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.

I’ve got long grey hair and I’m 50. And most definitely not a model. My hair is lovely.

Wear your hair how you like it, and sod anyone else.

im older than you and my hair is the longest it has ever been, almost waist length.

I love it, no one has ever made any negative comments to it, quite the opposite actually!

And you can do some much with long hair, wear it up or down, curl, wavy or straight.

Well we used to be told not to wear it long after age 30. Absolutely ridiculous.
I don’t like too see long, thin, grey hair on women in their 60’s as it ages them but no need for them to cut it short.

I’ve also never heard anything to suggest that you can’t have long hair over 40. Where the heck have you heard that, OP?

I've only ever heard this ageist shite (like your thread title) on Mumsnet.

Meanwhile in the real world, people tend to look exactly how they want.

Ignore the online clickbait stuff.

I know several women who are much older than you, who have beautiful long hair, and are themselves beautiful.
Mine is short because I prefer it that way, and always have, but if I wanted it long I would do just that!

As oestrogen drops hair becomes thinner and can become more dry so lots of women choose a shorter style for this reason.

Seen articles about trendy "short" hairstyles for women 40+, and comments about middle aged women in their 40s, and 50s. I wonder if I'm just honing in on it, with being 40 now. I don't feel middle aged!
Then the latter coupled with my hair not responding well to my usual shampoos, itchy scalp hasnt helped matters, I think.

My hair is no different and I’m mid 40’s. No one has ever told me to cut it and if they did I’d tell them to fuck right off

Most of the mums in our year group have long hair, and the vast majority of them are rising 40 plus. Why do you think there is pressure for women of this age to have short hair?

I think older women really only cut their hair short for the same reasons as younger women - a) they like it short or b) the condition or thinning of their hair makes it the most sensible option. I don't know why a hairdresser would say short hair ages a woman. I do think hairdressers don't work as much on short hair these days though, certainly my local ones only ever post pictures of long hair with the exact same styles.

Im 42 with waist length hair. It looks fucking good too I’ll tell you.

Never got the memo though that I had to cut it off at 40? Where’s you see that?

What! I'm 43 and my hair is well past my shoulders. I won't be cutting it.

I cut my hair in my early 40s but only because I always wanted to try short hair and my time for getting that skinny body I always wanted was running out so I did it anyway. I liked it but I’m now back to long hair and I’m 49. I find it easier to manage and have no intention of cutting it again, I’m loving it atm.

i use L’Oréal Professional. It’s more expensive but you can get it on sale regularly. I also occasionally use Avon detoxing shampoo and conditioner, I bought it for my teens greasy hair and will occasionally give mine a wash with it, or use it on holidays so I’m not carrying too many different shampoos ( 5 people with different hair).

I never liked the elvive shampoos, found they always made my hair feel greesy and heavy regardless of type I used.

Ive never been one to splash money on toiletries but I now fully appreciate spending the extra on a decent shampoo. I feel I use less because my hair is in better condition and it’s fully worth it.

Maybe look at things like Olaplex for mature hair, OGX do a mature hair shampoo, I’ve used the greasy hair one, again bought for teen dd and used, it was her go to shampoo till I got her the Avon one to try. Kerastase and Christophe Robin is also a good shampoo brand. But I’m sure there are others out there.

My friend has sworn by collagen supplements for her hair and nails, I’ve just started Elevate but it’s too soon to say. Same friend uses Philip Kingsley, I tried his swim cap recently which I loved but not anything else.

@BreatheitAllIn they've just reformulated Elvive and it’s terrible stuff, makes even my thick hair lank and greasy. Over on the ‘What the fuck have they done to Elvive’ thread there are good recommendations for brands such as Monday and good old Herbal Essences.

Has anyone tried the Cornwall seaweed stuff that’s all over my social feeds?

I don't think this has been a thing for at least 30 years! I cut my hair shorter (long bob) in my mid 40s but that was because the menopause and the change of texture with greying is making my hair look thinner and scraggly and it just looks nicer above the shoulder now. Nothing to do with how anyone else sees me etc. It is a bit more practical I guess but that wasn't why I did it.

What's wrong with not being a model and having long grey hair? If it's not your preference then that's fine, but maybe some don't mind and prefer their hair that way : )

I’m 48 with long (dark!) hair.

The idea that you have to get a nice inoffensive bob and some ‘flattering! lowlights as soon as you hit 40 is very old fashioned.

I’m early 50s with hair down to my bra strap. I’ve always had long hair and can’t imagine cutting it short.
A few years ago I noticed my hair was going lank at the roots and dry at the ends. I changed shampoo and it was absolutely transformational - bouncy fresh hair!
The new shampoo is Schwarzkopf Bonacure Rescue Repair. There’s different ones for different hair types.

I have short & shaven hair and biotin (£1 from Poundland) has made my hair curly thicker

Oh thank you for letting me know that! It was always my go to every other wash shampoo. It now makes my scalp itchy and and my roots have a greasy flat feel.

I'm definitely on the search for less chemicals, and a shampoo that reduces hair loss etc.

My Great Grandmother use to have very long thick white hair - it was stunning. Mind you she was quite unconventional!

Ha! I”m 65 and have hair just below my shoulders. Ironically I had short hair all through my 30s and now I look at those photos and want to weep. It really didn’t suit my features and I look mumsy and frumpy.

It’s all about what suits your face, your hair and your style.

Absolutely! I have always had waist length hair in great condition. Always just a regular trim and no die or perms- and late 40s still no grey and it is as it always was. But I swear by twice a week- gently heating coconut oil and put on my scalp and the entire length of my hair - leaving it for a few hours before a deep conditioner treatment.

Sadly the only thing that are proven to help with hair loss are choosing the right parents or using Regaine. Honestly look at the research, all the other stuff might make you feel better but it does naff all....you might also like to google telogen effluvium. A good diet can help if your diet isn't brilliant, try multivits if you don't already.
I am 72 and went short for the final time last year after starting to have a final hippy long as I can grow it phase in 2017. I don't think you are ever too old for the hairstyle you want if it makes you feel good.