I'm 39 and my hair is probably almost to my bra fastener. Heck no--not too old! I keep it in nice shape and have itsy bitsy trims often. My hair has very long layers and lays well with the longer layers. I think hair extensions are just fine if they are done well. Pricey though--my local salon is running a special right now for 1K! Normally they are 1600 from what I have been told.

You're old enough to do what you want so think of it that way. Age should not play a factor in how long your hair can be. If you're willing to put in the effort everyday for long hair and extentions then go for it!

I will say though that it is my belief that hair longer the shoulder blades is pointless from a fashion point of view. It does nothing to enhance a woman's facial beauty and after all hair is a frame for the face... length doesn't help. I wear my hair anywhere below my ear to the top of my shoulder blade but will not go longer. The shorter my hair is the spunkier and gutsier I feel whereas if I wear it longer I'm afraid to appear insecure hiding behind a blanket of needless tresses.

What's most interesting about your original post is that you said you've never been able to grow your hair out past your shoulders. That might be an indication of poor hair health. All hair stops growing once it reaches a certain length but down to your shoulder is a bit short for that point. May I ask how you take care of your hair and how often you trim it?

Your hair is gorgeous!!

I think for some women, they look younger with shorter hair. But if you want longer hair then ROCK it because your "old enough" to do whatever you want! I don't think there is an age limit for long hair.

This idea reminds me of the Renaissance, where you were expected to keep your hair up under a hat because it was unseemly once you were wed.

I have seen several shows and read articles that claim that older women need to "grow up" and get their long locks cut off. Maybe the thinning-out of our hair as we age has something to do with it. Personally, I'm 31, my hair is to my bra-strap, and I don't intend to chop it any time, ever. I just keep it trimmed and layered around my face.

Nuts on conventionality, do what makes you feel sexy!

I never liked long hair when I had it and was glad to be rid of it. I recently cut it the shortest its ever been and I love it! It is so cute and stylish.

I don't think it has to do with an age thing but more possibly a time thing. The only time I am usually impressed by long hair is if I see it on tv or in the movies because obviously they spent hours having their hair done but I've been impressed with average people and their short hair styles. Of course not everyone is looking to impress (I'm certainly not!). It overall just seems to be a time factor for normal people.

Thanks y'all for the great advice! Wannabeskinny, my hair is pretty healthy...it just won't get long enough. I probably could get it trimmed more often though.

AR4life your hair really is beautiful and the exact length I want.

I really think long hair will be great motivation for me.

Thanks for the compliments Justaloozer and Skinnynsweet It always looks best when the hairdresser has used the iron on it

I've heard that our hair has a set length point, which it won't grow past??? does anyone know if that's true?
I've been able to grow my hair quite long without it breaking off but other people I know can't grow it past their shoulders.

I hope you can grow your hair long Skinnynsweet it's fun to have long hair again. Makes me feel sexy and I get compliments on how young it makes me look......lol...... even if they are lying I feel good about it.

I have long hair and I am 36, almost 37 (in a couple of weeks). I've always had long hair. I cut it short once or twice a year and then I let it grow out the rest of the year. For me, long hair is easier to deal with. I have to work more when my hair is short because is has a lot of body to it, and if I don't use gel and style it, it looks terrible short. It is naturally wavy and it will do weird things when it is short. I still put gel in it when it is long, but just to keep it from getting all frizzy.

You can pull it off. Work that long hair! I'm sure you will look beautiful!




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"Edison failed 10,000 times before he made the electric light. Do not be discouraged if you fail a few times."
Weight Loss journey began: January 2009 - Weight Loss to date: 24lbs
Currently on the my30daysdiet and loving it! Working out 4 times a week.

AR4life- your hair is beautiful and looks very healthy.

As someone else stated, the key is to keep it healthy looking and stylish.......don't let it get straggly. I think longer hair on a more mature lady can make her look younger, if she has the right style- I'm not saying to try look like a teeny bopper but, just something cute. I've had varying hair lengths all my life, from way down my back to very short pixie cuts to a-line bobs, swoopy bangs....everything and I think that having short hair is actually more time consuming. With short hair you have to style it and whenever I would get out of bed it would always stick up and I'd have to wet it down and dry it. I'm currently trying to grow my hair longer for my wedding, my stylist mentioned taking pre-natal vitamin for faster hair growth. I started to take them and I'm not sure if my hair is growing at a faster pace but, I will say that my hair is much stronger and my nails also.

Here is a fine example. I think this woman looks great with long hair and the fact that she's kept it gray is awesome. Also, the other lady is a great example, she has a little length but, it's a very stylish bob.

Agree completely - if it's a time investment you're willing to make, and it makes you happy - go for it! The longest hair I have probably goes 2". I happen to look better with long hair but it absolutely doesn't work with my lifestyle - it's stupidly thick and wavy and HEAVY, it's prematurely gray and very, very coarse, and required at least a half hour of work to be presentable. Plus, there's something about finding long hairs everywhere that just grosses me out! Now that I've lost most of the weight that I wanted to, I have cheekbones again that I don't want to hide. I'd rather sleep than futz with hair, too. That being said - NONE of it has to do with my age (42). It's 100% lifestyle. If I desperately want the look, well, I'll buy a freakin' wig.

Certainly not! Long hair is hot no matter what age.

And BTW, 38 is too young to be "too old" for anything.

I *slightly* disagree with this. I think hair longer than 4 inches past the shoulderblades is pointless from a fashion point of view. Hair that just barely touches the shoulder blades does not give the same effect as hair that is slightly past the shoulder blades (I see the former as medium-length and the latter as long) but I think once you get past that point it all pretty much looks the same. That is why my ideal length is about 4 inches past the top of the shoulders... still gives the illusion of the length without having to care for as much (which is also why I need a cut! It's 8 inches past my shoulders now and doing nothing for me!)
But I disagree that even from a fashion view hair that just barely touches the shoulders and hair that is a few inches past the shoulders look the same.