Age appropriate hair?

[Feralpeg]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I think I'm ready for a change. Nothing drastic, but a little longer and a little more style!

 

[Stacerita]

This morning my hair was half way down my back, now its chin length. I needed a change.

 

[PaulaSue]

Dont cut your hair just because of your age. When I was a CNA, I hated seeing every lady in the nursing home with the same short haircut. I will be that one lady with long flowing hair that all the nurses loved to do her hair.

 

[Lassie Lynne]

I am notorious for changing my hair....not the color (which I do color..haha) but the length. I recently had it cut from below shoulder to about an inch below ears for our trip to WDW (can't stand having longer hair in the heat outside). It is a very cute and fashionable cut. I didn't tell anyone about it. When I went to work, many co-workers really liked it and said it made me looker younger..........but then again, a couple of people said the long hair made me look younger so moral of the story, do what you want!

 

[Lassie Lynne]

That was quite interesting, thank you!

Funny how it seems that women have always had rules impossed about every aspect of their lives -even their hair-

We've left so many of those archaic rules behind, let's do the same with this one.

We all should just feel free wear our hair as long or short as we want to.

Forget the "rules"!

You are right.....jewish women in slavic countries (maybe other places too??) many many years ago would cut their hair short when they married and wear wigs. My in-laws have pictures of ancestors who convention said that they must do it.

Although, I must admit, I still get an eyebrow raised every now and then from older women because of my red hair (I mean auburn red...not valentine's day red ).

 

[Dee77]

I agree that everyone should have their hair in whatever style/length that makes you feel your best. What I do find funny though is when women keep the same style for years and years without ever changing it up. This is probably because I like to change my hair style every year or so.

 

[PatsGirl]

I let my hair grow out in the last few years and it is now a few inches past my shoulders (almost mid-back) and I can't tell you how liberating it is to take a shower in the am and throw it in a ponytail I spent 30 years styling my hair and bangs every morning which required a shower before leaving the house (or a Red Sox cap, lol) The only styling I do now is decide between a pony, a braid, or straight iron for evenings out and I love it.

 

[Green Tea]

My family knows if I EVER start going to the beauty salon every week for a shampoo and set and getting perms with rollers to keep short hair into an old lady style, they are to shoot me on sight. Just end it right there.

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

I don't know... I think the problem is, an older woman with long hair (I mean, longer than shoulder length) can look sort of "dowdy" and age the woman a little. Or, can sometimes look a little "teenager"-ish if not done properly.

That being said - some women look great with it! But too often it's kind of flat, stringy, icky long hair that isn't flattering. But pretty, volumized, well-taken-care of long hair is definitely a DO!

 

[Darsa]

Hah, I will NOT ever have my hair short. I am unfortunately one of those people who looks ridiculous with short hair. So my hair stays long, don't care what other people think. I'm 40 now and regularly wear my hair in ponytails or half-tails; again, don't care what other people think (tho the only comment I've ever gotten is how pretty my hair is).

I actually find it hard to believe that hair length is something people are judged on, appropriate-wise. It kinda makes me giggle and roll my eyes at the same time.

 

[Rora]

I don't think length of hair should be determined by your age. If you have an updated style that suits your face shape, personality and it looks good on you, who cares how old you are.

Agreed!

 

[Tinkermommy]

OP here. I didn't get a chance to check in last night. Wow, 5 pages on hair!

I really appreciate everyone's comments, thank you so much!!

I am going to my stylist tomorrow and no, I am not getting it short just a trim and a shape up. My hair is really thick and about the same color Raquel Welch's wig is! She and and the others (except Faye Dunaway, I agree with that one) look fantastic!!! I don't want to look 20 but I do want to look as good as I can.

A couple of posters asked who was guessing my age. Really it's female co-workers. They think I am one age, but when I talk about how long I have been married or my work history they start doing the math!

I did find the one post on the history of short hair interesting. I think it equates to being sexy as long hair is typically viewed that way and the need to keep the "old" ladies in their place. I don't think that applies any longer. Look at all the celebs over 40 that look amazing.

