Do you think short or shoulder length hair looks younger on a 55 yr old woman?

[BC]

I wore my hair very short for years, you know cut very close around the ears and the neck (like Jamie Lee Curtis, Linda Dano, etc) and then I decided to grow it out. Well, it took forever (years), but I finally did it. It is all one length and down to my shoulders. I am now 55 and have a tiny bit of gray. I hate to cut it in layers as it took me forever to get it like it is, but I feel it is dragging me down, just straight with no style. Anyway, I guess it being longer makes me think I look younger, but I don't know for sure. Just wondered what your thoughts are? Do you think long or short hair makes you look younger?

 

[runwad]

I think longer hair makes you look younger.

 

[A4Disney]

I wore my hair very short for years, you know cut very close around the ears and the neck (like Jamie Lee Curtis, Linda Dano, etc) and then I decided to grow it out. Well, it took forever (years), but I finally did it. It is all one length and down to my shoulders. I am now 55 and have a tiny bit of gray. I hate to cut it in layers as it took me forever to get it like it is, but I feel it is dragging me down, just straight with no style. Anyway, I guess it being longer makes me think I look younger, but I don't know for sure. Just wondered what your thoughts are? Do you think long or short hair makes you look younger?

Younger-absolutely! I was just discussing this with people because my best friend's mom(age 58) grew her short hair to a little past her shoulders and it looks beautiful.Easily took 15 yrs off her appearance.She changed her facebook profile pic and everyone is telling her the same thing.
My Mom is 58 also and wears her hair a couple inches past her shoulder and we all like it that way the best.She looks at pics of the short hair styles she has had and hates them.
I am talking about nice styled haircuts.Not the people on makeover shows with one length hair they never cut-that can age people...

 

[BC]

Oh, sorry. I missed something....but I got it now. You mean shoulder length looks younger. Thanks for the response!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I wore my hair very short for years, you know cut very close around the ears and the neck (like Jamie Lee Curtis, Linda Dano, etc) and then I decided to grow it out. Well, it took forever (years), but I finally did it. It is all one length and down to my shoulders. I am now 55 and have a tiny bit of gray. I hate to cut it in layers as it took me forever to get it like it is, but I feel it is dragging me down, just straight with no style. Anyway, I guess it being longer makes me think I look younger, but I don't know for sure. Just wondered what your thoughts are? Do you think long or short hair makes you look younger?

I think length depends on the person, not so much the age. There are so many variables. I saw a makeover this morning and they changed a longer hairdo with layers. One of the stylists stated the long hair was pulling down the woman's features. And the layers did make a difference! It added some bounce and some lift. Longer side swept bangs might be a nice change. Highlights. Try some new things. Maybe a collar length bob with long bangs.

 

[A4Disney]

Oh, sorry. I missed something....but I got it now. You mean shoulder length looks younger. Thanks for the response!

Sorry I wasn't clear-I read your question as - Do you think shoulder length hair looks younger?...missed the - or short- part of the question.

 

[BC]

to give me some lift and trying to come up with a style that is not too high maintenance. I tried bangs before, but I know it sounds crazy, but they drove me nuts tickling my forehead. Right now it is just straight, one length, with one side pulled behind my ear. Does anyone know of a good website that has pics of different styles. I know a bunch come up when you google it, but I am sure some are better than others. I have even heard of some site where you can put your picture in and then try different styles to get a true picture of what it would look like. Anyone ever heard of such?

 

[ols386]

I think it depends on the person.

I've seen some older women with longer hair, and thought it looked great.

I've also seen some older, who it doesn't look so great on.

 

[BC]

It was my misunderstanding. Thanks for your thoughts. It's tough getting old and wanting to help slow down the process!!

 

[JessicaR]

It depends on the person but mostly the style. Shoulder length all one length may not look as good as layered hair the same length. Some people just need layers to look youthful. Long hair all one length doesn't look good on the majority of older women. I don't consider shoulder length to be long or dragging looking. Once it passes the shoulders it can. The main thing is you don't like the way you feel with your present style, I would add some layers.

 

[BC]

But, now it has been so long, I don't know who to trust to do it. Man, you can really have a mess if someone botches up your haircut. I know you all will say to ask friends and coworkers, but even some of their hairdressers may not be as great as they think they are, ya know what I mean!

 

[JessicaR]

I know exactly what you mean. I have in the past visited salons and watched stylists cut. You can just sit in the waiting area and browse through their books watching to see if a stylist catches your eye. The talented ones are usually very noticeable after watching for a bit. Also I stop and ask people in the mall at work or wherever who cuts their hair if they have an exceptional look.

Maybe we can get a picture after you take the plunge! Hope if you do it that you love it!

 

[momrek06]

I was just talking about this with my 80yo Mom and my 50yo Sis....I am 55yo will be 56yo in March. I was thinking of growing my hair to shoulder length as well. Not sure if I have the patience to take care of it. I like the ease of in and out of the shower, fluff it, spray it and go!!!

 

[minniecarousel]

I'm in that age range & mine is just about shoulder length. I part it on one side and clip one side behind my ear, when I'm working. Evenings & weekends, it sweeps back per the cut my stylist did for me.

Everyone says I look younger, but in all honesty, they're comparing to when I insisted on getting perms!

A good cut, with just a little layering will flatter your face instead of bringing you down.

 

[Tinijocaro]

I think longer hair makes you look younger.

I think longer hair makes you look younger only if it is stylish longer hair. Just long for the sake of being long usually has the opposite effect.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I think as a rule shorter hair makes a middle aged women look younger. At a minimum longer hair needs layers and a good cut. I went grey at 35, you are lucky!

 

[KirstenB]

Some not so young women can carry off a longer style, but it depends on the person, and the shape of their face.

 

[tar heel]

I wore my hair in a shoulder length blunt cut through most of my 40s and into my early 50s. I had it colored every six weeks and cut two-three times a year. A few months ago, I decided I was looking dowdy and started cleaning out my wardrobe. Then I started thinking updated haircut. knew I didn't want to go SHORT, but I wanted something more modern. I took a leap of faith and went to a stylist that a friend goes to. The stylist spent a long time talking to me and examining my hair, then came back with two possible styles. She also suggested a color with a little more pizazz. I ended up with a cut above my shoulders but not quite short with long bangs that are brushed over instead of on my forehead. It does require a cut every 5-6 weeks, which is new for me.

Honestly, I probably look 10 years younger. Judging from the comments I've gotten, I'm sure I should have done it long ago.

 

[Randi]

The length is not as important as the thickness IMO. A lot of women start to experience thinning hair as they age. Long thin hair looks kinda straggly no matter how old the woman is. A good medium length cut looks better and fuller, I think. Shoulder length to bottom of ear length is what I consider medium length.

 

[smidgy]

if pressed for an answer most (not all)men prefer longer hair on women. I know many husbands say they wish their wife would stop chopping off her hair .
(I know "what husbands prefer" wasn't the question, just throwing that out there)