You should cut your hair short, now that you're 40

[FanGirlX]

Is this a thing?

My mother (age 75) has just informed me that I should cut my longish hair short now that I'm over 40. Or is this a generational thing, mum and her friends have all had short hair for as long as I can remember. My friends tend to wear their hair longer (even those over 40 ).

I've had my hair cut recently. I much prefer it as it was in poor condition due to my autoimmune issues. Length just pulled it down and emphasised how thin and rubbish it is. I have a short clippered cut and it's loads better. I'm in my 40s.

I'm only eary 30s but since having children my mum has suggested I get my long (bra strap) hair cut short...no way. My mum also used to force a pixie cut on me as a child which I hated so once I was old enough to go to the hairdressers and pay for myself I swore it would never be higher then my shoulders. My hair is super thick so every now and again it bothers me but I get it cut to my collar bone and its usually back to my bra strap in 6m

Personally I think short hair is aging

Im 77 and I can still sit on my hair! No intention of getting it cut.

Why on a thread where OP says she resents her mother commenting on her length of hair because it's too long are people coming on to say that many women look dreadful with short hair?

Why not acknowledge that people have the hair style they like, that makes them feel good despite their advanced age or extreme youth, be that long or short, natural colour or purple, curly, straight or in braids!?!

Apparently only supermodels with perfect faces and heads are allowed a pixie cut! Anything else offends!

I spend much of my time supporting women at work, building their self esteem, looking for funding to enable them to move on from abuse etc etc. When I read threads like this I realise why I have an uphill job because of all the women out there who can't cope with other people's damn hair!

I agree with the PP that said very few women can pull off a pixie cut! For most women, longer hair, bob - anything is better. You have to have the right bone structure for it.

I'm 40 and have had short hair since I was 22. A bob, a crop then a bit longer than a crop now. In my close group of girlfriends (all 40, 6 of us) only one other has short hair.

I've got a horrible feeling she's planning on buying me vouchers fir her hairdresser for Christmas. She's very determined 😂.

Can you sell vouchers?

@FanGirlX
Hope you changed hairdresser !

I didn't, because she was actually really sweet and didn't charge me for the cut and blow dry - she said it was the least she could do to help me, she had done my wedding hair as well so has been my hairdresser for years (as well as my mum's, gran's, sister's...). I did tell her I wouldn't come back if she didn't just trim it, but it was an idle threat really. By the way the hairdressing disaster - she may have done the cut but I asked her to, and I bleached and then dyed it myself. Big mistake

I do agree that making generalisationsike "short hair looks shit on all women" or "long hair ages you" is a bit crap. It's fine to have a personal preference and express that (short hair doesn't suit me, but I think some women look ace with really short styles) but the generalisations are definitely more in the spirit of what the thread was started to complain about.

YANBU to have long hair but YABU to wear ripped jeans (unless you're 15 and don't know better) IMO.

@Zampa

I'm with your Mum. I think long hair on older women looks really ageing. However, I would only admit that on here and would never tell my many friends with long hair.

And by long, I mean below armpit length.

You may be an outlier but the general consensus seems to be that its quite a dated view to think this.

You don’t want a frumpy old lady haircut! I know just the thing she’s getting on at and I’m never getting one. I’m 45 and my hair is nearly waist length. You’ve just reminded me that I need to book in for a hair cut though to get rid of the split ends!

What exactly is a 'frumpy old lady haircut'?

@BigYellowHat

You don’t want a frumpy old lady haircut! I know just the thing she’s getting on at and I’m never getting one. I’m 45 and my hair is nearly waist length. You’ve just reminded me that I need to book in for a hair cut though to get rid of the split ends!

I saw a stunning woman today. Fire red, wavy hair half way down her back. I'd guess she was around 60 and she looked fab.

I love a pixie cut.

But, it doesn't suit everyone. Plus it's your hair so your choice!

My mil is late 50s with long hair and she looks absolutely amazing. And at least 15 years younger than she actually is.

I'm younger and I have also been conditioned by society to think it's weird to be over 40 and still have long hair. At least I recognise it's ridiculous though!

There are lots of hair styles I like and lots I don't - its a matter of personal choice. I think its quite insulting for someone to tell anyone that once they reach a certain age they should cut their hair.

I think long hair can look good on everyone

I think short hair on women is dreadfully ageing. Most women (myself included) look better with length. Mine is down to my bum and I'll keep it that length until it no longer suits me, not because Ive turned 40.

This idea comes from all those women of a certain age (over 70) who have that "nothing" short hair cut, just like Isabella Rossellini's.

@GiantHaystacks2021

This idea comes from all those women of a certain age (over 70) who have that "nothing" short hair cut, just like Isabella Rossellini's.

Just had to Google Isabella Rossellini to see what her hair is like. I agree. It is a ‘nothing’ short hair cut. Sorry Isabella …..

I agree with the posters who say it’s how your hair makes you feel. If the length, or lack of it as the case may be, makes you happy, then stick with it.

It’s nothing to do with anybody else or silly generational observations.

But, Isabella…..

long hair has been associated with sensuality and sexuality for millennia. Hence why it was usually pinned up in adult women. The ‘get it cut’ attitude is to do with women expected to become chaste matrons after they were no longer young and ‘allowed’ to be sexy.

@Phyllis321

long hair has been associated with sensuality and sexuality for millennia. Hence why it was usually pinned up in adult women. The ‘get it cut’ attitude is to do with women expected to become chaste matrons after they were no longer young and ‘allowed’ to be sexy.

I suspected it would somehow be rooted in misogyny.

My BIL refers to it as the "insert mother's name" cut. A short bob, with a hot brushed flicked bit at the front. She told my niece that she would take her to the hairdressers for a trim and my BIL piped up with, as long as she doesn't come back with the "insert mother's name" cut 😂😂😂.