Can women over 40 wear long hair is a common question amongst women over 40. The jury seems to be out on this question and opinions differ. The official answer is NO. Better not do it, but I find a lot of women over 40 looking georgeous wearing long hair. As for myself I decided to defy the belief and grow my hair. My hair is now the longest it has been in over 25 years and sofar I’m enjoying it. I’m a bit of a yoyo though, when it comes to hair, and I’m pretty sure that sooner or later I will cut it again. I have thin hair so it’s not easy to manage. The thing is, my hair is difficult to manage with short hair too! Sofar the advantages of long hair for me have been:
- I tend to look better. My face is quite small and my longer hair gives it more body
- It’s easy to manage on a bad hair day by just putting it in a pony tail
- The longer hair has been easier to style by just blowdrying and a voluminizer in my hair (but I also got a brazilian blowout style treatment)
Which reasons are usually presented when women over 40 are advised not to have long hair:
- Long hair drags your face downwards and emphasizes the unpreventable sagging that will occur after 40
- It does not suit their face shape. Women with an oval or long face shape can pull of long hair much better.
- The hair tends to thin out after 40 so it is hard to keep the hair looking voluminous and healthy.
Which women over 40 look good with their long hair?
Elle Jane Seymor, Elle McPherson, Demi more, jennifer Amiston, Christie Brinkley, Jennifer Lopez and Christie Brinkley all still look gorgeous in long hair. Although all these women look good, bear in mind though that they are looked after by the best stylists, use the best products money can buy and probably spend hours styling the hair before these pictures were taken. You may not have the time or money needed to look after your hair that way.
How to make long hair work with women over 40?
- Add highlights for more texture
- Add layers so that your hair does not become too heavy
- Use very good (overnight) conditioners to keep away the frizz and look after your hair
- Try a brazilian blowout hair treatment to remove frizz and get a nice sleek look
In the end, as with all the ‘rules’ for over 40 women, you should just ignore them as you please. If long hair makes you happy and it suits your personality then by all means just go for it!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Sylvia–you did a brilliant job in putting this together and defining the rules! There are always caveats to any rule, and you outlined the exceptions well! I have thin hair so long hair has never been an option for me. But I have a few friends that have gorgeous hair and the right shaped face and they still look great with long hair. Accent the positive!
Hi Paula,
Thanks for stopping by. Your hair is not supershort either. I love your hair style!
I have super long hair and almost always have. Im 44. I can’t imagine cutting it because I’m overweight and I feel like short hair will make me look fatter.
I think you should do what makes you feel the best. However, I don’t believe that a short haircut will make you look fatter. I think that a good short or middle long haircut will probably look the best on women over 40, no matter their size. Thanks for visiting and commenting on 40+Style!
Hi Sylvia, I had short hair for over 20 years but started growing it when I retired to a remote village where access to a good hairdresser was a problem. I now love its longer length, currently a shoulder length bob. It allows me to put it up in various ways; and can be braided (using utube tutorials). I discovered ‘Claires’ which sells different hair accessories to ring the changes.
I read your earlier blog on pros-cons of going grey. After suffering the intermediate period of greying hair and always having to color it, I’ve let is go to its natural grey colour. However, I regularly use a blue shampoo which prevents the grey from looking a ‘dirty’ color and encourages a silvery look which I like.
On perfume, I don’t feel dressed unless wearing a perfume, even up here. Current favourite is Paco Rabanne’s Lady Millions, also a fan of the Thierry Mugler range, and loving Tom Ford’s Black Dahlia (I think that’s what it’s called). Currently also enjoying the ‘perfume’ of the Elizabeth Arden body creme ‘Green Tea and Honey Drops’. Good dollop of body cream never goes amiss on my drying skin with added extra of smelling great!
Love your site, especially advice on capris.
Ciao. Nicola
Hi Nicola. Lovely to receive your feedback. You’re replying to several articles in one go! Very glad to read you are enjoying the site. I hope to connect with you more.
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