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JM View Drop Down
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    Posted: January 12 2000 at 1:36am
Hi all, Well, it's official...now every woman in my office has cut her hair short except me! I do not plan on cutting mine (I have naturally wavy/curly hair, red, length of 25"). There was another girl that had hair about my length, and she just got it all cut off! (I think she looks a lot older, but that's just my opinion.) One of the guys said "Well, I guess you're next!", and I said "No, I'm not going to cut mine. I don't look good with short hair". I am 35 and people think I'm a lot younger. I think my hair has a lot to do with it. It's my best feature, if I got rid of my "crowning glory" I'd have nothing! One of my co-workers (who used to be a beautician) said "You'll find that long hair ages you when you get a certain age(?) and that long hair draws your face downward, that you need a visual "uplift". (It's supposed to mimic vertical lines and wrinkles or something?) What do you all think? I've read and agree with Karen's article on long hair after 40. I'm staying long, but curious as to others' thoughts.JM
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Cher View Drop Down
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I am 39 and intend on letting my hair grow and grow. I have always wanted knee length hair and have never gotten there. I have decided to, if given the time, satisfy this desire. Yesterday my husband and I were in old town Alexandria, Virginia. There were lots of people walking the streets and one lady caught my eye. She looked to be in her 50's. Her hair was pushing waist length..beautiful thick hair. She did have streaks of gray in it..didn't matter, it was pretty. She was dressed nice..had style. I thought she was a knock out. She was like a breath of fresh air amongst the ladies who looked like they were massed produced with their short hair styles. We were driving along in our car so I couldn't walk by and tell her "go girl"..but I did it mentally! Cher> Hi all, Well, it's official...now every woman> in my office has cut her hair short except me!> I do not plan on cutting mine (I have naturally> wavy/curly hair, red, length of 25"). There> was another girl that had hair about my length,> and she just got it all cut off! (I think she> looks a lot older, but that's just my opinion.)> One of the guys said "Well, I guess you're> next!", and I said "No, I'm not going> to cut mine. I don't look good with short hair".> I am 35 and people think I'm a lot younger. I> think my hair has a lot to do with it. It's my> best feature, if I got rid of my "crowning> glory" I'd have nothing! One of my co-workers> (who used to be a beautician) said "You'll> find that long hair ages you when you get a certain> age(?) and that long hair draws your face downward,> that you need a visual "uplift". (It's> supposed to mimic vertical lines and wrinkles> or something?) What do you all think? I've read> and agree with Karen's article on long hair after> 40. I'm staying long, but curious as to others'> thoughts.> JM
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Dave View Drop Down
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Hi JM,I don't buy their pitch -- not for a second. I am firmly convinced that it is total bull...oney :)You feel that your long hair is your best feature. Yet your co-worker wishes to convince you to the contrary. Can someone please explain just exactly why she (and others like her) would try to talk you out of that which you feel good about? I have several theories as to the motivations of people that pitch the "wonders" of short hair, but I'm also curious to know what others think.Your co-worker has said that your long hair will "age you." Hmmm... so THAT'S the secret fountain of youth -- to remove all of our hair! Yeah, right.. THAT'LL turn back the clock... I'll bet that your other co-worker who just had her long hair cut actually halved her age! LOL... Unless someone has invented a means of time travel, the promise of the "short" pitch is just not possible. Caveat Emptor (let the buyer beware).Regarding the claim that "long hair draws your face downard," I've read about this tired old line so many times, yet (to me) it makes absolutely no sense. To where exactly is it supposed to draw your face? I thought the face remained right where it always was... you know, on the front of your head, just above your shoulders. :) Again, I'm curious to know what others think...Dave
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Laura Jane View Drop Down
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> Regarding the claim that "long hair> draws your face downard," I've read about> this tired old line so many times, yet (to me)> it makes absolutely no sense. To where exactly> is it supposed to draw your face? I thought the> face remained right where it always was... you> know, on the front of your head, just above your> shoulders. :) Again, I'm curious to know what> others think...As far as "drawing the face downward", it isn't meant literally. It is entirely possible for a person's hair to make his or her face seem to droop if the style does not suit him or her; however, that is not necessarily a sign to cut it short. After all, if that's the problem, just wear it up when you're concerned about that! Different styling in front can also help a lot (bangs, a different part, etc.).This really isn't necessarily a phenomenon associated with age, though. I, for example, have a high forehead, so I have to be careful how I do the front part of my hair, or I get that George Bush effect!Laura Jane lswanson@sunflower.bio.indiana.edu
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Brian View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brian Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 12 2000 at 1:36am
> JM,If you don't think you'd look good with short hair, your hair is your best feature, and without it you'd have nothing, then of course you shouldn't cut it. Do you have a husband or boyfriend? Do they think your hair is your best feature? Without it, do they think you'd have nothing? Sometimes we have a warped perspective of ourselves. Without seeing you, there's no way for us to tell. There are a lot of women with features (other than their hair) that are so beautiful they're better off not hiding behind a lot of hair. Winona Ryder illustrates my point. She is a stunningly beautiful woman and certainly looks better not covering her features with long hair. I admit, however, not everyone looks like Winona Ryder, and your decision not to cut is probably the right one.
