Short hair on older women

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am 58. My hair is naturally wavy and I still have a lot of it. I straighten it about half the time. Barring a major health issue, I have no plans to cut my hair short enough that I can’t pull it up. Even my hairdresser says short hair would be way more work for me based on my hair type.

I don’t wear it as long as I did in my 20s and 30s but that’s a personal preference, not pressure to follow an unwritten rule about long hair on older women. I keep it around my shoulders or just below these days.

+1
This describes me too. I almost always wear my hair in a ponytail, so it has to be at least long enough to pull it back. I do think it would be more work if I had shorter hair that couldn't be pulled into a ponytail. It would have to be styled every day and I'm not up for it.

Dp. It is not 'more work' to have short hair! Since when did having less of something take more time?

I don't care what you do with your hair..no judgement but I have short hair and do not style it every day! That is very funny!!

Depending on what type of natural waves or curl your hair has, and how much hair you have, it absolutely can be tons of work if it’s short and require lots of product so that it doesn’t look like a rumpled mess. If I cut my hair shorter than a certain point it looks a disaster if I don’t spend time on it every day.

Some people can wear short hair with ease and props to them. But some of us can’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Very few women can pull short hair attractively in middle age.

Very few women actually have hair so fine they "need" a short cut. My mother had baby fine, feathery hair and did need such a cut. But most women don't have that texture until much later, if they ever have it at all. Usually women feel their hair thinning, and the comparison makes them believe a short cut is best. But if they saw themselves objectively, they'd realize longer hair still suits them better.

Let be real.

Most women are not attractive in middle age and most don't care. I can spend all day at a spa and i'm still coming out looking average at best.

Oh, I agree with you. But for middle-aged women who want to look their best... often a shorter cut is not the way to go. They usually don't have that fine a hair strand, and no bald spots, or the shape of their head needs to be taken into account. I'm just saying that short hair should not be the default option after a certain age.

Also, it depends how old. My friends and acquaintances are in the 40-50 age range, and the majority have really nice hair that's below the shoulders. Even my friend with straight fine hair looks better with longer hair. Some dye their hair, some don't. My best friend has very lovely curls that look best when short, so she's always had short hair. It suits her, and it's not due to age.

[Anonymous]

It's thinning hair, OP.

I'm 45 and my hair is still natural blonde, but it's a little thinner than it was. Luckily, it was super thick when I was younger and is now just average-thick, but if it thins out to the point that it doesn't look good, I'll have to consider my options.

I work with an older woman who wears her hair in a french twist every day, and it is elegant and distinctive. I guess that's my plan if my hair thins too much to wear it long below my shoulders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No idea. My Mother always called women who did that "Q-tips."

With quality wigs readily available and affordable, there is no reason except for ignorance and personal choice that a woman cannot have attractive hair as she ages.

I bet I spend way less on my short hair than you do on therapy.

[Anonymous]

I'm almost 60. My curly, gray hair extends below my bra strap when straight yet barely hits my shoulders when left curly. Any more, I never straighten it. Too much work, too hard on my post-menopausal hair. Yet, having that mass of hair right on my shoulders isn't flattering. So, I almost always wear it up. I don't give a rats ass if I'm judged for it. It works for me and I feel good!

[Anonymous]

I’m pretty sure my mom cut hers in the 80s and 90s to be like princess Diana … then it was just what all the moms had. She’s since grown it out to more of a bob and I think that looks much nicer and fuller (she’s in her early 60s)

Agree the really long hair into your middle years looks like you’re trying too hard but whatever, try away!

But my philosophy is - do whatever you want with your own hair …

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My theory is that American hairdressers are lousy and cutting short hair. It takes more skill than cutting longer hair because each cut needs to be custom to the head shape and hair of the person. They've also only ever seen the awful cuts that are ubiquitous on older American women, so I that's what they do. I agree that it's often a terrible look, but I don't think the solution is going long.

I had an amazing pixie cut when I was living in France, but never could get it replicated in the US, even with photos of the original. Now I have a wavy French bob, which is harder for hairdressers to butcher to cut than a pixie. I do think short hair can look super chic. I just think it's really hard to find an American hairdresser with that skill set. By contrast, I saw beautiful and flattering short haircuts all over France.

