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

[violetrose]

Emmy Lou Harris is gorgeous. She is one of the few women who just gets better as she ages. Heather, Meryl, Jane, Susan and Christie are all beautiful but none of them have the head of hair Emmy Lou has - that silver hair is her trademark and makes her stand apart. Same with Valerie Bertinelli, her long beautiful hair is so bouncy and full of body. I can't imagine her without that long mane of hair.

I don't understand the mentality that someone should cut their hair at a certain age. It all depends on the person, the shape of their face, and most of all, the texture of the hair.

I do think that women should change their style as they age - I always hate seeing an older woman dressed in clothes that she obviously bought in the juniors department. It makes me cringe and feel embarrassed for her. But I do think long hair as you get older can be pulled off when you have hair like Emmy Lou or Valerie.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think people should keep their hair however they want. I have never understood the you hit a certain age and should cut your short way of thinking.

Maybe it's psychological, equating long hair with youth.

I definitely think it's a psychological thing with the people who think long hair goes with youth. Absolutely.

And therefore it's not the problem of the people with long hair.

I've always been told the reason older women can't pull off long hair is because it gives the illusion of pulling the facial features down which ages one's face. If you see a "before" and "after" pic of this demonstrated, it's very apparent.

If you can actually find some before/after pictures where the ONLY thing that has changed is the hair, it would be interesting. But I've never seen a before/after picture taken with the same lighting, same expression, same clothes, same makeup...they always change more than one thing.

But, the main reason I keep my hair short is because I live in a very warm climate. It is just so much easier and, I admit it. I'm lazy and short hair just seems to be me.

When I've lived in a hot climate (Miami, SC, WV) I actually do better with *long* hair. Because I've always been a very sweaty person (runs in the family...my brother, mom, aunt, probably my grandma and on back), and if I have short hair in a hot climate, my whole head is WET. All day. Yucko. If it's long, I can put it up, and only the nape of my neck is sweaty, but the rest of my hair has a chance to stay dry and normal looking.

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

That's hardly long hair.

The thing is, it's how you feel. Its other people that will think like that statement above and that's their problem, not yours! If you like your long hair, keep it!!

Over 50, you should be living your life to please you, not anyone else!

As for celebrities, that proves nothing. They have professional hair stylists do their hair before those photo shots, and we're not seeing how they look after a day at work.

But the statement is that long hair isn't right if you're older. Not "bad hair isn't right", not "long hair isn't right if you aren't a star".




I giggle about long hair being for youth. My mom wouldn't allow long hair when I was still under her roof, because I have a sensitive head and she knew what would happen with my curls. And she was right! I have grown my hair out quite long 3 times, if memory serves, since my 20s. Then cut it, then grew exhausted with how often you have to have it cut when it's short, and grew it longer again, etc.

The one thing I've never associated it with is my youthfulness!

 

[dngnb8]

Meryl Streep, Susan Sarandon and whoever was pic #4 ALL would look better with shorter hair.

No they wouldnt.

 

[NotUrsula]

All of the folks who say that older should ALWAYS equal short and layered around the face (to "soften" it) are at risk of tripping on an oxymoron: it won't work if you are really losing your hair.

I am. (Runs in my mother's family.) I cannot layer my hair in any way; if I did you would see immediately how very little of it there really is. I need my side part, because for me it functions as the girly equivalent of a comb-over, i'm afraid. I have to keep my hair at just about the same color intensity as my skin; too dark and there is a lot of pale me shining through; too grey and the pink of my scalp contrasts like a lighthouse beam. The blunt cut that I have disguises how thin my hair is; the weight of it and the bulk line at the bottom makes it look thicker. (Not that my hair is exactly long; it rides just above my shoulders. Oh, and the loose bangs? They hide the four horizontal lines on my forehead; boring style is a lot cheaper than botox.)

My hairdresser has warned me: NO layering, not at all. It is fine hair by texture, and now that I'm down to around 50% density, I have to hang on to any illusion of bulk that I can. (The fun part is that I haven't hit menopause yet, once that happens I will probably have to start wearing wigs.)

