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!

Your hair is great.
Your 'friend' is a fool.

I'm 66, my hair is still long, even though it's thinning horrendously. One day I'll have it all cut off and live with baldness. I'll probably wear some kind of scarf.

Enjoy your gorgeous hair. If you can make it last your life out, do so. When you brush it think how beautiful it is and how lovely you are.

Don't let anyone stop you enjoying your own body.

My image of a beautiful older woman in her 60s/70:s is one with long grey or white hair , mainly because I’ve met some amazing , joyful people like that. They are usally doing some interesting activities as seems almost to be an alternative lifestyle choice in the UK.
However age and hair length are unrelated other than some people lose hair and have no choice/want an easy option. 46 is too young to even think about that anyway.
Do what you feel like.

Your hair is gorgeous!! Please don’t cut it for the standard “middle aged woman” cut.
long and healthy hair - which hours clearly is - is such a youthful and fresh look for middle aged women in my personal opinion. I am saying that as somebody who is not middle aged (yet), btw.

If I were you: I think I would cut it to about boob length. But that’s simply because it makes styling so much easier.

My hair is currently waist length and it’s getting to a be a bit too much of a hassle, tbh.

I used to feel that I shouldn't have long hair when I'm older. I've had long and short bobs and very long hair. I'm a decade older than you and my hair is nearly as long.

Like you I don't wear it down unless I'm out. I have it coloured and trimmed (I suit really blunt cuts) every 3 months.

I was told I look younger with shorter hair but I'm not convinced.

Mary Beard has long hair and she's older than us! I like to think it's an academic look!

You wear your hair as you wish. It's in very good condition.

I'm the other end of the scale, I've had short hair since I was about 10 years old and have occasionally had people tell me I should grow it out 😂wear it however you want!

Op you have the type of hair that would look BEAUTIFUL after being in a plait all night. Or two plaits, if that's more comfortable. I'd love to see a pic if you try that? Or that thing where you wrap it round a dressing gown belt. With it being naturally wavy, doing those will enhance it.

Yes, get it trimmed to look after it but try easy little things to change the appearance before chopping it all off!

Aw, when you brush it think how lovely you are 🥰

Your hair is beautiful so why change it. The only time I think long hair should be shorter is when people allow it to become straggly and in poor condition- at any age.

Bobs are not as practical as you think. I would imagine with hair as thick as yours, a bob will need blow-drying to make it look good- especially if your hair is slightly wavy.

I would keep it at a length where you can tie it back- so maybe cut to just below the shoulders.

There's nothing wrong with long hair at any age but if it's annoying you you could try a mid length. Mine is about 6-8 inches shorter than yours with layers - also mid 40s with thick hair. I also like putting it up in a pony tail and not having to style it too much.

I’m 51 and have long hair down to my coccyx.

Most of the time I wear it in buns/rolls using a hair stick (that DH calls witchcraft lol).

The beauty of long hair is you can wear it short, or go all out & let it flow when you want to (quite literally) let your hair down.

Your hair is beautiful. Mine’s very thin, but that hasn’t changed since childhood. And I cannot wait for it to go grey!

Never let anyone dictate how you wear your hair!

My mum (late 70s now) was a CUT-YOUR-HAIR-SHORT-IT’S AWFUL-FOR-OLDER—WOMEN type.

That is, until Covid came, no haircuts and her hair wasn’t being cut within an inch of its life every4 weeks, and meant her hair grew to below her shoulders.

And now she’s a longer hair convert because she can be worn short when she wants or long.

48. Very similar to you in terms of washing/wearing. I've always kept it long.

I've just gone to a just above shoulder bob. It's long enough to still get up, but short enough to be quicker to wash/dry and I'm finding it a bit more versatile tbh.

We'll see how I go.

Seriously? How old fashioned. Women have long hair now into their 50s,60s and 70s. Cut it if you want to or don't want to faff styling it. But not because you are too old

A reason often given for why middle aged women have their hair cut shorter is that it has become thinner. But that's definitely not a problem for you, your hair is gorgeous and in lovely condition!

If YOU want it shorter (but still ponytail-able) you could have it trimmed to shoulder length.

I'm going to be 50 this year and still have long hair and I'm keeping it. It suits me - I have a big angular face and the hair makes a more flattering frame. I had short hair for a while in the late 80s and it made me look absolutely frumpalicious even though I was still in my teens. (Fair play to anyone who suits short hair though!)

I also find it very low maintenance. Just wash and go. Don't bother blow drying most of the time, just brush it. Trim twice a year, that's it!

My mother has always banged on about the "rule" that women over 30 (30!!!!) shouldn't have long hair. She says it's ageing (I disagree) but part of it is rooted in the idea that when a woman gets married and has children she shouldn't be thinking of frivolous things like looking glamorous. People might think she is trying to attract other men <gasp>. What a load of rubbish!

In short don't give a toss what anyone else thinks. It really doesn't matter. So liberating!

I'm confused - what do you do to your roots?

Your hair is lovely as it is, but I'm sure it would be lovely short too. Why don't you try a few different lengths and see what is comfortable?

I'm in my 40s with long hair (quite like yours in colour and length) and I've no plans to have it cut. It looks lovely on you.

Your hair looks fine. Ignore your friend. She’s probably jealous after having hers chopped off so is trying to get you to do the same. I’ve seen women in their 60s with long hair. It’s all to do with the condition. Yours looks good.

Nope. I'm 46 and have long hair but luckily I've got hardly any grey hair. My sister is 50 and has very long hair too.

I have thick wavy hair too, a bob is the absolute worst style for it! Longer is far better for me. I have layers at the bottom too just to take some weight out. Keep it however you want, it’s a very old fashioned idea cutting it short because of your age. I’m 38, my hair is the longest I’ve ever had it and I’m not cutting it off any time soon!

I have thick long hair..I cannot do a bob, it springs up and out so it looks like a massive bike helmet of fuzz. It won't be controlled.

I don’t think age should define how you wear your hair. BUT. As someone who’s never had long hair, I see how wedded people become to their very long hair length, regardless of whether or not it looks good or they want to put in the maintenance. Tbh I find it a bit strange, to have a lot of identity bound up in your hair length.

I’ve never thought someone like that didn’t look better, fresher annd more stylish after a big chop to be honest.

Sounds like your friend is jealous of your hair. I have very thin hair and not a lot. Its got volume, so it doesnt look flat, but i have to style it. Im “only” mid thirties, but i do think when im older i might not bother with it anymore, because if i dont put it effort my long hair looks very flat and lifeless and just terrible.
your hair looks great though! You should keep it long, it looks nice!

People cut hair shorter when they get older, because they dont have nice thick hair anymore.. That doesnt seem to be the case for you.

Your friend had been struck by long hair envy, it happens often when someone gets a short cut!

Your hair is lovely and nobody gives a shit about "rules" on hair length and age anymore.

Your hair length should be dictated by what suits your face shape, features and hair type, not your age.

Life's too short OP, your hair is beautiful and your friend is an idiot.