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 think she's jealous. She regrets cutting hers and wants you to do the same. Def keep your long hair!

Your hair is beautiful.
Flaunt it girl!

Agree with others saying a bob is higher maintenance than long hair- you have to style it properly for it to look good, whereas if it’s long the weight will help keep it under control, or you can put it up.

Apparently very long hair in your 40s and 50s is the latest A list status symbol. I’m 48 and not planning to chop mine any time soon.

Agree with the many posters that say your 'friend' is jealous.

The only reason I would say to cut your hair a bit is to freshen it up and get rid of the split ends, so maybe to bra strap length. Nothing to do with your age though. Isn't Kate Middleton around 44, and her long hair is her trademark.

your hair is lovely, though I do think it would benefit from a small cut and having some shape cut into it. Is your hair naturally wavy? If so I highly recommend finding a hairdresser who specialises in cutting wavy/curly hair. My hairdresser cuts mine dry according to how it naturally falls before washing and it’s made all the difference!

This is such an old fashioned idea. Remember, 30 years ago women at your age got short permed hair, wore anoraks and boring trousers from M&S.
No-one over 40 gives up anymore! Please don’t cut it- it’s beautiful!

I love long hair on older women! :)

Only busy bodies comment on how society says we should have something like a certain hair cut at a certain age. Hell no. You keep your lovely long hair!

It isn't a law. Remind your friend that her opinion is just hers and it shouldn't be applied to anyone else.

I don't agree that your friend 'must' be jealous, maybe she's just enjoying her shorter hair. I wish women wouldn't jump immediately to jealousy, it does us no favours.

I have short hair because long doesn't suit me and my hair is flat and thin. It doesn't matter that everyone thought I should let it grow when I was in my Twenties/Thirties.

Often hair gets thinner, breaks easily and looks less good when you get older, part of nature. That is often a reason women get it cut.

If you don't like your current hair, then change it. If it is heavy and wavy a bob can actually look worse, especially with a fringe as it can drag down your face.
I would look for a hairdresser who is good with long hair, ask around and go for a consulation first. I would loose some length and maybe get some layers to loose weight. But keep it long enough to be able to tie it back.

That's such an old fashioned statement.
Getting to a certain age and having short hair. It'll be perm age next 🙄

Let your locks flow!!!

My aim in life is to be 75 with long white targarian hair. I'm going to braid it up and perhaps I'll even get a cool staff instead of a walking stick. I'm going to embrace the magical old woman vibe if I get the chance.

Love this !

Your friend is jealous and backward, she probably had terrible hair and had to cut it.

If you like your hair wear it long, I wouldn’t cut it short but would maybe cut around 6-8 inches of it

I love your hair, it is beautiful!
We can have our hair however we like, our clothes how we like, or whatever else. Age is irrelevant to any of these things. 💕

What actually does a ‘bit much’ mean? That you as a women in her 40s cant have beautiful hair? Is no longer allowed to be seen as attractive? Your friend sounds a bit repressed.

Why so many people assuming the friend is jealous? She may be very pleased with her shorter hair, a lot of us are! Why is this default comment, the assumption that women are bitchy. Also the comment from the friend doesn’t sound like it was specifically directed at op, but maybe a bit of a thoughtless / superficial comment in general chit chat that op has taken to heart. Also - none of us have seen OPs hair from the front!!

OP - do you like your friends new haircut? What did you say to her?

I'm about to colour my long hair blue. I'm mid 50s.
Don't care about what society says, I like it.

You have beautiful hair! I've got serious hair envy.

There is no 'should'. Do what you want with your own hair.

You enjoy your long thick hair OP! I would get a good few inches off and some layers to give it an actual style and you will feel like a new woman.

It is fine to have long hair in your 40s (I do too).
When I first started noticing grey hairs in it I had my previous long hair cut off for wig-making for charity and had a no2 shave all over (except the very front where I had previously had a fringe). That is about as short as you can get and surprise surprise I was told that wasn't suitable for my age either.... you do not have to be actively complicit in making yourself less visible as you age.

I have a relative who had really frumpy unstylish short hair in her 20's and 30's - then had a stylish bob for a couple of decades, she then cut it into quite a short and unflattering style again a few years back but now in her mid 60's has grown it out to quite a few inches below her shoulders - she looks terrific and actually youthful too, it's in great condition.
I read an article from the 20's a few years back, about a young woman who had had her hair bobbed. She said she loved it but thought it was a hairstyle only for young women and that she would definitely grow it long again as she grew older as it was dignified and elegant for older women to have long hair. Funny how that attitude got reversed by the late 20th century!

Oh dear, I am almost 20 years older than you and no one has ever suggested i should have it short / shorter because of my age.

i don't dry it, the only time it sees a hair drier is when it is dried after a hair cut ( twice a year ) and have never used straighteners on it ( probably as I don't care if it is straight or not )

still my natural hair colour with a tiny bit of grey at the temple, but will not be colouring it when I do go grey - life is too short to spend my time having my hair coloured.

Mine is probably about 2" shorter than yours - only because it just doesn't grow any longer.

My hair is long at 66 and I'm not cutting it any time soon!