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 there is a middle ground between very long hair and cabbages.

Its nice as it is, and no reason to chop because of your age. More, only chop of you want to and perhaps to a long bob with a super sharp cut, that you can manage better but still tie or twist up.

I always thought that was called a cauliflower hair do 😁

Wow @Siddalee gorgeous. I think the layers really make hair fabulous. Long hair any age as long as it’s healthy and regularly and generously trimmed. But few people of any age have hair as beautiful as yours @Siddalee and your stylist is very talented too

@Siddalee your hair is really very beautiful.

U have lovely hair so don't cut it lol. Maybe a trim for ends but that's it

I'm 40 and I cut my hair about October time and it's really short but I only done it because I wanted to grow out my hair dye and it was taking so long so I cut short and am now almost all natural hair but I'm willing it to grow long every day lol

I miss my long hair

You have lovely hair, don't cut it. My MIL is 65 and has long white wavy hair. It's gorgeous, and have never ever seen her with short hair. If you prefer long hair, wear it long 🙂

I'm 62 and still have long hair. It's coloured so not grey. I feel like it's part of my identity. I've had long hair all my life. Mine goes down my back about 1-2 inches past my bra strap. I just get it trimmed twice a year.

This

Am I alone believe that long hair means something different as we get older? I'm 53 and my hair is down to my armpit. I know plenty of older people have longer hair but there does come a point wherein looks a bit incongruous with an older face. A few inches off the end and some layers is probably going to be more flattering. People free to wear their hair how they want obviously, but..... is it doing g you any favours

It's interesting that people think a bob is more practical. It can be more time consuming to maintain the style than longer hair, requires more expensive hair cuts, and can also be hard to put up for practical reasons or for evening updos. And bobs are less flattering rather than more flattering on some people. Depends on the person, their hair type, their face shape, and their lifestyle.

OP your hair is lovely, but whether it was or wasn't, wear it how you like at any age! Your friend, in her comments to you, has fallen into a trap.

The 1950s called, they want your friend back.

Your friend is completely bonkers 🤣

There's no timeline for hairstyles, clothes, makeup etc - does she live in the olden days 🤔🤣

Do you like having long hair? If the answer is 'yes' you are the perfect age to have long hair, end of! My aunt is in her 80s and has amazing long hair, she wears it in the most glamorous pleat. I longed to be allowed to play with her hair when I was little. Me, I'm now 47, I've had short hair since I was about 14 because it suits me and hair dangling around my ears drives me crazy (over my ears is fine, above my ears is fine, around my ears...... a hard nope!). Do whatever makes you happy!

I'm older than you and have longer hair than that. No one's ever said anything other than how nice it was.

I used to know a lady in her 80s who had waist length grey hair. It was beautiful.

Does she now wear a twin set and tweed skirt? 🤦‍♀️I'm 57, have long hair ( and growing it longer). I'm not cutting my hair for anyone!!!

Yes at the decrepit old age of 46 you should definitely have short hair. And a grey perm and wear cardies 😂
If you like it long, keep it long. If at some point you decide you prefer short, have short. There are no rules.
That said if it was me I'd have a good few inches off the bottom. I'd take it up to around the bottom of the arm hole if the top in that picture. As you mention there are a lot of split ends and it'll look and feel a lot healthier with them chopped off. Mine is almost as dark as yours and they show much more on hair like ours than on blonde hair. Keep it long enough to easily tie up but short enough that it's all healthy. Have you thought about any long layers? Could be good for added swish and looking a bit more done without actually having to do anything to it.

It was a thing in the 80s, lots of women had their hair cut once they hit their thirties. Where I grew up at least!

I am 43 and have long hair.
I don't plan on having it cut any time soon.
My mum cut her hair at 40 because people over 40 shouldn't have long hair.
She instantly looked about 15 years older.
Choose your hair style based on personal preference not a number of years.

Cut it shorter and see what you think! It looks healthy enough to grow back if you decide you prefer it longer

I've had to cut mine really short as loads of it fell out and it's just not good hair anymore. I get mistaken for a man. I'd love to have my long hair of my youth back. 46 is fine for long hair if you want it.

I don’t think age has got anything to do with hair. Yeah, it changes as we get older, but if you have good hair then you have good hair. My boss is in her 60s & still has an amazing head of long hair. She’ll never be a short hair person. Whereas, I have another friend who’s always worn her hair short, looks great. And everyone’s hair is different anyway.

I cut mine to a long bob a couple of years ago age 45 and I feel like it really aged me.
I've now just let it grow back, not long but more like shoulder length, and I feel much happier.
Most of my friends have long hair

I also get it blow dried every ten days so it looks nice and saves me having to wash and dry it.

What?

I have to cut my hair because of my age?

Eh. No.

Probably just copying Diana