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Style & beauty

Is longer hair on a 69 year old ok?

(133 Posts)
Itsnell Wed 18-Nov-20 16:41:00

Hi, my hair is thick, wavy, curly and a darkish grey many years ago I was dark brown. I’m thinking of growing it to about chin length longish layers and wonder what people on here think about this for a hairstyle for a lively 69 year old.

I’ve a short messy style which I don’t like and looking at photos of me, I’ve had it short for a while and it never looks good - it sticks up and out and I can’t seem to style it. I don’t know why I ever went for a short style in the first place.

If I look at photos of me when I was in my 40s and 50s it’s was longer and layered and seemed to suit me better.

Basically I don’t know why I’ve ended up with short hair when it doesn’t suit me so I thought I’d ignore hairdressers for a while and grow it outta about chin length. My worry is looking a bit like mutton ...

Mistymoocake Thu 19-Nov-20 13:38:37

I am 61 and due to lock down have now hair half way down my back. Its dyed dark blond and for some unknown reason has been getting curler each year. I have great comments and will keep growing it if I can. I also know a lovely lady of 80 who has very straight waist length hair and is perfect. Do what makes you happy.

LyWa Thu 19-Nov-20 13:53:25

I love my long hair, as do my family and my hairdresser, who has looked after it for years and says I will have to find a new hairdresser if I ever cut it. I’m 67

Gilmul Thu 19-Nov-20 13:54:28

I agree , longer length hair or shorter it’s about feeling happy and confident. In Spain/Italy many women have longer hair and it looks so elegant even totally grey. I’m 57 and still dyeing mine as the grey is very patchy, though there’s plenty of it ! You are so lucky to have wavy hair too !! I’m envious as mine is poker straight and I end up curling it twice a week to get a very slight wave even . Go for it!!

Itsnell Thu 19-Nov-20 14:12:10

Thanks for all your positive replies, it’s 100% YES!! Long hair it is! I can’t wait
In the meantime this was me with long hair at about 20. Not that I’d get this again.

travelsafar Thu 19-Nov-20 14:19:16

My hair is long and although i have plenty of it is is very fine. When it is short it is a nightmare to look after, needs washing and blow drying every day to get a bit of oomph in it. Now it is below my shoulders i just put it up in a pony tail, twist if around and secure with long pins and i have a stylish looking bun. Not massive but not too small either. My biggest bugbear is my fringe. It doesn't suit me without one and if it is not cut right it gives me so much grief. I never wear my hair down that just doesn't suit me at all.

storey49 Thu 19-Nov-20 14:52:38

I am 71 and I have longish hair, it is past my shoulders, I have it cut with layers, which puts waves into my hair. I always had short hair, since my late teens, but after seeing my bus pass photo, decided longer would be better. You should always wear your hair how you want to, so long as it is clean and tidy, it is no one else's business. Go for it ! smile

Joesoap Thu 19-Nov-20 15:09:41

I am an oldy and love my short hair, alas I have waited over five weeks to get it cut, it is fat too LONG and unsightly,I am longing to get it cut tomorrow,cant wait.Everyone to their own.

Aepgirl Thu 19-Nov-20 15:17:34

I think the answer is that even long hair needs to be cut well. Many people think that deciding to have long hair is just a matter of letting it grow.
It's important to go to a good hairdresser for a 'consultation' and be guided by what they say before the scissors come out.

Greciangirl Thu 19-Nov-20 15:23:18

Chin length isn’t long,
I have very straight hair, chin length in a Bob.

I have to blow dry it for ages though.

As I am now 75, with very fine features, I know very short hair wouldn’t suit me.

CR39 Thu 19-Nov-20 15:44:22

How lovely to hear all the positive messages! I have baby fine and thin hair. Straight too! it seems to go thinner by the week. Any tips for getting it thicker would be appreciated.

NannyC2 Thu 19-Nov-20 16:19:15

Do what makes you feel good.