 

[smidgy]

:I definitely think it's a psychological thing with the people who think long hair goes with youth. Absolutely.

And therefore it's not the problem of the people with long hair.
!

my hair is past my shoulders and I am 55. I am not trying to look young. I just like it.

with the exception of goofyernmost,, most of the people saying older women look bad with long hair are women... most men will tell you they like women with mong, or at least longer hair. ...

most men do not like short hair on women.

sometimes I do toy with the idea of cutting my hair. hubby then says...."please don't, I love your hair". nuff said.

 

[PaulaSB12]

Chin length to just skimming the shoulders is fine. Anything mid-back and longer just looks wrong in an older woman. To me, it makes a woman look dated and trying to hang onto her youth which has long-ago departed. Honestly I only know one woman who has longish hair and as beautiful as she is and as beautiful as her hair still is, she looks really dated. All the other woman I see with long hair, it generally looks dry, brittle, and worn out.

What these ladies don't realize is how much more youthful and better they'll look if they just get it updated and cut.

Have you ever thought they don't get their hair done the way you think they should because its their hair and none of your business. Why do we have to be youthfull thy do older women get told to cut the hair that they want, its only about 50 years ago and most women kept their hair long now we have the hair police nagging about something that does not concern them.

 

[smidgy]

and those of you who think an older women has long hair because she is trying to "hang on to her youth"...
put your "armchair" psychology degree back on the dime store shelf where you bought it. you are dead wrong and have no idea what someone else is thinking.
if you don't like long hair on older women, fine. if you are a man that is your wife's problem. if you a woman, it's not your business.
I like this smilie right now

(oops, mist be trying to "relive" my youth) how silly, I LOVE being a grandma!!!!!!!

 

[PollyannaMom]

I'm with the "wear it how you want it" group. I hate my hair short, and always have. It just doesn't feel like me. (And it has nothing to do with age - the two times I did give it a try were in middle school and college.)

 

[Christine]

Emmy Lou Harris is gorgeous. She is one of the few women who just gets better as she ages. Heather, Meryl, Jane, Susan and Christie are all beautiful but none of them have the head of hair Emmy Lou has - that silver hair is her trademark and makes her stand apart. Same with Valerie Bertinelli, her long beautiful hair is so bouncy and full of body. I can't imagine her without that long mane of hair.

I don't understand the mentality that someone should cut their hair at a certain age. It all depends on the person, the shape of their face, and most of all, the texture of the hair.

I do think that women should change their style as they age - I always hate seeing an older woman dressed in clothes that she obviously bought in the juniors department. It makes me cringe and feel embarrassed for her. But I do think long hair as you get older can be pulled off when you have hair like Emmy Lou or Valerie.

Valerie also stated, when she was on Oprah and talking about aging, that her hair is full of extensions. What you see with her in her public pictures is not a true representation of what her hair looks like. I think we'd all look good if we had our hair done professionally and then had hair extensions popped in so it could be glorious.

 

[herdtoDisney]

Here's the thing-I wear my hair long and probably always will. I like it and it's my covering (personal thing). It's about mid-back lenght, it doesn't get longer (it's fine and breaks off). Just a simple cut with bangs, which I grow out occasionally.

DOn't know yet if I will color it, I'm 40 and don't need to yet lol. My auntie had long hair all her life and lived to 90. I'm not cutting it short just because I reach a certain age

 

[pacrosby]

Chin length to just skimming the shoulders is fine. Anything mid-back and longer just looks wrong in an older woman. To me, it makes a woman look dated and trying to hang onto her youth which has long-ago departed. Honestly I only know one woman who has longish hair and as beautiful as she is and as beautiful as her hair still is, she looks really dated. All the other woman I see with long hair, it generally looks dry, brittle, and worn out.

What these ladies don't realize is how much more youthful and better they'll look if they just get it updated and cut.

Do you really think you know how old every woman is simply by looking at her?

Or perhaps you are you saying that if your license says your old, you automatically look silly regardless of how you REALLY look? Do I look silly with my long hair just because I'm about to turn 50 or is it ok because when I tell people I'm about to hit a big birthday milestone they think I mean 40?

