Oh dear, I knew this would happen...

[Eliza22]

Advice please, if you've a moment.

I grew my hair from short, very blonde (see pic) to this.... It's dead straight and a dull mouse. I'm 52 and just feel like my hair's fading. Not grey yet just bland because I decided that if I was growing it, it'd be healthier without colour.

Now, I'm bored. And without loads of colour on my face, I look grey and washed out. So, my question is this.
1). Go for loads of highlights (but tint, not bleach)
2). Go for a full head permanent colour (which I've never, ever had and am worried about roots).
3). Ask for something colour wise, to "warm me up".

Don't want brassy, straw like locks though!
TIA :-)

The bob was a "half way" stage.
The Short I'd worn for 8+ yrs so, felt I'd go for a change
The long is now.

Just so ya know!

Is this what they call a stealth boast? I don't think you look washed out at all - you look great! That colour really suits you.

I think the bob is more flattering than longer,Why don't you get hairdresser or box semi permanent dye to see which shades work for you.From experience red tones make me look shocking but ash tones are flattering.You look amazing by the way,I would never have guessed you age.

I think you suited the bob more

I think the grey really drains you, I really don't understand why anyone wants to be grey (but that's another conversation!), I'd go back blond, but I'd ask the hairdresser which way to do it.

I'd go for more highlights. I tried going natural and hated it, much happier with my highlights and you really suit the blonde.

Would you mind me asking what face make up you use as your skin is a lovely colour and glowing? I need help in that area as am rather pasty looking!

1. The bob really suits you.
2. You have similar natural hair colour/tones to mine and if you're anything like me, once you get highlights back in you'll feel sooo much better.
3. You do NOT look 52!

You have lovely bone structure
The short blonde bob suits you and takes 10 years off .
I agree with Karbeagrey -no way !!!!

I'm horribly insecure, like many women. My mums my worst critic who saw me last week and told me "no one would give you a second glance now. Get your hair cut 'cause long hair really ages you!" And "the colour is awful!" Funny isn't it, at 52, my mum can still make me feel utter shite?

I've been a bit poorly of late. Been in hospital taking a raft of tablets! been poked, prodded generally mucked about with and still not sorted so, that's maybe why I feel grim. Am going out for my birthday at the weekend and would like SOMETHING doing for then. Have an appointment on Thurs morning with my lovely hairdresser but she's seen me through all these phases on the way to longer hair and I don't want to give her "heart sink" as in, "here we go again" poor love

I LOVED that bob so thanks for the "yes" vote on that.
Karbea which one is GREY? Short, bob or long?

WTAF is your mum's problem?? No excuse for making you feel like that. I promise you will feel better after highlights! Don't worry about disappointing the hairdresser - bob it :)

Blonde bob is best.

You are a beautiful woman Eliza.

By the way, my Mum only says nice things about me. I am always astonished when I hear of parents being 'blunt'. It must have such an impact on self esteem.

I think you look great in both, but slightly younger in the bob - I think it suits your colouring. I'd have done whatever you had done at that stage (highlights?). I think a full head permanent would be ageing and a pain with roots, plus would not look natural.

Love the bob and I think the colour really suits you. You look really lovely!

I'm 47 and have been blonde forever but went a kind of auburn(ish) colour recently and I really like it. Took a bit of getting used to but I think I'll keep it for a while but I am much paler than you.

I have no clue when it comes to hair - i'm struggling with my own battles on that score. Although i think the bob looks better if im honest.

I do know though that you don't look anywhere near 52, so for your mothers faults she gave you amazing genes that most people would die for!!!

Up to mid/late teens I was really blonde. Then, it went very ashy-mouse so I started highlighting and continued all my adult life. Sometimes very "baby" blonde like so....

Sometimes, warmer like this with some bleach and some godly warm. Sorry for all the pics but Thursday, I need it sorting!

My mum, bless her, is perpetually disappointed by each of her children. Me and my sister laugh it off and my DH thinks she's bonkers!

Thanks all, for the compliments. Looks like it's the blonde bob then!
Jemster the makeup is Bobbi Brown BB Cream in Fair. Guerlain bronzing powder and Clinque Smouldering Plumb blush. Used the same for a long time.

it's always the first thing my mother says to me

"goodness you are grey....that's long, all straggly... i just don't know why you do not have a few nice blonde highlights "

along with "you used to be white blonde you know!"

in your pics i think the bob really suits you...also the colour.

Actually, the very, very blonde bob was a swine. Couldn't get a comb through it without a ton of conditioner!

FIFTY TWO!?!?!

yes to blonde bob - I'd go full head of highlights if I were you

i've got a long thin face too and when mine is long it makes it look even longer and thinner...

I've had a fringe cut in too, makes me less long - something else to consider

Clinique Smouldering PLUM blush

Bob is lovely. I'd be tempted to go for something a bit choppy and textured to show off your scandinavianesque gorgeous face.

The bob is much more youthful, I'd say the longer length is ageing you but even then you still don't look 52, no way!! With the bob you look early 40s and agree that you have fabulous bone structure, you lucky thing

You suit shorter hair better. And I would go for option 1. You look great for 52! :)

Definitely go blonder. It is less aging against the skin tone as you get older and any dark lines and shadows are less noticeable with lighter hair. It illuminates the skin too. When I have had my hair darker there are many more shadows on my face and it all looks more drab.

Your mum is nuts. You are beautiful.