Hair. Big hair, thin hair, thick hair, short hair, long hair, no hair.
It’s a popular topic among all women. We all have it and we all have to figure out what works for us. The hair fascination came naturally to all of us as we hit our teenage years especially. I bet most of us have a hair story of some sort that we’ve never forgotten. That time our mom gave us a perm and we didn’t want to leave the house or that time the stylist ruined our hair with a bad cut or an awful dye job. Or worse yet, we ruined at home…..with our own dye job! Right? I know I can’t be the only one who has hair stories. Hair is such an important extension of who we are as women and that continues our entire lives.
It started when we were teenagers and we can’t help but feel good or bad about ourselves, based on how our hair is performing day by day. It’s like it has a life of its own, our hair! Have you found the right style for you? It took me awhile, but I think I finally have found the style that’s great for me going into my older years. Not long and not short, sort of in between, that’s what’s working for me. I think many older women can get away with long hair, but sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. We all have to be honest with ourselves and take a good hard look at what is working for us and what needs improvement. If I had nice soft, bouncy hair, I’d probably wear it long too.
Since I’m going to start doing some fashion and beauty posts on my blog, I thought it would be fun to talk about hair. Hair is SO important to us as women and really can make or break our looks. I used to love those makeover shows that Oprah did, where she took someone who was hopelessly outdated in their appearance and completely made them over. Hair was always a big part of that process and would completely change the looks of a person for the better. The Today show does some great makeovers too and they don’t let people see themselves in the mirror until they are on stage live and it’s always fun to see their reaction, looking at themselves in the mirror for the first time. Lots of screaming and jumping ensues and the family members can’t believe their eyes. Those makeovers are amazing!
Some people find a style that worked for them when they were 20 and they hold onto it far too long? Know anyone like that? Hair is something that needs to continually be evaluated with a good eye to be sure you’re making the best of it as you get older. Believe me, I don’t have it all figured out either! I was the one who wished she had long flowing straight hair, you know the kind that Christie Brinkley has? Bouncy and pretty. I was the one with the big hair.
And because I don’t mind sharing myself on this blog, I’ll talk about my hair over 8 years of blogging. It’s really crazy how much my hair has changed for the better (hello, 2008, what happened there?) and I’m a good example of finding a cut that finally works for me. I have had curly, coarse hair my whole life and have struggled to find a cut that really works for the long term. Having a lot of hair is a blessing and a curse at times, but I really didn’t know what to do for my hair to make it better. My sister and niece gave me one of the first fatter flat irons and trip to the salon for Christmas a few years ago. Think they were giving me a hint? They absolutely were and I did like the cut, but didn’t maintain it back then, for some reason it just didn’t stick with me. I’ve gone shorter and longer, working with and embracing the curl and now finally I’m straightening my hair most of the time and from all the compliments I now get on my hair, I think it’s really working for me. I am finally happy with how my hair is looking.
This shot shows how it looks from the back and side. I’m amazed that I can get my hair this straight now.
I was blessed with a head full of hair, but that doesn’t mean it is easy to take care of and style in a good way. It is really curly, but as I’ve gotten older the coarseness (along with the gray) has gotten worse and it can easily get really frizzy too. Frizzy is NOT pretty! Hair products and a good cut are essential for taming my hair and my flat iron is now my best friend. As is my hair stylist. I was fortunate to find a really great hair stylist a couple of years ago from a local friend and have been going to her for at least 2 years. She is the best I’ve found for my type of hair and I will be totally sad if she ever retires. I brag on her all the time and I’ve had a lot of girls ask me for her number, but she is completely full and won’t take on more clients. She does my cut and color and I love what she does.
One of the other things I started doing in the last year is getting keratin treatments. There are several different types of them, but she has experimented with a couple of them and they do make a difference for me. I’ll probably at least do those during the summer months to help tame the frizz, because it does make a difference for my hair type. I never thought I could get straight hair like this and have it work so well, but the products and the flat iron do the trick, as well as a great stylist.
So, I wanted to do a post about hair and how keeping your hair healthy and with a stylish cut can really make a difference in how you look and feel as you age. That first pic in 2007, I was 50 years old and now about to turn 58 on Saturday, so you can see for yourself how I’ve evolved and aged with my hair and style. Some of those pics are blurry, I had to crop them to find one for every year.
One of my pet peeves is seeing older women let their hair go.
Why?
There’s just no reason to let yourself go as you get older. I totally think women can age gracefully and stylishly as well. Hair is a huge part of that, so don’t neglect your hairstyle. Find something that works for you and get a good stylist to help you get the look you want in cut and color, that works for your face and skintone. It really is amazing how hair can do so much to make or break our looks and as women, we are so dependent on “good” hair days vs. “bad” hair days, aren’t we?
