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

[MrsPete]

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

I bet I could guess most of my friends' ages within five years.

I can certainly tell you that the second-year teacher is between 23 and 25. The teacher down the hall who's about to retire and who has grandchildren is absolutely older than me by a good bit. We all know how long everyone's been teaching, so it isn't all that hard to do the math. At church, we all go to Sunday school classes based upon age groups, and everyone in my class tends to have wrinkles of approximately the same calibur.

Age isn't all that hard to estimate.

What I meant was that clearly in certain parts of the country people tend to take better care of themselves.

Now THAT is certainly a generalization.

 

[mickeysgal]

I'm amazed at the generalizations here

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.

Seriously?

 

[Buckalew11]

I can't believe someone could look at that picture of Meryl Streep and think she looks as beautiful as she possibly can.

I hope she grew it out like that for a movie role.

While fine thinning hair may not do as well with soft layers cut into it, you can point cut into layers to take out the harsh *bobbed* look and soften the look A LOT. I know, I do every day I work and it makes a huge difference and updates the classic look.

I'm all for long hair if you style it and isn't just hanging (like Meryl's). My ex-boss is 53 and has grown her hair out past her shoulders. She colors it and highlights it and it looks beautiful. However, as pretty as the hair is, she'd look more beautiful with a few inches cut off. She does style it, of course, (she is a hairdresser) but on her days off doesn't really *fix* it. Without the styling, it probably does age her 10 years. I think it is all in how you care for it and carry it off.

 

[Eeyore98]

Well, I've managed to live almost 30 years on this planet, and I had never once heard the idea that older women aren't supposed to have long hair until this thread.

So maybe it's not a desperate grasp at youth as some posters seem to think it must be. Maybe the older woman you see with longer hair just never heard that particular piece of "advice", and just wears her hair the way she likes it.

But then, I'm a hair rebel anyway...I'm fat and haven't had hair longer than chin-length in at least five years. I've even had it totally shaved before. I wonder how many random jerky strangers have thought I'm "deluding" myself about my size just because of the way I choose to wear my hair.

 

[pacrosby]

I bet I could guess most of my friends' ages within five years.

I can certainly tell you that the second-year teacher is between 23 and 25. The teacher down the hall who's about to retire and who has grandchildren is absolutely older than me by a good bit. We all know how long everyone's been teaching, so it isn't all that hard to do the math. At church, we all go to Sunday school classes based upon age groups, and everyone in my class tends to have wrinkles of approximately the same calibur.

Many people have grandchildren by the age of 50 but I'm almost there and I'll tell you I'm far from it as my oldest is 11 (youngest is 6). You may know how long everyone's been teaching at your school, but do you know at what age they started? And if everyone in your Sunday school class is grouped by age then of course you know how old they are BUT what if they weren't and you knew NOTHING else about them? That's the point. There are clues that help us determine how old people 'probably' are but if you nothing nothing about someone you are left little but physical cues. And based on those alone it is not always so clear cut. I know 35 year olds who look like hell. And 50 yr olds who look like a milion bucks.

I honestly don't know why my comments create a stir among some. People don't all age at the same rate. There are a great many things that can cause people to look older/younger than they are.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Or do you think they do? By long I mean below the shoulders. And by older, well, let's say 50 and up. I suppose it depends on what age a woman looks and how it's styled.

geez...just what I wanted to hear a few days before turning 50


Seriously though, dont feel a day over 35.. .

 

[pacrosby]

Seriously?

Absolutely and if you deny it than you are too caught up in political correctness.

No doubt that many of the 50 yo women from lower socio-economic circles and/or outlying rural areas are less likely to be as youthful looking as some their same aged peers from more affluent suburban/metro areas. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that.

I can only guess that anyone who staunchly refuses to believe that any 50 yo woman can truly look vibrant and youthful is doing so in an effort to protect their own ego. And if it makes them feel better, so be it.

 

[Bluestars]

Susan Sarandon is 65 or 66 and Meryl Streep is also in her 60s. They look great, and I think their hair suits them.
Personally I like my hair on the shorter side (just above shoulders) as I get older, but I think that any age woman can wear her hair long, if it fits their face. Now if we are talking about adding pink bangs or feathers after 50 then I'd say different

I think so too. I actually think semi-long hair looks better than very short hair. I think it looks more feminine, but a woman should wear her hair in whatever way makes her feel good.

One of my grandmothers had long hair until the day she died. It made her feel good to keep it long, so that's what really mattered in my opinion.

 

[pacrosby]

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.

Did I say that? No. But you left me wondering, of course. To hear someone so confidently say that they are so sure they could guess how old any person is within a couple of years. I've honestly NEVER heard anyone suggest such a thing. Boggles my mind.