Yep, it’s a separate skill (I grew up in Europe so I know what you’re talking about), the American style blowout can cover a multitude of stylistic sins. I’ve had much better luck here with barbers, especially if they are female. Much better skills in shaping your hair with scissors and/or razor rather than a hairdryer and a brush.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My theory is that American hairdressers are lousy and cutting short hair. It takes more skill than cutting longer hair because each cut needs to be custom to the head shape and hair of the person. They've also only ever seen the awful cuts that are ubiquitous on older American women, so I that's what they do. I agree that it's often a terrible look, but I don't think the solution is going long.

I had an amazing pixie cut when I was living in France, but never could get it replicated in the US, even with photos of the original. Now I have a wavy French bob, which is harder for hairdressers to butcher to cut than a pixie. I do think short hair can look super chic. I just think it's really hard to find an American hairdresser with that skill set. By contrast, I saw beautiful and flattering short haircuts all over France.

It's not the hair stylists... it's the person. Most people don't have the bone structure to pull off short hair. You need a more compact face, a smaller nose, strong cheekbones, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am 58. My hair is naturally wavy and I still have a lot of it. I straighten it about half the time. Barring a major health issue, I have no plans to cut my hair short enough that I can’t pull it up. Even my hairdresser says short hair would be way more work for me based on my hair type.

I don’t wear it as long as I did in my 20s and 30s but that’s a personal preference, not pressure to follow an unwritten rule about long hair on older women. I keep it around my shoulders or just below these days.

+1
This describes me too. I almost always wear my hair in a ponytail, so it has to be at least long enough to pull it back. I do think it would be more work if I had shorter hair that couldn't be pulled into a ponytail. It would have to be styled every day and I'm not up for it.

Dp. It is not 'more work' to have short hair! Since when did having less of something take more time?

I don't care what you do with your hair..no judgement but I have short hair and do not style it every day! That is very funny!!

Depending on what type of natural waves or curl your hair has, and how much hair you have, it absolutely can be tons of work if it’s short and require lots of product so that it doesn’t look like a rumpled mess. If I cut my hair shorter than a certain point it looks a disaster if I don’t spend time on it every day.

Some people can wear short hair with ease and props to them. But some of us can’t.

Not more than long hair and you can't convince me. So don't try. If you have curls or weaves or whatever longer hair will still be more work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Very few women can pull short hair attractively in middle age.

Very few women actually have hair so fine they "need" a short cut. My mother had baby fine, feathery hair and did need such a cut. But most women don't have that texture until much later, if they ever have it at all. Usually women feel their hair thinning, and the comparison makes them believe a short cut is best. But if they saw themselves objectively, they'd realize longer hair still suits them better.

Let be real.

Most women are not attractive in middle age and most don't care. I can spend all day at a spa and i'm still coming out looking average at best.

Oh, I agree with you. But for middle-aged women who want to look their best... often a shorter cut is not the way to go. They usually don't have that fine a hair strand, and no bald spots, or the shape of their head needs to be taken into account. I'm just saying that short hair should not be the default option after a certain age.

Also, it depends how old. My friends and acquaintances are in the 40-50 age range, and the majority have really nice hair that's below the shoulders. Even my friend with straight fine hair looks better with longer hair. Some dye their hair, some don't. My best friend has very lovely curls that look best when short, so she's always had short hair. It suits her, and it's not due to age.

So judgy...can we please stop telling other women what looks good on them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am 58. My hair is naturally wavy and I still have a lot of it. I straighten it about half the time. Barring a major health issue, I have no plans to cut my hair short enough that I can’t pull it up. Even my hairdresser says short hair would be way more work for me based on my hair type.

I don’t wear it as long as I did in my 20s and 30s but that’s a personal preference, not pressure to follow an unwritten rule about long hair on older women. I keep it around my shoulders or just below these days.

+1
This describes me too. I almost always wear my hair in a ponytail, so it has to be at least long enough to pull it back. I do think it would be more work if I had shorter hair that couldn't be pulled into a ponytail. It would have to be styled every day and I'm not up for it.

Dp. It is not 'more work' to have short hair! Since when did having less of something take more time?

I don't care what you do with your hair..no judgement but I have short hair and do not style it every day! That is very funny!!

Depending on what type of natural waves or curl your hair has, and how much hair you have, it absolutely can be tons of work if it’s short and require lots of product so that it doesn’t look like a rumpled mess. If I cut my hair shorter than a certain point it looks a disaster if I don’t spend time on it every day.

Some people can wear short hair with ease and props to them. But some of us can’t.

