Should I cut my hair? Short hair - over 50?

[Yowlingcat]

I’ve always preferred my hair short, it’s fine with a wave and is easy to quickly blow dry - I especially suit the slightly flicked out style like Kate Silverton used to have .

The past two years has seen me (very slowly) grow out to shoulder length. It’s so fine and quite ratty now on the ends so needs a really good cut. I’m quite grey but have a combination of highlights and a darker blond. I’m finding myself hankering after my old style but I’m 50, my face is fatter with a double chin coming along and I fear I’ll look older.

It’s wavy yet doesn’t look tidy when I scrunch dry it - it’s just dried and it curls up at the ends. It’s flat and it won’t hold much volume, it’s terrible day two and looks like it needs washing.

I have a hair appointment in the morning - should I be brave and cut it short again? If so what kind of style? I don’t want anything too ‘out there’ and all the pictures I like I suspect they are dated and the ‘id like to see the manager’ (as much as I hate that analogy so apologies). Any inspiration please?

It looks better than your previous straight hair which was more mumsy but not really in a style, but yes this one's still mumsy just styled and more polished looking, the previous curly hair looked more fun I think. Have you tried this one curly? It's not awful anyway and makes you look more modern/younger than the previous straight style.

You've got a totally different problem to the OP, I suggest you'll get better response if you start your own thread

My mistake - sorry.

No problem. Go to the style and beauty forum, up near the very top there's a drop down arrow to the right, click that and you can see how to start a new thread. If you don't get the help you need here, try the menopause forum too.

I love your new cut and think you look fabulous!

I'd start your own thread, Cally. Responses will get mixed up posting on another hair thread. Best wishes.

I think it would be good if you can get some height into your hair -it’s lovely (looks great to me) but is fine and lies flat to your head - not sure how to do that , ask a hairdresser

I think your new cut is brilliant, much better than before.

i thought in the first set of pics you looked best with the curl - more funky, so I second the pp’s idea of trying this new style curly too.

I’m your age too by the way and think your hair and face is fab!

@Cally102 - I think I’d be trying a decent dry shampoo between washes, eg Neil and Wolf

I like it, my hair is similar but one side is shorter, think one side below my chin, other side is above my chin.
You need to funk it up!
Buy some root lifting powder, sprinkle it on your fingers and work into the roots to give you some volume then put a little on the ends and pull some strands backwards to give a little definition, then on the other side to where your fringe lays, more root powder then tuck it behind your ear, you don't need to tuck it all, just a bit, then pull a strand in front of your ear if it suits.

I think you should see someone who knows how to cut wavy and curly hair and has an interest in it. It makes a huge difference! There are a lot more of them around now.

I think it looks lovely. Love the colour! You can style it so many ways, straight, wavy, one side tucked behind the ear etc.
I had mine cut like this before, but my hair is too thick for it to be too short. Looks lush and you definitely do not look 50 either 🙂

My hair is the same length as yours pre-cut, though straight. I completely recognise your new cut - is there a module at hair dressing school for neat, practical over 50s cuts? I've had to work really hard to encourage my hairdresser to be a bit more edgy, it's easier in the long run that chopping and changing stylists but OMG it shouldn't have to be this hard!

It's not a bad cut but it's not what you wanted! Go back and tell them you've thought it through and the safe option isn't for you.

Bet it looks lovely if you can dry it wavy.

Get some more blonde in it.

It's a great cut, but yes a bit aging.

My hair has just been coloured a similar colour and I loathe it. So bland and boring, for me anyway.

Dried wavy and more blond.

It will grow! And if your ends were ratty it's good that you've had a chop. Do you use deep conditioning treatments or anything to protect your hair from the hot styling?
I'm not a curly hair expert but my understanding is that you should be able yo refresh your curls on non- wash days by spritzing (I couldn't be bothered with the faff of full wash, product dry and styling every day!)

This cut would look great!

Just want to say you look so youthful for 50, I would have put you at 40 at the oldest. You look great!

It really suited you longer - you’ve got the face for it.

The new cut - if you dry it wavy and put some funky clips (or even just normal hair pins) in the fringe, it will make it much more fun and youthful. Pair with some fun earrings too and you’ll be fine.

I have never not been disappointed by the hairdresser. I simply don’t go anymore. They always ignore what I said, and can’t or won’t do curly/wavy hair…

I agree, I am very envious of your neck!!

I agree, I am very envious of your neck!!

I think it's just been dried too straight and too stiff.
Your first photos pre-cut I really like, with wave and more movement/body.
You do look terrific for 50!

Thanks all, I’ll just have to persevere with it for a while, too late now as the length has been cut out of it. I tried leaving it naturally curly since the cut and as the curls dry the lengths is even shorter - just below my ears and it’s like a very short Crystal Tips!

I think I’ll have to look out a different hairdresser which is a shame as the colours are always lovely but she’s got a very basic repertoire of cuts and this has happened before.

Oooo I always love a ref to Crystal Tips, so I can throw in that it was written by a relative!

Can we see a pic?

And my goodness OP you do look amazing for 50!!