Long hair or short hair?

[MadameSapphire]

Lots of threads bouncing around at the mo about post-lockdown hair ideas, so here’s my dilemma. Super-long hair, always a bit of a feature and I suppose tied up with my identity, often positively commented on and is good growing hair, but am very tempted to go for a sharp bob.

I’m aware that some seem to think that women have their hair cut when they pass a certain age, but I’ve seen women of all ages with long hair who look fabulous. Similarly, I’ve seen women of all ages with short hair who look equally as fantastic.

Should I go for it? I’m mid-30s, a Mum, a professional... Am really interested to hear from those who have gone for the chop, are thinking of it, or have strong (but kind!) opinions about either long or short hair. Inspirational pics of brilliant haircuts would be great too!

P.S. I have had short hair before, many moons ago, and it does suit me (apparently!). 🙈

Thanks in advance! 😊

I find my shorter hair much higher maintenance than my hair was when long on a daily basis, which is something to consider, although I still prefer it short and plan to keep it this way.

No dont do it. Get a wig or do a fake bob to get over this hankering.

I think it's a good idea to try a "lob" first.

If you've got well behaved hair that doesn't need much taming short hair is a good idea. But it's higher maintenance if you've got unruly hair and have to actually style it rather than just whacking it up in a bun.

Thanks for the thoughts so far...

@Mathbath, would be great to hear more re. your strong opinion?

Don't. Bobs make everyone with one look the same.
I worked in an office with at least three colleagues with blonde bobs - they looked identical sitting at their desks.

I'm 50 and have waist length curly hair. I've had it cut in the past and really felt I'd lost a part of me. It's staying long now.

Keep it long enough for an easy maintenance look
Ie. Do you tie it back sometime?

If you had a bob it would have to be on the top off your shoulders to look good tied up

Personally if you can wash & leave great,
Depends if you style it for hours

I have very long hair up until September last year and like you I fancied a change and had it cut into a long graduated bob. I really loved it until all the hairdressers closed, a sharp Bob is high maintenance and needs regular cutting to keep it looking nice. Now I look scruffy, unkempt and slightly mad, especially when it's damp. I would hold off until you are sure there won't be another lockdown before you take the plunge.

Hmm, following as I'm similar. Long straight hair that I've had for almost ever (had a lob before and was told it looked good but it was a bit of a faff so I just let it grow out). Now 38 and hopefully soon to become a mum and wondering about getting the chop..

I would keep it long for now. Im 41 and a single mum to three. Ive had the same dilemma re bob/long hair. Ive kept it long for now as i can just tie it up quickly if necessary. I cant be bothered to get up earlier to straighten my hair in a morning. Id rather have extra time in bed.

I'm 40. My is naturally curly and until my 30s I was pretty lazy with it. I could just let it grow and it looked fine straight or curly. I don't know if it's hormones or since having kids I don't have as much time etc, but now it just doesn't look as good long. I'm also colouring it because of greys which probably doesn't help. The ends look tatty. I can't be bothered drying/straightening it and I don't have time to leave it to dry naturally. I usually end up sticking it up in a messy bun which I hate.

I've found the optimum length for my hair is just on the shoulders. Anything shorter is too short to tie up in an emergency and bounces up and out too much if it's curly. Anything longer looks tatty.

Same dilemma here. So much easier long since lockdown. Well shoulders long but suits me more shorter according to DH and a couple friends but long according to others! I need to study pics

If you have healthy looking long hair I really wouldn't. Most people can have a bob, but not everyone can grow lovely long hair that looks healthy, especially if it does start to deteriorate with age, enjoy now as you may well want to cut it down the line of the condition changes.

I would go one tier short (bra strap to below shoulder blade for example) and see how you like it before making a drastic change you might regret. I had waist long hair and I'm slowly cutting it shorter and loving it each time, I'm pretty sure if I had suddenly gone for a bob I would have cried for weeks, but that might just be me.

I went from long to bob. I liked it but it was hard work and I couldn’t tie it back. Eventually, I grew it out again.

Thanks so much for all the thoughts.

@MikeUniformMike, that’s interesting - I feel the opposite way round (if that makes sense) - that a really sharp bob would make my look more defined and not like everyone else. Also think it would go well with my style sense and physique. (I’m 5ft3 and size 6-8 and remember feeling when I had short hair years ago that it added to a feeling of being balanced/in proportion!)

Thanks @Mabelface. I get this and then a part of me goes “it’s just hair” and there’s more to me than that(!). 😬😊

@granadagirl, I tie it back lots as otherwise the baby grabs it - feel like it’s constantly in a top knot. Can wash and leave it but it takes yonks to dry as it’s so long.

Thanks @Mimimayhem18 - have a hairdresser in my bubble who’d be able to do my in-between trims! 🤞🏼

I am 48, had my fine hair fairly long and layered until I hit thyroid problems a couple of years ago, and it went really thin and straggly. I had also made the mistake of going more and more blonde which actually doesn't suit my colouring and meant my hair wasn't in great condition.

I had it chopped it into a fairly short bob which was really hard work, so chopped it into a pixie crop. I loved it at first but realised that wearing it very flat to my head takes some carrying off at my age, and the alternative was to go funky and choppy which made me feel a bit like a bloke, and I had to use loads of product.

During lockdown it has grown down to the bottom of my ears so I am going for a cut this week but going to keep growing it. This will mean that I dont need to go to the hairdressers every 4 weeks like I used to and if we go into lockdown again it might not be such a disaster.

I have no idea what length or style I will end up with but I am hoping for something prettier and more feminine. Some people look amazing with short hair but its not always an easy option, and there is nothing like being able to do an updo or ponytail on the days when you cant be bothered or want to look different!

Have a look on Pinterest loads and loads of hair styles on there
Take a pic shot of the one you like and show hairdresser
Although I always find one I like
But the never show you all sides
Normally just the front or side

Thanks @LoveBeingAMum555 and @granadagirl x

Meant to say that I’m thinking of going straight for the bob as I thought I could donate hair to The Little Princess charity. 😊

@MadameSapphire, I'd say go for it if you have dark hair, but not if you have blonde highlights. If your hair grows quickly, you can always let it grow again.

Donating the hair sounds good.

I never know with this one. I've had my hair very short and very long and everything inbetween. I know I suit it best very short - I have good bone structure and big eyes - but I think long is more youthful. It's very thick and curly with very little grey, so gives me the look (at least from a distance!) of a younger woman, whereas as very short hair on a older woman unfortunately has connotations of having "given up." Which is daft as it's actually much higher maintenance!

Anyway, in conclusion, if the hair looks nice and is in good condition I'd keep it long. If it's dry and straggly, I'd cut it.

If it grows quite rapidly then maybe you don't have much to lose. I've found that my hair growth rate has REALLY slowed down in my 40s, so you might want to do it now rather than later, if you're going to try it at all!

On the other hand, if long hair is one of your "good features" then you might want to think twice about it. And bear in mind that people will often politely compliment you on a big hairstyle change even if they think it's a change for the worse. So only go by what YOU think of your own look.

@MikeUniformMike, hair is naturally dark blonde and lifted to a bit of a lighter, more golden blonde (an all over colour).

Thanks @GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal and @BeanbagMcTavish - these are really useful points to consider.