Long hair on a forty plus woman

[Mitfordhons]

When I was younger I thought older women looked a bit mutton with long hair, but things have changed. I'm not sure if it's part of the cultural shift that says 60 is the new 40 and so on or if it's just that I'm now older, but I just don't see it now. I'm in my late forties and have long hair, I'm fortunate that it's thick and in great condition, but am I deluding myself? Every few years I cut my hair short and I always regret it so I don't want to and I do feel it's a bit frumpy on me, but is it just as bad to have young looking hair on a not so young face? When is the - excuse the pun - cut off?

is perfectly fine and no-one else's business, imho...

I think it totally depends on your hair type and whether it suits you long in the first place.

If it's long and thinning with lots of grey frizzies then you run the risk of looking a bit witchy but greying doesn't happen at a certain age, I know women in their 50s with lovely long thick hair which just needs there merest colour touch ups to keep it young-looking.

Well everyone is different, my hair really doesn't suit me long. I also think there are women who would secretly love to have shorter hair, a lovely pixie crop to show off their features but are scared about upsetting their husbands so they convince themselves long hair is the only hair to have. There are plenty who have opinions on their partner's hair, however wrong that is.

I had long hair cut last year. Am in my 50's. I'd had short hair for years and hit 50 and decided to grow it "one last time". But... I had it cut again recently and now regret it. I had so much hassle about it and decided I was "too old for long hair".

You should have it as YOU want it, as long as it's healthy and well kept.

I think very short hair and very long hair can be equally as ageing. Obviously it depends on your face shape etc. but I think most people suit a length that's somewhere in between.

I think Jerry Hall looked fantastic when she lobbed a few inches off her hair. But she must prefer the longer hair as she soon grew it back. I think the main thing is to have the hairstyle you want and not the hairstyle you feel a woman of your age should have. Those kinds of rules are such old hat!

I'm never going for either short or bobbed. For me personally thats the way to frumpsville.
Mine's staying long, why on earth would anyone care though?

I was thinking about this in a very boring staff meeting at work recently. As I looked around the room (Approx 100 adults, about 35 women) and realised that the vast vast majority of women had long hair and the 'when you're getting older cut your hair thing' seems to have totally disappeared- in my area at least. I'm delighted as I have no plans for cutting mine!

I'm 55 and had a longish layered style for a long time. I do not yet have enough grey to want to colour my hair. A couple of days ago I fancied a change and had it cut into a chin length, geometric bob. Because I fancied a change, age didn't really figure in the decision. Why is a bob frumpy?

Nothing screams 'provincial' loser than a woman wibbling on about women having to do this that and the other at a particular age. Actually, it makes her sound like a peasant from some village many miles from public transport, electricity, and running water.
Seriously, it's a weird cultural throwback, almost certainly tied to hang-ups about women's sexuality and subjectivity.
Choose for yourself. It's the C21.

'Louder' not 'loser'.

And, in real life, if you came out with the 'mutton' remark, I'd be earnestly telling you how great you'd look with a pixie cut.

Surely it depends on lots of things?

There is long hair and long hair. How long are you talking about OP?

I don't think waist length hair does anyone any favours except maybe an 8 year old. It's all a bit Alice in Wonderland.

But hair that it long enough to touch your shoulders are slightly longer looks fine if it's in good condition and suits your face shape and dress style.

Personally, I think hair no longer than the Duchess of Cambridge is ok for almost anyone 40+ if their hair is good. Any longer and it tends just to 'hang' or be pushed back over the shoulders, so you may as well chop 12 inches off it anyway as you don't see any from the front!

The fact is though that most women's hair thins after menopause - each hair thins, not the amount of hairs - and can become very high maintenance to keep it looking full and shiny.

I agree with you to a point Polly.

Waist length hair is indeed a waste, unless it is a brazen, curly mane like Shakira's.

Curly haired women rarely suit wearing thei hair any shorter than shoulder length.

Well that's me told .

I was having a wobble as I've just booked a haircut so was having a mental review of my hair. Of course I know that I should do whatever I like but tbh I'm struggling with getting older, but I will keep my long-ish hair.

I love the sound of the lady you saw Dudsville, I will embrace the grey when it starts to take over.

How long is your hair exactly? Is it in a style?

I had waist length hair till I was about 40. It was just straight and I thought it was looking frumpy. I have had shoulder-length since then and I'm 51 now. No intention of going shorter as it needs weight to pull it down as is incredibly thick.

My hair is down to my nipples - it is dark brown with no grey. I am 67. If people don't like my hair, they can look the other way as far as I am concerned. I wear it in plaits or up and love the fact that I can choose how I want it to be each day, and it is dead easy to do. I love my long hair!

late 40s OP is actually quite young! When you said women 40+ I assumed you meant women in their 60s, 70s and 80s! You're not even 50 yet!
Maybe you are allowing yourself to be old before your time?
How long is your hair now?

Hair is somewhere between shoulders and boobs, I have it cut regularly so it's in good condition. I love your comment Polly, I'm definitely not old before my time, I just worry that might make me a bit silly. Anyway, I've been told now, so I'll stick to staying stylish although it's increasingly difficult with teen daughters who regularly steal my clothes and shoes.

I'd agree with the posters who say that rigid rules are silly; much depends on face shape and type of hair. Long hair which is well cut can suit any age, although I don't think "Alice in Wonderland" length hair looks good on an adult.

More important IMO is how the hair is maintained and styled. A greasy pony tail does not equal "sexy long hair" whether the owner is 25 or 65.

Keep it long. Old guys love it. Love it. My mother died a couple of years ago - she gave me this advice before she left ... "Don't have your hair cut!"

I'm 39 and mine is way past shoulders. I love it, DH loves it, it's staying!

I have long hair (halfway down my back) and am over 40. People regularly compliment me on it. But I do spend a lot of time and money looking after it. I don't see why I should get it cut short just because of my age.

Interesting....I'm 49, and my hair is longer than it has ever been in my life. Currently between shoulders and bra strap, so not long long, but it had been short for years.

I was starting to worry if it looked odd at my age, particularly as I have a fair few greys, but I'm now reassured!

It does take a lot more effort to keep in good condition, though. For the first time in my life I'm buying moisturising conditioners and hair masks.

I think well looked after hair looks the best whether short or long. And not too 'done' - a bit of movement is nice.

I like long hair and it looks great but can be a ball ache. I have an inverted bob which looks good with my curls. I want to try a pixie cut but not until I've dieted my double chin away! I'd also like really long hair again, even though it would take me the best part of a day to dry when long.

there's no age cutoff now. It is 2016.

I am NEVER going to have the old lady cut you see round my country town. Even when I am an old lady.