I'm amazed at the generalizations here

 

[violetrose]

Do you really think you know how old every woman is simply by looking at her?

Or perhaps you are you saying that if your license says your old, you automatically look silly regardless of how you REALLY look? Do I look silly with my long hair just because I'm about to turn 50 or is it ok because when I tell people I'm about to hit a big birthday milestone they think I mean 40?

I'm amazed at the generalizations here

Not to be rude but I think 99% of the people who think they look 10 years younger than they are don't. You may be the 1% - if you are, more power to you.

I can pretty much look at most people and guess their age within a few years either way.

 

[violetrose]

and those of you who think an older women has long hair because she is trying to "hang on to her youth"...
put your "armchair" psychology degree back on the dime store shelf where you bought it. you are dead wrong and have no idea what someone else is thinking.
if you don't like long hair on older women, fine. if you are a man that is your wife's problem. if you a woman, it's not your business.
I like this smilie right now

(oops, mist be trying to "relive" my youth) how silly, I LOVE being a grandma!!!!!!!

There are plenty of women who keep their hair long to hang on to their youth. There are also plenty of women who dress and act like teenagers in an effort to hang on to their youth. That is just a fact. You may not be one of them, which is great, but it would be silly to deny that some women have a hard time letting youth fade and hold on to styles that are no longer flattering as a result, whether it be by refusing to cut their hair or wearing clothes that are inappropriate for people over the age of 20.

Now I am not saying that a woman can't have long hair and be any age. Some older women look beautiful with long hair. Some younger women look like crap with long hair. There are exceptions to every rule.

And of course none of this is anyone's business. It's a message board where people are offering opinions. If I saw an older woman trying to act like she is 20 I am not going to go get in her business. But if asked my opinion, I'll give it.

 

[NikitaZee]

There are plenty of women who keep their hair long to hang on to their youth. There are also plenty of women who dress and act like teenagers in an effort to hang on to their youth. That is just a fact. You may not be one of them, which is great, but it would be silly to deny that some women have a hard time letting youth fade and hold on to styles that are no longer flattering as a result, whether it be by refusing to cut their hair or wearing clothes that are inappropriate for people over the age of 20.

Now I am not saying that a woman can't have long hair and be any age. Some older women look beautiful with long hair. Some younger women look like crap with long hair. There are exceptions to every rule.

And of course none of this is anyone's business. It's a message board where people are offering opinions. If I saw an older woman trying to act like she is 20 I am not going to go get in her business. But if asked my opinion, I'll give it.

I agree. I love long hair. I can't imagine myself ever having short hair. But, when wrinkles start taking over my face, I think a short(er) look will be in order. Long luxurious hair and a face full of wrinkles don't match - or look good. JMO.

 

[pacrosby]

Not to be rude but I think 99% of the people who think they look 10 years younger than they are don't. You may be the 1% - if you are, more power to you.

I can pretty much look at most people and guess their age within a few years either way.

IDK, maybe they just think like you. And since I couldn't possibly be a young looking 50, I must just be an old looking 40 LOL

Personally I think that it's ridiculous to say that you can generally tell how old any person is within a couple of years. ESPECIALLY as people get older. Ten years in either direction is very reasonable. Some 50 year olds have well worn faces, the middle aged spread, no longer take care of themselves, dress rather, well, middle-aged, and have college aged kids. Other 50 year olds have little in the way of wrinkles, weigh the same as they did in high school, take care of themselves, dress fashionably and have elementary schoolers. I know many women in their late 40's who would easily be mistaken for about 40. Where exactly do you live that you can't fathom that?

Just for kicks...people almost fall over when they find out how old my mom is. She drives a Miata, wears high heels, dresses like a fashion plate, still takes care of her house and her garden, goes out shopping every day...... Most would take her for her early 70's. She's in fact 83! I guess I just have good genes

 

[violetrose]

I think that it's ridiculous to say that you can generally tell how old any person is within a couple of years. ESPECIALLY as people get older. Ten years in either direction is very reasonable. Some 50 year olds have the middle aged spread, no longer take care of themselves, dress rather, well, middle-aged, and have college aged kids. Other 50 year olds weigh the same as they did in high school, take care of themselves, dress fashionably and have elementary schoolers. I know many women in their late 40's who would be mistaken for about 40. Where do you live?

