Does long hair make you look older?
“It feels like such a dated notion now,” says hair stylist George Northwood. “I think it boils down to the cut and the condition. So what I would prioritize is [the style] being modern and [the hair] in good condition.”
Dom Seeley, Color Wow international creative director, agrees. “We are moving away from the ideology that women of a certain age need to have their hair cut short. It’s all about what makes you feel confident and what defines your style and personality. There’s nothing wrong with going short when you get older, but don’t conform to society’s beliefs about how you should feel or look.”
How to care for long hair if you’re over 50
So, while anything goes in terms of style, length, cut, and color, working to improve its condition is one rule you should stick to. “As you get older, your hair becomes coarser, drier, or in some instances quite brittle as it loses its pigment,” explains Northwood. In practical terms, Northwood advises regular trims and keeping it well-nourished with a hair mask at least once a week. He also advocates supplementing with omega-3 if necessary and making sure your diet is full of leafy green vegetables.
How to add volume to long hair
Christophe Potin, Aveda artist director, favors bond-building treatments. “Nowadays, thanks to all the bond-building products, general hair quality is so much stronger and healthier, but regular professional treatments and home aftercare remains crucial.”
What hairstyles suit a woman over 50?
All experts recommend talking to your hairdresser about which longer hairstyles will suit your face shape and what length will suit you best. Soft bangs and layers will help to draw attention to the eyes and cheekbones, and Seeley recommends looking to famous women for inspiration. “They (and their hairdressers) know how to accentuate the face through use of color and different lengths that flatter and highlight the features—from the skin to the eyes—making them look more youthful.”
Northwood has a final sage piece of advice: “Don’t be on auto-pilot when you go to the hairdressers, take the time to discuss what you want at the beginning of an appointment to see if what you usually have—the texture, cut, color—still works. You don’t want to get stuck in a rut.” As for those celebrities who have nailed the long-hair-don’t-care look, well, there are plenty of them. From Sarah Jessica Parker, Demi Moore and Monica Bellucci to Julianne Moore, Naomi Campbell and Jerry Hall, the well of inspiration is endless.
