As a woman should you cut your hair short when you are past 40?
By SketcherD
@SketcherD (1114)
Canada
October 16, 2008 12:31am CST
My Mom and I have argued this point for years. Mainly because I am a hair stylist but the other reason is because I believe in free choice!! One should do with their hair what they want! Not what everyone else wants.
That being said I have cut my hair short and I am past the 40 mark. I did it about a year ago. I am thinking of growing it to shoulder length. So it is half way between the short that I have and long version had a year ago. I miss my longer hair. I like my present cut but it doesn't let me get the many different styles like I have been able to do almost all my life. You know where it in a braid, french roll or just down and flowing.
What do you think?? Should a woman get a short haircut after 40??
8 people like this
30 responses
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
17 Oct 08
I have very thick and wavy hair. At times when wet it almost looks like a perm and hangs in ringlets. I've tried to straighten it in my teen years too. All my life it was short, sometimes very short. I always wanted hair long enough to wear in a braid, maybe even a french braid. So several years ago I started growing it out. Its now down around my shoulder blades. I can put it in a pony tail, but it needs to grow some more to do a braid. I'm 49, and feel no need to wear it short just because I'm middle aged. But then I've always done my own thing.
2 people like this
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
17 Oct 08
Boy you aren't kidding. Over the summer months I was ill and got lazy. I'd wash it and immediately put it up in a clip without brushing out all the curls. After a couple of weeks of that it was so knotted I couldn't get a brush thru it. I worked for over an hour brushing it all out, and swore I'd cut it once it was done. But, once dry I loved it again, so didn't cut it. LOL
1 person likes this
@SketcherD (1114)
• Canada
17 Oct 08
If you have that happen again try applying a leave in conditioner such as Infusium while you are brushing to get the tangles out. Also make sure you do it with your hair wet it will be easier. I have been a hair stylist for over 20 years and this is the techniques I have used.
@SketcherD (1114)
• Canada
17 Oct 08
Could you share some of your curl and thickness with me please???
Good for you that you let it grow out. I know growing out curly hair can be difficult.
1 person likes this
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
16 Oct 08
I have been told that you look younger with short hair, but saying that, I am over 40 and just for the first time got my hair cut short and I HATE it!!
I have always had at least shoulder length hair and always have had very stylish cuts. Last haircut was with someone new and I will never go back to her again. I asked for long layers and she chopped it!
I say it is up to the person how they like their hair, age doesn't matter.
@SketcherD (1114)
• Canada
17 Oct 08
Oh that is too bad. I hate it when my hair gets cut too short. I have always cut my own being a stylist myself but since this shorter cut I can not do it. The last time I went to a stylist I used to work with to get a trim she didn't trim she cut off about 1 1/2 inches. THAT is not a trim.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
17 Oct 08
hi sketcherD my best friend and I often argue that. I am 82 nearly in Nov.and prefer shoulder length hair, while she feels'
anyone over sixty should wear their hair super short. I dislike
'that male look, she has it so short. I want mine to look more feminine and have some body to it too. Right now its shoulder length and I really sort of like it , she says it needs cutting. why should I if I like it longer?
1 person likes this
@SketcherD (1114)
• Canada
17 Oct 08
You go girl!!!
Don't cut it!
I think I will grow it out longer again....you are right it feels more feminine although this cut is quite feminine. I can still grow it longer and have it in the same type of cut.
Thanks so much.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
16 Oct 08
I am 50 and my hair is waist length. I don't really care about tradition or what anybody else thinks. I'll keep it long until I'm sick of it and then I'll cut it, but probably not shorter than shoulder length.
Now when I was 38 and I had my first child, my father-in-law asked me when I was going to get a more mature haircut. My thought was, not happening now, that's for sure!
1 person likes this
@SketcherD (1114)
• Canada
17 Oct 08
Ok your answer has really made me laugh out loud!!
I love it!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much. LOL
@deathvans (301)
• Philippines
17 Oct 08
well, here is that truth, cutting ladies hair is really forbidden.. It depends on which religion are you in.. So if your planning to cut your hair women.. You'd better to think it twice.. Cause you know.. LOL.. hehe.. It's your own choice.. I'm not talking of any fashion statement.. But just the fact.. Have a nice day then.. ^_^
1 person likes this
@SketcherD (1114)
• Canada
17 Oct 08
Um ok, you were kidding right? LOL
There is also the matter of free will here. I am not talking about religion saying it is not correct.
I am talking simply about opinions on short or long after the age of 40.
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
16 Oct 08
[i]Hi Sketcher,
I don't think so, whatever a woman wants long or short, it's okay! But, my Mother loves to have a short hair when she was 40 and until now, she used to have a very long hair before but she loves this time to just wash and wear! LOL!
She doesn't like to spend a lot of time fixing it and now she is maintaining her short hair which looks fantastic with her also! LOL![/i]
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
31 Oct 08
you know,it's funny.i am turning 40 next year,and i have already had people go "when you going to cut your hair?"
how does never strike them?
my hair is hip length,and it is staying put.they should MYOB.
how does never strike them?
my hair is hip length,and it is staying put.they should MYOB.@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
4 Nov 08
i don't know.some people think 40 means instant spinster.