So you say you live in and work in a large city? And you see all sorts of people every day? Do you actually ask them how old they are? Do you guess their age and then ask them for their license to see if you are correct? Of course you don't. You really have NO idea how old the majority of people you see everyday are. So you really have no idea whether or not they underestimate how old they look.


Honestly you are welcome to think what you'd like if it makes you feel better. For some reason it irks you that I said some people have been quite surprised to find that I am about to turn 50. And that I actually know plenty of other women who, if put in a crowd with a number of 40 yr olds, would not be easily identified. I'm truly sorry that bothers you so much that you have decided to turn it into some sort of debate .

 

[mickeysgal]

Absolutely and if you deny it than you are too caught up in political correctness.

No doubt that many of the 50 yo women from lower socio-economic circles and/or outlying rural areas are less likely to be as youthful looking as some their same aged peers from more affluent suburban/metro areas. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that.

I can only guess that anyone who staunchly refuses to believe that any 50 yo woman can truly look vibrant and youthful is doing so in an effort to protect their own ego. And if it makes them feel better, so be it.

You missed the point.

What I was commenting on was in your first response you didn't approve of what you deemed as generalizations being made about long hair/older woman; then low and behold you come through with your sweeping generalization about your urban vs. rural women.

I guess generalizations are ok - as long as their yours. Good luck with that.

 

[violetrose]

Did I say that? No

So you live in and work in a large city. And you see all sorts of people every day. Do you ask them how old they are? Do you guess their age and then ask them for their license to see if you are correct? Of course not. You have NO idea how old the majority of people you see everyday are. Your immediate circle of friends and family is hardly a representive sample.


Think what you'd like if it makes you feel better. For some reason it irks you that I said some people have been quite surprised to find that I am about to turn 50. And that I know plenty of other woman who, if put in a crowd with a number of 40 yr olds, would not be easily identified. I'm sorry that offends you .

WTH? Now it's my turn to use the smilie. Who said I was offended? I was talking about the general "you" when I commented on your post.

You asked me where I live, so I told you. I never claimed to know the age of every person I encounter. I do know a lot of people though, and one out of all the people I know in 52 years of living, 1 looks a decade younger than she is. I know people of all different social classes and from different walks of life. One looks a decade younger, the rest don't.

You are the one who seems irked. I have no idea what you are talking about saying I am trying to make myself feel better? Why would it make *me* feel better? I make no such claims about myself. I think I look my age for the most part, maybe a few years younger on a good day, and I am perfectly fine with it. I earned these years and wear them proudly! What age you look, a perfect stranger on the internet, is of no importance to me. I'm just saying if you are someone who truly does look a decade younger then consider yourself lucky. Most don't.

And by the way I think you can BE 50 and LOOK 50 and still be absolutely fabulous looking. I am not a person who feels you have to look youthful to be beautiful. Which brings me back to the point of this thread - long hair need not have an expiration date - it all depends on the woman, the hair, and the confidence level of the woman wearing the hair.

 

[redlight]

I think many "older" women look great with long hair!

 

[pacrosby]

You missed the point.

What I was commenting on was in your first response you didn't approve of what you deemed as generalizations being made about long hair/older woman; then low and behold you come through with your sweeping generalization about your urban vs. rural women.

I guess generalizations are ok - as long as their yours. Good luck with that.

I think there's a big difference between saying "women over 50 shouldn't wear their hair long because it's fine and unhealthy and makes them look like they are trying to pretend they are younger than they are" and saying that in "some" parts of the country middle aged women are "more likely" to have taken better care of themselves resulting in a more youthful appearance. The former is nothing but someone's biased opinion based upon who knows what. The latter? A fact

(and if I may correct you, it wasn't just urban vs. rural. It, like a lot of things, is a lot more complicated than that. Kind of like the question of whether an "older" woman should wear her hair long )

 

[pacrosby]

WTH? Now it's my turn to use the smilie. Who said I was offended? I was talking about the general "you" when I commented on your post.

You asked me where I live, so I told you. I never claimed to know the age of every person I encounter. I do know a lot of people though, and one out of all the people I know in 52 years of living, 1 looks a decade younger than she is. I know people of all different social classes and from different walks of life. One looks a decade younger, the rest don't.

You are the one who seems irked. I have no idea what you are talking about saying I am trying to make myself feel better? Why would it make *me* feel better? I make no such claims about myself. I think I look my age for the most part, maybe a few years younger on a good day, and I am perfectly fine with it. I earned these years and wear them proudly! What age you look, a perfect stranger on the internet, is of no importance to me. I'm just saying if you are someone who truly does look a decade younger then consider yourself lucky. Most don't.

