Why don't older women look good with long hair?

[lovin'fl]

I just cut mine. I think it looks healthier, shinier and *lifts* my face. I felt like I looked so much older with my hair even just down to my shoulders.

I think most of my older clients look younger with shoulder length hair or shorter. JMO.

And I do not care if you are 25 or 55 or 85, style it. Ponytails or straight hair that just hangs does nothing for 99.9% of females.

(Ponytails are fine unless it is what you "do" with your hair. If you style is a ponytail, you need a makeover. )

Oh and while I'm ranting...Use the nozzle on your blowdryers.

I need a makeover. I am 38 and have hair down to just below my bra band...it's all 1 length and wavy (curly in some places and straighter in others and can be frizzy). I know not how to style it and just keep it in a ponytail. If I really want to be fancy, I'll flat iron it and wear it straight down. I never get it cut...had too many bad horror haricuts...makes me really leary. When they cut layers, I ask for long layers but get short ones every time. Makes me look like a sheltie or something.

 

[RitaZ.]

oh please, giant glasses and a pound of make up, and a lens nt to close to her face, but ya could tell an old grandma is under that stuff (probably a wig also)

 

[mickeysgal]

oh please, giant glasses and a pound of make up, and a lens nt to close to her face, but ya could tell an old grandma is under that stuff (probably a wig also)

I think there has been some...several...surgical procedures as well. Appears very puddy/plastic-y. Silly Puddy comes to mind.

 

[KimR]

I am 49 and have long hair - it comes down to a little below my bra strap when it's straight; however I always curl it so it looks somewhat shorter than that. I love long hair and it does make me feel more feminine and sexy. I do have it layered in front and keep it styled, though. I look terrible in straight hair, no matter the length.

 

[zurgswife]

I had very long hair - grew for the last 6 yrs. I cut it all off about 4 months ago..I definitely like my looks with short hair vs the really long hair I had...

 

[sparklynails23]

Dyan Cannon looks amazing in that picture. 74? No way. I'm sure it's a wig, which is a big difference and makes her hair look healthier than it really is, naturally.

 

[topolino]

I do believe Sophia Loren can pull it off at her age, but she is certainly exceptional.

 

[Feralpeg]

I do believe Sophia Loren can pull it off at her age, but she is certainly exceptional.

She looks amazing. I agree. She is not the norm.

 

[goofyernmost]

I don't understand why it seems like they all cut it off.

If the hair is healthy--I think it looks fine. The women I see with cropped hair aren't all suffering from thinning hair.

When I think of "long hair" I am picturing beyond shoulder length. That is where my opinion comes from. I am a male so I am just telling you what comes to mind when I see a lady of certain age, with long hair. I think there is a person that is unwilling to admit to themselves that they have aged. Long hair is most attractive on young women, it is, in fact symbolic of youth. Someone that carries that "look" beyond a certain age is only kidding themselves that they still look young enough to carry it off. They don't...especially if the hair is grey. Unfortunately, men are more likely to be rewarded with male pattern baldness as they get older and if you want an idea what men see...ladies, think about what your reaction is to a comb over. It is the same.

My X had very thick, luxurious hair. When she got older she cut it shorter and styled it. It was beautiful. Her hair had a natural wave to it and she looked years younger with it cut that way. When she grew it back out, it was more like a rats nest...hair in her eyes, random strands flailing out in every direction and she just looked like an old person pretending she was young. Not an endearing look in my opinion.

I agree......however.....Dyan Canon is 74 in this picture and kind of shatters the "no long hair on older women" argument.

No sorry...she still looks like and old person trying to make believe she is young.

 

[Feckless]

As you get older, your hair gets shorter and your hemlines get longer.

 

[mickeysgal]

I do believe Sophia Loren can pull it off at her age, but she is certainly exceptional.

What a beauty she still is. We should all be so lucky.

See, I don't consider this long hair. To me, long hair is shoulder blade and longer. It makes some ladies look like old 60's hippies stuck in a rut not knowing what to do. Still with the 70's Farrah Fawcett wing bangs. It's dated. And it pulls these aging ladies' beautiful facial features down and the focus becomes on all the hair - and not in a good way.

 

[RitaZ.]

What a beauty she still is. We should all be so lucky.

See, I don't consider this long hair.

Ditto. Her hair is nicely layered, making it look longer than it really is.

 

[honeydiane1953]

Dare I say most older women don't have the funds to have face lifts. As we age of course everything falls. Long hair on older women drags their faces down even more. Very few exceptions on this one.

 

[lulubelle]

I am 51 and have long hair. It is wavy and thick. And of course I am a natural blond. I curl the ends a bit once a week or so but am often too lazy to do it. I am afraid to go short. I only had it above the shoulders once in my life and didn't like it.

 

[mickeysgal]

I do believe Sophia Loren can pull it off at her age, but she is certainly exceptional.

What a beauty she still is. We should all be so lucky.

See, I don't consider this long hair. To me, long hair is shoulder blade and longer. It makes some ladies look like old 60's hippies stuck in a rut not knowing what to do. Still with the 70's Farrah Fawcett wing bangs. It's dated. And it pulls these aging ladies' beautiful facial features down and the focus becomes on all the hair - and not in a good way.

 

[Disney Ella]

I agree that long hair on older women emphasizes the lack of tone and wrinkles in the face and some women do look like aging hippies, like a previous poster said. I don't think older women need to have super short hair, but long hair is just not attractive. I don't think it even matters how healthy the hair actually is, it's the effect of drawing down the face that is very aging and unattractive.

 

[crz4mm2]

NEWS FLASH:

It's not her hair that makes her look dreadful...

You owe me a new keyboard!

 

[KimR]

I am 51 and have long hair. It is wavy and thick. And of course I am a natural blond. I curl the ends a bit once a week or so but am often too lazy to do it. I am afraid to go short. I only had it above the shoulders once in my life and didn't like it.

I haven't had hair above my shoulders since I was 7 and I hated it then. Short hair just isn't me and my husband loves it long as well. Right now, the ony wrinkles I have are a little around my eyes when I smile and and I keep the sagging at bay with juvederm. I plan on getting a facelift as soon my doctor will agree to give me one, so I hope that I can keep the long hair for at least another decade or so.

I guess I'll know when it's time to go shorter, but when I do, it'll be a little below shoulder length and maybe I'll wear it in a up-do. But I can't see myself ever having short hair.

 

[dngnb8]

all in 50s

 

[KimR]

Who is that in the first picture? She looks fantastic!