Calling curly hair 50 year olds!

[banbonbon]

Really looking for some advice on what to do re "boring" hair . As in I'm bored with it!

I have naturally curly hair and it's a blessing and curse but after half a century accepting that's what I have and happy to have it.

I don't straighten and am very minimal when it comes to haircare. Have regular (good) cut and colour but most of the time just wear it up - it's mid-back/below shoulder length. So think bobble, tresses.

I would really love to go for something that needed even less maintenance and didn't need to be tied up. I tie up as on computer most days.

I am worried though that if, at my age, I cut it short, then I will never be able to "go back" Any suggestions very much welcome!

I’ve decided to embrace the curl too- at 52. I hadn’t had my hair cut for years (covid) and then went to a ‘curly’ hairdresser and asked for a shag cut. The problem - apart from the name- is not wanting to look too try hard. Instagram and Pinterest are full of images of the cool 20 somethings with very exaggerated layers etc.
I don’t think I’m quite there yet with the shape but it’s a definite improvement!

I’m 10 years older than you OP and have always left my curly hair natural. I sometimes wear it up, but mostly down past my shoulders. It’s part of “me” and it’ll never look “neat” but I do have curly cuts every 4/5 months and that’s what makes a huge difference, as it’s carefully layered and very easy to look after.
So I’m not quite sure why you don’t want to wear your hair down.
You could always try it short there are some lovely short curly styles and if you don’t like it hair grows again.
Try a curly hairdresser as they’ll have a lot of ideas and also good tips, it’s worth the investment.

Thanks both - I think I need to go and see a proper curly hair stylist, It's hard as current hairdresser is great on colour but I feel she misses something re curly hair. Definitely want to keep it statement wise but as you've both said don't want to look too "try hard" or lose the flexibility that comes from having the option to wear it up or down. I do worry that if I get it cut shorter then it won't grow back - but I had very tight curls til I was 18 and then they suddenly loosened up and I was able to grow longer. My DM has only just been able to grow her hair out (she's 70!) - sometimes it takes time with curly hair.

@banbonbon if you have FB a couple of curly groups to join as many women there with many different curl patterns that may help with ideas

this group in case you’re tempted at some point to go grey/stop colouring
www.facebook.com/groups/1943436612549095/permalink/4343496222543110/

and this group more for the folders information as they keep a list of curly stylists and products if you decide to follow the CG method (but not strictly)

www.facebook.com/groups/197010441373146/permalink/880272419713608/

Curly cuts are truly life changing as most hairdressers don’t know how to cut curls, resulting in the dreaded triangle head or simply having to cut it more frequently which with curls is difficult as it takes forever to grow due to shrinkage.
I think curly hair is anything BUT boring

there’s also lots of instagrammers doing curly girl styles but you need to find those that have a similar curl pattern and density to yours for it to make sense otherwise you end up feeling the look is unachievable.

51 and curly here! Also between shoulders and bra strap length.

I don't have 'nice' curls, I tend to look like a dandelion most days. I let mine dry naturally, lots of conditioner but also think mine is just boring.

You are not alone OP and I shall follow this with interest!

PS. I never had curly hair until I gave birth at 27, now it gets curlier every year!

I meant to add my curls have also changed after menopause: much looser curl pattern compared to my teens/twenties and also lost density. It’s quite common I think, I quite like having a “looser” curl pattern now but not so happy about the density loss…still a good curly cut makes the most of what I have now so the most life changing thing you can do for your curls and self confidence.
Good Luck!

Definitely try to get to a curly specialist for a cut, it could make all the difference. Long and curly here, finally made peace with it in the past five years, after decdes of feeling never quite "done" enough. Most of the time it ends up on top of my head but wouldn't like to go for the chop at all, I like that it's there.

I follow a few instagrammers so I’ll recommend the ones I rate highest for ideas on styling, videos, etc

this American hairdresser for her no nonsense approach and she has long wavy /curly hair
instagram.com/atoyabass?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

My hairdresser! Love her
instagram.com/lindseycurlwhisperer?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

This girl for those with looser fine curls
instagram.com/welshiecurlgirl?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

And this Irish girl (she has a website/blog too) for curly product advice, and because her curl pattern is nearly identical to mine so good for tighter curl patterns
instagram.com/curlmaven?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

I’m nearly 50 and alway wore my natural curls I’ve paid the extra for curly hairdressers for many years as it’s amazing how bad many std hairdressers can be with curly hair esp if their hair is straight ie if I want my curls to hang 8” from my scalp I need it to be trimmed at 16” long to allow for it to spring up not just that though menopause is doing a number I’m losing hair I’ve a tighter curl pattern in one side that the other it’s difficult but I’ve found a std hairdressers with one person out of rhe 3 who gets my hair and I’m happy with her and she doesn’t take my eyes out

i agree above don’t follow any and every curly instagramer look at them all and subscribe to the ones whose hair is closest to your own as they’re probably using products that will work on your hair

mine is below my shoulders fine and thinning in areas parts have 3a curls others 2c so Welshycurly girl is a good one for me to follow and we both can’t use heavy /moisture products

Thanks all - really helpful

@OldTinHat the bit about going curly after pregnancy is intriguing!

Hi@banbonbon
i have curly hair and have had lots of short and longer cuts over the years, it always grows back! I’m mid 50,s

can you post some pics of what you have now?

@Thighdentitycrisis oh not sure I'm brave enough to do that!

Go on dare you 😁

Late 40’s with short curly hair. My trick is having it cut every five weeks and always letting it dry naturally. I use a variety of products to keep the curls well defined and too stop any frizz.

I agree with all the above comments about finding a hairdresser who really understands how to cut curly hair, and also drying naturally. I would also recommend Aveda Be Curly styling products.

Oh I decided to embrace it at 50 too. Mine is very thick and wavy curly rather than super curly so I got the shape, a diamond shape. If you see what I mean. I like it. I hope this doesn't offend anybody but I took in pictures of mixed race girls with afro shapes. The hairdresser didn't laugh. I said, I KNOW my hair is different but if you layer it with this diamond shape it will look ok I think.