Long hair over 40

[Cinnabunbun]

I've always quite liked having long messy hair but now I'm in my 40s almost every friend seems to have cut theirs short. Is it weird to keep it long long? It's always looked a bit like Merida but suddenly it looks less boho and more scraggly witch. What do you think of below the boob length hair on 40s women?

Watching with interest....

Your hair your choice. If you like it why on earth would you want to cut it short.

Long hair is fab on anyone who has fab hair. Regardless of age. It does need maintenance though. I've always moved from long to short to long and got mine chopped again this Summer - couldn't cope with long hair in the heatwave. But I also realised I didn't have time to maintain it - it is hard work.

If you love your long hair, keep it - look at Elle McPherson, fab long hair, and Julianne Moore - again fab. I won't list the older famous women with awful long hair - mine kind of looked more like theirs (due to my laziness) before my chop!!!!!

Also, shorter hair also needs lots of maintenance to look good - as I've found out - but it suits my thicker, slightly wavy hair better.

I love my long hair. I've only ever had compliments - never anything negative about hair/age and I'm 56. If you've got reasonably good hair and can carry it off, age should be no barrier.

Your hair is fab cutesy, that's what I mean - if you have fab hair, enjoy it forever. There are amazing women in their 70's and 80's with beautiful, long grey hair. It is all about the hair though.

You also look so young!!!

I'm 40 next year and after years of a pixie box, I started letting mine grow last year. It's hitting shoulder length now. Once it's in good condition, there's nothing wrong with long hair at any age.

Don't go for the classic 'Mum Bob' just because you've hit 40, or worse again, the "I want to speak to a manager" haircut.

I am approaching my forties and I am currently letting my hair grow as well. If it's in the way to tie it in a ponytail, but apart from shampoo and a hairbrush I do no maintainance on it. It only takes a little longer to brush and dry, but apart from that I don't spend anymore time on it.

I'm 47 and still have long hair. I like it and it's easy for work. I don't think the old unwritten rules that we had to cut it off and perm/curl it are gone now

I think the idea of being too old for long hair is very dated. It's more about having a style than what length the hair is. Unstlyled hair gets harder and harder to carry off as we get older, regardless of how long or short it is.

I have really thick hair that's a pain in the bum wavy, so if it's short it takes a lot of work, if it's chin/shoulder skimming it's too hot, so longer is actually better for me. I've never had really long hair though, its best between shoulder and bra strap length. I'm mid forties, no plans to go short again for a while.

I have grey hair. I'm growing it. I'm 48.

Your hair is going to change and your face is going to change. Some women have very good reasons for going shorter e.g. if their hair gets thinner (more a post menopause than a 40 thing). Or your jawline might go south, in which case long hair might drag it down further. Or you might get bored with long hair and have an urge to see how it looks short. Or you might carry on liking it just the way it is.

The point is, 40 year old women don’t all look the same and they don’t all like the same things. The best thing to do is to keep your mind open and one eye on the mirror. Be ready to review it along with the rest of your wardrobe.

I'm 53 and have long hair.

Not sure where the ageist attitude that women should cut their hair less than half way through their lives comes from.

I'm growing mine. It's down to my boobs now. I do a fair bit of protein treating to try to reduce split ends, and lots of serum.

And I dye the hell out of it.

I spent years with it at a sensible length. Now I'm like fuck it, I want princess hair for once in my life dammit!!

I'm 42 and my hair is quite long. Most of my friends have either long hair or 'Mum bobs' I think the idea you shouldn't have long hair over 40 is pretty old fashioned.

Jeez I’m 50 and only started growing my hair at 46.
I had short hair when I was younger but I honestly think for most people it suits a slimmer face, good bone structure, lots of maintenance and at 50 that ain’t me.
There are no rules about age and hairstyles, do what you like, what you thinks suits!

I'm 48 and growing my hair.
I've grown out my grey too.
As long as you get a decent cut, every 8 weeks and look after your hair it will look great.

CutesyUserName

Your hair is amazing at any age!

I always kept my hair longish. Had to get it to a chin-length bob recently. Poor health, medication, menopause has done for me! Would still have it long if I could though.

It totally depends on your hair. I think you need to be a bit more proactive with trims and getting lots of moisture in there to stop it looking dry and crispy, but you don't need to get it chopped. I'm middle forties and currently have very short hair but haven't ruled out growing it out again. Short hair needs lots of regular cuts!

I’m late fifties & have shoulder length hair, it’s thick & quite swishy thanks to a brilliant hairdresser, I like the versatility I can leave it down or in a pony tail/messy bun, the only way I would get mine shorter if it was in bad condition.

I only started growing my hair last year and I'm in my late 40s. It had been short ever since I was about 6 or 7. I love feeling it swish around when I turn my head. I'm still not over that feeling!

I reckon that, so long as you try to keep it in good condition and nicely styled (I like lots of volume and movement now, but need a layer as my hair is so thick), then it can look great whatever your age. I think it can sometimes be ageing if you put no effort in.

I'm 48 and have bum length curly hair. Really low maintenance and I'm not cutting it anytime soon.

The reason why we cut our hair back in the day was because we didn't have as much access to fabulous hair products or colours nor menopausal supplements so the only thing to do was grow old disgracefully. I am not sure why we still think we need to do it.

My hair is in the best condition of my life. I am 49 next week. It is down to my bra strap. Wha that worked for me is a change in texture. My hair is wavy and it has always looked like I just come off a beach after a surf. That was great when I was younger but I noticed now it just made me look a bit like an ageing hippie. I now have to dye it which I am gutted at, but made it to 45 without it. I chose a mid/ dark chocolatey colour. It is cut regularly and I do my own keratin treatments which make it super super shiny and I use oil on it too. When describing me some people refer to me as the one with the really shiny hair. What a compliment!

Can someone give me an example of a Mum Bob or a Can I see the Manager?