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Original poster

Short hair in your 40s? Advice welcomed!

32 replies

Teaistheanswer · 03/01/2017 11:18

A bit of background, I currently have fine, just-above-the-shoulder hair in a bob style. I look after my hair and have it cut regularly but just lately it seems a bit frizzy and flyaway.
Was watching some home videos with the family last night in which I had short hair. It looked really nice and it started me thinking would it be a good idea to chop it off and start again! Although, I was obviously 15+ years younger so am worried that my 45+ hair wouldn't look that good!
Any advice welcomed Smile

OP posts:
slug · 03/01/2017 11:48

I'm 51 with what is almost a buzz cut. I love it and, after getting over the shock, most people admit it suits me.

I have my hair this short because, frankly, I can't be bothered looking after it. It takes minutes to try, requires no styling and if you fancy changing the colour, there is no waiting for it to grow out. Currently I'm sporting a bright auburn but this is being removed with my next cut and I think I'll go bright red for a while.

Original poster
Teaistheanswer · 03/01/2017 12:20

That sounds great slug! Especially the easy to care for part! I spend ages blow drying mine only for it to look like a frizzy mess as soon as I go outside Grin How long was yours before you took the plunge?

OP posts:
Newbrummie · 03/01/2017 13:03

I think it depends on your face, I look like a man with short hair but if you are pretty you can pull it off

Original poster
Teaistheanswer · 03/01/2017 13:08

Oh dear new that could be a problem! Grin

OP posts:
ladylambkin · 03/01/2017 13:10

I'm 45 and have short hair I love it and people comment on how lovely it is Smile

niminypiminy · 03/01/2017 14:01

You don't have to be 'pretty' to have short hair- I'd certainly be buggered if that was true! I give you Jamie Lee Curtis - a very handsome woman, but not pretty or petite or feminine. And she looks awesome with short hair (+ grey hair + glasses).

Short hair in your 40s? Advice welcomed!
Newbrummie · 03/01/2017 14:14

I'll rephrase that .... Attractive then. Not like a man as I would look

Original poster
Teaistheanswer · 03/01/2017 14:18

A very good point, she always looks good. She certainly rocks the grey (another thing I have now that I didn't have before when my hair was short Hmm ) Thanks for the advice everyone. I will let you know if I take the plunge. Good luck with your new year style ideas!

OP posts:
MrsArthurShappey · 03/01/2017 14:28

I'm 40. Last year I had my hair chopped to look like this (except mine's a natural brown now mostly grey). I luuuuuurve it, it's taken years off me, and is very flattering to my chubby face and double chin. And it's so easy to manage. My hair, which was always longish, naturally curly and a beautiful glossy brown, had just turned awful in my mid-late 30s. I just couldn't make it look good, even with a really good cut. Now, it's no effort to look really good! Some mornings I literally just run my fingers through it and I'm away. And it looks flat if I condition it, so I'm saving time and money too! (although it does need regular trims)

Best thing I ever did Smile

Short hair in your 40s? Advice welcomed!
Original poster
Teaistheanswer · 03/01/2017 16:54

MrsArthur you are definitely selling it to me now! I would love to not have to spend ages faffing about with my hair! I think the only concern I have left is that because it is fine will it look like I suddenly have hardly any hair Shock although it's certainly not baby fine and being one length doesn't help with volume.
Maybe this year is the one to take that step. Thanks again for all the positive advice Smile

OP posts:
Stradbroke · 03/01/2017 17:21

I have short hair and love it. I am neither pretty or look like a man.

LockedOutOfMN · 03/01/2017 21:11

MrsArthurShappey Great hair! How can you be 40?!

CauliflowerSqueeze · 03/01/2017 21:17

She looks LIKE that. She's not the person in the photo

LockedOutOfMN · 03/01/2017 21:18

Sorry, Cauliflower. I misread.

justkeepongoing · 03/01/2017 21:19

I'm the other way I had an extremely short hair (urchin cut ) until I hit my forties and then I grew it. Had it varying long lengths for nearly 12 years. I think that I look younger with longer hair but it's all subjective. I'd go for it if that's what you fancy. A change is as good as a rest!

roundandroundthehouses · 03/01/2017 22:14

I'm 47 and just starting to find that short hair isn't working for me any more. My hair is still mostly dark but the grey is increasing, I also have glasses and have put on weight lately, as well as starting to look my age when for years I looked a fair bit younger. Basically, I'm nowhere near as attractive as Jamie Lee Curtis and the whole combination has started to look decidedly frumpy.

So I think it just depends on your own particular style and features. I had my short crop for 10+ years and it's only really the past year or so that it's stopped looking good. I think now that I'm older I'd have to look more generally 'groomed' and neat to carry it off, and I've always been a bit more, ahem, casually presented Wink.

MrsArthurShappey · 03/01/2017 23:01

cauliflower ssshhhhhh! Thank you lockedout I am veh veh beautiful and youthful Grin

tea if you go to a really good hairdresser you trust they'll know a way to cut it so it doesn't look too thin. Mine is a miracle worker! And there are lots of good 'texturising' products out there.

CauliflowerSqueeze · 03/01/2017 23:10

Ha! Your secret is out mrsarthur !
locked - no problem - sorry if my response came across a bit snippy - not meant at all.

Original poster
Teaistheanswer · 04/01/2017 16:55

Thanks MrsArthur I think you make a good point, a good hairdresser will know the best way to cut it short. I think a bit of colour might be in order too. In for a penny and all that Grin

OP posts:
GatherlyGal · 04/01/2017 19:04

I've had short hair for a couple of years now. I took the plunge when allergic reactions meant I couldn't keep covering up the gray. I decided that nicely cut greying hair was better than long and straggly.

I love it and frequently get complimented on it.

A fantastic hairdresser is key.

ConkerTriumphant · 04/01/2017 20:32

Love love love short grey hair! I'm mid-40s

Short hair in your 40s? Advice welcomed!
Short hair in your 40s? Advice welcomed!
MrsArthurShappey · 04/01/2017 21:07

Ooh conker that's a great cut, love it. I've been getting increasingly short back and sides with each trim, as I'm getting braver 😃

Original poster
Teaistheanswer · 04/01/2017 22:15

Wow conker that is a great cut! It's really great to hear all your experiences and advice. I'm going to have a chat about going short with my hairdresser on my next visit. She's been cutting my hair for years so knows it really well but has never yet cut it short for me...I think she'll think I'm having a mid-life moment! Grin

OP posts:
CoffeeDiamonds · 28/01/2017 18:07

Did you do it?!

TheOriginalAngel · 28/01/2017 18:27

Oh wow ladies! I want short hair now. I used to have a buzz cut in my late 20s and early 30s but grew it long and it is now past my waist.

All I do is tie it back, and it is such hard work to look after. I am 47 with 3 small children. I cannot afford to maintain a short cut, unless it was a buzz cut.

I have put on weight, have glasses now, but very little grey.

I want a pink buzz cut!