..and that goes under "whatever"
@SketcherD (1114)
• Canada
5 Nov 08
You are so right!!! 
I am 43 now and no where near ready to pack things in!! WE ROCK!! Wahoo!! 
I am 43 now and no where near ready to pack things in!! WE ROCK!! Wahoo!! 1 person likes this
@SketcherD (1114)
• Canada
3 Nov 08
You are exactly right!!! 
WHY is there a set date for cutting your hair short is what I want to know?
MYOB is the best answer.
WHY is there a set date for cutting your hair short is what I want to know?
MYOB is the best answer.1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
16 Oct 08
I don't think it has to be cut real short. I'm 48 and my hair is about shoulder length maybe a bit shorter. I don't, however think that women over 40 should have hair down to their bottoms like I did when I was much younger. I just don't think that is a good look for older women, unless they keep it tied back or put up someway.
1 person likes this
@SketcherD (1114)
• Canada
17 Oct 08
Oh I agree totally. I myself don't like the hair super long if it isn't nice hair to begin with. But again each to his own I say.
@jmabie (10)
• United States
16 Oct 08
I am well over 40 and have had both short hair and long. I really like it both ways but I tend to not go to the beauty shop very often. When I do go I usually have it cut short, saying "it will grow back". So I don't think it really matters, it's everyone's choice and not anyone else's business.
1 person likes this
@Mare73 (1335)
• United States
16 Oct 08
It's a woman's choice, just like anything else to do as they please with THEIR HAIR. I'm 34 and recently cut ALL of my hair off! It's time to go back for a trim and make it 'pretty again' but I like the short hair.
I think women over 40 with long hair - look older as the hair pulls their face down (hey I read that in a magazine and I totally agree). I will NOT be growing my hair long again. It's short and it's staying that way.
1 person likes this
@SketcherD (1114)
• Canada
17 Oct 08
Yes you are right if it looks good on the person then they can do it. But if for any reason the long hair makes you look older (why would anyone want that??LOL) then maybe a shorter cut would be better.
@belk89 (1103)
• Philippines
16 Oct 08
Most women cut there hair short when they reach 40 since it makes them look younger. But cutting your hair is a choice.My inlaw is on her late 40s and she has a long hair. But still she looks young and long hair looks good on her. Sometimes she do a lot of style that i dont even knew how to do it lol. So personally i think you should choose a style that will make you happy.
1 person likes this
@SketcherD (1114)
• Canada
17 Oct 08
I agree totally. I am on disability but I can still do my hair, well most days anyway. But I think if I can't some days it would be nice to just put in a pony tail instead of a short cut just laying flat because I can't stand up to style it.
@SketcherD (1114)
• Canada
17 Oct 08
So you wont get bothered by her saying you should cut yours then eh?? And good for her.
@coffeeshot (3783)
• Australia
17 Oct 08
NO! My aunty said to me 'oh i'm getting older now i should think about cutting my hair". I said "Why?!"
There's no reason for it, other than convenience and ease. When I am older I would like to have long hair in a nice bun. A teacher at my primary school had very long hair right up until the day she retired and I loved it! I say keep your hair long ladies, don't feel pressured to cut it just because of your age.
@SketcherD (1114)
• Canada
18 Oct 08
Thank you that's what I believe as well. If you like it too bad what others think.
@austere (2812)
• Philippines
16 Oct 08
i noticed that too, a lot of women when they are in their late thirties or forties would love to keep their hair short.. well, i really cant say if i would cut my hair short when i will be in my forties, i have not been thinking of that..really. i'm just 22..and i have not been thinking so much about how my hairs gonna look when i will be 10 years older.. but it really depends, if i will still have smooth straight hair, guess i could still keep it long.. i always keep my hair long you know..
i always keep my hair long you know..@SketcherD (1114)
• Canada
17 Oct 08
You will have to see what the style is at the time that suits you best or that YOU like best. It's all in what makes you feel good about yourself in the end anyway.
Thanks
@PRIYANK1992 (1677)
• India
22 Nov 08
No I don't because at the age of 40 nobody wants to become Hot and sexy.I will not going to get my haircut.
@SketcherD (1114)
• Canada
22 Nov 08
Good for you. I feel I'm still pretty hot after 40!! 
I have decided to grow my hair out again as well!!
I have decided to grow my hair out again as well!!
@LouiseKnittel (4764)
• United States
18 Oct 08
I really think that when ladies get a little older they feel that shorter hair is easier to take care of. I do not think that anyone has to do this because of their age!
I usually keep mine short, it is very curly and just easier to manage when it is short!
@SketcherD (1114)
• Canada
18 Oct 08
Right but it is a comfort thing though right? If you didn't feel like it was time to have short hair you will leave your hair long. It's the date that I hate to keep being reminded of I guess.
@coffeecoffee310 (69)
• China
22 Nov 08
Yeah, at least, it is good to your health. According to some research, people will become smarter with a shorter hair!
