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Original poster

So what age should a woman cut her hair short?

34 replies

LesleyPumpshaft · 18/08/2012 16:03

Hello to all you stylish Mumsnetters. Smile

I would appreciate you advice on whether a 35 year old woman should have long hair (a few inches past shoulder length).

I love having long thick hair and it is in great condition, even my hairdresser says she is jealous. Grin She thinks I should keep it long, but I have noticed that most women get to 'a certain age' and suddenly decide to have their hair much shorter. Is this obligatory or something? Confused

I don't feel ready to cut off most of my hair, it is like a lion's mane only straight and black. Grin I'm just wondering if having long hair at my age is not the done thing.

OP posts:
AmberLeaf · 18/08/2012 16:05

Well I'm older than you and mine is as long maybe longer!

So no I don't think you 'need' to get it cut short.

BeeBee12 · 18/08/2012 16:06

35? Now way in hell would I have it could short at that age.Maybe 70 I will consider cutting mine.

berri · 18/08/2012 16:06

Don't be silly! There's no age you 'have' to do anything with your hair!

monkeysmama · 18/08/2012 16:07

I'm your age and my hair is below my shoulders. I think it is ageing in a low pony tail but any other way looks fine. I'll be keeping mine for years to come.

BuntCadger · 18/08/2012 16:09

I'm 37 with waist length thick gorgeous dark red hair. I'll still have long hair as an old lady I hope, in a bun Grin

Original poster
LesleyPumpshaft · 18/08/2012 16:10

Phew, I'm glad you all have long hair too. Grin

Why do lots of women get to a certain age and chop their lovely long hair off though? I am curious.

OP posts:
MrsVamos · 18/08/2012 16:11

I'm also older than you (only by a few months I reckon, turned 36 in June Wink), and have 'long' hair a few inches below my shoulders !

Sometimes I get a bit fed up and have lopped it to just above shoulders (a la Mumsnet haircut) but I always end up growing it again...easy to put up for chasing after the DCs and muttleys...easy to look after if down.

I think some women make a mistake in getting nearer or turning 40 and lopping their hair off. If it suits you, and you like it, then don't get it cut !

It is certainly not a Big Bad Thing to have long hair over 35 !

usualsuspect · 18/08/2012 16:13

I'm 53 and have hair past my shoulders.

Victoria3012 · 18/08/2012 16:14

I'm 41 and my hair is half way down my back, I don't think there's a certain age that you have to cut it off. If you keep long hair in good condition it looks lovely AND you can do many different up styles when you fancy a change.

LadyInThread · 18/08/2012 16:14

I am much older than you OP and have shoulder length hair.

I can understand some women having their hair cut short around middle age if the menopause has caused the hair to thin out - as a short, layered cut can make it look thicker.

Other than that, age shouldn't come into it.

bonzo77 · 18/08/2012 16:17

It's like all things style - related. It's about why suits you and your lifestyle, not what other people do or think.

turkeyboots · 18/08/2012 16:19

My mother got the "Irish Mammy" do at 30. And at 45 was at a family do and noticed that not only did every women over 40 have the same do, none of them looked good.

She and all my aunts all have shoulder lenght hair now! Think as long as it looks good, have your hair however you like.

Cocochops · 18/08/2012 16:20

My mum had the most gorgeous long thick hair which she cut short at 36 because she thought she was too old for long hair (nearly 30 years ago now) She wasn't it looked gorgeous and she regretted it. It's definitely not an age thing so don't be tempted on those grounds!

charlottehere · 18/08/2012 16:23

Nope don't do it. i have rat ends so have a bob but otherwise long until forever.

Spuddybean · 18/08/2012 16:38

i am 35 and i have long hair. It is the only style that suits me as i have a round face.

I do think excessively long hair is creepy on people tho, especially if it's scraggly, unstyled and touches people (sorry, been on the tube and flights with other people hair in my lap and stuck to my arms ).

I do think faces change and there are older people who have kept the same hair do for too long without realising it doesn't suit them anymore. My mum has long blond highlighted hair, and while it's obv her choice, i do think a shorter shoulder length style, with a softer colour would suit her more.

However 35 is not too old. Personally i think i will be reviewing my style when i'm 50ish (or when i just fancy trying something new). I've had a lot off today (about 4 inches up to between boob and shoulder) as baby is due and it takes ages to dry when it's longer.

nosleepwithworry · 18/08/2012 16:41

i was 35 after i had ds.

thing is, i just tied it back constantly, so thought it was pointless.

i have a fab bob now.

mil was 62 when she died, she could sit on hers and it was still shiny brown...no dye on it at all!!!

ToothbrushThief · 18/08/2012 16:51

Long hair and approaching 50......

But I am considering a short style and this thread prompted me to google short styles

The websites are ridiculous though. They don't do 'normal' people

How can Pantene think this is a 'short style ???

Twaddle

greenhill · 18/08/2012 16:58

I'm 41 and my hair is glossy, thick and was waist length until 2 days ago when I had it cut to mid-back (so covering bra) as it's just been too hot to have it that long.

I've probably only had it short (chin length bob) for about 6 months of my adult life. My hair grows very fast.
A lot of other local mums have hair as long, or longer than mine.

I think long hair makes you look youthful as long as it is either natural, not full of grey strands or not wispy. I am guilty of pulling it back into a loose knot or topknot on the school run though...

Men with long wisps should have it cut off as it is a very ageing look.

My DB has beautiful, long and thick glossy hair as do several of my male cousins. They are in their 30's. As a family we have good hair.

I don't like the pressure some women feel once they have children to have the "mummy cut".

Original poster
LesleyPumpshaft · 18/08/2012 16:59

Having long hair is also great in the winter, I reckon it really does keep you warm if you tuck it under your coat!

Btw ToothbrushThief, they are not to be trusted. Grin

OP posts:
ToothbrushThief · 18/08/2012 19:18

I have long hair because it doesn't need cutting every few weeks. I can go longer saving time and money. I do use a vast quantity of conditioner though.

maybenow · 18/08/2012 19:20

i think the 'a certain age' is more like 50-60 not 35!!!

and if your hair is still in healthy condition at 60+ then no reason to cut it off but most people's goes a bit dry and brittle at the menopause and so looks better shorter.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 18/08/2012 19:20

I'm almost 36 and I'm not anywhere close to lopping of my hair. A plus side of long hair as you get older is you can put it in an updo which hides the grey!

Original poster
LesleyPumpshaft · 18/08/2012 19:35

I've been pressured by a few people so far to get my hair cut shorter and they have told me that I'm too old for long hair now. The first time someone told me that I was only 24!

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 18/08/2012 19:46

I had a Mummy Cut when I was pg with DS.
I looked like Haley Cropper from Corrie Shock.

Not a good look either to have a pinhead on a ginormous pg bump.