What do we think about long hair on women aged 40's/50's? I'm thinking of growing mine.

[TsarChasm]

By long hair I mean like Madonna's hair and Meryl Streep.

I've always thought long hair on older women was probably not too good, but I quite like the wavy/loose curly look they have. I would need a perm though and I haven't had one since the 80's and have baaaad flashbacks.

My hair is fine and straight and so far only just to the base of neck/top of shoulders. Do I carry on?

It can get a bit ratty and is needing a trim, but I don't want it all chopped short. It's taken me since Christmas to get this far.

Yes agree DDF they might as well be saying older women can't be sexy.

I hate it when you see a couple identically dressed in fleeces, jeans and the same haircut. Bleeugh

But I think I am having a pre menopausal hormone surge (after wasting my 30s in a largely sexless marriage) so what would I know.

Vive la difference!!

My mum grew here poker straight fine hair from an ear length bob to half way down her back in her 40s and left it there to her 60s. I loved it, and even now, the photos of her with long hair are my favorites. When she wnet for a dramatic "Gary Rhodes" chop when she retired me and my siblings were all a bit . But thanks to Mrs Beckham, she is growing it into a long-at-the-front bob, and looks fab.

There's a big but though. She has always made an effort to style it and keep it in good condition and on top of the (very few bits of ) grey, split ends etc. It is dark so the grey really shows when it comes through, but she is not stranger to highlights, and looks about 10 years younger than she really is. Hope it's genetic!

I think it depends on your type of hair tbh. I have just had my long hair cut off (thanks to a home dying disaster) and it really suits me much better. (I am 40 btw).

Yes agree about very short hair being too harsh. A young face with a tight defined jawline and a young neck is a must.

Judy Dench always gets away wih it - thnk it's cos she has always had same style

Over 4 and still long tresses

over 40...not 4

Well I think it looks good.....as long as it's looked after properly, regularly trimmed and not sparse.

I am not keen on Madge's hair though.

Ah, now much as I love Dame Judy I think her hair is quite unflattering to her face.

I think for her age she looks good!!

oh Judi Dench looks fab - she's grown into her looks I think..
I tend to agree that indeterminate short hair is very middle aged - or can be - depends on cut really. My new shorter bob I think makes me look younger though than when it's longer.

There is a very yummy mummy at school who is 42 (looks 32) with long hair and it looks fab.

Depends upon the woman in her 40's / 50's

I thought Meryl Streep in Mamma Mia also looked pretty good with long hair

I have a barrister friend- mid 40s with lots of long wavy hair which she usually wears piled up with combs - it is very much part of her and suits her immensley - must depend on personality too,I guess.

I am 43 and mine is not unkempt i hope Is not grey though and is quite thick so i'm keeping it!

Maybe the circles you move in Malory? [she says innocently]

Every time I see a pic of Jerry Hall i think 'get that ancient hair chopped off FGS'

i think jerry hall just needs an updated style, she still suits long hair

Tell us more about the perm Lou - you look great (although looking like Meryl Streep's younger better looking sister helps!)

I used to have perms in the eighties - they would come out ringletty - yours looks more wavy.

Spill!

Beety you have really lovely hair

my mate just perms on the largest roller, the thinner the roller the tighter the curl

also you put thicker strips of hair round the roller for a more wavy less curly look

she does most of my hair fro free, but i have started insisting on paying for the cost of the perming lotion at least, which is about 15 quid

I'm 47 and my hair is long, fine-but-thick straight and naturally fair (if I'd had a bit
more sun in the last couple of years it would have really good blonde highlight at front.). I think my DH would be most upset if
I chopped it. The only concession I make to age is to have it not too long - just below shoulder now. I keep thinking I should get some sort of style round the front, but what do you do with short bits that don't reach a scrunchy when you go swimming or running? I hate the thought of floppy little bits and
can't abide clips.

If you've got good hair, go for it.

I had my hair below shoulder length, but it went quite weak and thin at the ends so had it trimmed, and these days it is a lot shorter. I do agree that it can look quite harsh when we are older, and as I am now 44, was planning to grow it back to nearer the shoulder again, before it goes wispy and keep it at the correct length.

To get it to grow you need to get a scalp brush and brush it a lot then the hair will defo grow quick.

I wouldn't have too many trims if you are trying to grow it or you will get nowhere and don't forget to use an excellent conditioner the whole time.

Happy hair!