Not more than long hair and you can't convince me. So don't try. If you have curls or weaves or whatever longer hair will still be more work.

I’m glad you know more about my own hair than I do and you also know more than every hairdresser I’ve ever been to. Congrats to you. I’ll still never have short hair because even though you don’t believe it, it is in fact more work. Enjoy your short hair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am 58. My hair is naturally wavy and I still have a lot of it. I straighten it about half the time. Barring a major health issue, I have no plans to cut my hair short enough that I can’t pull it up. Even my hairdresser says short hair would be way more work for me based on my hair type.

I don’t wear it as long as I did in my 20s and 30s but that’s a personal preference, not pressure to follow an unwritten rule about long hair on older women. I keep it around my shoulders or just below these days.

+1
This describes me too. I almost always wear my hair in a ponytail, so it has to be at least long enough to pull it back. I do think it would be more work if I had shorter hair that couldn't be pulled into a ponytail. It would have to be styled every day and I'm not up for it.

Dp. It is not 'more work' to have short hair! Since when did having less of something take more time?

I don't care what you do with your hair..no judgement but I have short hair and do not style it every day! That is very funny!!

Depending on what type of natural waves or curl your hair has, and how much hair you have, it absolutely can be tons of work if it’s short and require lots of product so that it doesn’t look like a rumpled mess. If I cut my hair shorter than a certain point it looks a disaster if I don’t spend time on it every day.

Some people can wear short hair with ease and props to them. But some of us can’t.

Not more than long hair and you can't convince me. So don't try. If you have curls or weaves or whatever longer hair will still be more work.

I’m glad you know more about my own hair than I do and you also know more than every hairdresser I’ve ever been to. Congrats to you. I’ll still never have short hair because even though you don’t believe it, it is in fact more work. Enjoy your short hair.

DP. I always found short hair more work too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My theory is that American hairdressers are lousy and cutting short hair. It takes more skill than cutting longer hair because each cut needs to be custom to the head shape and hair of the person. They've also only ever seen the awful cuts that are ubiquitous on older American women, so I that's what they do. I agree that it's often a terrible look, but I don't think the solution is going long.

I had an amazing pixie cut when I was living in France, but never could get it replicated in the US, even with photos of the original. Now I have a wavy French bob, which is harder for hairdressers to butcher to cut than a pixie. I do think short hair can look super chic. I just think it's really hard to find an American hairdresser with that skill set. By contrast, I saw beautiful and flattering short haircuts all over France.

It's not the hair stylists... it's the person. Most people don't have the bone structure to pull off short hair. You need a more compact face, a smaller nose, strong cheekbones, etc.

You'd be surprised how skilled stylists can match a modern looking short haircut to a face. The cuts can be striking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am 58. My hair is naturally wavy and I still have a lot of it. I straighten it about half the time. Barring a major health issue, I have no plans to cut my hair short enough that I can’t pull it up. Even my hairdresser says short hair would be way more work for me based on my hair type.

I don’t wear it as long as I did in my 20s and 30s but that’s a personal preference, not pressure to follow an unwritten rule about long hair on older women. I keep it around my shoulders or just below these days.

+1
This describes me too. I almost always wear my hair in a ponytail, so it has to be at least long enough to pull it back. I do think it would be more work if I had shorter hair that couldn't be pulled into a ponytail. It would have to be styled every day and I'm not up for it.

Dp. It is not 'more work' to have short hair! Since when did having less of something take more time?

I don't care what you do with your hair..no judgement but I have short hair and do not style it every day! That is very funny!!

Depending on what type of natural waves or curl your hair has, and how much hair you have, it absolutely can be tons of work if it’s short and require lots of product so that it doesn’t look like a rumpled mess. If I cut my hair shorter than a certain point it looks a disaster if I don’t spend time on it every day.

Some people can wear short hair with ease and props to them. But some of us can’t.

Not more than long hair and you can't convince me. So don't try. If you have curls or weaves or whatever longer hair will still be more work.

I’m glad you know more about my own hair than I do and you also know more than every hairdresser I’ve ever been to. Congrats to you. I’ll still never have short hair because even though you don’t believe it, it is in fact more work. Enjoy your short hair.

DP. I always found short hair more work too.[/quote

Lol

[Anonymous]

I have very thick though pretty straight hair. I tried it short once and it didn’t work for me as with long hair I can style it a whole bunch of ways.