find it unfathomable that the use of a woman's name as a misogynistic sexist put-down insult is so easily used and perpetuated on a forum largely used by women.

Same here. A lot of Karen's are about my age and I think it would be really annoying to have that stereotype. I'm not called Karen btw and I've never asked to speak with the manager!
I am obviously not stylish because I quite like the hair style (but wouldnt have it because shorter hair seems much more high maintenance)
The mullet type styles might be fashionable but I don't like them at all, especially the one with the very short fringe, and fairly unflattering for most people!

thebabessavedme · 17/07/2021 13:28

Have the haircut if you like it OP, as to being called a 'karen', bring it fucking on with me and just see what you get! I'm late 50s and I have earnt the right to my opinion, I have worked hard and bought up a family and contributed to society in many ways and if I want to 'speak to the manager' I bloody well will!

peaceanddove · 17/07/2021 13:29

For this kind of cut you need to have cheekbones and a defined chin and jawline, otherwise yes it does look very aging.