In The Groove
  • Shop
    • In The Groove Shop
    • Fashion
    • -White Shirt Shop
    • Beauty
    • Lifestyle
    • Wellness
    • Groove Approved
  • Menopause Registry
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
The 10 Spring Accessories For A Timeless Wardrobe
On Cloud Sneakers Are Our Favorites For Work...
The 30 Best Pairs Of Spring Loafers To...
Spring White Jeans Are Here – And We...
How To Wear A Canadian Tuxedo
8 Most Popular Myths About Face Oil, Debunked
The Best Spring Dresses Make Easy Instant Outfits
In Our Editors’ Carts: The 11 Things We’re...
30 Belts That Provide The Perfect Final Touch...
Mersea Will Be Your New Favorite Brand This...

In The Groove

Inspiring Women To Own Their Age & Style

  • Shop
    • In The Groove Shop
    • Fashion
    • -White Shirt Shop
    • Beauty
    • Lifestyle
    • Wellness
    • Groove Approved
  • Menopause Registry
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle

SIGN UP

Stay In The Groove

Subscribe for good times.
We'll party like it’s 1979.

Beauty

Is Your Hair Aging You?

Here's the long and the short of it–there are no hair rules.
by Stacia Friedman October 10, 2018
Is Your Hair Aging You?

At a certain age, most of us get attached to a hair style that becomes our “signature.” I was 19 when I decided to wear my naturally curly hair loose, wild and down to there. Think Bernadette Peters meets Beyonce and they share a doobie. No hot irons, straightening or scissors for me. Men loved it. Women were envious that I could shower and go with just a dab of “product.”

I shrugged off trends as decades flew by. The layered, highlighted Rachel (aka The Jennifer Aniston) which required nonchalantly running your hand through your hair every five minutes; the short-cropped Sharon Stone which demanded killer cheekbones and going commando; and the super sleek, waist-length Kim K which popularized hair extensions and bottoms as round as bowling balls.

WTF?

Then one day, after I had blown past the speed bump of menopause, I looked in the rear-view mirror and gasped. My formerly full, bouncy curls were as limp as ramen noodles. My long, lank locks were giving me a haggard appearance. Don’t get me wrong. Plenty of women over 50 can rock hair down to there. Just ask Julianne Moore or Rita Wilson. But on me? I don’t think so.

My dermatologist explained what was going on. Menopause causes estrogen to plummet and androgen levels to increase. This doesn’t necessarily decrease the number of hairs on your head, but it reduces their diameter and length. Result? Goodbye volume, texture and shine.

Cutting off years

Fortunately, my stylist Hanna had ideas. It meant doing something that in the past would’ve sent me screaming out of her chair.

“The length of your hair is pulling it down,” Hanna said. “If I shorten it and give you layers, your curls and fullness will come back.”

Sounded like a fair tradeoff. But I swear I heard each follicle scream as she snipped. And snipped.

“You’re going to like this,” Hanna said, spritzing my hair with Moroccan oil and fluffing it with a diffuser.

She swiveled me around. OMG! There were the curls I thought I’d never see again. My face, which is long and thin, appeared fuller. Amazingly, the six inches of hair Hanna had cut had taken years off my face. Best of all, it wasn’t that short Suburban Mom look I had feared. It was flirty and grazed my shoulders.

Why had I been so afraid to cut my hair? I think it comes down to this. Long hair is associated with youthfulness, femininity and S-E-X appeal.  I mean, really, who pictures a Trophy Wife with a pixie cut? Women chopped off their hair or shave their head bald when they end a relationship or enter a convent.   And yet many older women feel liberated – and sexy – after getting rid of their long hair, along with their blow drier and curling iron.

The short and long of it

A short, razor cut can be sexy at any age. But that gamine look you adore on Ann Hathaway or Natalie Portman is difficult to pull off on the flip side of fifty unless you have great bone structure and tons of chutzpah. Interestingly, chopping one’s hair off was viewed as an act of defiance and rebellion in the Roaring 1920s and Women’s Lib 70s. Now, it’s the opposite.  Letting your freak flag fly, and hanging on to you long locks after fifty is a sign of thumbing your nose at convention.

As it turns out, my new hair length  – two inches below the chin but no longer than the shoulder – is considered the most flattering for women my age. Round faces look more oval with hair below the chin and long faces, like mine, appear fuller. More importantly, it hides the yucky stuff: double chins, wrinkly necks and jowls. And, yes, it’s still long enough to be sexy.

So, what’s wrong with wearing your hair below your shoulders? We say, go for it! As long as it compliments your face and you don’t mind the upkeep. No matter what the length or style, have split ends trimmed every eight weeks, avoid hair products containing alcohol which have a drying effect and get that “just came from the salon” gleam with a finishing glossing spray.

Just remember, hair is eternally forgiving. No matter what you do to it, it always grows back. Thank God!

1
Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest Email
Stacia Friedman

Related Posts

8 Most Popular Myths About Face Oil, Debunked

March 10, 2023

Meaningful Beauty Wants You To Have Your Best...

January 9, 2023

10 Must-Have Beauty Products We Use To The...

January 31, 2023

My Favorite Self Care Ritual Is The Avoila...

December 20, 2022

The Self-Care Rituals We’re Practicing To Kick Off...

January 7, 2023

Winter Skin Recovery: Our Must-Have Skincare Products

December 20, 2022

The At-Home Skincare Devices For Your Best Skin...

December 21, 2022

Nordstrom Has Our Favorite Beauty Stocking Stuffers –...

December 6, 2022

The Under $50 Gift Guide

November 23, 2022

The Guys Gift Guide Is Here To Make...

November 26, 2022

Looking Good

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Stay In The Groove

Subscribe for good times.
We'll party like it’s 1979.

Follow Us On Instagram

The strength of aging. 🔥 The strength of aging. 🔥
@levis 501s are arguably America’s greatest cont @levis 501s are arguably America’s greatest contribution to fashion. Whether you pair them with stilettos or sandals, a tee or a blouse, you know you’ll always look good. Head to the link in our bio to shop our favorites. 

https://liketk.it/44WQt

#levis #501levis #501s #denimstyle #denim #styleover50
We love this. ❤️ We love this. ❤️
Meet On Cloud Sneakers: These are not your splurge Meet On Cloud Sneakers: These are not your splurge-y fashion sneakers. These are working sneakers. These are support-your-arches, going on a serious hike, getting back in shape sneakers. But that doesn’t mean they still can’t be cute! I love the different color ways and On Cloud’s trademark squiggly sole. It will be love at first walk. And @bloomingdales has a fabulous selection. Head to the link in our bio to shop. #bloomingdales #ad #ltkshoecrush #ltkstyletip #ltkfit @shop.ltk #liketkit 

https://liketk.it/44M3e
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube
  • Tiktok
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Affiliate Disclosure

@2022 - In The Groove | Terms Of Service | Privacy Policy

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT