I’m in the middle of moving (big Formerly moment, sending out my new snail mail address and land line phone number, like I have more than five actual human friends who visit me elsewhere than Facebook) so this will be brief. I signed up for Groupon the other day and got this as an announcement for a salon discount:
“Left untended, human hairs grow so long and unruly that passing grandmothers often mistake skulls for skeins of yarn to crochet into sweater capes. Tame tempting head threads with today’s Groupon to [SALON X’S] Soho location on LaFayette Street.”
The ad went onto say that a “cadre of versed hairstylists enact a full array of cuts and colors to match the aura of each of their distinctive clients.” I’m not altogether sure I want my aura matched so much as a little volume trimmed in, so my face won’t look so thin and I won’t look so tired. I’m also not sure I need my hair cutter to speak in iambic pentameter. Finally, the salon promises to “reinvigorate enervated coiffures with enough energy to power small windmills and electroshock sagging silhouettes.”
They want to electroshock my silhouette. My silhouette might be able to use a little something something, but I’m prepared to rule out electroshock. I’m not saying now that we’re Formerlies we want to run out and get a mom cut by rote. That helmet thing doesn’t work on anyone. Nor am I against long hair for women who are not teenagers. I have it, in fact.
But I have a question for you all: Are you done getting radical haircuts or colors at this point? Or are you still prepared for a electroshocking of your silhouette? How does that play on us non-teenagers, in your opinion? And do you think it’ll give you that same sense of feeling different than everyone else that it might have in your 20s. Do you still need to feel that way? (I know I don’t, and that’s a good thing.)
photo by Saffy CC
March 18, 2011 at 7:54 am
In college, I got some really short haircuts. I also let my hair get fairly long. Not hippie, or anything, just went a few months between cuts because I was lazy. For the next couple decades, I got my hair cut somewhere in the middle. Conventional.
Now, I’m afraid to get the top cut, because my hair is thinning, and I fear a real haircut will leave me bald. So my hair is starting to look like it did in college in its longer phases. It’s been a few months now; we’ll see how long I can hold out before I get sick of using a whole bottle of shampoo every time I shower.
March 18, 2011 at 8:35 am
I am in a hair transition – color damage led to punk short hair cut which seemed like an ideal time to let the white grow in. Although the short do looked cool with white I prefer my hair longer so now am growing it longer but I still want it to be an interesting cut. Rock and roll with white hilights. The challenge at this stage of life is easy but still attractive – trying to avoid frumpy!
March 18, 2011 at 11:18 am
There is a balance to strike between not getting stuck in the trends of your generation and not styling yourself like a 16 year old cheerleader. My official answer though is, no, I’m not done electroshocking my personal style yet, hair included. I play with colors, lengths, and all sorts of styles. Edgy but not infantile
We may be middle age, but we’re not asleep. I see no reason to continue a lively existence of personal style rather than go quietly into that good night.
I’d also like to point out that our granny generation mostly kept very short cut hair because it was popular in their prime. The Baby Boomers, despite aging, keep longer locks(bob to below the shoulders) and simple cut because that was popular in their prime and feels safe. Personally, I’m not interested in being mired in the tradition of my generation. I suggest doing what feels good to you, but staying on the lively side will keep things interesting.
March 18, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Scary indeed! No need to feel that way-favoring a look right now that says “taking care of myself and my family and I am at peace with spending less money on my hair.” Not neglecting it, but thinking of Japan disaster and starving children in our own country keeps it all in perspective.
Your humor and honesty gives rise to a whole new form of hotness. Any chance you’ll tour/read out West? We could use your mentality here in the Denver area (think LA wannabe). At the same time, people embrace the outdoors and age well otherwise. No one can put it into words with quite the frankness and agility that you do. Hope to see you out here someday!
March 19, 2011 at 11:23 am
Pink and purple hair does not look hot on middle aged women. It doesn’t scream confidence. It screams identity crisis….unless you’re living in Hollywierd.
March 26, 2011 at 8:55 am
I have waist-length, tapered, straight highlighted blonde hair with bangs….and I am 58 years old. My hair is slowly growing in white, a very pretty shade of pure white. I’m not ready to let it go completely natural yet, though. I had long hair in my 20’s, always loved it. Caved into the pressure from others to cut it shorter…..big mistake. Wore my hair in a chin length style for 25 years to “fit in” in the business world. After having cancer several years ago and coming perilously close to chemo, I’ve decided that I will wear my hair however I please, no matter what anyone thinks. I do receive quite a few compliments on my current hair style and most people think I’m 10 years younger than my real age. No more short hair for me, ever. Be true to who you are. Only you know what makes you happy and what makes you feel good about yourself.
April 4, 2011 at 3:26 pm
I started two years ago with a noble idea. GROW MY HAIR to give it to those organizatons that give hair to peole going through Chemo, etc. Well, my hair is well below my shoulders and gray (like a whitle glow of gray) and i simply love it. For some reason the texture now (it was curly when I was a teenager and always had to iron it) is perfect. I get so many compliments on my hair. Even my confidence has come back. So go with what makes you feel good….then you hyst may be formerly blah!!
April 16, 2011 at 9:17 am
I’m torn — I have very long hair (very long hair) that reflects my inner self (red) which covers the outer self (dark brown with a bit of gray). I can’t imagine cutting it short, but I’m not sure at what point I’m going to look like the old broad trying to look like the young broad. Frankly, it’s not long because I want to look young — it’s long because I love it that way. I don’t necessarily believe that hair needs to get incrementally shorter as I get incrementally older. I have a feeling that as I get older, I will start pulling it back more…BUT it won’t get shorter. And it will always be red. Funny thing is — people ask me why my kids didn’t get my red hair (it looks very natural) even when I have an inch of roots (people are apparently dumb).
I guess I say — define your hair…don’t let your hair define you.
Birdofsong