Seductive Or Unsuitable: Older Women and Long Hair

Why is the topic of older women and long hair even a ‘thing’? An inevitable side effect of aging, and one that many women probably don’t anticipate when they contemplate the future, is just how much your personal flair and grooming practices have to change and adapt. No matter what it is, style and other habits will adjust as you grow older, and this includes the way you wear your hair.

You may have done your hair in a certain cut all your life, or you might be the kind of person who would drastically change your look every six months. Whatever it is, there are certain preexisting notions and conceptions about what exactly constitutes an appropriate hairstyle for an older woman.

Hair is very much an expression of our style, and something that may benefit from an update as we age. The truth is, it’s important to note that just as using the wrong blush shade or not doing your eyebrows can inadvertently age you, so can having the wrong hairstyle. That is not meant to say that you should limit your options, just that it might be a good idea to take a look from time to time.

This article tackles the issue of long hair on older women. While you might have noticed that most of your peers begin to chop off their hair as the years go by, if you’re someone who has worn your hair long all your life and are reluctant about making such a drastic change, keep reading for an overview of what the beauty industry says about this particular topic.

Should Women Over 50 or 60 Wear Long Hair?

As you age, so does your hair. This is one of the reasons that many older women choose to keep their hair short in order to combat these obvious signs of maturity. Some of the inevitable changes include:

• Decreases in hair pigment, gradually turning gray or white
• Loss of voluminous texture, resulting in it becoming thin and brittle

Your hair also tends to grow rougher and coarser, a byproduct of many years of exposure to hair products and outside pollutants.

Aside from the physical signs of aging, there used to be an expectation that older women should don a “more mature and polished” hairstyle. Because long, flowing locks tended to be most commonly associated with younger girls and women, the opposite stands true for older women. Cutting your hair short seemed to be the norm for what to do after you’ve hit a certain point in your life. If you believe that this is the best route for you, then you should definitely give it a try. However, this also does not mean that women over 50 cannot have their hair long. Styling your hair is a personal choice that should not be dictated by the whims of anyone other than yourself, largely if it’s a change you won’t be completely comfortable with. Many older personalities such as Vera Wang and Julianne Moore defy this paradigm and wear their long hair with poise and grace.

• If you’re set on going with your long hair, the best thing to recall is that you need to keep it as healthy as possible.
• Take extra care when going in for styling and coloring to ensure that your locks stay in the greatest possible condition.
• If you’ve decided not to go gray, while you might be tempted to keep your hair permanently dyed, the chemicals that are present in most dyes can also do damage in the long run. With this in mind, try as much as possible to prolong the time in between your salon sessions.
• If you’re a fan of using heat rods and blow dryers, it might also be wise to restrict the usage of these tools to a minimum and stick to air-drying your hair.
• Use products that are designed to thicken and nourish the hair, such as shampoos infused with keratin, a key protein that contributes to hair health.
• Lastly, you should adapt your hair care routine to fit your needs, such as doing weekly hair and scalp treatments or consulting a dermatologist on other techniques you can follow. Remember, the better you treat your hair, the better you’ll feel.

Does Long Hair Make Women Look Older or Younger?

As previously discussed, the idea that older women should not wear long hair is a belief that needs to be revoked. You should be able to do what you feel most secure with, especially if you’ve already taken into account other factors like if the maintenance can fit into your general lifestyle or if you already have a cut in mind that will work for you. And there’s absolutely no reason that long hair can’t also help you appear more youthful. It’s just that, like with most things, there are certain exceptions to every rule, and you should be mindful to have these tips at the ready when considering long hair.

The first rule of thumb is that the length needs to be a decent one. Believe it or not, there is such a thing as having hair that is too long, and once it’s gone past your ribs towards the waist, this will definitely age you. Aside from that, hair that is extremely long will draw attention to the brittle and coarse nature of the hair, and will only serve to emphasize how much time has passed for you. A second suggestion is to make sure that your cut is not shorter in the front and longer in the back. This is a style that is very dated and will say as much. Have the ends be at an even level, or with the front part slightly longer. In addition, another long hair mistake is wearing it completely flat and straight with no volume. Unless it’s professionally straightened, find a way to take advantage of the volume that you have left by choosing a cut that will do this for you.

Youthful Hairstyles for Women Over 50

There are several ways to wear long hair that will both highlight your features and be your go-to cut in the future. So if you’re interested in branching out and trying something new, check out what you can do with your hair to keep it long but also retain a youthful glow.

1. Long bob

There is nothing more iconic than the long bob, a trendy hairstyle that has grown in popularity due to its universal nature. This cut is perfect for those with thinner hair, and wearing it just below the shoulders is flattering on all face shapes. Since it’s also preferable for older women to wear their hair longer in the front, this particular style is the best of both worlds. A long bob will also make you look younger by removing the weight from the face, framing the jawline and having you appear slimmer.

2. Soft waves

This is perfect for women whose hair is still on the thicker side because wearing long hair with layers is a great means of framing the face and highlighting your unique face shape. The gentle waves will also provide a softness to your hair that will prevent it from seeming coarse and thick the way hair tends to be when you’re older.

3. Layered hair

Layers in general are ideal for long hair because they throw in that much-needed texture and volume so sorely missing from mature hair. Layers will also prevent your hair from being bland and boring, and thus dated. Ensure that the layers are long enough to start at or near your chin, since this will also keep the overall effect to be more modern and elegant.

4. Half-up, half-down

This kind of hairstyle is always a good idea when wanting to add that timeless and refined touch, and it works especially well on older women with long hair because it also gives you a more girlish and youthful appearance, along with some volume at the crown of your head.

5. Shoulder-length

Shoulder-length hair is universally flattering, with the sweet spot being right at or just below the shoulders. It’s an ideal way to frame the face and works well with any hair color, whether you choose to go gray naturally or dye your hair back to its original shade. There are a variety of things you can do with shoulder-length hair, such as random, wispy layers or blended layers that are more flattering than severe cuts.

6. Highlights

A long hairstyle paired with highlights will elevate your appearance and add some depth and dimension to the hair, making it more dynamic and less flat. Highlights can also adapt to any hairstyle, but they’re more pronounced when woven into the hair naturally as opposed to chunky streaks of color.

Bangs or No Bangs?

Another common misconception among older women is that bangs are solely for the youth. In reality, bangs can do a lot in reducing the outward signs of aging when worn the right way. Having bangs makes your face appear smaller, and thus more youthful. But be careful not to have bangs that are too short. The optimal length is when they come down long enough to cover the forehead so that they don’t accentuate the fine lines around your eyes. This will also soften the features and diminish the effect of the harsh creases that sit on your face. The trick with bangs is to choose the right kind for you. Consider soft, wispy bangs that are swept to the side, or a straight and clean full blunt cut that is both tasteful and contemporary. Similar to long hair, some bangs will require a regular upkeep, such as getting a trim every two to three weeks. Make certain that your chosen bangs are suitable for your hair texture and face shape. If your hair is very thin, stick to a fringe that is less severe. In general, bangs are fun and flirty, and will not only give off the sense that you look younger, but will make you feel younger as well.

At the end of the day, the choice to wear long hair even after reaching a certain age is a personal one that should not be dictated by what you see around you. Like changing your makeup routine, your hair can also be adapted so that you fit the new skin you find yourself in, while still being unquestionably yourself. Long hair is nothing to be awkward or embarrassed about, but it will definitely require more attention on your end, so make sure you’re prepared to embrace it so that it lasts for a long time.