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Hair dilemma?

(75 Posts)
Lilliesmum79 Sun 11-Feb-24 13:58:21

Ive been growing my silver /grey out for about 2 yrs. Im turning 60 in August and finally decided to give up dye also I've been growing it too but it's very thick and frizzy. I don't bother with hairstyles it's just brushed and put up in bun in morning and washed once a wk. I've just let it air dry I've arthritis now in hands and shoulders so can't blowdry style it. Takes about 2 hrs to dry. I'm not working don't go out and socialise alot I just like my home and family counting my 3 Furbabies too. Full time granny too. I guess I'm saying I'm in 2 minds what to do with my hair chop it all off but then I'd have to style it wouldn't I. I don't mind the grey lol. Maybe it's better to just leave it as it is?

HiPpyChick57 Wed 14-Feb-24 08:26:12

Germanshepherdsmum

I don’t think you’re in the ‘short and neat’ camp HippyChick.

That depends on how I style it on any given day. I don’t have to wear it spiky. That’s the beauty of it. It’s versatile.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 14-Feb-24 08:24:12

I’d quite like enough hair to worry about. I have photos of me with such thick glossy albeit very fine blond locks.

Now it is incredibly thin - hey ho - I’m reconciled to it though tbh, and am grateful to have any😄😄. I wear it is a below the ear bob. Simple.

Germanshepherdsmum Wed 14-Feb-24 07:54:51

I don’t think you’re in the ‘short and neat’ camp HippyChick.

62dg Wed 14-Feb-24 04:49:35

@serenipity22 I agree with you. Everyone to their own , grey ,coloured long short. I have just had my hair highlighted blonde after being dark for 35 years, I am 67 luckily have no grey, I love my new look and feel so much younger.I embrace fashion and make up and it’s whatever suits you and makes you feel good to face the world!

HiPpyChick57 Wed 14-Feb-24 00:44:15

Germanshepherdsmum

^A short, neat style looks better than long hair on older women ^

Presumably accessorised with beige clothes for complete invisibility? Each to their own.

My hair is short but I don’t own anything beige. My hair is orange. It was pink last week. Oh and it’s spiked. Just because you get your hair cut short it doesn’t mean you lose your personality. I’ve been told I’m trendy and ultra smart.

In fact my 22 year DD borrows my clothes. That’s probably because I use the same shops as she does and before your say I must be mutton dressed as lamb that’s not true as I have mostly my own style which doesn’t always follow fashion but suits most ages and my hairstyle lends itself to that.

FranP Tue 13-Feb-24 15:32:19

Norah

Pixie cut, mousse, allow to dry, comb. Done.

Agree with Norah. Trip to the hairdresser every 8 weeks or so, keeps the cut in style and is easy to manage - keeps the frizz down

Delila Tue 13-Feb-24 14:03:34

A silvery crop can look fantastic on the right head with good bone structure and the right hair-type, but otherwise long hair kept in good condition is much more flattering. A lovely head of long, stylish grey hair can really turn heads.

Germanshepherdsmum Tue 13-Feb-24 12:40:14

A short, neat style looks better than long hair on older women

Presumably accessorised with beige clothes for complete invisibility? Each to their own.

Tenko Tue 13-Feb-24 12:08:49

Curtaintwitcher

The trouble with hair is that it will keep growing! You pay to have it done as you wish at the hairdressers, but it doesn't last long. It has to be constantly re-done. This is why having it long and just tying it up is more convenient.
I once was so fed-up with mine, that I took a pair of scissors and cut it all off, right down to the scalp. It felt wonderful....so clean and fresh. It quickly grew back, though.
A short, neat style looks better than long hair on an older woman, but it does mean regular visits to the hairdresser.

A good cut does mean regular visits to a hairdresser, but I know several women who have someone come to the house , which makes it easier and cheaper .

Tenko Tue 13-Feb-24 12:06:21

HiPpyChick57

I had a pixie cut with the back and sides really short last year. I’m 66 and it’s the best cut I’ve ever had for managing. I wake up run my hands through the top to give it a modern tousled look and away to go. I sometimes put a bit of wax in it when I’m going out. It’s almost maintenance free, and that’s what u feel like… free. After using straiteners for years and then having to do almost nothing feels wonderful.
Hope this helps and that you can decide soon.

