Long hair over 35 - still acceptable?

[Flighttattendant]

I was wondering what people think...is it a bit dodgy to keep long hair when you are, as it were, knocking on a bit?

I've recently decided that no it isn't, depending on how you do it. My plan is to wear it loose and scruffy until my face gets too old, then tie it up at the back until I am a granny.

I know there are others among us - shall we have a roll call? I'm interested to know how you feel about having long hair at our age, and how you style it.

Also are there any famous role models anyone can think of - I can't, offhand - most seem to lop it off!

Every time any friend of mine around the same age as me (mid thirties) gets her long hair cut short I always think the same thing:

'Oh my, that's made you look older'

Long hair is youthful, especially if well kept.

"I had heard and read that women of a certain age, (I'm sure it was 35) ought always to cut their hair as coming from behind, a man might assume she was a sweet young thing, and be shocked when he saw her face was that of a mature woman." I recall a column in The Sunday Times called 1661 - i.e. where the writer thought she looked 16 from behind and 61 from the front

Lol at the shocking man with faces - I did exactly this...I was walking home with my then long blonde hair and got a wolf whistle, never forget the look on the chap's face who did it in the car as he drove past the front of me to see my heavily pregnant tum (I carry all out front)

Flight, don't worry. I've often wondered myself whether I should cut my hair when I get past forty because you do hear some comments (on MN for example in the past) about long hair looking wrong on some women.

Long hair really suits me, I'm 34, and have no intention of chopping it yet.

Other long hair role models over 35: Kate Moss, Carla Bruni, Claudia Schiffer, Cindy Crawford, Vanessa Paradis...

I'm 43 and have long hair, it frames my face better, makes me look younger and slimmer. Had a short bob a few years back and was shocked when I saw photos of myself as I looked ten years older- even though it was a great, smart cut.

I always wear it down, never tie it back as I have grey temples that look really awful if displayed to the world. My hair is v. Straight now as I've had one of those keratin blow dry things, fab!!!!!

I in a huff too that at 37yrs you deem me to 'be getting on a bit'...

Off to nurse a hangover from a very late night drinking cocktails & tequila shots, dancing till the early hours and looking fab in pencil black crops, 6" stilettos and a black batwing off the shoulder drapy top, huge gold hoops and a thin gold chain, loads of eye makeup and lip gloss....

ooh, how could I at 37 - what a mutton I hear you shout..

Flight I forgive you, as I don't think you meant any harm...

I have a friend for whom long hair is more youthful. I have another friend for whom long hair is the only shape that is right for her face. But on me it is totally wrong both for my face shape and hair texture.

FWIW I always thought Fergie looked better with shorter hair.

Mary, how did you do the dancing in the 6"s? Or did you just plant your feet and move the top bits?

I am 40.

I paid, 6 weeks ago, an absolute fortune to get extensions.

I look miles better with long hair (well I think so anyway and this will let my own hair grow underneath)

Please don't tell me I have to go and get them all taken out

oh i hope so, I am 33 and its probably going to take me that long to grow mine i haven't really ever had long hair before, so it best be ok now, as the first time i would have had it!

spirit the cranberry cosmopolitans seemed to just losen up all my joints and I was able to recreate the madonna flashdance scene with great ease.

From a bloke's point of view (and I know you all really care ) I would say ... be careful.

Long hair is OK but you need to put a lot more efort in, keeping it coiffeured, coloured, etc. Its not a 'wash and go' thing after age 35. Same applies to men by the way.

A nice 'bob cut' like this looks great.

she is not 35!!! she is more like 45-50...

Been, once you get past 35 it's not men you want to impress, it's other women.

Mary, that is very impressive. However many cranberry whatsits I had I would still have turned my ankle which would probably have spoilt my look a bit. Not joints, just can't do stratospheric heels since having dc and living in flats for so long!

Yes!! are you my mum!?

she thinks I should get a ladies do. My hair is only just past my shoulders.

Sometimes she laughs at women of about 43 ish who imo have great hair. Hardly repunzel. Just long ish. bizarre.

I hate long frazzled straggly hair that needs six inches chopped off the end, regardless of age.

I'm 45, and until four weeks ago, had long hair, have just had it chopped off, but will be quite happy to grow it again. I think that after 40, whatever your hair, you should keep it looking good. No split ends, decent condition, reasonable colour whether that's natural or dyed. Am currently experimenting with mine to see how grey I really am - am quite looking forwrad to being a silver fox! But length is really not the issue - more important to get the cut right that suits you and your style; and that could be long, short or inbetween. This is one area where you having a good hairdresser who you trust is essential - if they are good, they'll tell you if you're channelling creme de mouton, and will only let you have a style that works for you.

My mum is like that too but hten she models herself on lulu and her only offer of help when ds was a baby was to come round on her way home from work to give me a chance to put on lipstick before dp got home

i am 47 and dreamt the other night i had short hair.What a relief when i woke up and found it wasnt true.I just cant stand it .Nothing would make me part with my long hair just past shoulder length when straightened .I wear it up and down and sometimes it does get on my nerves a bit but the alternative is hackett IMO

Mine's "wash and go", and looks pretty nice long in my opinion.

Mary, you didn't say whether you have long hair!

36-year-old here. Mine's been long for three or four years, but I do get trims religiously and colour tweaked gently every second appt. No greys yet and naturally very straight. Planning to keep it long for now, will reassess as the years pass but I agree maintenance is the key.

I used to blowdry it each morning but haven't time at the mo, which is a shame as it makes a noticeable difference.

That depressing 'sexy and young when viewed from behind but old from the front' phenomenon is also known as 'Nana Kournikova', apparently.

I recently had my very long hair cut into a bob thinking that I ought to due to being 35 this year and I hate it!
I am willing it to grow as fast as possible and have no intention of ever making this mistake again no matter how old, I don't think it matters anymore, what matters is what you like, I like and miss my long locks!!

dirtymartini i am presently sporting a shorter crop, altho I've had long hair for the past 4 years...I like both, depends on what mood i'm in.

I am currently in a 'cropy' mood.

tbh, i do not think it matters a hoot, it's about what suits you....everyones different, you cannot be generic about hair.

Right, I'm going to do an experiment.

I'll link to a picture of someone from behind, then from the front - if you look at the behind photo, guess the age - then look at the second one. Do you still think the same?

I also want to know Beenbeta if you think the 'do' needs buffing up - this is very much the 'wash and go' look!!

Right. pic 1

and

pic 2

This is a friend btw!!!

Says photo is private.

Sorry, was going out and not sure when back so made them private as nobody had looked! Will un-private again for this evening.