How’s your hair these days? Are you highlighting your face with your hair and wearing a stylish cut? If you aren’t, find one that works. Scraggly, gray hair just isn’t attractive on anyone, so color that hair too! I see only a very few older women with pretty gray hair that look really attractive. Most of the time, I think coloring gray hair is the way to go. At least into your 60’s and maybe even 70’s. Again, that is not a rule set in stone at all, just my opinion for most women.
Why look older than we have to?
I love this article from Vibrant Nation on 8 lessons from makeover of women over 50. I love seeing makeovers like this, where hair, makeup, and clothes are all updated. What a difference it makes! This first one is an example of trying to dress TOO young. The 2nd pic is so much better and age appropriate, so that is something to keep in mind too. I try to look at myself objectively in the mirror and never want to come across as trying to dress too young. Keep it stylish AND age appropriate. We are not 30 or 40 anymore, ladies!
Love this makeover! What a difference, from long gray hair and frumpy outfit to a stylish knee-length black skirt and hot pink top, framing her newly cut short do. She is still gray and can get away with it with adding that extra color near her face. And check out how much better she looks in the clothes! She has a very stylish figure and the frumpy clothes were just hiding her shape.
Here’s an example of that long straggly gray hair that we’ve all seen on folks. Wow, what a difference in her more stylish cut and check out the dark color. Way better! She looks at least 10 years younger.
One more great makeover, this one is fantastic too. From frumpy old sweater outfit to a long cardigan and more stylish pants to a chic and sassy shorter cut. Again, that big baggy sweater was actually hiding a much thinner body.
What a difference hair cuts and color can make as we get older! I think this is a fun subject, so I hope you all do too. We women over 50 can use all the help we can get in ageing gracefully and stylishly. I’m going to move towards 60, kicking and screaming and doing the best I can to keep on looking as good as I possibly can for years to come.
I know I have a lot of baby boomer readers too, so I’m not alone. Are you with me?
Are you happy with your hair or struggling to find a new style?
I’ll start doing some fashion posts too (maybe 2 a month or so) and will be sharing some of my outfits that I put together and talk about my thoughts on clothes for women over 50 and we’ll have some fun conversations.
Wreaths are such a pretty addition to the front door during the Holidays, so I’d love for you to check out my style guide all about wreaths and how to use them effectively inside and out!
Great post Rhoda! I look forward to reading your posts for us gals over 50. 🙂
My hair generally does okay–it’s naturally curly which I use to hate when I was younger, but now I like that it’s so versatile. I have been going to the same hair dresser for about 33 years! crazy, eh?
Thanks for sharing with us
gail
Funny that you would be writing about h air today. I’m almost 72 and have been letting my hair grow so it would be long enough to pull back or up when I’m feeling lazy 🙂 It’s down on my shoulders now and I’ve decided I don’t look good with long hair and I’m not too crazy about it when I put it up either. I think I’ll go back to my shorter cut – very much like yours. It looks good at that length and is much easier to dry than when it’s long. Thought you might like this quote by Dorothy Parker: “Years are only garments, and you either wear them with style all your life, or else you go dowdy to the grave.” I have the quote painted on my bathroom wall.
Sandy, I love that quote!
Hey there, Rhoda! Hmmm…you’ve chosen a hair raising subject! 😉
I’m 54 and I stopped coloring my hair a little over a year ago. It is thick and growing out some. I get tons of compliments, but I think it has a lot to do with skin tone. I have an olive complexion and since I spend so much time outside (landscape designer/gardener) I am fairly tan year round. My hair is liberally highlighted with grey/mostly white streaks. I try to keep a snazzy haircut so it seems to work. I do think a great haircut is key regardless of the color.
Best of luck on branching out into the world of hair and fashion! ~Julie
I’m a curly- top, also blessed with a lot of hair. Relocating to Atlanta really amped up the frizz for me, and as more grays came in, my curls loosened up a bit so I no longer wear it curly. A nice big round brush is my go- to styling preference- flat ironing just takes all the body out of my hair and compresses the volume I feel I need. What has really helped me a great deal is to eliminate sulfites, in fact, I now co- wash my hair. Similar to WEN, where you actually wash your hair with conditioners instead of shampoo. Lots of information about co- washing on the web and youtube! Worth a try. I have twice tried keratin treatments for smoother hair, but co- washing works better for me, and no chemicals! I have my hair professionally colored, but I’d love to touch up in between at home. To stretch it out. The new reusable color product L’ oreal Mousse Absolue looks very promising!
