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!

Agree, your hair is fab. I do think many many women (at least those with celtic fine hair like my own) look better with shorter hair as the lack of weight helps to give it movement and look fuller BUT your hair is thick and lovely, so keep it long if you want it long.

However, long hair can be a trap as you get scared to cut it. If you are curious, you could cut it to a long bob (shoulder length) now, then grow it back if you miss it? Then you can see again in 5/10 years if it's still as lovely and want to chop it then!

I have long hair nearly to my waist. Occasionally have had a long bob as it gets so heavy I get fed up with it. But I always end up growing it again. It suits me much better. If I cut it short I'd look awful (unless we're talking boy length short) as it poofs sideways.

I am 47 and have mid length thick hair which I have to get thinned out regularly. If I have it cut shorter it poofs out too easily and looks daft. I'm thinking of letting it grow longer because I can. I don't dye the greys out either (shocking I know, it's like idgaf).

My older sister has even longer hair and it suits her too. My neighbour is in her nineties and she has long hair too.

Keep your long luscious locks and be proud of them!

I’m 55 and have just above the bra strap length hair with lots of long layers. It’s nice and shiny, if I let it get longer it doesn’t look
as good condition. I get it properly cut, not just trimmed every 7 weeks and my fringe cut in between.
I have a rule if I start to wear it up a lot I have to get it bobbed off which I’ve done in the past. So I have it down or half up most of the time and I take the time to style it. My pet hate is long hair that’s alway tied back/up as I think it would be nicer to have shorter properly styled hair that’s down all the time compared to once in a blue moon.

I'm 50 and have long purple hair 🤷‍♀️
I didn't know my date of birth dictated what style i could have 🤣

I'm thinking your friend is envious of your long natural thick hair 🤷🏻‍♀️.

Sarah Jessica parker is 58 , Andie MacDowell.is 65. Personally I prefer some layers but I have curly hair so if I don't I look like sideshow Bob.
Have your hair how you want it

Firstly you have lovely hair and secondly thank you for your post! I’m 46 and had the same question as I’m growing my hair after having is shorter for a while! I used to have really think hair but it’s thinned from the scalp due to stressful marriage ( now ended). I’m trying hair oils ect and eating better. Do you have any tips ( I also have to colour hair as 100% grey otherwise which doesn’t help!). Maybe your friend maybe a bit jealous perhaps?

I think women have generally gone for shorter hair from 40s/50s because the menopause can change your hair. I'm 49 ad my previously luscious, thick hair is now quite thin and brittle. I can see why many women go for a shorter style. However, your hair ius gorgeous and I'd keep it long if I was you.

You should have your hair how you want! Personally I look awful with long hair now I’m older and a bob definitely looks smarter (but I’m going for a professional look atm). Long hair can look lovely on any one as long as it isn’t scraggly. My long hair looked beachy when I was younger, but the same hair just looks messy and withchy now particularly as I wear different clothes! Yours looks lovely though!

You can wear your hair however you like, there's no age limits on hairstyles, what an odd thing for your friend to say, I'd have laughed in her face.

Sgtjune - I think the pic of sjp is rather making the case for not having long hair as you get older! It looks ridiculous!

When I was growing up in the sixties I would often hear that women should have short hair by the time they were thirty! I’ve always been a long haired person and as my 30th approached I thought no way am I cutting it short. Seems ridiculous now to think thirty was deemed too old for long hair.

I had waist length hair at sixty, it’s currently bra strap length. I have had short hair but I found it really hard work to maintain.

I think it would look better with some layers to add shape and it needs the split ends cutting off. I'm not a fan of one length all over hair on anyone regardless of age.

Long hair is nice at any age but I recon you’d suit a lob cut just below the shoulders. Also use the curly girl method to build your natural curl rather then straighten.

SJP’s hair looks lovely, it’s her cosmetic surgery that hasn’t done her any favours (judging solely on that pic).

I've got long hair and I'm 46. I've been told I should cut it for the same reason. Thing is I've got really thick hair and the menopause seems to be making it curly again (I say the menopause because the last time it was like this was when I went through puberty) so I really don't suit short hair. Even a bob makes me look like her out of Wallace and grommet. I shall be keeping my long hair.

Will - I agree her hair looks lovely - but it doesn’t match her face, the youthful hair contrasts with her older looking face which is why it looks strange. Her face should look older because she is older, it’s the hair that looks unnatural imo, and it draws attention to her face rather than away.

It depends who you're doing it for. Your hair is beautiful and I think if you have it, flaunt it.

As a guy, and knowing other guys, I don't know a single guy who actually doesn't prefer long hair!

My Nan used to tell my Mum that she should have a "set" as it was more dignified at 40 👀. My Mum was still modelling and had long, very curly, hair and it was a ridiculous thing to say. I actually think very few older women can carry off sharp short hair. I am 54 and have fairly long hair with lots of choppy layers. It suits me very well. You should wear your hair how you like!

I think it's beautiful and the grey that comes after very dark hair is so lovely too. I would embrace the silver and keep the length

Maybe cut lit upper arm then You can always wear your hair up if you want a short look, and if you don't like it it won't take long to grow back .

I cut mine into a long bob at the same age you are now . I did it as my once thick hair was a lot thinner and I felt it was dragging my face down . I’d also got peri irritation with the length.

You could easily chop a good few inches off and make your hair more manageable without resorting to a bob . You don’t need to though

What's it like at the front OP?

You have hair to die for!

Your friend is riddled with jealousy. Ignore her.

Do what you want with your hair. If you go for a bob it's just as easy, if not easier, to keep it back with an Alice band or one of those stretchy ones rather than tying it back. Maybe even something swish with a scarf.

At 46 you're far from old and, if your hair is like mine, it will continue to be thick and wavy, if increasingly defiant.

Your hair is wonderful and you should enjoy it to the max. Ignore ALL naysayers: they're just jealous.