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.

Im 50.

I’ve never heard that women are supposed to cut their hair short after a certain age

how bizarre. Who says this.

What a load of nonsense. I don't have many greys except a small streak around the front. Neckline hair length. Mid 60s. Had a gorgeous pixie cut when I was a teenager.

Yeah, everyone has long hair these days. Seems to be the fashion to have long wavy hair. It’s actually more interesting to see someone with short hair for a change!

"Society" doesn't care how long your hair is. It doesn't "get to decide".

40 is not old! It's barely middle aged! Of course it's OK.

I have to say I think the cut off point for long hair should be 60. I know I may get shade thrown on me for that, but women over 60 shouldn't have long hair. Hair touching the shoulders yes, but long? No. Unless you are a strikingly attractive actress or model. (Whilst some women are perfectly attractive, most women aren't stunning models or actresses - I'm not!)

Pics 1 & 2. Nooooooooo. Pics 3 & 4. Yes!

Thanks @Zov

61 with hair down to my bum. Not an actress or a model. Attractive, not especially. Striking yes, but probably for all the wrong reasons.

Don't honestly value your or anyone else's opinion, but I do get a lot of compliments still.

You might be right. I think if it's long enough to tie back (below the collar) then it's long. While you might just wash and go, there's plenty who spend time straightening or curling their hair. And the longer it is, the longer it takes. This thread is a shopping list of shampoos, conditioners, masks, oils and supplements to make long hair look healthy. To me and obviously to you too, that seems really high maintenance. I wash mine 2/3 times a week. It takes an extra 2 minutes in the shower. It dries while I eat my breakfast. It's cut really well, so falls in it's style. I go to the salon every 8-10 weeks for less than 40 minutes.
It suits me, I've had variations of a short style (never longer than my chin) since I was 16.

Shoulder length hair is long. If it's below the collar, it's long. If it can be tied back, it's long. So almost everyone does indeed have long hair.
While you might just wash and go, there's plenty who spend time straightening or curling their hair. And the longer it is, the longer it takes. Another friend of mine lets hers dry naturally, but refuses to leave the house with it still wet, and as it's so lovely and thick, it takes bloody ages. This thread is a shopping list of shampoos, conditioners, masks, oils and supplements to make long hair look healthy. To me and obviously to you too, that seems really high maintenance. I wash mine 2/3 times a week. It takes an extra 2 minutes in the shower. It dries while I eat my breakfast. It's cut really well, so falls in it's style. I go to the salon every 8-10 weeks.
It suits me, it suits my overall style, it's practical for my job and I think I look great. I've never had it longer than my jawline since I was 16.
So there we go, I've learnt that not everyone with long hair takes ages faffing about and now you know that short hair can be low maintenance depending on hair type and cut. Every day's a school day.

Thanks for explaining this @jinxyminxy
I thought long meant halfway down your back/waist length/hip length.
So now I understand the "everybody has long hair" and 1 hour styling comments that were completely baffling me.
Yes, I agree. When I was about 32, I inexplicably decided I was too old for waist length hair, and had a "Rachel" cut. OMG, what a faff it was! So much harder than long hair, such a challenge to look after.
For me, that was a blip. I started growing it again almost immediately.
I didn't suit it and I didn't feel like me.
And sorry to all those that think very long is unflattering over 60, this little witch is keeping her long hair.

Omg I completely disagree. Pics 1&2 make these women appear so much more natural and interesting, 3&4 look like they are just conforming to the style for their age group (and it’s highly stylised too). Give me the Patti Smith look any day.

My mums generation (she was born in 1949) did seem to be expected to cut their hair short in their 30s or 40s especially after having kids. My mum always had short, boyish hair and so did my nan.

I’ve never had short short hair, ive had a bob just after ds was born cos my mum said it was the done thing for ladies to have short hair as it was more practical and respectable ( can’t believe I listened to her 😂)

48 now and my hair is long, thick and very wavy. It’s part of my identity, I seem to have the longest hair out of anyone I know who is my age that I know.

My hair is long, thick and naturally wavy, very wavy in fact. I do get asked sometimes how I make it so wavy, what products etc.. I’m erm just wash and go, it’s natural mate.

I’m nearly 52 and have long grey hair and love it (past my shoulders). I work in a professional environment (lawyer) and have never once felt that I need to cut it.

This! Who cares - wear your hair how you like it! Never once occurred to me until I read this thread that people would think I am past having long hair. now I’ve
thought about it, it makes zero difference to me what others may think! I’m not beautiful or have a high maintenance cut and find it rather offensive the suggestion I’m only allowed long hair if I had great cheek bones for example!! Anyway, I run ultra marathons and take part in triathlons so trying it back is so much easier! That’s what’s important to me - not having a great style so I don’t offend others.

I agree, but probably bc mine looks most like 2 (except it's ginger). I never style my hair, or even blow dry it. I hate fashions and fads, I've got the same haircut, and almost the same colour, since I was in pre-school. I have no intentions of changing unless it becomes a bother to me. Totally agree about Patti Smith 👍

If you’re jowly, and your hair is thin and flat, it really drags your features down. If you’re lucky enough to have hair that’s thick, and has lots of body, then it can look lovely.

All this hot weather was the decider for me growing mine, much easier to get it off your face.
In fact both my mother 78 and me 52 have decided to grow our hair longer.
We are both fed up with the expectation of being older and having short hair. Doesn't matter what anybody else thinks.....its my hair I shall do what I want with it!

Me too!