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What to do with long hair.

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Khayeth View Drop Down
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    Posted: April 26 2000 at 6:19pm
Hi there -

I would first say that if you dislike going to the salon, learning to cut your own hair both saves
you a bundle, and gives the the power and freedom to try whatever style you might like without having
to stand your ground (read: fight) a styist who might not agree with your opinions. Now granted they are
trained to judge what looks good on your, while you are not, but they may lack objectivity when it comes to
long vs. short. So i _highly_ recommend you get a haircut kit, like (for example) the one i just bought called
The Cutting Edge. There are others out there but i know this one works on bra-length hair, as long as you have
long arms or a friend to help.

Second, i would say that some sort of deposit only colour, or a rinse or a demi-permanant colour might
liven up your style. I have added a bit of colour, both darker and lighter, or redder, than my own yellow-gold
for a few years now, since it doesn't do much damage and its just plain fun. I also buy new and different inexpensive
clips every few months to replace the old ones, which is an excuse to try different ways of pinning it up.

So please try either buying some new accessories or a colour rinse, or both, before you cut. IMHO anyway,
since cutting isn't reversible in the short term.

I hope some of this advice helps.

Khayeth

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Jennifer View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jennifer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 07 2000 at 1:19pm
Hi there,

Some will say you *have* to cut your hair shorter because of your age. No, you don't.

Some will say everyone can have long hair and look great. No, they can't.

I can explain the "drag down" explanation. Simple. Gravity. Like it or not, the older we get the more "things" sag. Our faces sag slightly with wrinkles. Sometimes with long hair, the length draws our eyes downward which emphasizes the downward trend of the face. Sometimes a hairstyle that is shorter "uplifts" a person's face by not drawing the eye downward. Therefore a person can look younger. This is not an absolute for everyone. But it is an explanation for some on why shorter hair looks better as we age. Often, shorter hair has more body to it because the hair isn't as heavy as shorter hair (the longer the hair, the more it literally weighs down the hair). That isn't always true, but it often is, and it can make a big difference around the face.

However, if your hair is thick, it sounds like this isn't necessarily so for you, especially if your hair has some wave! It's hard to gauage without seeing you.

Personally, I'd really recommend against a perm. I've seen far more bad perms than good ones. Often perms are used to provide an illusion of thickness. But it sounds like you have that already!

If you like the gray, keep it. If you don't, I'd use a rinse of some kind on it.

As far as hairstyle or haircut, here's the best suggestion: Get a computer program called "Cosmopolitan Virtual Makeover 2". Take a photo of yourself with very little make-up and your hair pulled severely back. Essentially you "try on" several different hairstyles. That way, you can see what you may look like. If you find one that really appeals to you, print it out and take it to stylist and ask for that style.

Also, no matter what your length of hair, you really do need regular trims. Thin ends don't look good on any length of hair in my opinion. The biggest thing to remember is YOU'RE the one who should be most pleased with your hair. If you want it shorter, cut it shorter. (But don't make any hasty decisions in cutting! Mull it over, and if you think that's what you really want, do it.) If you want it longer, just explore some different options in styling.

Good luck, and please let us know what you decide!

Jennifer

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DaveDecker View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DaveDecker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 04 2000 at 9:44pm
Hi Jes,

Illicit drug use, among other less dangerous things and activities, will "drag you down." But you said that "long hair will drag you down." Is the detrimental effect -- if there even is one -- of long hair truly that severe?

Also, regarding the term "drag you down," (as you've used it), I didn't read an explanation within your response. Would you be willing to explain the effect in detail? Thanks.
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Mark View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mark Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 03 2000 at 10:14pm
This message is from a man age 52.
I would suggest that you keep your hair long.
I would suggest that you let your long hair grow out down
to your waist. It can be less work to grow your hair down
to your waist. Always think of your long hair as a
positive enhancement. You can do many different long hair
styles. You may want to consider coloring your gray hair.