Maureen, your hair is absolutely beautiful, so whatever you are doing, it works for you! I need to check out some alternatives, I’m doing non-sulfate shampoos but that WEN sounds interesting, I think I’ll try it. We need to get together soon and I’ll ask you all those questions! If I can stop with the keratin treatments, I would definitely do something different.
Hello there! Great post … I am 73 and was born blonde, as I aged and began to see all of the gray creeping in, I had it professionally colored BUT soon discovered the texture of my hair would no longer hold color for very long and decided to let it go. I am now the loveliest shade of white .. women pay hundreds of dollars to have this shade. No more a slave to coloring / chemicals!
Your time capsule of photos is amazing, pretty woman!
I posted below – I’m 55 and a natural blond. You are right, natural blondes cannot go much lighter because the color just won’t ‘come up” as they say. I hope I can be as lucky as you and end up with the pretty white hair!
Here’s to aging gracefully …..
Loved this post. Looking forward to any future post on styles for us older ladies. I turned 50 this year and do not plan to start dressing like an old lady.
Subject near and dear to my heart. Pet peeve is a woman of a certain age with jet black hair! Does she really think it looks natural? I have my hair colored (brunette by birth) but ask to go lighter as I age. Would absolutely love to go white or a real glossy silver but alas the genes I’m given (Mom is 99) would be that dull grey. No thanks. Need to look in to the WEN system. Also, have taken up golf in my older age and need a hair style that works with a golf hat so I’m trying to grow it longer. Guess the problems never end.
Do you have any suggestions for hairstyles for large sized women? My stylist always cuts mine shorter than I want. It has grown out and now I am hesitant to go back to him. I don’t know who to go to. I need someone who knows about cutting natural curly hair. You don’t know of anyone in NC around the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area do you? I could go towards Greenville or Charlotte also. Thanks Rhoda
Sorry, Linda, I don’t know any stylists in your area. Ask around with your friends and hopefully you can find someone. I think word of mouth is the best way to find a good stylist, that’s how I found mine.
I’m looking forward to the new posts! Turned 60 this year and I have thin, fine hair that has been highlighted (frosted, back then!) for many, many years. It gives my hair body and covers some of the grays along my hairline. As far as style – constantly changing. I wear it short and style with a round brush…but every day is a new day with my hair.
Hi Rhoda!
I hardly ever have time to blog or read blogs anymore but took some time this evening to read a few. Have to say when I do get a chance to read blogs I always check out your posts. Love your new hair style! You look younger now than any of the pics prior! Be blessed my friend!
I’m a first time visitor and love your blog! The photos you posted are from Christopher Hopkins’ amazing book, Staging Your Comeback.
I’m in my mid 40’s and have had my first few greys in the past year or so. I was white blonde as a child and gradually darkened with ago so my natural color is now a dark blonde (mousey brown).
Since discovering my greys I have been home coloring with a hilighting box color in a medium warm brown and have only had my hair cut and styled once this year. I have had too many botched cuts (some very expensive) than I care to remember and it has given me an intense fear of hairdressers. I don’t want to become an old lady before my time and dread the frumpy flat grey roots style I often see in the aisles of the supermarket – I just need to find a stylist I’m comfortable with that I can trust!
Hi, I just discovered your blog via Cote de Texas. I haven’t had time to explore much but I can really relate to this post on hair & clothes that don’t look matronly, or even worse, way too teenager – I think I see this more.
I’m a natural blonde and I haven’t had to do too much, just a highlight job once a year or so. But now at 55, well ..it starting to look dull. The stylist told me its actually easier to blonde up a brunette than a natural blonde – not fair!
My pet peeve is women dressing too youthful, women who are really high maintenance with the hair, nails, makeup (too much!) and all the jewelry everywhere. I just like a simple, clean, classic look. I also think if we wear jeans (and I do) you really have to think about it – I will wear jeans with a crisp white blouse, loafers or boots or sandals, or jeans with a cardigan & tank under. I still show some chest area – why not? I see many woman over 50 wearing a faded old fashioned jean with matronly shoes and a not too becoming sweater or plaid shirt. And don’t wear crocs or birks!!!
We can’t do all the fads either. I wear a size 16 but I am on the tall side so I carry it pretty good, but skinny pants are not for me at all! I still do trousers, flares, larger boot cut and I make sure they are long. Prints look hideous on me. I don’t even think DVF could help me there!