I guess I was surprised that people still felt that there was an age where long hair was not appropriate. Kind of like your shoes need to match your handbag thing. But since 40 is the new 30, I think woman can have longer hair as long as it's healthy, updated and flattering.

 

[NotUrsula]

What I do find funny though is when women keep the same style for years and years without ever changing it up.

Ahem, that would be me. (I do change the length a bit, but not the style: it is always a pageboy with bangs.) I don't do it because I like this cut so very much; I do it for cosmetic reasons. My hair went grey when I was 16, so I color it. It is also baby-fine and REALLY thin, and getting thinner all the time. A side-parted blunt cut is the only way to camouflage the thinning. I also have a large birthmark on my forehead, thus the bangs.

PS: MANY Orthodox Jewish women still cut their hair short and wear wigs; they tend to have it cut for their wedding day. They did it this way for a long time because they didn't want to wear headscarves or hats that would make them conspicuous in public. The trend now with younger Orthodox women is to keep their long hair but wear a headscarf or headwrap; I pass an Orthodox grade school on my way to and from work, and most of the young moms you see waiting for carpool are wearing the headwraps now.

 

[mjkacmom]

I think a lot depends on the style - if you've had the same style for more than 10 years, most likely, it's out. I had the long layered look until last year, 42. Finally, my colorist, "gay ray," convinced me it was time for a change. Now, my hair goes to my shoulders, with long bangs, and shorter layers, long enough all around that I can still sport a short pony. Highlights and lowlights, not too uniform.

I don't think anyone is attractive enough to get away with long, layerless hair. And by the time you are 40, it's rare to get away without any color or highlights (although my mom did - she's a natural red-head, and was late with the gray, but even when it came in, it looked like highlights).

 

[OceanAnnie]

There are just so many variables that factor into the "right" hairstyle for a person. A few variables are texture, face shape, thickness. I don't think age should dictate hairstyle.

I have seen women of all ages with fabulous hair and hairstyles and I have seen the opposite. It really doesn't have to do with age, but more of what a person is dealt and how they work with it.

 

[Jeafl]

The length doesn't bother me as much as the style and condition of the hair. I work with a woman in her 60's that has long stringy, gray hair that probably hasn't had a trim in 10 years. The last 8 inches or so have the texture of cotton candy. It is all one length, but then she has these huge, puffy "mall hair" bangs from the 80's that she curls backwards with a curling iron.

The funny thing is, she has a really beautiful face, no wrinkles at all, and great skin. I would love to see her with an updated hair style. She would be one hot mama! She is such a wonderful person though, and I wouldn't dream of saying anything to her. I would never risk hurting her feelings.

 

[Buckalew11]

Ahem, that would be me. (I do change the length a bit, but not the style: it is always a pageboy with bangs.) I don't do it because I like this cut so very much; I do it for cosmetic reasons. My hair went grey when I was 16, so I color it. It is also baby-fine and REALLY thin, and getting thinner all the time. A side-parted blunt cut is the only way to camouflage the thinning. I also have a large birthmark on my forehead, thus the bangs.

PS: MANY Orthodox Jewish women still cut their hair short and wear wigs; they tend to have it cut for their wedding day. They did it this way for a long time because they didn't want to wear headscarves or hats that would make them conspicuous in public. The trend now with younger Orthodox women is to keep their long hair but wear a headscarf or headwrap; I pass an Orthodox grade school on my way to and from work, and most of the young moms you see waiting for carpool are wearing the headwraps now.

At least a pageboy is always in style. And you can do a few tricks to update one also.

 

[TDC Nala]

I am 45. When I was nearly 40 and had short hair I read here on the DIS the opinion that women over 40 shouldn't have long hair. I immediately started growing it out. It is several inches below shoulders, but it curls, so it looks a bit shorter.

 

[disneychrista]

Who makes these rules??

 

[Mermaid02]

It's not a "rule" if the long hair really looks good- keep it. Valerie Bertinelli looks fantastic! Faye Dunaway looks like an old lady trying to hang onto her youth-a shag cut (like Raquel's wig) would be an improvement without going "short".