Just for kicks...people almost fall over when they find out how old my mom is. She drives a Miata, wears high heels, dresses like a fashion plate, still takes care of her house and her garden, goes out shopping every day. Most would take her for her early 70's. She's in fact 83! I guess it's just good genes

What does where I live have to do with it?

I'll stick to my original idea on this - I'm guessing that unless you have really good genetics (and you very well may!), you don't look 10 years younger than you are. You as in the general you.

 

[pacrosby]

What does where I live have to do with it?

I'll stick to my original idea on this - I'm guessing that unless you have really good genetics (and you very well may!), you don't look 10 years younger than you are. You as in the general you.

What I meant was that clearly in certain parts of the country people tend to take better care of themselves. But it doesn't just have to be where you live, it could just be your personal circle of family and friends. If you are surrounded by people who always seem to sport that middle aged spread and that well-worn face by 50 than you are likely to believe that it is true everywhere. And that a youthful 50 can only be acheived via botox and personal trainers. Not true.

 

[violetrose]

What I meant was that clearly in certain parts of the country people tend to take better care of themselves. But it doesn't just have to be where you live, it could just be your personal circle of family and friends. If you are surrounded by people who always seem to sport that middle aged spread and that well-worn face by 50 than you are likely to believe that it is true everywhere. And that a youthful 50 can only be acheived via botox and personal trainers. Not true.

LOL! Ahh, no, not a porch pig sitting by my trailer looking at all the other unfortunate 50 year old people cursed by middle age spread.

I live and work in a large city. I see all sorts of people every day. I think most people overestimate how youthful they look.

However, I do agree a youthful 50 can be achieved by means other than botox and personal trainers. I think people can look great at 50, and an active 50 year old by taking care of him/herself can probably look a good few years younger. 10 probably not. Not saying there aren't some people who do look that much younger, but not many. I know one person in all the people I know who I would say looks 10 (or maybe more) years younger. She is in her mid 60s and by luck of genetics and taking really good care of herself looks at least a decade younger. The rest of us poor schleps look pretty close to our age on either side.

 

[mickeysgal]

Have you ever thought they don't get their hair done the way you think they should because its their hair and none of your business. Why do we have to be youthfull thy do older women get told to cut the hair that they want, its only about 50 years ago and most women kept their hair long now we have the hair police nagging about something that does not concern them.

Someone posted the question on this thread and wanted opinions and I responded with my opinion. Your opinion is yours and mine is mine. No one agrees on a message board. No one is telling anyone they HAVE to go cut their hair once they hit 50 and there is no hair police nagging anyone. This thread is just a collection of opinions on a subject matter.

And as far as the celebrity pictures posted thusfar on this thread...makeup artists, hair stylists, possible hair extensions, and finally photoshop don't make for a realistic and fair comparision for the average DIS'er. And yes, even given that, I think a few of the celebrities can fair better with shorter hair - like chin/shoulder length.

 

[MrsPete]

But the statement is that long hair isn't right if you're older. Not "bad hair isn't right", not "long hair isn't right if you aren't a star".

Let me say it more clearly:

I totally agree that Valierie Bertanelli's hair looks great.

As I've aged, my hair has become thinner -- this is not true for everyone, but it is very typical. If I went to a professional hair dresser and had that person spend an hour making my hair perfect --great products, maybe some extensions, the skill of a professional -- I could pull off fantatic long hair just like I did effortlessly when I was younger, just like Valerie is doing now. I have neither the time nor the money to do that. Going shorter gives good results, even though I no longer have the volume I used to have.

Celebrities know they're going to be in the spotlight. They have good reason to put the money and effort into primping and looking their best. Also, they only have to pull off "top notch" for a couple hours for their red-carpet affairs.

Thus, just because celebrities can have fantastic long hair at 50 or 60 doesn't mean the rest of us can realistically manage it.