My grandma – who was quite stylish – always said, get a good coat, a good handbag, and some good shoes and you are halfway there, Another pet peeve – barn jackets…leave then at home for working. Hoodies – no. Yoga pants – yes! Drawstring lounge pants – yes! Good plain white, black, gray tees – yes! This is my at home wardrobe! I do have trouble ditching my sandals in the winter – still wear them indoors!
fun post! Thanks!
Hey Rhoda,
So glad you did this post on hair and so looking fwd to the style for women over 50! As most likely your frumpiest friend (you know we’ve discussed this recently) I appreciate the before and after pics you shared of the ladies. It reminds me once again, no matter our age or size, we should strive to look our best by staying current on style and color! Remember the time I was going to a wedding and called you about what to wear and you insisted I NOT wear panty hose and I argued and argued with you! Well, I didn’t wear panty hose, but it was awkward for me! And you advised me to shop thrift stores for jewelry and I do and always get compliments on those pieces! When you compliment my hair style, I know it’s a keeper because you are such a stylish and youthful girl for your age! Oh, and as we celebrate our 58th birthdays this week, I’m blessed to call you friend after all these years! Love you! Vic
Rhoda, I have worn my hair in a graduated bob since highschool, it goes up and down in length but pretty much the same style. Mine is cut very much like yours pictured with your darling niece. I have it highlighted about three times a year. I do have straight hair so it pretty much falls into place for me. I have found with getting older I have to work harder on maintaining it’s health. I love shiny, bouncy hair and so far so good, but it is essential to use good quality products and I also don’t use any flat irons or devisces that get too hot on my hair, I find my hair fries easily so I stick with blow dry and hot rollers for a few minutes to get the curve, then I am done. I also use Morracan oil twice a month. I call it my puffing and fluffing day and I do a masque on my face and hair. I am excited to read more of your post. I love all things related to making the best of what we have at any age!!! By the way, YOU look fabulous, whatever you are doing, it agrees with YOU! xo
I was one of those women over 50 that thought I had to wear my hair in a trendy style and keep it highlighted, year after year. Well, 2 years ago, I decided enough with the coloring. Also, I let my natural waves come into play. I’ve received more compliments on my hair in the last 18 months than I ever did when it was long, short, colored, highlighted. As a matter of fact, a former Miss America contestant told me I had rockin’ hair – she loves it. My color naturally is a bit of salt and pepper in the back, with a large halo of more platinum (or white) in the front. It’s the easiest hairstyle I’ve ever had.
So, wear whatever makes you feel good = whatever the style and/or color.
And Rhoda, the last few years, your hair “fits” you. The style is extremely becoming and the color really goes with your complexion. Keep it up!
Looking forward to more ideas on makeup and fashion…. You are one of the very best for putting together great-looking outfits on a limited budgets.
Happy Birthday! Your attitude keeps you so young!
I also am one of those women who complained constantly about my thick, curly, unruly hair. I was a teenager back when every girl had hair that looked like Cher’s. I went to great lengths to have it chemically straightened even suffering a severe burn to the side of my head after one such treatment. Now I’m battling a different kind of war with my hair, one I would never have dreamt about back then – hair loss! I will be 62 next month and my hair has thinned considerably. I have tried every shampoo on the market and even take oral medication to help keep my hair. Just yesterday I made the decision to stop dyeing my hair. I always felt that colouring my hair made it look thicker but the dye and chemicals have not been kind to my scalp. So my hair will now turn gray and it may not be a beautiful silver or gorgeous white but there isn’t much I can do about it.
This comment isn’t meant to judge or criticize anyone but my hope is that all women be a little more understanding that not everyone is a fashionista. If you’re one of the lucky women who has been blessed with gorgeous hair or have a great fashion sense that leaves others envious, be very grateful and thankful b/c life can sometimes have a cruel way of changing things when we least expect it.
HI, Sheila, thank you for your note. In no way did I intend for anyone to feel bad about themselves from my post. I know that any one of us can face challenges along the way and we don’t know what is around the next corner. My purpose in sharing fashion and beauty inspiration is simply to encourage all of us baby boomers to be the best that we can be. I totally understand that not everyone is into fashion, hair and makeup like I am, but for those who are, I hope these posts will be an encouragement.
Hi Rhoda,
I believe wholeheartedly Rhoda that you never intended anyone to feel bad from your post. I have followed your blog for many years now and respect you for the woman you are. That’s also why I mentioned that my comment wasn’t made to judge or criticize either.
Hi Rhoda, I had no idea we were so close in age! I will be 58 this Sat., the 13th! Love this post, and love your hairstyle. Thanks for the inspiration.