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Original poster

Short hair on woman over 40.

54 replies

Thebfg75 · 21/08/2017 20:38

Hi! I'm 45, thick hair and not especially good at styling my hair (so would need low maintenance!) I've had a shortish Bob for years and am toying with the idea of having a short cut.
Should I? What sort of states would you recommend? Thanks!

OP posts:
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Original poster
Thebfg75 · 22/08/2017 09:09

Wow am really fancying this now. Have got one of those aps where you put your face in and try different styles. Some look lovely!

Bugger and Ziva I am a lesbian so don't mind looking like one.... Might get more girls that way Wink

Think I might get up and leave if a hairdresser said that though!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Thebfg75 · 22/08/2017 09:10

Restingbutchface you look fab!

OP posts:
50ShadesOfEarlGrey · 22/08/2017 09:10

I loved having short hair and found it really easy to style, much easier than the long bob I had before. But, it made me look old. Nothing to do with the style, this was when the urchin cut was trendy. I think it's to do a lot with colour. If I could have gone blonde I would almost certainly still have short hair now. But blonde looks dreadful on me, and short, brown, even with copper highlights, made me look like I'd come to the realisation that I was old, and taken that responsibility on board and gone for a trendy granny look.

No one else said anything (I mean nothing, no one mentioned my hair at all, which is quite telling I think) at the time, and I have now grown my hair and I get, "I quite liked your hair short, but long is much nicer " comments all the time.

Bluntness100 · 22/08/2017 09:13

I do think if you have a slim face it works better if I'm honest.

I'm 48 and my hair is quite long and wavy, to about belly button now, and I won't be going shorter soon, I've had it short a couple of times and in reality it ages me when it's short. I look like a typical middle aged mum.

My friend however has hers really short and she totally suits it, takes years off her and makes her long much younger and trendier. I don't think there is any one rule, it's all about the individual.

fluffiphlox · 22/08/2017 09:18

I was walking with a group of over-fifties (and there were about 50 of us, predominantly women) and there seemed to a uniform short grey haircut. All very ageing. Mine is longer than it's ever been and coloured and I feel I can do more with it, have more options for weddings etc. I'm nearly 60 and if I say so myself I don't look it (often told I don't). A lot of those other women did.

ZivaDiva · 22/08/2017 09:19

I didn't go back to that hairdresser I can assure you. I must have looked like a stranded goldfish in the chair I was so shocked.😆

CKBluebell · 22/08/2017 09:20

I'm 43 and I used to have this style. I loved it. Then I had a funny moment and had a short pixie cut which I hated after 2 weeks so I'm now trying to get it back to this.

Short hair on woman over 40.
buggerthebotox · 22/08/2017 09:27

I really like those asymmetric cuts: wish mine would grow that long, but it won't.

OP I hope you haven't taken offence at the "lesbian" comment. It was a failed clunky attempt at humour in reference to the pp's hairedresser's comment....

buggerthebotox · 22/08/2017 09:28

...meant to add a Blush....

Original poster
Thebfg75 · 22/08/2017 09:36

Lol yes realised you two were joking I would just be taken aback if a hairdresser said it to me....... Think the hairdresser knows I'm gay though so I guess she wouldn't Grin

OP posts:
Fosterdog123 · 22/08/2017 09:44

It's instantly ageing unless you are truly drop dead gorgeous, which the vast majority of us aren't. It's no good posting pictures of shorter hair on beautiful models - it will not look like that on you (or me).

nameohnameohname · 22/08/2017 10:05

I'm mid 40s and have had my hair this short for 30 years and I'm not even a lesbian.I've also embraced my silvers!

Short hair on woman over 40.
Original poster
Thebfg75 · 22/08/2017 10:50

Foster dog I'm not sure I agree. The people who posted on here look good and a close friend and my older sister both had short cuts which instantly lifted them, showed off their eyes and made them look younger. I think choosing the right cut and being able to maintain the style are vital though as it wouldn't take much for short hair to look a mess rather than styled.

OP posts:
PaganGoddessBrigid · 22/08/2017 10:56

sukithedog that is so funny!

I had my hair cut in a shape that I thought would flatter the wave years ago. Shoulder length. Lots of layers. Too many layers. It looked ok when I left but I washed it myself and went in to work without blow drying it and when I got to work my colleagues said 'well hello there Jonathan Creek

SukiTheDog · 22/08/2017 12:25

I had this... I guess NOT that short but easy in that I could wash it daily and comb then leave to dry naturally.

NameOhName I love that. The grey and the style.

Short hair on woman over 40.
Cocolepew · 22/08/2017 12:37

I'm 48 and wear my hair short, I look younger with it short and look better with a fat face 😊
This is a recent photo

Short hair on woman over 40.
Original poster
Thebfg75 · 22/08/2017 12:43

Wow both gorgeous cuts, am so inspired I actually rang my hairdressers to ask if they had any last minute appointments...., they didn't! Which is probably a good thing!Grin

OP posts:
Ridingthegravytrain · 22/08/2017 12:45

Mine is growing out a bit so I can get it permed ShockGrin

Previously it was about 2 inches at the longest part on top. It's so much easier but yes the cutting is a bit annoying

Chilver · 22/08/2017 12:50

I think it depends how short as to whether its high maintenance. I currently have long bob hairstyle (and am crap at styling it so mostly pull back into a ponytail!) but 4 years ago had chemo so lost all my hair. When it started growing back again, I loved it. Super short as in I didn't need to brush it or anything. I would go back to that again except I put on 3 stone after that from all the drugs Sad. Currently trying to lose that weight and when I do, I will seriously consider going that short again. I will be 40 next year...

Chilver · 22/08/2017 12:51

Cocolepew, I love your hairstyle and colour!

nextchapterplease · 22/08/2017 13:26

OP do it !!!
I am your age and did this last week and I feel so liberated. Don't know why I even let it get so long as have had it short in the past.

I don't need to wash it every day like I did when it was longer
I don't spend ages drying it just for it to hang limply around my face doing nothing for my features
I feel it's much less frumpy as it's got a really good shape and frames my face better.
I can rough dry it and go in about 5 minutes flat but can also spend longer when I have time to give it a bit more texture and volume ( am another pin head !)

You do need a really good cut though in my opinion.

Cocolepew · 22/08/2017 13:43

Thanks Chilver Smile, I was lying on the sofa so it wasn't very neat.
My colour at the front is natural but I have to bleach the rest of my hair to tone in with it HmmGrin

handslikecowstits · 22/08/2017 14:45

I can't post a pic but my hair is shorter than all the other pics on this thread. (My husband's is longer than mine and his is super short too.) I'm 39 and it has always been short. It's very thick and I do not have the time nor inclination to faff around with it.

I don't wear make-up and spend my life in trousers so I probably do look like a lesbian. I couldn't give one about conforming to a feminine aesthetic. I'm just me and every other woman ought to be too. Grin

SukiTheDog · 23/08/2017 17:05

Cocolepew is that your own colour? I LOVE it.

Cocolepew · 24/08/2017 10:27

The front and the sides are Suki. Its more a mixture on top and still quite dark at the back. I tone the rest of my hair in with it because it looks a bit patchy otherwise ☺

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