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Original poster

Is long hair ageing?

54 replies

Pigleychez · 15/06/2015 21:54

Was chatting in a large group recently where someone had had long hair chopped off. People were complimenting her and the general agreement was that long hair was ageing.
I have long hair and it got me thinking if it was a common thought or not?. Average age of the group was early/mid thirties.

Im due to get my hair cut soon, was planning a trim but now wondering to go abit shorter?

OP posts:

Thread gallery

LadyMaryofDownton · 15/06/2015 22:02

Hi am 31 & I have quite long hair & I've no plans on cutting it. All my friends have long hair, personally I think it's youthful as long as it's well maintained. Isn't it a sign of verility?

I do know a few mums around my age who have their hair very short for practical reasons. I suppose it depends on your lifestyle & general look.

KanyesVest · 15/06/2015 22:04

It was for me! I had my hair bra strap length, keeping the grey at bay continually. I got fed up of all the maintenance so chopped it into a very short pixie and let the grey come through. It has taken about 5 years off me (I'm mid 30s).

MitzyLeFrouf · 15/06/2015 22:13

Long hair can be pretty ageing I think, but then so can really short 'mum' styles.

I think just past the shoulder is the most universally flattering length. Really long hair looks a bit WAG ish and a bit Cheryl Cole circa 2010.

MitzyLeFrouf · 15/06/2015 22:18

I was going to post a picture of Michelle Mone as someone whose long hair looks old fashioned and a bit ageing.....but she's conveniently had a haircut (probably preempted this thread) and now demonstrates how mid length hair looks more flattering and modern.

Thank you Michelle.

burnishedsilver · 15/06/2015 22:19

On me short hair is aging. I'm currently growing it back. It was a mistake to go shorter.

burnishedsilver · 15/06/2015 22:21

I class anything past the shoulder as long. I'm not a fan of very long hair at any age.

LadyMaryofDownton · 15/06/2015 22:26

Michelle's also has some work done, which has helped. Her hair is lovely though.

MitzyLeFrouf · 15/06/2015 22:29

Yes I thought her face looked a bit 'refreshed'!

iwantgin · 15/06/2015 22:30

Not necessarily.

I'm late 40s - and have had all lengths of hair. Currently a very short pixie cut.

I did worry more about the short hair cut being safe and 'middle aged' style, but I think it suits me. Maybe that's because it is summer though, and I am tanned. When I am pale and wintery no hairstyle suits me.

Floisme · 16/06/2015 07:09

I've always looked better with short haiir but now that my face is getting saggy I've gone shorter still and I'm really pleased I did - it means you see my cheekbones before you notice my jowls.

But I don't think you need to be worrying about that just yet - I'm probably 25 years older than you and some women my age still look great with long hair.

SpecificOcean · 16/06/2015 09:05

Any length could be a badly cut, unkempt frizzy or greasy mess which is very aging.
If you have it well cut in a style that suits you best and look after it, you will look great, whatever length.
My range seems to be shoulder length to bra strap. It's midway atm it's similar to Michelle mone's in white dress pic ^^.
I probably wont go further in either direction it's just not me.

crje · 16/06/2015 09:08

Collar bone length is very flattering imo
I think longer than that is a bit ageing .

nottheOP · 16/06/2015 09:10

Well liz hurley and Sandra Bullock look pretty young!

HellKitty · 16/06/2015 09:11

You'll hate me. I'm 47 with long hair - not frizzy!!! I was recently in a room with women I hadn't seen since school, half of them had very short hair. All very masculine looking. That to me was ageing. I refuse to have a uniform of that's what I should wear/look like at x, y and z age.

As for Michelle Mone, haven't seen the pic but the haircut might be there to hide 'work'.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 16/06/2015 09:12

Mine is mid way between the two Michelle photos (I'm 48), but it doesn't work well at shoulder length, if I don't blowdry it it is all floppy and lanky, if I do then it seems more Loose Women than I would like. Michelle's does look lovely in that second picture though. On me longer (bra strap length at the moment) brings out all the big bounces and waves and I can literally wash and go. Not sure what I'll do when it goes grey though, it's deep brown naturally and I'm not keen on the idea of colouring this quantity of hair. I henna it a couple of times a year at the moment and that's bad enough.

prepperpig · 16/06/2015 09:17

I'm in my early 40s and have very long thick hair past my boobs (which given that I've breast fed two babies means quite a long way down ).

IMO longer hair is softer anymore flattering as you age but by longer I mean mid length to long, not necessarily as long as mine. I think you have to have very good bone structure to pull off short properly.

If you have long hair though it is essential to have a good cut since it will break off as it gets to the end and those scraggly ends are what makes it look bad.

auldspinster · 16/06/2015 12:32

My hair is just past my shoulders, i've just turned 40, here's a pic of my mum and I on my birthday this Sunday past. Hope i can still get away with long hair!

Original poster

Pigleychez · 16/06/2015 12:45

Ok, So here's me on a evening out recently. Excuse the dodgy selfie, I'm crap at them!

Too long? Like I say its due a trim. Its straightened here too which isnt a regular occurrence. It naturally wavy so thinking any shorter and id look like a poodle!?

OP posts:

prepperpig · 16/06/2015 12:50

I think you'd benefit from having it cut to the level of the bottom of that necklace OP, but much depends on how much it lifts when its not straightened.

mrsdavidbowie · 16/06/2015 12:51

I would love longer hair but it just goes very flat and hangs either side of my face.

IsabellaP · 16/06/2015 13:01

I love long hair but know that a good cut looks much better on me. However, I just can't resist letting my hair grow long. Miss one hair appointment and that's it - the excuse I need to let my hair go wild again. I delude myself that it looks wonderful. Have just seen myself in a recent photo though and it really doesn't. As for my age, I'm old enough to know better! www.frockfriday.co.uk

Oly4 · 16/06/2015 13:28

I'm 39 and have long hair. But I keep it in good condition. I think short hair can be very ageing, unless the woman is pretty or striking enough for a very short crop. Most of the women I know have long hair and look fab. I think your hair just needs a tidy up OP, an inch or two off, maybe some layers?

Magicalmrmistofeles · 16/06/2015 13:56

I think a 'mum' short haircut is more aging. In my group, age around 35-40, one is rocking a rock chick platinum pixie cut and the rest of us have at least shoulder length hair and most of us longer than that.

HellKitty · 16/06/2015 14:14

I agree with the short 'mum' cut but I'm probably in a weirder friendship group to you. In my immediate circle of women (45-50) there's me with long scarlet hair, a couple of long bobs, one Mohican and a Chelsea skinhead. Single handedly ruined the ozone layer through the years.

mrsdavidbowie · 16/06/2015 15:47

What do you consider a mum cut?
( hopes desperately I do not have one)

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