My sister 63 has a pixie cut and has it coloured an ashy grey . She looks like Jamie Lee Curtis . She says it’s so easy to style , just wash and go and with a bit of product in it . We recently shared a hotel room and she was quicker than me on the hair front .

HiPpyChick57 Tue 13-Feb-24 10:23:25

I had a pixie cut with the back and sides really short last year. I’m 66 and it’s the best cut I’ve ever had for managing. I wake up run my hands through the top to give it a modern tousled look and away to go. I sometimes put a bit of wax in it when I’m going out. It’s almost maintenance free, and that’s what u feel like… free. After using straiteners for years and then having to do almost nothing feels wonderful.
Hope this helps and that you can decide soon.

Curtaintwitcher Tue 13-Feb-24 06:31:50

The trouble with hair is that it will keep growing! You pay to have it done as you wish at the hairdressers, but it doesn't last long. It has to be constantly re-done. This is why having it long and just tying it up is more convenient.
I once was so fed-up with mine, that I took a pair of scissors and cut it all off, right down to the scalp. It felt wonderful....so clean and fresh. It quickly grew back, though.
A short, neat style looks better than long hair on an older woman, but it does mean regular visits to the hairdresser.

Allsorts Tue 13-Feb-24 06:24:44

I don't go out without eye make up and lipstick and love clothes, can't see that ever changing. I've let my hair go silver, after always putting colour on of some sort or other all my life until lockdown I had hughlghts too, at end of it I was a silver and I love it. Had my hair cut from shoulder length a few weeks ago but it's too much bother, I like it just that bit longer so I can put it up or tie it back. I see nothing wrong in having hair dyed until you're a hundred or what length it is, it's how you feel about yourself that matters. Grey hair doesn't make me look any older it's just that I am older and make the best of what i have.

cjhamilton Mon 12-Feb-24 23:37:12

Yes, I gave up the dye at 63 and my hair is hard to style and i have trouble raising my arms up. I have long layers all over my hair which gives me shape and bounce just past my shoulders.. I use a conditioner in the shower, just the bottom half and comb through with a wide tooth comb that has a hanger on it that hangs on my shower (got on Amazon). After the shower, I put it in a macrofibre hair turban for about 15 minutes to 30 minutes while I do my exercises. I then scrunch my hair with my hands or you can use microfibre towel and let air dry. I don't like the brown mousy colour, but I do like the nice silver coming through, so I got a box of silver bobby pins on amazon and finger comb my hair and put the long fringe to the side and pull the fringe up to reveal my silvers which i love and clip with the bobby pins up or use a small to medium claw clip and i don't have to fuss as I can't be bothered. Takes about 2 hours to dry just air dry, no fuss or damage from hairdryer. I use a few drops of argon oil and scrunch in the bottom half of my hair which defines my wiry curls and gives a bit of moisture. I am too scared to use hair dye any more as there have been reports about health concerns, but i was allergic too.

Serendipity22 Mon 12-Feb-24 22:56:16

3nanny6

I am not ready for the grey hair as yet. Mine is topped up with some blonde it looks good and I get compliments, put a small amount of a silver last rinse in it and no brassiness. A lot of negativity on here about colouring your hair and comments that the skin looks aged. I have cared for my facial skin since about 16 years old and my skin has very little wrinkles, I even still wear a small amount of make-up. I am a keep your hair and skin good for as long as possible. I look at icons like Helen Mirrin and look how good she looks. Keep caring for your self ladies you are never too old to jazz your selves up.

I agree. I have had many compliments that I don't look my age, I had very oily skin when younger ( obviously not so now ) and so I had a natural moisturiser, very few lines now.

Having my hair coloured and cut, bit of make-up applied daily and always colour coordination in clothes makes me feel wonderfully glam and why the heck not! Good grief bring it on thats what I say.

