Is long hair over 40 acceptable? Or do I need something shorter?

[Hatesponge]

I have very long, curly hair - if it was straightened it would be almost to my waist, but the curl pulls it up a fair bit. I have had it at least this length since I was 20-21. My hair is my 'thing' - all my Exs have raved about it, said it was my best feature etc.

However, I'm 40 next year, and don't know whether - even though I don't think I look my age (according to blokes in pub last night I can pass for 30 ) I'm getting too old for long hair and should cut it?

Aside from my advancing age what goes in favour of chopping it off is the condition of it is definitely getting worse as I get older, and it's hard work to get it to look really good, the hair itself is very fine and has a tendency to matt together

But, on the other hand, I've had my hair this long for almost all my adult life, so changing it drastically is a bit scary. I have a round face (which the hair hides!) and I don't know if short(er) hair would look right on me.

Anyone else given up their long hair? Or kept it??

[GrimmaTheNome]

I'm 50 and still have long hair. Its dead straight, but quite thick and natural blonde - not the slightest sign of grey [smug] - so as I've never had to mess it up with colouring its in good condition. I try not to let it get too far below shoulder length - its overdue a chop right now.

[meltedchocolate]

Oh Romilly has a good point. My hair is not fine and stringy yet so still looks great longer. Fine long hair is not the best when it's straight especially but with curls should be lovely :)

[meltedchocolate]

Gonna go against the grain. Long hair is SEXY. Women like to look stylish and trendy though so go for silly short cuts that are not feminine and do not look good. Any length is ageing if not kept nice and faffed with. I have had nboth very long and very short and all in between. The short was trendy but not sexy and was little you could do with it. I am growing my hair back again and only cut it last time (shoulder length :( ) to keep condition good. I like having it semi long (nipple length - having small boobs though and a long top half of my chest so about bottom of boobs for everyone else). I can style it in many way which people with short hair can't do. I can do my hair styles to suit my outfits and mood. It's great. Men love longer hair too which is not the most important thing IMO but is a bonus.

[Romilly70]

I am almost 41 - (3 wks to go!) and have thick, long wavy hair halfway between shoulders and waist. I personally think that if it is in good condition, it can look very youthful. am quite lucky cos I only have 3 or 4 grey hairs so don't bother dying it and also i soak it in olive oil overnight (put it in a pony tail & put a towel on your pillow) then shampoo it out the next morning. Will help your curls stay sleek.
Most people cut their hair short as it seems to get a bit thinner as you get older and shorter hair appears to havemore bulk.

If you have stringy fine hair with lots of grey, then cut and dye it, but if it's thick and luscious - celebrate it!!

[chickydoo]

I have long hair, I would hate my hair short! (tried once, didn't suit me) My hair suits me long, . I can put it up when I need to. I have highlights put in from time to time. Think I might some heated rollers as I fancy a few curls in it. I'm 43 btw

[janmoomoo]

Just dont have it cut into that ubiquitous middle aged womens haircut that all middle aged women going through the same thoughts as you go and have. You know the one I mean. I also dont like long to waist, but shoulder length is nice. Keep it I say.

[tethersend]

yy, all long hair must be chopped off at 40.

And, while you're about it, get those pesky teeth pulled out. Get a nice pair of falsies.

[Pinot]

Ooh no don't tell me that 40 is the cut-off point (pun intended).

I refuse to conform!

[ChinaInYourHands]

If your hair is matting, it sounds to me like it's too dry and you need to cut at least the ends. If long hair suits you, then keep your hair long, but perhaps not as long as it is right now. I agree that it's not a great look on adult women, (I don't even like it that long on Elle Macpherson and I think Jerry Hall's hair is really dated). But yes, curly hair looks better long and is easier to manage, so I'd keep it shoulder lenght.

[LadyClariceCannockMonty]

Oh, bugger the 'rules'. If you like it and it makes you happy, keep it.

I have short dyed hair at the moment but fully intend to grow it long when I'm old and let it be its natural grey. Yep, like a witch. Just because you're not 'supposed' to.

