To have really long hair in my 40s?

[MonicaBingaling]

Recently turned 40 and have long blonde hair (past my boobs) and don’t feel comfortable with it now at my age. Although it’s healthy hair and people often say I look younger than my age I feel almost uncomfortable with it on me now whereas loved it in my 20s and 30s

have booked to get it cut next week 🤣

I don’t like the look some women have (long hair fillers Botox dressing as if in 20s) like desperately clinging to youth. I think it’s far more classy to have short/medium length hair, less make up etc

just wondered what others opinions are?

btw no offence to anyone who’s older with long hair it’s just how I feel about it on myself

yabu - long hair on older women is fine

yanbu- shorter is better

I'm 64 and mine is very short, and it suits me far, far, better than when it is longer. I haven't had it really long since I was a child. It seems we are very much in the minority on MN (although not in real life, well not around here anyway).

What’s the point of this post? 🤔

I am not a fan of long hair and generally think women look better with shoulder-length or shorter.

It's a personal preference, of course!
But having to cut off all your hair, just because your middle aged, is an old fashioned view, like having your bag and shoes match.
If your hair is in poor condition or thining, then it could look better shorter. But if the condition is good, then why not keep it long?
I'm in my 40s and my hair is a couple of inches below my shoulders and I'm trying to grow it longer. Not because I want to look younger, but because that's the length I like it. It's my hair, as long as I'm happy that's all that matters.

I have mid length hair, about should blade level, mostly work in a ponytail as I have an active job.
No age limit on long hair but I can't abide the bum length hair always worn loose and clearly not had a decent cut in years; straggly and frizzy, kept in good condition long hair looks great.

Some women look great with short hair. I'd look like a fucking potato so long it is. I'm 44.

I’ve just turned 30 and I’m considering a big chop. It’s just personal choice if you feel it would make you seem more mature then do it, I’m doing it for a similar reason I’ve got a baby face and still get ID’ a lot so want to seem more mature plus I find long hair such a struggle to keep neat.

I know what you mean OP. Mine's just past my shoulders, but I have this fear that from behind I might look younger then I turn around a give everyone a fright!!! I have a mil who has this effect on me, she's slim and has lovely long hair, but then she turns around and you can see she's twice the age she looks from the back! I do think though, if the hair is well cut and looked after it doesn't matter a jot, it's just my fear on me!

I know what you mean OP. Mine's just past my shoulders, but I have this fear that from behind I might look younger then I turn around a give everyone a fright!!! I have a mil who has this effect on me, she's slim and has lovely long hair, but then she turns around and you can see she's twice the age she looks from the back! I do think though, if the hair is well cut and looked after it doesn't matter a jot, it's just my fear on me!

Why does this matter though? are you saying all older people need to cut their hair short in order to "warn" others that they are older- why do they need to warn people? Being older isnt some awful hideous personal failing that needs to come with an apology or a warning. Maybe instead people could wear a sign around their necks apologising for being over age 50. Good grief.

Dear god. Have I been catapulted back in time several decades?

I think short hair is gross and very unladylike but you go ahead.

Dear god. Have I been catapulted back in time several decades?

Apparently yes 😂Its also pretty offensive to people with facial disfigurements - they shouldnt have long hair either I suppose as when they turn around people will be shocked and "frightened" because they were "promised" a supermodel from the back view 🙄

Unladylike 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Just my opinion, I did say mine wasn't short! Can't help how I worry. I was also clear it's my fear, and that if it's in good condition its fine in reality. Surely even you can agree long straggly hair isn't a goal?!

Blimey I think I've touched a nerve! Where on earth did I say it's anything to do with facial disfigurement? Your arms must be ridiculously long to reach that far

I also didn't suggest anyone should have it short - mine isn't either.....Don't be so dramatic!

I did a similar post recently, I'm 43. The concensus was keep it long. I have had mine chopped a bit, now it's just below shoulder length, but I have no intention of dying it or going short in the foreseeable.

This is hilarious! If your hair is naturally nice, keep it! do you have to get a very short perm now? So strange. I know women in their sixties with long hair. It looks great. And they don’t have any botox or anything.

Wow! Some of these comments!

Do you also need to wear daggy clothes in case someone thinks you’re young?

What’s your definition of short hair? Do you mean pixie cut, or anything shorter than shoulder length? If the latter that’s the first time I've ever been called gross and unladylike!

Heaven forbid anyone thinks you look younger from a certain angle.

I think the negative link between long hair and "women clinging to their youth" stems back to witch hunting times. A curious thing to be in your subconscious.

Other ladies with long hair: let's keep it long, they can't burn us all!!!!

Blimey I think I've touched a nerve! Where on earth did I say it's anything to do with facial disfigurement? Your arms must be ridiculously long to reach that far

You suggested that older people should not have attractive, youthful looking long hair from the back because people will be shocked when they turn around. So, doesnt that also apply to people who arent genetically blessed with a western standard of beauty? You are basically saying older people's hair should look short and unattractive from the back so as not to scare people which is absolute garbage. Also, why are you frightened by your MIL's appearance when she turns around- you know already what she looks like 😂

Also- don't worry about my extra long arms, I keep them hidden from the back view so as not to scare people 😝

I had lovely long hair in my 40’s, but hit Peri Menopause in my early 50s and it started coming out in scary amount. I kept finding it everywhere! It was getting really embarrassing, so I’ve recently had it all chopped off into a short Bob.

I miss my long hair 😢

haha! This place is batshit. I'm early 40s and live in skinny jeans and heels. Should I stop doing that, just in case someone is disappointed that from the front I'm not 21?

🤔