poker straight hair - ridiculous at my age?!?

[anonymousbird]

I've recently turned 40 and to date have always been a wash my hair and leave it girl. I have shoulder length wavy hair. Don't blow dry or anything, life is too short, or it has been to date.

However, occasionally I have my hair dried/straightened and all my friends always comment on how nice it looks etc. I really like it too, but have rarely been arsed to do it. Arm ache from the flippin hair dryer or tongs (going back a bit here...) not to mention the time it takes have just put me off.

So, I fancy having a go at doing this myself again - a) will I look like mutton dressing as lamb with a poker straight hair do all the time? b) how does one EASILY straighten hair? Something that wont take more than 10-15 minutes otherwise I will lose interest....

tips gratefully received!

at Riven - that's a slightly tart response. Are you also including all those people with naturally straight hair in your spectrum of weirdness?

I think straightened (as opposed to naturally straight) hair can look odd, as it is generally thicker than naturally straight hair and hangs at (what looks to me) a funny angle. But it depends on you and on how slight the natural wave is.

As people age, hair gets less glossy, and that really shows on straight hair. But if you are happy to take time with products, I don't see why straight hair shouldn't look lovely? It's not age-defining the way that, say, cropped tops are!

Btw: google Mary Portas. She is, I believe, around 50 and has the most beautiful sleek straight bob.

Hair stratighteners are really easy and quick. They vary in price massively but you can get pretty good results with cheaper ones although many swear by ghds.

It looks best if you don't go too mad with them but they make my hair look miles better.

Not ridiculous at your age at all.

Naturally some GHD's would be super duper, though not sure I can justify the outlay until I am sure I am going to do the whole straightening thing regularly! Anything else slightly cheaper but also effective???

I think Riven is commenting on POKER straight hair - you know, where it is totally completely straight and like it's been stiffened. that is a bit of an odd look.

Straight-ish hair definitely not ridiculous. But a bit of a hassle as you say.

I'm actually a big fan of naturally wavy hair (probably because I have naturally straight hair - it's usual the grass is greener phenomenon)

Boots usually have good deals on decent straighteners. Mine are Babyliss ones and do a good job. Am frankly baffled that anyone thinks straight hair is an odd look . Mine is straight anyway, I use the straighteners to smoothe the ends down.

Well occasionly my hairdresser does mine poker straight if I'm going for a night out. It looks great when he does it so I'm happy and over 40.
Plenty of women at work are over 40 and get the GHD's out and they look great too.

I think Riven is being a bit too harsh on this occasion tbh.

I would suggest though if you are going for a severe look go for soft make up otherwise you may look like Mystic Meg

try using an anti frizz conditioner too even if you don't have "frizy" hair as such

GHDs def.

Don't over do it, thats what gives that awful straw look.

I went through a phase of straightening my hair. Have pretty much stopped now as I found that it was incredibly time consuming, and I prefer the natural look.

You should see the weirdness of the angle of my hair if I don't straighten it.

Mine isn't wavy and it isn't completely straight either, just very frizzy. I am 35 and expect I will still straighten it when I am 40!

If you use a styling product, and only straighten it when it is bone dry it definitely adds gloss.

Oh, and GHDs are best

i got my hair coloured and blowdryed yesterday as i am going to a party tonight. I always get it poker straight when the hairdresser does it as it is usually curly and wavy when left to my own devices. It is lovely and long and shiney and i am 47 and dont think it looks ridiculous at all

Not too old but i actually agree with Riven

I hate poker straight/straightened hair, however my own is as straight as can be; I'd give right arm and then some to have curly hair though. Luckily mine is madly thick and not limpy which saves me from the saddest look of them all.

i'm 39 and i've had my hair coloured and cut drastically and straightened today as i have naturally curly hair which i detest.i usually just tie it up or grip it so went for a whole new look and i love it
the best straighteners are by cloud nine they have been designed by the same chap who designed ghd's.they cost me £45 and they are fab.
i'm even thinking about having a permanent blow dry where they coat your hair in keratin and dry it,it stops the frizziness and lasts between 3-6 months