To wear my hair long at 40

[BreatheitAllIn]

I'm sick of hearing what society deems as unacceptable after turning 40. I will cut my hair when I damn well please. Why do they get to decide? Does society tell men what they shouldn't do?

Recommendations for natural shampoos that reduce hair loss, aid hair growth, and aren't too expensive would be appreciated! I'm noticing my usual shampoos like L'Oréal Elvive etc are making my hair look flat, and not as much volume.

People think that older women should have short hair because the old women they knew when they were young had short hair.

But the old ladies had short hair because they had always had short hair. It was very fashionable in their youth. They didn't have short hair to look their age, they had short hair because it made them feel young and hip. It was a rebellion against having long hair in an updo.

It is also exceptionally rude to make that kind of comments to someone. You can tell them that you are hardly going to take any kinds of advice on etiquette from someone so out of touch that they think that kind if comment is acceptable.

If they say that they just wanted to help then tell them that you are returning the favour by telling them to keep their rude mouths shut.

If you like long hair and it looks good on you, don't even consider cutting it! Enjoy it! Fwiw I'm past 40 and wear my hair long. Apart from a trim to cut off split ends and such things, I don't cut it at all.

All of my friends have long hair - we are 56 - 60. I have a chin length bob., but was long until 3 years ago. I actually think the problem is that women aren't expected to have short hair anymore. Very boring.

Maybe it depends where you live. Of all the women I know in the 50-60 age group, there's only two of us with long hair. The rest all have a variety of bobs, crops or shoulder length layers.

Ah PP must be one of those women. Look down their noses at a perceived slight.

My husband loves my previously bum
length hair. Only currently shorter because I donated my fabulously needy hair to needy children.

Im still not sure about who 'society ' is and why they care about women's hair.

I know my nan had a thing about wanting my hair to be short and went on and on about it but I was 13 at the time and we took no notice, that was nearly 50 years ago though!

I'm 50 and I have hair down to my arse. It's not getting cut any time soon (ever).

Appreciate this. I will be trying this tomorrow

Op I’ve had some success re itchy scalp with Neutrogena T gel shampoo for dry hair (yellow front of box). I use it once a week in between an Aveda one. It gently exfoliates the scalp but not as harsh as the usual dandruff ones like Nizoral etc which made mine worse.

Philip Kingsley do scalp soothing conditioner & scalp serum - green band on bottle - I’m not a great fan usually of his stuff but the combo of the T Gel & the Kingsley worked (for me).
I got a discovery set to try as it’s quite pricey but you use and need very little.
Also avoid putting the remaining styling products you use anywhere near your roots & scalp which also helps avoid itching & greasiness.

I’m older and have long hair and I remember my mum having shorter hair as she got older - was definitely a thing back then. I’m actually going to grow mine longer as I like it, it’s in good condition and I’m past caring what other people think.

Appreciate this. I will be trying this tomorrow

Do a test patch, coconut oil can have reactions.

I like to think this attitude has changed a bit now, look at Jennifer Aniston, Tess Daly, Kate Middleton- well into their forties and fifties with gorgeous hair. As long as my hair is still soft and shiny I’ll keep it like this, I think it might go dry and wiry post menopause and I might cut it then, but I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.

Response true but lighthearted;

OP, l’m a little bit older than you and l have long hair. No pubic hair though 🤭.

A lot of older women, not 40s, but 65 onwards perhaps seem to have this "helmet" hairstyle. I can't think of a better way to describe it. Or the ubiquitous blonde bob with a fringe.

Old ladies used to have a cauliflower/ broccoli perm, little did they know it would be picked up by teenagers!

Are you talking about a bob?

Menopause did not affect my hair at all. Still thick and great condition. I do colour it though, that helps greatly with the texture and condition.

Yes decades ago, this was a thing. But no one says or has this expectation any more. Look at all the female celebs over 40 with long hair.

Helmet hair always makes me think of US tv presenters. Although Brigitte Macron has the look too, despite being French.

Menopause has made my har slightly drier, but I don't mind that, it used to be quite oily and look limp but now I can go longer between washes.

I love my long hair. It's wild and wavy and I don't care that I am 50. I am nothing to write home about in the looks department. Short hair is fine for pretty faces.

I can't wear a bob because my thick, wavy hair just bushes out. It needs the length. It's longer than I have ever had it and in better condition than pre-menopause because I don't fight with straightening it any more.

It's going grey, yes, but it's white/blond streaks and I love it. I don't care if others think it looks shit, it makes me feel feminine, reflects my wilder side and when I need to be smart, it goes up in a bun.

Screw the grey bob. I will be wild and woolly until I can't look after it anymore or it falls out.

This is mine. Looks darker in the photo, the grey/blonde is more noticeable from the front.

Let me know what you think. When my hair is dry you can literally watch it eat the oil as it seems to suck it in.

I turned 50 last year and started growing my hair out again. And I know Lara of people in their 40s and much older with shoulder length ti very long hair.

Same here, have to say it's quite convenient. I'm much more prone to frizz now, though, which is a pain. Oh well, swings and roundabouts etc.

Healthy looking hair starts with the scalp. I (47f with bra-strap length hair) have been using Aveeno shampoos for several years now, and I have tried several of the formulations, they are all really good. My hair always feels soft and silky after using it, the best part is I have had no problems with my scalp and my hair is better protected by the natural oils produced by my skin.

I also recommend taking a daily multivitamin with minerals, fish oil, and collagen peptides. Savers has started selling Bioglan Beauty Collagen for £4.99 - the cheapest collagen i have found out there, and it contains additional Biotin and selenium to promote healthy skin and hair. I've stocked up on loads of it! Since I started using collagen peptides over 3 years ago, my nails and hair have been so much stronger (it takes 4 months to see skin/scalp and nail benefits, and 2 years to see stronger hair).

@ruethewhirl @CoubousAndTourmalet @Muffsies

This may be of interest: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001gx0z