For those of you over 40, what do you think is the best length of hair to have?

I'm 44, have an oval shaped face, and my hair is currently about chin length & I have wispy bangs. I really like this look, but I'm thinking of letting my hair get shoulder length, because I'd like to be able to put it up or in a ponytail sometimes. I just don't want my hair to overpower my small features, and I have very thick (one of the lucky ones,lol) hair.

I used to think the older you got, the shorter your hair should be, but I don't really think that anymore.

However, personally, I don't like really long hair (like much longer than shoulder length on anyone over 20). I don't want to offend anyone, but,for example, I thought Demi Moore looked so much better with short hair!

Any other ideas or opinions on this one?

I agree with you about the length. You could keep your wispy bangs and let your length grow longer, but have longer layers about 8 or 9 inches at the crown and everything lifted to the top and then when pulled straight out to the sides and out to the back, cut off the "corner".

Another option would be to have your hair longer but shorter at the back angled slightly to the front. Layer it all over and it will look like Barbara streisand's. It's a classic look, still all the layers can be comfortably pulled up and the wispy bangs will still give you some framing to your face. A side part, zigzag part or diagonal part with the bangs wispy and the hair combed smoothly from that part and up into an updo also looks great.

Just find the length that will suffice without going tooooo long.

Hilighting around the face will also soften the hair colour on an "older" woman.

I don't think there are rules, per se, just that if the hair length makes you feel dragged down, looking older or dowdy..change it to a bit shorter.

A very loose kicky perm can add dimension to long layered hair.

Have fun with it, you can always cut it shorter.

quincy

Hmmm. Maybe it's just me, but I think Demi looks beautiful with her hair just the way it is. And who on here is going to say that Jane Seymour looks awful with her waist-length hair? I think both ladies look incredibly lovely with their hair as long as it is. Some women can still wear their hair down their back like that even when they are older and still look wonderful. I think it depends on your overall appearance. If you appear younger than you really are, then yes, you can get away with the longer styles. But if you're 45 and look 50, then maybe not. I think Demi and Jane not only both look wonderful for their ages, but their long hair suits their features. I personally can't picture either of them in shorter styles, I just don't think it would be very flattering on them. And when you have beautiful hair like that, it deserves to be shown off.

my mom is 41 and she has always had hair down to the middle of her back. she looks younger this way, and i think it's great.

For those of you over 40, what do you think is the best length of hair to have?

I'm 44, have an oval shaped face, and my hair is currently about chin length & I have wispy bangs. I really like this look, but I'm thinking of letting my hair get shoulder length, because I'd like to be able to put it up or in a ponytail sometimes. I just don't want my hair to overpower my small features, and I have very thick (one of the lucky ones,lol) hair.

I used to think the older you got, the shorter your hair should be, but I don't really think that anymore.

However, personally, I don't like really long hair (like much longer than shoulder length on anyone over 20). I don't want to offend anyone, but,for example, I thought Demi Moore looked so much better with short hair!

Any other ideas or opinions on this one?

no advice but just wanted to say I agree with you, Demi looked wayyy better before. Anytime I see a woman with hair that long, I always think it makes her look OLDER because it is such a dated look.

I too have always thought the older you got the shorter the hair should be until my 17 year old daughter convinced me otherwise. I just turned 50 and my hair is shoulder length with layers. My hair is wavy. I think if it was stick straight it would look ridiculous and too juvenile. So as long as I can take care of it and keep it layered it's fine.

I have to agree with Kellie2.......a womans hair style and length depends not so much on her age, but on her facial features, bodily characteristics, general overall appearance. You can't select a cut off point (eg: 20 yrs of age) at which all females will look better with short hair.

You say that you would like to grow yours just a bit longer so you can put it up into a ponytail. How is a ponytail considered ok for an older woman, but not straight long hair like Demi and Jane's? I think it should be whatever you are comfortable with, what suits your overall appearance and is easy to manage in your day to day activities.

I have always had a problem looking my age and i've tried short hair and long hair. No matter how i dress or what i do, people tend to think i'm a good 12 or so years younger. I wanted to let my hair grow and it's now virtually down to my waist and that's the length i'm keeping it for now. Sometimes i joke that i'll cut it off and friends and family wont let me and i get a lot of compliments at work from total strangers about my hair. So i'd say it's the right look for me, regardless of me being 37.

robste, if your hair is thick and you like your wispy fringe, you can still grown your hair to shoulder length, layer it and keep the wispy fringe. Even with it being layered you can put it up in a ponytail and style it in lots of other ways. A new colour is a good way of giving yourself a change without actually cutting your hair too. Who knows, once it's shoulder length, you may be tempted to grow it just that little bit longer ;)