Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

what age to cut long hair short?

35 replies

FoxtrotMikiLima · 04/04/2011 14:34

I've got long hair and think it suits me...but..I saw a woman on the way to work who is probably not that much older than me (I'm 36) and she had extremely long hair scraped back in a scrunchie. I thought she looked awful and then it hit me...do I look that crap too?

When is the right age to cut your long hair short do you think?

My hair is not dead dead long (only mid way down back when not been to hairdressers for a couple of months) and I have a fringe (think a long haired less well groomed Claudia Winkleman type) but I'm thinking of having the chop...maybe.

All I think about when I see pics of Jerry Hall is not how attractive an older lady she is, but how old her long tatty mane makes her look. I'm no way near her age but this thought is really bugging me!

Any comments/advice?

OP posts:
Pagwatch · 04/04/2011 14:36

No. There is no right age.
It depends on your face shape and the cut, the state of your hair and your style etc .

The idea that there is one right age for all women for anything is ridiculous.

Aworryingtrend · 04/04/2011 14:36

Be brave and post a photo on your profile and we can tell you! I have just done this. Its the only way to get honest opinions. Its difficult to have a general rule as someone may look fab with long hair at 40 or someone could look awful at 25, depends on so much else.

bigmouthstrikesagain · 04/04/2011 14:45

first off scrunchy = crap looking hair.

I am 36 and have long hair so I am having similar thoughts - my hair is also getting grey at the temples so I have started dyeing my hair more often. I think you can have long hair if you are 'older' but it absolutely has to be in good condition and needs regular trimming etc. I don't see it as an all or nothing situation I don't want short hair but I may consider layers and short-er hair. It is all down to how you style it and what you wear and avoiding scrunchies! I use clips to hold my hair up chignon style but not too severe. Have to be nice clips (cheapy plastic don't work especially if you hair is thick). So I may be deluded but I think I still look allright. Except on those days when I have no time and have a messy ponytail/ bun type arrangement on the school run. TBH i get terrible cow licks with short hair and so I have to spend much more time styling when I have had short hair (years ago).

LillianGish · 04/04/2011 14:56

I don't think there is a right age, but I agree with you re Jerry Hall - I think her hair is very aging and it is a mistake to have the same look at 45 that you had in your 20s. This is especially apparent in her case when you compare her to her gorgeous daughters who - who look like she used to look when she was their age!! I also think anyone who has the long hair scraped back in a scrunchie look would be better off having the chop. One thing to bear in mind when considering what hair style suits you is that it's the hair that frames your face which counts - the rest is just hanging there. Lovely and glossy like Kate Middleton is good, unkempt, dull or even worse grey is never a good look.

Original poster
FoxtrotMikiLima · 04/04/2011 15:00

Ok, I've been brave. Photo up on profile.

Struggled to find one where I've got my hair down at all really.

Re: the scrunchie thing. I agree. Never!

OP posts:
0891 · 04/04/2011 15:04

you need to make it public, old bean

Original poster
FoxtrotMikiLima · 04/04/2011 15:07

yup. got that. :)

OP posts:
catladymanquee · 04/04/2011 15:07

Jerry Hall is a good deal older than 45, just between you, me and the lamppost.

Aworryingtrend · 04/04/2011 15:15

I think your hair looks fine in that picture- I would have guessed your age at 30-32 not 36.

fancyschmancy · 04/04/2011 15:18

You look about 16! Definitely not time for the chop!

Bramshott · 04/04/2011 15:22

My grandmother is in her 80s and has the most stylish long hair you could ever imagine.

WalterFlipsticks · 04/04/2011 15:22

I think long hair can look great until any age as long as the cut is right, it just needs to get softer the older you get... however, I would have guessed your age about 30 and you look great with long hair so worry not, put the scissors away!

purepurple · 04/04/2011 15:24

Your hair looks lovely and you suit it that length. I have just had my hair cut into a bob as I had to wear my long hair up for work and it made feel very old. I am 44

TheVisitor · 04/04/2011 15:25

You look so young! I'm growing my hair atm and I'm 41. It's lovely and curly though, and I do keep layers in it so it's nice and bouncy rather than heavy.

bigTillyMint · 04/04/2011 15:27

I think you look fine with your hair like that - definitely younger than 35!

I think it depends on the hair - thickness/colour/style.

My mother told me I should cut my hair by the time I turned 40. I have gone shorter and shorter, but it's still shoulder lengthGrin

MoonGirl1981 · 04/04/2011 17:01

You're absolutely gorgeous!!!

Your hair is lovely - leave it alone!

xxxxx

virginiasmonalogue · 04/04/2011 17:08

Oh I think you look lovely as you are and defo very young!!

I love experimenting with my hair. Have you thought of a colour change?

Hassled · 04/04/2011 17:14

I think your hair looks lovely - and also bear in mind that some short hairstyles are incredibly ageing. You can age a decade with a crap short haircut.

polyhymnia · 04/04/2011 17:15

What Walterflick sticks said. No set rules but does depend on cut. But you have no need to worry!

Have seen Jerry H out shopping and she looked very raddled - long hair just drooping there certainly didn't help.

suburbophobe · 04/04/2011 17:22

Nah, you look great! You don't need to cut it, unless YOU want to!

Personally, I try to avoid other people's judgements about how I "should" look, but go for what I feel comfortable with.

Stokey38 · 04/04/2011 17:31

I think your hair looks great. I am very, very nearly 40 and I have long hair and love it. In fact it's probably the first time I have ever really liked my hair. I just make sure the greys are kept at bay with regular cut and colour.

0891 · 04/04/2011 17:37

hear hear - long hair suits you. Maybe get a few soft layers in the length, but I like the fringe on you.

Just stay clear of scrunchies Wink

Chandon · 04/04/2011 17:58

I am almost 40 and have occasionally asked myself this question.

FWIW, I have put some layers in around the face, so it looks softer. So even if I pul it back, or put it up, I have some "bangs" framing the face.

All scraped back looks scary on me now.

fluffles · 04/04/2011 18:00

i think long hair is fine but ponytails are NOT fine except for exercise after the age of 30.

i only keep mine to the length i can always wear it down.

MooMooFarm · 04/04/2011 18:10

You look much younger than your age anyway so I wouldn't worry. But generally I think long hair looks good on anybody, any age, so long as it's in good condition, with grey roots kept in check, and regularly cut into a style rather than just 'hanging there'.

I think the problem with Jerry Hall is that she's stuck in a time warp. She still has the identical haircut to the one she had 30 years ago, so it's totally out of date and just makes you realise how much older her face has got!

Swipe left for the next trending thread