[cornsilksi]

bobs make my face look really square and fat because it is

[cyb]

I've tried to grow hair long (am 41 ) but have realised its face shape that counts

I suit a jaw length bob much better

If your hair looks good and is in good nick, keep it

Bitch

[cornsilksi]

short hair ages me now - was short in my teens and it made me look very young. Bastard mother nature.

[worldgonecrazy]

I think to help with condition you probably need to get it to a length somewhere between shoulder blade and elbow, when it's curled, so a little bit longer straight. I don't think long hair is ageing, mine is long and wavy and I'm 41. Perhaps it depends on what age the rest of you looks?

I used to get away with not paying too much attention but now I find I need to spend money on products and regular trims to keep it looking good. Your hairdresser should be able to advise you on what you need to do, maybe fortnightly deep-conditioning, etc. and colour for any greys that are popping up.

[bigTillyMint]

I had very long hair down to my waist when I was 40. But I have had it cut progressively shorter an it is now around shoulder length (and I am nearly 47). People often compliment me on how it looks and say that I look younger.

Long hair is fine, but it probably looks better cut into some sort of style as you near 50!

[IWouldNotCouldNotWithAGoat]

Keep it long, but just a smidge past shoulder-length is long enough imo.

Please don't join the legions of women with 'that' short do - the one that say 'I give up: I'll never be attractive again'.

[princessglitter]

auroraday, curly hair will matt together whatever the length (unless it is a crop) because that is what curly hair does! It requires lots of detangling to look good. Nearly waist length curly hair will spring up a lot shorter in reality.

[bibbitybobbityhat]

I had very short hair from 25 to 35 and love having it longer now (past shoulders). I am 48 but most people guess me at 10 years or more younger. I think Liz Hurley looks fine with her long hair, and Kate Moss, for instance. But yy to Liz Jones, oh deary me.

Lorraine Kelly length hair is good on the 50+ crew, isn't it? (hopeful).

[PJFanClub]

You could try going shorter in stages, maybe start off having it cut to bra-stap level to see how you like it. But make sure that you get it cut by someone who understands curly hair and knows how to take the weight out of it.

Maybe something like <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=thandie+newton&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=675&tbm=isch&tbnid=vAYxfpF9TI5RiM:&imgrefurl=www.newshawker.com/thandie-newton-biography-and-pictures/article-10930&" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">this style?

I have wavy/frizzy hair and have just discovered this which having tried everything has been the one thing that I haven't been disappointed with.

[Colliherts]

I always had long hair and thought I wouldn't be as attractive without it. But actually i have it quite short now and I think it suits me a lot better. You might be suprised at how much it suits you short.

[Hatesponge]

I will get the worst condition part cut off though - maybe 4 inches or so. Which will mean I don't need to worry about a style (have never had my hair in a style as such!), and its still long by most peoples standards but should improve its condition.

I do deep condition it myself once a week or so. It's always done the matted thing though even when I was little (and it was long enough to sit on )

[Ripeberry]

Acceptable to whom? Do what you want, none of their business. Now I'm just over 40yrs old and thinking of getting my first tattoo!
Only a small discreet one mind you

[thehairybabysmum]

Sorry, what Amelia says, really long hair not attractive(especially if 'matting'), always smacks to me of someone with no self confidence at all! Sorry!

Get it cut!! If you really don't like it then just grow it again!!

[CaptainMartinCrieff]

I have long hair (not waist length, but closer to waist than shoulders) and I've been wondering this too and I'm 34. I've got loads of grey so have to dye it frequently and quite honestly it's becoming a pain in the arse.

However I saw a woman who was probably late 50s the other day with long grey hair and it looked fantastic.

[Hatesponge]

Might have to keep it for a few more years then! :)

I know some women over 40 have long hair, but then for every Elle Mcpherson who looks amazing, there's a Liz Jones (who imo doesn't with her hair so long, facelift or not!).

I think I might have to lighten the shade a bit (again thinking of Liz - mine is not so dark as hers, but a darkish brown, so might need to go lighter)