There are some ladies over 50 years old in my area,that
would love to have your fast growing,and thick hair at
age 50. I have worked in a dermatology office,and I have
seen some ladies over fifty,who all had some hair loss.
There are many ladies that have a lot of anxiety with
thin hair and some hair loss.
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JES View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JES Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 02 2000 at 4:18pm
DaveDecker,

Actually, after I sent that out and thought about it, I knew I would hear from someone. I used the term "drag" (poor choice) to show someone how the human eye/brain works when dealing with visual perception. Kind of the same thing in fashion when they tell short people to wear all one color from top to bottom to visually trick people into seeing a long lean form. Reading between the lines of her message, I got the feeling she needed "uplifting" to get a charge and take on the weight and other things. I felt that the color boost and cut would do that. I don't think we ever really talk someone into doing something they don't want to - we can just nudge the ones who are on the border.
Sorry, got carried away - hope this explains the term "drag"
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DaveDecker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 02 2000 at 12:53pm
Hi Jes,

Please note in advance that I am not commenting on your length suggestions.

Can you please explain why you state that "long hair will 'drag' you down?" You seem to use this term with assurance and so I'm sure you won't mind explaining to me what it means?

Thanks in advance.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DaveDecker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 02 2000 at 12:47pm
Hi,

By saying that you had to get "trims all the time" after having cut your hair short 4 years ago, I think you've already shared with us the answer for your critics, who tell you that you should cut your hair short for "ease of care." In other words, you're telling us (and can feel free to tell them) that you know better.

There's no such thing as being "too old for long hair." Unfortunately, that's one of many beauty myths that still persist. Have you ever heard anybody say that a person is "too young for short hair?" Neither have I -- and that just goes to show that the old cliché about being "too old for long hair" is unjustifiably biased.

And since you've asked for comments... I think it's unfortunate that you feel compelled to pluck the greys. If you don't like the idea of allowing them to be grey, you may want to consider coloring the individual strands (if there aren't a lot of them) or using a deposit-only color (if appropriate for your haircolor).

Best wishes.
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forest View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote forest Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 27 2000 at 7:55pm
Hi over 50:

Sometimes women who are over 50 and wear their hair long look even older. I would guess in your case that since you are taken for 10 years younger this would not be a problem for you.

One suggestion I might make is to cut your hair to just below the shoulders then get it layered. There are some beautiful layered cuts that will show off your thick hair but also get rid of some of the weight.

If you are showing a little gray you might want to try a highlightening technique to blend in the grays and bring a soft look around your face. All in all it sounds as if your hair is great and would look good any way you want to wear it.
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JES View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JES Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 27 2000 at 4:28pm
My two cents - I would cut it short. Long hair will "drag" you down unless you have that young, springy hair. Usually as you get to that "older" time of your life, your hair tends to become more lifeless and drab. I think you are ready for a new shorter style - maybe a little color to pep it up.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bunny7744 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 27 2000 at 2:52pm

"spiral perm, dye it, or what?"


I can't speak for anyone else, but I have had bad experiences wiht perms on long hair.  They just dry out my hair and make it a mess in spite of everything I try.  I am even one of those picky people that are particular about how I wash, what I wash with, don't comb until it is dry, don't blowdry etc.    I have discovered that "SOFT" hilites are my best option.  I have blonde hair and have the natural hilites made more prominent all over my head.  Something to consider since your hair is so long.


"Now I'm beginning to think I'm too old for long hair, other women are telling me to get it cut short for ease of care."


No such thing as too old.  When Grammy died she had hair to her knees!  Also, on the ease of care thing, I had to mess with my hair more when it was short than I do with it long.  Same with permed vs. straight.  I am working on growing out my perm (almost there) so it is completely gone and going to all one length bc it is the easiest to take care of for me.


just my two cents


tanya


 


 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote over50 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 27 2000 at 10:34am
Need advice on what to do with my long hair. I am over 50, also over-weight, but working on it. Hair is below my bra band in back, starting to go grey, mostly at the plucking stage. People think I'm ten years younger than I am. Should I get it cut off(I do get it trimmed), have a spiral perm, dye it, or what? Need suggestions. Right now, I just pull back the sides and put in a clip, sometimes put in a bun. Hair is thick. If I leave it up too long, I get a headache from it. Hair grows fast. I had it cut short about 4 years ago, but didn't like having to go for trims all the time, so just let it grow out. Now I'm beginning to think I'm too old for long hair, other women are telling me to get it cut short for ease of care. Would appreciate any comments.
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