{Day 2} Hair: Fashion & Beauty For Women Over 40

Good morning! I’m so glad you’re joining me for 31 days of fashion & beauty for women over 40!

Today we’re talking Hair for women over 40.

Okay let’s just admit that as we grow older our hair changes. It seems to have a lot to do with hormonal changes. Some of us also start to gray and as we color our hair it changes the texture of our hair.

A lot of women have the same hairstyle they had in their 20s and 30s. It’s hard to let go of that style, it’s comfortable, right?

But our goal is to have healthy, shiny hair that makes us look young and hip.

Now some of you have gorgeous long hair and it still looks great and works for you but for most of us cutting a few inches off will make a big difference in our overall look.

So, let’s start with these questions from Staging Your Comeback by Christopher Hopkins:

Signs that your hair is too long:

  • You’re always pulling it back and rarely wear it down.
  • It only looks good for the first twenty minutes after you style it.
  • You catch yourself in the mirror later in the day and quickly pull it back.
  • You keep fluffing it whenever you look in the mirror.

If you answered yes to these you might want to cut a few inches off your hair. You don’t have to get drastic, just a few inches can make a huge difference.

Another thing to consider is that once you reach a certain age, you look better with bangs. Almost everybody does.

Charla Krupp from How Not to Look Old says, “Bangs are a cheap and easy way to chic up your look. They also accentuate the positive and camouflage the negative.”

I wanted to share some examples with you of how updating your hair can take years off of you. These are from The Today Show makeovers.

This one is shocking! She took years off of her look.

Notice the hair stylist added bangs on every one of these examples. Bangs give us a softer look.

Now head to the mirror and take a look at your hair. What do you think? Do you need to take few inches off? What about bangs, do you have them? Need them?

I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you missed Day 1 you can find it here.

Beauty For the Heart~~Since we’re talking about hair I thought I’d share a scripture verse about our mind. You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You. Isaiah 26:3

Have a blessed day!

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  1. So glad I found this. I have a cute shoulder length style cut (with bangs) and I was just contemplating growing out the bangs and taking on longer hair to look younger! You are right- thanks for keeping me on the right path!! Love the hint about “how often do you wear your hair up”

  2. A couple of days ago I found your blog and caught me!
    I was reading around a bit until I got to the section of hair and well, I confess that today I spent entirely decided by the salon and that was my long hair. Hug from Cordoba – Argentina.

  3. I just love your web site. I like your hair cut too. Mine is sort of like that but more layers because my hair is naturally curly( I straighten it). Keep up the good work! You really enspire ladies my age mid 40’s!!!!

  4. Hi Cyndi,
    I came across your website today and it’s really cool! So many great tips, I especially like this one about the bangs and those photos you posted are amazing, the difference is drastic. So thanks heaps. 🙂

  5. Love this post and going next week to get one of these cuts… I’m 47 young and have had long hair for to many many years.. Now I realize I only had it for my husband not me… Well it is going!!! Will update when it is all cut off a before and after… thanks for the wonderful tips…
    Blessing to you

  6. I just cut my hair last month. I took 5 inches off. I had let grow because I am pregnant and it was growing so fast I couldn’t afford to keep up with it. But the baby is almost here (next week) and I decided that I didn’t want to look frumpy after he is born, so I got a stacked bob. I was a bit worried about it, because it has kind of become the “old lady’s” style of choice in recent years, so I was afraid it would age me more, but I also chose to color at the same time and it has actually taken years off my face. I love it, most mornings I don’t even have to run my flat iron through it. I have gotten SO many compliments since I made the change. I, thankfully haven’t gained much weight during this pregnancy, but I have also invested in shapewear for after the birth so that I’m not all droopy and flabby while I’m trying to heal from my c-section and get my figure back. I didn’t think to use it after the birth of my first child, but I wish I had.

  7. I have just found your blog and your series here. I am going to read every single one of them. I have signed up to receive your emails. I answered yes to every one of your questions above. I am a stay home mom who also keeps other kids. I wear my hair in a ponytail every day, except on Sundays at church, but it goes straight to a ponytail when we get home. I think it is time for a new hairstyle!!!!!!!! Thanks. Can’t wait to see what else I need to change.

  8. Cyndi, I totally agree with you about the bangs! I have always had bangs and I see far too many women with large foreheads that NEED bangs. I’m not sure why they don’t see it either…just look at a picture of yourself and if the first thing you notice is your forehead, then bangs are for you. I also agree about the layers. It really helps to soften features. I remember reading this saying when I was in my 20’s and have never forgetten it: “A woman of 40 will never look 30 dressing like she’s 20.”

  9. Timely post. I am going to my hair stylist after work today and along with covering up the grey (which I have to do every 3 weeks!!!) I plan on going back to my medium length bob. I tried growing it out and now at 2 inches past my shoulders, I am guilty of every single one of the above items!!

  10. Hi Cyndi,

    Super post and I’m looking forward to the rest of the 31day series!

    This past summer was my big 5-0 and I have to more frequently color my hair. In 2007, my husband and I took a four year appointment as international missionaries. I grew my hair out during that time because I couldn’t communicate clearly what I wanted. I do like my hair a longer, but your post has me thinking about whether to go back to bangs. My scheduled hair appointment is Thursday night after work and I’m going to speak to my stylist about “long” bangs.

  11. Loved the before and after pics! I do have bangs!

    I use to complain about my hair (it’s very thick, coarse and has what my stylist called a “wicked wave!”) until, I was approached by the elderly woman and owner of little cafe who overheard me complaining. She gently took my hand, and said, “dear, be thankful you have such beautiful, thick hair. I have cancer and am losing mine.” Talk about getting humble very fast. I thanked her and I now thank God for my wicked wave!

  12. Hi sweet Cyndi! I can already tell, I’m going to very much your 31 days! I think you are right on with the bangs. I keep my hair cut very short (kind of pixie, but not quite that short). I always have had bangs, but for several years had heavier bangs that were quite assymetrical and kind of brushed to the side. A couple of years ago, my stylist suggested a “piecey” bang, shorter and a less bold version of the assymetrical look. I was really nervous since my hair is so short already. I told her to “do it” and I LOVE it! The piecey bangs are just enough, but seems not to weigh my face down like the heavier bangs. My husband, parents, sisters and adult children all gave them the thumbs-up, so I knew I’d made the right decision. Be blessed

  13. I am almost 42 and have had short hair for ever…the latest cut being the shortest in a while…however, I have the flattest, no body hair you have ever seen. Even now, I think I’ve decided I don’t really like my short hair. I’m just not sure what to do with it. I’m a young looking 42 and don’t want to start looking like an old 42.

  14. I’m a young 61 but am always fluffing up my hair whenever I pass a mirror and have noticed the curl doesn’t last very long like it used to. Just this morning I was thinking about getting a few inches cut off. Thanks for posting the pictures and just the needed incentive to make the appointment.

  15. I am excited about this series as I am a “young 44” year old woman. I am not ready to look old but I also want to look age appropriate. I will eagerly look for your posts to tell me what to do or what I am doing wrong.

    Thanks for spending your time on all of us over 30 ladies these next few weeks.

    Blessings to you, Amy

  16. Wow…that gives me something to ponder! I’m 53 and I have been letting my hair grow out for the past year. Lately I have been putting it up in a clip while at home! Might be time to be getting a new “do”. I agree with the bangs making you look younger. I love the before and after shots! Looking forward to more tips!

  17. What a difference! I am about to schedule a much-overdue hair appointment and had no idea what I “should” do. These photos give me a good direction.

    I also notice that eyeliner plays a big part in these “afters”. Looking forward to your posts on make-up! 🙂