GoldenAge Thu 19-Nov-20 16:29:41

Itsnell your hair sounds and looks great and you have the benefit of being able to show off your earrings. If you do grow it longer, you might want to grow it a bit longer than you think right now so that when it gets on your nerves you can sweep it up when you want to return to your current look.

tanith Thu 19-Nov-20 16:39:36

I haven’t had longer hair for 20+yrs but haven’t had it cut since before lockdown. Now it’s just below my shoulder. It’s curly and more often than not I straighten it but recently I really couldn’t bothered, well this morning I saw a neighbour for the first time in months and she said I never knew you had curly hair and it suits you much better long and she’s a hairdresser.
So I think I’ll carry on growing it.

Consensus seems to be wear your hair anyway that makes you happy.

NotTooOld Thu 19-Nov-20 16:49:21

Hey! Leave the Queen alone. Her hair is probably exactly as she likes it, same as ours should be. Mine is thick and before lockdown was about at my shoulders. It has not seen the hairdresser since February so is now much longer and (at 75) I like it. As others have said, it is actually easier to manage than short hair - up, down, ponytail etc. During lockdown I have been using root dyes which are not too difficult if you look on Youtube for a 'how to' video and dh is a help, too. When I get the vaccine I will be making an appointment to have my caramel streaks put back in.

wetflannel Thu 19-Nov-20 16:54:40

I have phased of growing my hair only to get fed up and have it short and choppy. Last had my hair cut in January,then lockdown happened. Now its shoulder length and silvery grey, and I actually love it. So do what makes you happy, I'm 68 by the way.

Magrithea Thu 19-Nov-20 16:55:16

Istnell I have a similar style to the one you're considering (though I don't have lovely wavy curly hair) and I think it looks fine!

If your hair is curly when you grow it have you looked at the Curly Girl method of looking after it? My daughter has lovely curls and uses this to keep her hair looking great.

pengwen Thu 19-Nov-20 17:01:51

My hair is curly and shoulder length,though a bit frizzy.
My daughter,when I said I think I might cut it,was horrified.
Enjoy the freedom of having long hair that you can style as you choose, I am sure it will be lovely.

Jillybird Thu 19-Nov-20 17:17:14

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Itsnell Thu 19-Nov-20 18:12:46

Wow I’m amazed at how many replies my initial post has generated. It’s certainly a hot issue for us all x

moggie57 Thu 19-Nov-20 18:48:00

Wear it how ever you want to .its your hair

Shizam Thu 19-Nov-20 18:52:26

Mine is long and grey! Go for it! Have had it short, which looked awful. Coloured it for years, but think it looks and feels so much better without all those chemicals ruining condition. And adding to pollutants in water.

Florida12 Fri 20-Nov-20 16:38:19

I am sure it will look great on you. You have a good head of hair, show it off whilst you still can.x

FarNorth Fri 20-Nov-20 16:50:53

I have a friend who has her grey hair in two long plaits, Native American style.

That would look terrible on me but looks great on her - different face shape.

Keffie12 Fri 20-Nov-20 17:18:54

I'm 59! My hair is down to my lower back, coloured too, as I am not growing older gracefully and I intend to keep it that way all the days of my life.

Wear your hair how you want it. Its no one else business and tell them so if they say anything. It isn't breaking the law to have long hair.

We have survived this life and have earned the right to be who we want to be

Grandma70s Fri 20-Nov-20 17:34:21

I like my hair short, about ear-length at the sides. It hasn’t been cut for ages because of COVID, and is now chin-length. I think it looks too long and is ageing, sort of dragging my face down. I am 80, my hair is still mostly dark brown, fine in texture but a lot of it. I can’t wait to get it properly cut. I cut the fringe myself, but not very well.

I do believe you should do what you like with your hair. For instance, I think Mary Beard would look a lot better with shorter hair, but I defend her right to wear it long if she wants to.