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> Oooooo, JM, a favorite topic of this group, long hair and aging!! I see Cher has put her hand in and I loudly second her thoughts. You'll find a lot of us old gals here, late thirties and well beyond who firmly believe that hair is a very special statement about who we are and not something we're likely to part with just because we've reached some demarcation line that says we can't enjoy it any more. Forget convention! You keep your hair! As has often been mentioned before, the problem with folks who have cut their hair is that they've made a decision from which there is no turning back and your long hair reminds them of what they've done. If they can convince you to cut yours too it will reinforce their own choice. After all what misery loves most is company. The ridiculous lines about dragging the face down, not presenting a *professional* or *mature* image are just blatant coercion. Don't fall for them. I'm never going to. I often imagine life way down the road when the great grand kids talk about crazy old grandma and her floor length braid. I want to be that special old matriarch who never, ever gave in to the trendy but stuck to what she knew was right for her. I've read some other posts that try to say our hair is just a way to attract a man or that your comment about your hair being your best feature means that without it you would somehow be reduced to a quivering mass of self doubt, that's just rubbish. Long hair is a statement about the individuality of the person wearing it. It's the great equalizer, because no matter what your color or texture or hair type, long, natural, well cared for hair in all it's myriad forms is a glorious thing to behold, as unique as your fingerprints. It's a gift to ourselves, something no one can take only we can give it up. I wouldn't give mine up for ANYBODY! Best wishes to all! Dawn
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JM View Drop Down
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> Dawn, I agree! I don't think that once a women reaches 35 or 40 you automatically have to cut your hair short. The co-worker who said that about "drawing your face down" also said that "unless you have a very youthful face, for a very long time, long hair makes you look haggard" Weeeellll, I guess if you have straggly, unhealthy hair, yes. But, Jane Seymour looks anything but haggard! I suppose there is some merit to it, but hair length is such a personal decision, it's all up to how a person thinks they look best.
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> There are a lot of women with features (other than their hair) that are so> beautiful they're better off not hiding behind a lot of hair. Winona Ryder> illustrates my point. She is a stunningly beautiful woman and certainly looks> better not covering her features with long hair.Brian,From my perspective... although Winona Ryder has a pretty face, she comes up well short (pun not intended!) in the hair department. I think, "what a shame that she has chosen not to adorn her pretty face with beautiful, long hair. She would look much more beautiful if she wore her hair long."To make a really poor analogy (and not to compare her to food!), it's like cake without the frosting. Hmmm... now that I mention it, I wonder what snacks I have in my pantry.... :)Dave
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Cher View Drop Down
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Check her out in the movie "Little Women".. she sure looked great with long hair as Jo, even tho I know the hair wasn't hers.. you can see the difference in before and after when she cuts her hair for money. I love to watch this movie just to see the hairstyles. So elegant. That was a time in history when women didn't have the fashion police telling them in midlife to whack their hair off.. All ages of ladies got to enjoy their tresses. I say, if you like your long hair, take care of it, enjoy it and be proud of it.. no matter how many years you have behind you. AS you grow older you may feel more comfortable wearing your long hair in another way than when you were a teen. But there are so many ways to do long hair.. variety isn't a problem. Check out Winona in Little Women if you haven't.. and it's a great remake. Cher> Brian,> From my perspective... although Winona Ryder> has a pretty face, she comes up well short (pun> not intended!) in the hair department. I think,> "what a shame that she has chosen not to> adorn her pretty face with beautiful, long hair.> She would look much more beautiful if she wore> her hair long."> To make a really poor analogy (and not to> compare her to food!), it's like cake without> the frosting. Hmmm... now that I mention it, I> wonder what snacks I have in my pantry.... :)>> Dave
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> Dave,We obviously have two opposing views. However, I respect your opinion. To put it in another bad food analogy, I think the recipe is just perfect, and you think it needs more salt. Guess that's why they give you that choice, and put it on the restaurant tables.
