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.

Nope I’m 41 & have absolutely no intentions of cutting my hair… don’t know anyone who’s hit 40 and been told that they should cut their hair short.

Your hair is beautiful, I'd need extensions for mine to look like that. I have serious hair envy!! What shampoo do you use?

I'm a similar age OP and I don't think this has been a thing in my lifetime. Maybe back in the 50s and 60s.

I suggest you get a bit more discerning about the content you're viewing online.

I have used the lavender and geranium Faith in Nature shampoo, just because it was the only one I could get. It felt nice and mild and didn't seem to leave anything behind, if you know what I mean (my hair is very long and very fine). The downside was that my hair was very tangled afterwards. Currently using John Frieda Volume and Lift, which has to be my favourite for a long time. My hair feels hydrated but not as if it has residue on it, it does have volume and it is also easy to brush my hair afterwards.

But why is it considered the norm to have long hair whatever the age? As I said, if it is thick and in good condition it looks glorious long, like my grandmother who had a lovely, silver bun into her nineties, but so many women do not suit long hair when it’s thin and fine as so often happens past 40. It does nothing for facial features and enhances the worst bits of aging, jowls, double chin, because the thin hair isn’t a frame for the face. It’s as if some are frightened to cut it short because they think it ages them, so they’ll hang on to their long hair even though it’s unflattering. Perhaps no one is brave enough to tell them long hair no longer suits them, or perhaps they know and don’t care anyway! I’ve had long and short hair, and I’ll stick to short hair now, because being fine and thin, it’s the only way for it to look half decent.its become quite wavy in my later years, which I suppose is some consolation! If I had thick, luxurious hair I’d be wearing it long, but I recognise that as it isn’t, long hair would be most unflattering! I’d just like for some to appreciate that short hair in a pretty style, not butch, doesn’t have to look frumpy!

Yes, I am using this too, but needing something for inbetween treatments.

you need to change your shampoo regularly as hair gets used to it, or they change the formula.

You need silicone free shampoo as the plastic is weighing your hair down. It may take a few months to wash out - so don’t give up.

53 - waist length curly hair.

From where are you getting a message that long hair is not acceptable over the age of 40?

Most women have long hair these days at any age, and certainly most mature female celebrities do also.

I'm 49 and never heard this in my life away from Mumsnet.

Because its not about what is attractive or flattering really, it's about appropriating the codes of youth

It's a question of choice, though, not being told what is appropriate at a certain age. Short hair or long hair it's a personal choice. Naturally, given the original question, women with long hair have responded.

Is this the stuff you can eat too? Bonus!!!

Do you have fine hair?

If your roots are itchy, you might try a ketoconazole shampoo. I use it every couple weeks. Brand name here is Nizoral.

Another thing that might help is blow drying using low heat towards the scalp and flipping your hair over.

I use a microfiber towel after my hair care because my hair takes forever to dry if I don't use that or blow dry. I've had an Aquis towel for years that I use.

I’m 47 and have hair to my mid back. My mum is nearly 70 and has hers past her shoulders.

I’ve had short hair before, but am too lazy for the six week trims it needs to keep it looking good. Long hair is lower maintenance, so I will be keeping mine long for as long as it looks good long.

I’m 55 with hair about an inch or so below shoulder length. It’s grey/blond as I’m beginning to let the grey in with the help of my colourist (that sounds poncy!)

Im lucky to have thick hair - I use Elvive purple, can’t say I’ve noticed a change in it. I also use wonder water on the bottom half. Only wash it twice a week.

i use Aussie hair rescue spray and a Kérastase styling serum - also hair oil on the ends every morning - it’s in pretty good condition

Yes you can cook with it too. I don’t- it’s only for my hair

I've had no hair, short hair, long hair

I wear it exactly how I want to, forever

There are no rules !

Love yourself !

I'm finding it interesting (and a bit odd, tbh) what people are classing as "long hair" here. I don't consider hair touching your shoulders to be long at all. To me, that's still short hair, past shoulders is shoulder length, past shoulders blades is long.

@BestieBunch I've got hair envy now, your hair is fab!

And though many look fantastic with long hair, some don’t suit it- they think they will look older, and frumpy with short hair, and the truth is, they might well look better with shorter hair. Long hair really doesn’t equal looking young but that’s what some believe!

I had long hair well into my 60s!

I don't think it's so much the norm as current fashion, in the same way short hair on women was fashionable in the 1950s and parts of the 1960s and 1980s. You're right, long hair doesn't suit some people, but I'm not convinced there are a lot of women out there scared to cut their long hair simply because of their age, I think most of us older women who still have it long do so simply because we like it. 🙂

Champo Pitta shampoo and conditioner have done wonders for my hair. I'm early 50s and have no intention of cutting it. My MIL has thick, shiny hair past her waist at nearly 80 and it's absolutely gorgeous.

Ive never heard anything about women over 40 not having long hair in 20 years. That was the attitude in the 80s

I don’t think “society” says this at all anymore. Maybe 30 years ago.
Who are these people who you say are deeming long hair unacceptable? Do you live somewhat particularly conservative and old-fashioned?
I haven’t heard anyone younger than my 95 year old grandmother ever say anything of the sort.

I have long grey hair at 44. Sleep with a silk bonnet and my hair is in such good condition.