Is long hair a bit much at 46?

[Zoflorabore]

Hi, as per title, I’m 46. I’ve always had a good head of hair but it’s really thick and has got a wave to it and I don’t make much effort with it beyond washing/conditioning regularly but only drying maybe once a week and straightening it maybe every couple of weeks. It’s also super dark, almost black and I’ve been getting greys since I was about 20! And do my roots about every 3 weeks.

My friend recently said something along the lines
of “at our age we shouldn’t have long hair” after getting hers drastically chopped off. It’s made
me think. I work from home, don’t socialise at all really due to chronic pain and other health issues and it’s getting on my nerves.

When I’ve made the effort it can look lovely bit most of the time it’s tied back and has no style or anything. I would love a bob but like to have a pony when cleaning/exercising.

any thoughts please? I also have a thick fringe like Claudia Winkleman and don’t suit not having one.

i will attach a pic from behind which was taken recently when my dd dried my hair for me.

honest opinions welcome!

I stopped having mine cut in a bob at 40. I prefer it long. My 72yo MIL has shoulder length hair. Your friend is being silly.

Your hair is beautiful. Enjoy it, wear it how you like! I’m 40 with long thick hair and have zero intention of cutting it shorter. Why would I want to make my life more difficult? Wearing it long is the easiest hairstyle I’ve ever had.

Your friend is jealous. Women who had fine hair when younger do not have enough hair to wear it long post-menopause, ime. Your hair is beautiful - I would 100% keep it long. Mine is short because it feels like I only have about 20 hairs left.

I have thick hair about your length and I’m 51. Over the past couple of years though due to menopause the condition has changed massively. I can’t keep it looking healthy enough so I’m about to get 4-5 inches taken off but it will still look long.

I think yours is fine. I can see the breakage in it though and I think it would benefit from having 3-4 inches off the bottom cut bluntly across.

I’m 46 next month with long, thick, wavy hair and won’t be cutting it. Without the length it will be more unmanageable and a bob will give me a mushroom head.
Mine isn’t as long as yours but still below shoulders.

You can have your hair however you choose at any age. A blue rinse and perm is also entirely optional these days!

I think it’s an old fashioned view. When my mum was my age she had short hair, as did all her friends. Now I think maybe I know one or two women with hair above shoulder length.

Wear your hair how you want.

I’m 41 and have similar length hair because I like it. I go the hair dressers about twice a year to get the dead ends off!

I once had a Bob and it looked so frumpy and Mumsy on me. I know several people with bobs who look gorgeous…

Agree long hair is ubiquitous and that there's often something of the frump about a bob.

I think if you have a certain kind of face with high cheek bones short hair is more unusual and flattering but it def doesn't suit everyone.

As others said, do what you like. Equally don't be afraid to try a new style if you fancy, it will grow back! I'm similar age and recently chopped mine from long to a bob just because I wanted a change and it looks lovely but I can only wear it down and when it's windy it gets on my nerves if I don't have a hat! For exercise or cleaning you can wear a band. I'm now in two minds about letting it grow back long or getting a pixie in the summer...

In 46 and have long hair. My DM I. Her 70s had long hair. It's ridiculously old fashioned to set this as a universal expectation. A friend got the chop when she turned 40 and said it was because she's 'old now'. That's not for me!

Having said that, my hair is starting to look a bit thinner at the front - I'm going to explore shampoos rather than hairdressers.

Just because your friend displays ageist attitudes doesn't mean you have to give them any consideration at all.

Ditching stereotypes is always good

And be wary of friends who diss your appearance.

Be you, look how you want to look, choose a style that makes you feel terrific

Nooooo - don't consider cutting your lovely hair! There is no reason why you shouldn't keep it longer when you get older. I'm now 66 and my hair has been almost waist length for most of my adult life. I had it cut very short into a David Bowie cut when I was 17 and spent many years regretting it whilst it grew again, and have kept it long ever since. It used to be very thick but didn't thin too much when I went through the menopause and has always been in good condition. Now that I'm older, it's turning a lovely shade of grey, which I really like. I've always worn it loose and I just wouldn't be me if I had it cut. I can still remember my Dad saying very seriously on my 30th birthday "Now you're 30, don't you think you should get your hair cut and have a nice perm like your mother?" 😆😆😆

😩

what ageist nonsense. Your friend needs to be quiet. My mother used to tell me to have a sensible bob in my thirties. Ffs 🤦🏻‍♀️

I’m 50 and have long, thick frankly gorgeous hair that I am frequently complimented on. It suits me. Hell, it looks amazing 🤩

Rock your long hair until you’re 100 🤟🏼

I'm nearly 55 and have long hair, not cutting it off any time soon.

When I finally got rid of my short hair loving bastard ex I grew my hair.
I'm 53 and it's long now and still feels like a poke in the eye to him.
It's thick and splendid so a short style would be more work, which I can't be arsed with (I do a lot of sport so have it up or wet a lot of the time).

Recently 50, I also had a wobble about my hair being too long.
Sophie Vergara is 51 so I’m keeping mine.

Even if you were 20 I'd say get a few inches off the end and lots of layers.
Long hair can look glamorous or religious. Be careful.

46? 46?!!! I’m gobsmacked that anyone would ever consider 46 is too old for long hair !!! Let alone any other age! 46 is sooo young! I’m 45 and I have lovely long thick hair, I dress really well and modern, and feel I’m in my prime

you’ve got years and years ahead of you before you get ‘actually’ old. 46 should be one of the best times of your life! My mum and her friends are in their 70s and 80s and they all look and dress incredible for their ages, with a mix of hair styles (all modern styles though, no blue perms to be seen!)

This.

Try half the length off if you fancy a change.

Well does it suit your face?
I often think people would look better with their hair soft round their face or eg cropped to show off their nice jawline or smile but have these curtains draped either side.

Blimey, did your friend beam in from the 1950s?! That's an incredibly old fashioned viewpoint she has.

Nobody really thinks like that any more. I'm 48 and I cut my hair short because it got thin and frizzy as I hit perimeno. Most people my age still have long hair though.

I'm 53 and growing out my shoulder length hair because I LIKE IT!

No one is 'too old' for anything. Do what you damn well like and when.

The End.

Just had mine cut. I'm 57 and decided I couldn't be arsed messing with it. I think shorter hair actually suits me better now. However you need to be ready and can't do it just because someone else says.

Here’s my hair! I’m 57!
Have what you want!