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Dear JM:I can only encourage you to do what you think is best for you. I think that long hair looks great on a woman regardless of her age. If you think your hair is your crowning glory, then keep it long, and let it grow! You can always try the "lift" issue by putting your hair up, or pulling the front back and holding it up with combs or barettes. I know as a man I just love to see a woman wear her hair long, especially if it is well cared for. Don't give in to the masses! As a fellow red head, I know that we tend to stand out for lots of reasons. Take advantage of that beautiful hair and show it off! By the way, I don't think hair ages. There are enough products on the market available to keep your long hair well conditioned and shiny at any age.> Hi all, Well, it's official...now every woman> in my office has cut her hair short except me!> I do not plan on cutting mine (I have naturally> wavy/curly hair, red, length of 25"). There> was another girl that had hair about my length,> and she just got it all cut off! (I think she> looks a lot older, but that's just my opinion.)> One of the guys said "Well, I guess you're> next!", and I said "No, I'm not going> to cut mine. I don't look good with short hair".> I am 35 and people think I'm a lot younger. I> think my hair has a lot to do with it. It's my> best feature, if I got rid of my "crowning> glory" I'd have nothing! One of my co-workers> (who used to be a beautician) said "You'll> find that long hair ages you when you get a certain> age(?) and that long hair draws your face downward,> that you need a visual "uplift". (It's> supposed to mimic vertical lines and wrinkles> or something?) What do you all think? I've read> and agree with Karen's article on long hair after> 40. I'm staying long, but curious as to others'> thoughts.> JM
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Brian,To continue with the bad food analogy... it's as if the cake was made with only a pinch of salt, when the recipe called for a half teaspoon... so it is with Winona Ryder's hair -- something's missing.Or, to put it another way, it's like the potential of an incomplete painting, which, had it been completed, would have been a masterpiece.I guess our difference is in whether or not a quantity of hair enhances the subject. When long, hair can be worn in a wide variety of up, down and back styles. When short.... well, it just doesn't have that range of versatility. Besides, if Winona had long hair (and you were her man), imagine how much fun you would have getting her face into your view by gently brushing her hair away from her face with your fingers...Dave
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Hi all.....As one of the "old ladies" past 40 on this board I agree with Dawn and Cher and all the opinions about long hair on older woman.I have a story to tell that is pretty cool. Three days ago I was in a fast food restaurant and had my hair tucked up in a "claw clip". The woman waiting on me at the counter had a "middle of the back" braid with lots of gray streaks. She kept staring at me (and I thought it was because of my strange food order). She asked if she could see my hair down. I unclipped it and turned around and she said that she had been thinking of cutting off her hair but her husband didn't want her too but that her hair stylist had told her that "she was getting too old" for her hair to be that long and that the gray made her look really old.I asked her how old she was and she said 39. I told her how old I was and mentioned Crystal Gayle and Jane Seymour and told her they were in their mid 40s.I told her too keep her hair if she loved it and that a woman should never cut her hair for any reason unless she wants to. I gave her the name of my current long hair specialist. She seemed very happy with all the information and was beaming when I left.I hope she doesn't let her hair stylist cut her hair off and maybe I made a small difference. We can hope. :-)I think long hair makes a woman look softer and younger in every case. Beautiful, healthy hair is nothing but flattering no matter what anyone says.Thanks for a great topic!!!Karen
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> I am 39 and intend on letting my hair grow> and grow. I have always wanted knee length hair> and have never gotten there. I have decided to,> if given the time, satisfy this desire. Yesterday> my husband and I were in old town Alexandria,> Virginia. There were lots of people walking the> streets and one lady caught my eye. She looked> to be in her 50's. Her hair was pushing waist> length..beautiful thick hair. She did have streaks> of gray in it..didn't matter, it was pretty. She> was dressed nice..had style. I thought she was> a knock out. She was like a breath of fresh air> amongst the ladies who looked like they were massed> produced with their short hair styles. We were> driving along in our car so I couldn't walk by> and tell her "go girl"..but I did it> mentally! Cher
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> I am 39 and intend on letting my hair grow> and grow. I have always wanted knee length hair> and have never gotten there. I have decided to,> if given the time, satisfy this desire. Yesterday> my husband and I were in old town Alexandria,> Virginia. There were lots of people walking the> streets and one lady caught my eye. She looked> to be in her 50's. Her hair was pushing waist> length..beautiful thick hair. She did have streaks> of gray in it..didn't matter, it was pretty. She> was dressed nice..had style. I thought she was> a knock out. She was like a breath of fresh air> amongst the ladies who looked like they were massed> produced with their short hair styles. We were> driving along in our car so I couldn't walk by> and tell her "go girl"..but I did it> mentally! CherI would say that the short hair phenomenon is a tragedy. How can u say when someone should cut their hair because it makes them look old or something? My great-grandmother had derriere length hair all of her life. She liked to wear it up and loved to have it brushed by someone else. She was a beautiful woman all the way around. Something tells me that a work environment as mentioned is breeding jealousy and uniformity should be avoided at all costs! As for whether hair is gray and long, I have seen some gorgeous ladies with long gray hair. Something tells me personal choice and not age is the issue...Peace...
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