3nanny6 Mon 12-Feb-24 21:27:55

I am not ready for the grey hair as yet. Mine is topped up with some blonde it looks good and I get compliments, put a small amount of a silver last rinse in it and no brassiness. A lot of negativity on here about colouring your hair and comments that the skin looks aged. I have cared for my facial skin since about 16 years old and my skin has very little wrinkles, I even still wear a small amount of make-up. I am a keep your hair and skin good for as long as possible. I look at icons like Helen Mirrin and look how good she looks. Keep caring for your self ladies you are never too old to jazz your selves up.

Farzanah Mon 12-Feb-24 20:04:12

Germanshepherdsmum

In my experience short hair takes a lot of maintenance. I had mine cut in my 40s. So much faffing around to style it, not to mention frequent visits to the hairdresser. It took ages to grow again. It is just so quick to dry now, no messing around and no need for products to style it. My neighbour is younger than me but has grey hair and a ‘pixie cut’. It really ages her. Whenever I go shopping I see so many older women with short hair which doesn’t suit them - you need good bone structure- and obviously takes a lot of styling and back combing. Often dyed as well. I just wonder why they do it. Life’s too short.

In my village most older women visit the same hairdresser and they all look like clones with same cut and colour. It’s like Stepford Grannies round here 😀

Tenko Mon 12-Feb-24 19:34:03

There’s a lot of negativity on here regarding hair styles and colours for older women, however a good hairdresser is worth her weight in gold.
I have a great relationship with my hairdresser and she will tell me if the colour or style doesn’t suit me. I’m 64 and get a lot of compliments about my hair. Yes it’s not cheap but it’s the only thing I spend on myself.
If you do decide to see a hairdresser find a photo of a style or a shade you like . Most hairdressers love a photo and will tell you if the style won’t suit you .

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 12-Feb-24 19:25:33

Unfortunately many hear ‘long grey hair’ and think of Mary Beard. No way!

HelterSkelter1 Mon 12-Feb-24 19:23:14

I have just seen the Guardian beauty editor Sali Hughes on the news. Gorgeous long grey hair. She was talking about the demise of the Body Shop.
She must be in her early 40s. OK I know that's a bit different from 60 or 70+., but I don't think of itself grey long hair is ageing, it's the rest of you that may need freshening/livening up.

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 12-Feb-24 18:27:51

In my experience short hair takes a lot of maintenance. I had mine cut in my 40s. So much faffing around to style it, not to mention frequent visits to the hairdresser. It took ages to grow again. It is just so quick to dry now, no messing around and no need for products to style it. My neighbour is younger than me but has grey hair and a ‘pixie cut’. It really ages her. Whenever I go shopping I see so many older women with short hair which doesn’t suit them - you need good bone structure- and obviously takes a lot of styling and back combing. Often dyed as well. I just wonder why they do it. Life’s too short.

grannyro Mon 12-Feb-24 17:56:40

Maybe have it cropped short. A lovely grey crop can be very flattering and needs no maintenance at all. I am 74 with a silver grey crop and cannot understand why women of our age want to spend ages messing around with their hair,

Serendipity22 Mon 12-Feb-24 17:39:46

Hmmm you're undecided what to do and only you can solve the problem. I will be 60 in September and have to say that I have no intention of allowing my grey hair to spread over my head, thats why I love my visits to the hairdressers to have the buggers dyed, they ain't welcome, not yet anyway.

You have to do what you feel comfortable with... we're all different and who is right and who is wrong.....

😃

hollysteers Mon 12-Feb-24 17:29:51

I’m with you Nannan2, not going grey if I can help it, so ageing. All the people I know who have gone grey and joined the snowcaps have put years on themselves. I sit behind rows and rows of grey heads at classical concerts, so unimaginative.

Granted, if too dark or the wrong colour, it’s not going to look right, but there are a host of choices and if you don’t want the expense of regular hairdresser trips, I’m sure there’s a cheap box colour to suit you at Superdrug👍

Ikiesgranma Mon 12-Feb-24 17:12:04

I lost my longish hair due to chemo. It has started growing back now I’m on a different chemo. It’s silver and I quite like the colour but because it’s still so short it’s not terribly obvious. I’ve dyed it with a product you add to conditioner and it lasts up to 5 washes. I never thought I’d have pink hair! I’m going to keep it short as it’s so easy to look after and I’ve had so many compliments.