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Original poster

Due a haircut.. do I cut it off? (with pic)

91 replies

StillMedusa · 26/12/2019 23:00

I haven't had my hair cut since September..and it has grown a lot. I did have a very long side fringe but got bored and took my sewing scissors to it a fortnight ago.. (not great but could be worse)

I'll be 52 next week, my hair is dye free of 4 years and my mother keeps muttering about not looking witchy (ie she thinks I should have it cut..she's never coloured hers and always slightly looked down on me for my very varied hair colours!)
My hair is brown but has LOTS of grey in it, streaks and more through the front, tho less noticible with a fringe.

I have no idea what to have done..booked for a week's time. Should I cut it? Am I too old for longer hair? I quite like having hair I can tie up for work but it IS greyyyyyyyyy. I could colour it again but am not sure I want to commit to the upkeep.
Honest suggestions welcomed! (This was yesterday at Xmas dinner!)

Due a haircut.. do I cut it off? (with pic)

OP posts:

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SouthernComforts · 27/12/2019 08:44

I think the pic that k1233 just posted would look great on you. Just a tiny bit shorter, keep the grey root but blended into a softer colour at the ends so you don't have to have it done every few weeks. Just to freshen it up a bit.

Strawberrycreamsundae · 27/12/2019 08:45

I love your hair.
I would focus on keeping it in really great condition and have regular trims if I were you.

Soontobe60 · 27/12/2019 08:45

I wish I could grow my hair longer! Yours looks lovely. As for disguising grey, once I started to go grey I had a few highlights every 3 months, then after about 3 years I let them grow out and am now completely grey, which I love! (Still can't get hair past my shoulders though).

dudsville · 27/12/2019 08:51

I think you're pretty and I really like your hair so I would keep it as is. I do admire and prefer the natural look and I love seeing grey on women.

I think fabulous shop dyes are pretty too, but often mature women do home box dyes to cover grey as it's more affordable, but the results of this DIY show it isn't an alternative to the fabulous shop job.

CoatTails · 27/12/2019 08:55

I let my grey grow through many years ago and I’m so glad I did. I’m 49 now. Check out ‘going gorgeously gray’ on Facebook for tips and inspiration!

yoohooitsme · 27/12/2019 08:55

I think you look great too.

I think the key to rocking your hair is to love it so keeping it clean and styled really being faithful to a style that you have chosen and suits you .

Personally I am finding my bra strap length strawberry blond - turning white - quite a bind but others comment about on it positively when it’s taken care of. So with your inspiration I will get a good trim and look after it.

Bah to shoulder length at 40 lol

TARSCOUT · 27/12/2019 08:56

Me thinks many doth protest too much....... I am entitled to my opinion, I am sorry, I just think ladies of a certain age shouldn't try to re capture their lost youth, you cant compete, grow older gracefully and put those heated rollers away! Apart from the professional pic which is just slightly longer than I was thinking but along those lines ,I am sorry but it's just too young for you.

Smashtastick · 27/12/2019 09:00

You could really rock a lob op you have the right face for it. And I love the colour of this one too.

Bouledeneige · 27/12/2019 09:02

Dear OP - I have similar hair in length and colour to you and I'm 55. I wouldn't go on any ageist notions about how long it should be - more on what suits you and your face.

I go to a very good salon and take their advice seriously too. I grew out the colour I had as it was too blond and no longer suited my skin colour. I have streaks of grey too. But I felt without any colour it was a bit drab so I introduced a few highlights - mostly round my face to lighten and brighten it. It's about the same length as yours at the moment but I will get a trim next week and take say 2 inches off. I have quite a round face so a bit of length is more flattering. With your face shape I think you can go shorter if you want. I've kept length so I can also tie it up when I'm exercising or in the summer. It's what suits you best.

Smashtastick · 27/12/2019 09:06

@TARSCOUT age is but a number. No-one is trying to 'compete' you sound so bitter.

MopsRUs · 27/12/2019 09:21

Go short OP! I did it and haven't looked back. A wavy bob would suit you, or even shorter like

this

MopsRUs · 27/12/2019 09:23

... so like Kirsten Dunst or Charlize Theron but less blonde

goose1964 · 27/12/2019 09:26

Forget about the rules about long hair over 40. I'm mid 50s and have below bra strap wavy/loose curly hair. I have recently started getting a lot of compliments on it.

Deux · 27/12/2019 09:32

I like it as it is and if you want to embrace the grey then get the hairdresser to do that by blending in some silver. I think a trim and reshape with long layers around the face would be fab.

k1233 · 27/12/2019 09:44

Here's a YouTube link with some lovely looks. I take lots of pics to my hairdresser so she can work out what I am after.

ILikeyourHairyHands · 27/12/2019 10:05

She doesn't look that different though.

Original poster

StillMedusa · 27/12/2019 10:05

Thank you all for the suggestions.. Tarscout are you my mother?! (actually I think you are a man as no women refer to others as 'Ladies of a certain age' )
I have no issues with looking my age.. I am in my 50s with fabulous grown up kids, a great husband, and I have greying hair, a ton of wrinkles, and live in wellies as I have a dog and a practical job, so hardly hunting for the fountain of youth I'd just like my hair to look ok!
I am leaning towards getting it coloured again..I think if I cut it short (which suits me but it's naturally frizzy so has to be straightened daily to look ok short) I'd probably regret it at the moment.

I just have fear of ending up with too dark hair. Can't go blonde...I've tried it and it looks dreadful on me..always goes brassy. Wondering if light brown and some caramel high/low lights might work? But then my hair won't be in such good condition...
My kids are anti me colouring it weirdly enough!

OP posts:

WaxOnFeckOff · 27/12/2019 10:17

I'm just a year older than you OP and mine has been fully grey for a few years. I wouldn't go back to dying it but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. Mine did look witchy when it was really long but I didn't have a fringe either.

I guess I'm probably just lazy, but I keep mine in a longish Bob with a bit of layering just to soften it about my face and it means I can leave it months between cuts. Mine is very straight and fine textured though so it might not work for you.

Can you take advice from your hairdresser? They should take account if you lifestyle and maintenance wishes but with the advantage of being able to see and feel your hair and how it falls.

NiteFlights · 27/12/2019 10:42

I like your hair. If I were you I wouldn’t colour it, because it’s a big expense and commitment to get it looking really good, but get it cut really well. It only really needs a tidy up. You suit long hair!

yellowallpaper · 27/12/2019 11:09

I think a nice layered bob would look nicer, especially if you had some colouring (lowlights etc) added. It is a bit ageing (sorry)

BaronessBomburst · 27/12/2019 11:18

How are we supposed to pin our hair up into a graceful, elegant old-lady chignon if it's short?

MyMajesty · 27/12/2019 11:30

Take advice from your kids, rather than your Mum.
(saying that as someone who is nearer your mum's age)

Knowivedonewrong · 27/12/2019 11:31

I like your hair. If you like it long then keep it.
Just invest in a decent cut and look after it and you should have no problems.
I'm 50 next year my hair is now shoulder length and grey almost over. Used to be dark brown and always coloured it.
I'm growing my hair longer.
Anyone who says otherwise, can keep their Knobber opinions to themselves.

MikeUniformMike · 27/12/2019 11:37

You're over 40, you have only a few possible styles:
Tea cosy perm
Short and grey
Bob.

That's it.

You look nice OP. Just have a trim.

astralweaks · 27/12/2019 11:44

I think it is too long and too grey. It had no definable style and the lack of rich colour or blonde chic is ageing. It should be cut to the shoulder - but not short - and the grey banished asap.

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