And by the way I think you can BE 50 and LOOK 50 and still be absolutely fabulous looking. I am not a person who feels you have to look youthful to be beautiful. Which brings me back to the point of this thread - long hair need not have an expiration date - it all depends on the woman, the hair, and the confidence level of the woman wearing the hair.

Well, you did start off by accusing me of calling you a porch pig sitting in your trailer.....

Honestly I'm not 'irked' Just a bit perplexed why my comment resulted in what appeared to me to be the makings of some debate about whether a 50 yo could possibly look less than 47 or 48. If that wasn't your intent than I apologize but I've honestly just never heard anyone in my life claim that all 50 yo's look about 50 (or all 30 yo's look about 30, or 40, 40; or 60, 60)). There's huge variability depending on ethnicity, weight, lifestyle, dress, health, fashion sense (yes, that can matter), genetics etc. etc. etc. Aging is not some exact science. Some people will appear to be older. Some appear to be younger. And some appear "just about right".

I remember my 30th high school reunion last year. Talk about variety. If I didn't know these people I would have sworn there were two generations in that room. Some absolutely looked closer to 60. And, yes, a good many did look more like 40. The younger looking crew were mostly the women (the guys looked like hell). And if I didn't know the year they had graduated high school I never would have guessed as they truly looked NO different than many of the 40 yo women in my neighborhood. Youthful 50 yo's do not just live in Hollywood. There's a reason that they say "50 is the new 40".

IDK...maybe we are both just misunderstanding one another. Or maybe we truly do have a difference of opinion. Whatever the case....peace

 

[violetrose]

No, it wasn't a debate. Just an opinion. But you did understand me correctly, I think it's unusual for even the most healthy person to look a decade younger than he/she is. And since you obviously feel that is not outside the norm, then I guess we are at a dead end! No offense taken on my part though!

 

[pacrosby]

No, it wasn't a debate. Just an opinion. But you did understand me correctly, I think it's unusual for even the most healthy person to look a decade younger than he/she is. And since you obviously feel that is not outside the norm, then I guess we are at a dead end! No offense taken on my part though!

Just a quick add....


oh no no...I'm not saying that I believe it's the 'norm'. I will absolutely agree that probably more look within a few years of their age (give or take) than not. And a minority would be able to claim close to 10 yrs younger, I agree. I guess it's just that I don't think it's so very rare for a woman to look notably younger than her license would reveal. The big 5-0 conjurs up some serious images for most people and,nowadays, many women who have met that mileston do not in fact match up.

Of course our indiviual opinions are going to be influenced by our own personal experience. I guess I just happen to know a lot of very young looking 'older' women who fit right in, appearance wise, with the younger ladies in the elementary school lobby. Slim, fit, active, well put together, full of life....those things go a long way towards taking years off a body. And of course, for some, alittle Botox doesn't hurt either

ETA: Truth be told I do think a lot of middle aged women don't do themselves any favors. But I suppose that's a subject for another thread

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

"Porch Pig"??

 

[CurlyJo224]

Wow, that's a depressing statement!

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!

I'm 38, hair past my shoulders. Will I keep it long when I'm older? I don't know, it annoys me now!

Hear hear!

SOME older women may not look good with longer hair, just as SOME younger women may not look good with shorter hair. But that's no one's business but theirs. If they like their hair that way, then that's all there is to it.

I have not had my hair shorter than shoulder length since I was a toddler. Up until two or three years ago, it was down to my knees. Now I keep it between shoulder length and waist length, but I guess that's okay since I'm only in my 30's and won't be "old" for another 15 to 20 years?

My great grandmother kept her hair long until the day she died at age 94. She generally wore it up, but that also might have been a product of her generation and upbringing.

 

[Uptown Girl]

It isn't the age, it's the hair and face shape that either looks good or it doesn't. I saw two young girls, probably 8 and 10 years old that should not have long hair, but did. Their hair was too fine, stringy and not flattering to their face shape.

Look at people like Jane Seymour, she's 60 and has beautiful, long hair.

 

[Buckalew11]

It isn't the age, it's the hair and face shape that either looks good or it doesn't. I saw two young girls, probably 8 and 10 years old that should not have long hair, but did. Their hair was too fine, stringy and not flattering to their face shape.

Look at people like Jane Seymour, she's 60 and has beautiful, long hair.

I see plenty of little girls who have long, thin, stringy hair and shouldn't. It isn't all about age!

I agree Jane Seymour is beautiful but I still think she'd look better with a few inches off.