40, straight brown going grey hair. When does long become mutton?

[jennifersofia]

That's it really - I had it short, but family and friends felt it was not 'soft' enough (and I like not having to get it cut every 6 wks). Is long hair acceptable on 40+? (Layers aren't brilliant with my hair as it is fairly fine)

I am not sure that age has that much to do with it - I think it depends on your hair type more than anything.

I am over 40 and have considered growing my hair but the reason I won't is that it is too fine, even though there is a lot of it. Several hairdressers have said that it is best not to go longer than shoulder length,
so it depends really on how fine your hair is. Fine hair seems to just hang and go limp if it is too long - I had it longer in my late 20's and looking back, it wasn't great.

Interestingly I think the opposite to you about layers - I have a layered bob as without the layers my hair is completely flat. The layers give it a bit of body.

Do you have a style in mind?

I think long hair is fine, as long as it's in good condition (although I'd like to add a disclaimer that if you like it, then everybody else should just sod off)

I'm 39 and have pretty long hair and think it looks fine. In fact I've been umming and ahhing about cutting it for around a year, just for a change, and most people's initial reaction to that has been a resounding NO! Tough though as I'm having it done anyway - it can always grow back.

Long hair seems to suit some people regardless of age. I don't think age should have anything to do with it. I wonder who makes up these "rules" about what we can and can't do at certain ages.

My hair is past my shoulders and I'm way over 50. I think it depends on the condition of both your hair and face. I have a pact with my best friend to be brutally honest with each other when it comes to the mutton thing. Our Dhs would never dare.

I keep mine to shoulder length as it has become finer since hitting 40+. I am 45 in November.

I've had a friend tell me to cut my hair - but DH likes it long, even the hairdresser has said how she has always admired my hair (I'm 43) - so if the hairdresser thinks its OK, I'm sticking with it (and I like not having to get my hair cut regularly as well - money is a bit tight and I'm saving a fortune!)

Mine is shoulder length at 40 but I do colour the grey!

The solution I think is to keep it long, but when you reach an age where you feel a bit too old to have it loose, you stick it up into a glamorous thing on your head and it looks stunning.

Mine is at boob level and still growing, I'm 36. DP likes it long, but I don't feel like myself unless it is and this is someone who cut it all off after each child - really short both times.

I've decided to keep it long as I've tried the alternatives and they don't work on me sadly. I love short hair too though.

my Granny still has waist length hair as she always has, she's about 85. For the last million years she's worn it curled up on her head a bit like a Danish pastry. Lots of pins. She looks definitely very suitable and dignified.

Mine is long-ish somewhere between shoulders and boobs and I'm over 40. I think the key is to keep it in good condition and not get into the habit of washing and going. I spent a few minutes this morning straightening mine and have had so many comments today that it made me realise that I've let it go recently.

Thanks ladies. Well, I think I am going to keep going. (Am growing it out and it is driving me crazy - not yet long enough to tie back yet). Thing is, when my hair is long, I just always always tie it up because I don't like it in my face. I had it in a between shoulder and chin length bob for years but then worried that it was too 'mumsy' and hacked it all off. I think I will go for long-ish with layers..

You could always tie back the top half like a half ponytail, etc.

I actually often do wash mine and go out with it still damp - it looks scruffy but then so does the rest of me. Once it's dried I brush it obv. (if I do it when wet, it goes a hideous 'straight with a funny kink' which doesn't suit me - you get a wave if you leave it)

It can get in the way but when it's already long it's far easier to tie back into a ponytail or plait.

Yes, my hair is getting longer and I never wear it down. Hate it in my face and always just twist it up. Had a shortish bob for ages and am now growing longer with layers. No doubt I will get annoyed with it at some point and have it all cut off again.