Hair: your crowning glory – Part 1

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This post is part of the Gorgeous 50’s series inspired by a book given to me by one of my sisters on my 50th birthday – ‘Grown up and Gorgeous in your 50’s’ by Pamela Robson.  I will be sharing some of Pamela’s words and my own thoughts along the way.  To see all posts published as part of this series, go here.

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Pamela has quite a lot to say about our ‘crowning glory’.  So much so, that I’m going to break up the post on this subject into two parts.  This is Part 1.

Pamela says:

By your 50’s, you’ve probably tried many a hairstyle and have come to some understanding about what works with your hair type and lifestyle. Whatever your natural hair colour, it’s likely that grey hair has become quite noticeable, and your locks will have also become more brittle. But don’t give up on the battle and turn to the blue rinse! In your 50’s, your hair really can be your crowning glory. So, how to stay modern, without having to be ‘trendy’? You’ll need to approach hair care, style and colour …

Be gentle

We’re talking shampoo, conditioner and an intensive weekly treatment (if your hair is very dry, damaged or you use heat styling tools often). Choose gentle, moisturising formulas, and don’t over-wash or over-condition your hair. Hair should squeak when you rinse the shampoo out, and conditioner should only be applied to the ends.

Gloss your locks

A gleaming, polished style will take years off your look. To re-create that salon shine, invest in a conditioning, glossing spray. Lightly spritz it over dry hair for a pick-me-up that flatters every shade – even grey.

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Let’s be honest. The last time perfectly coiffed hair was fashionable was the 1960’s, when hairspray was all the rage. It followed on from the stiff French pleat of the 1950’s (think Hitchcock’s blondes), the permed look of the war years and the lacquered wave of the 1920’s Flappers. Today, hair that doesn’t move screams ‘old lady’. Your 50’s is a time when less is definitely more – so it’s important you find the perfect, simple cut. Hair should be casual, and look natural and healthy. So talk to your hairdresser about a style that works with your hair type, is easy to recreate at home, and requires very little styling product.

The Perfect Simple Cut?  Experts are unanimous on this. It’s the layered bob. Or, if you want to go longer, a shoulder-length cut with layers that softly frame your face. The best wash-and-go cut is a short do with lots of texture.

On the fringe

A fringe can hide a multitude of un-Botoxed brow lines, but keep it soft and layered. Short, thick fringes are hard to pull off and can overwhelm your face.

It’s a long story

Once, it was said that after 30 a woman shouldn’t have long hair. Well, that’s another rule we’ve said goodbye to! If your face isn’t too thin, go for it. Just remember that straggly, thin, unkept hair doesn’t ever look good, no matter what your age.

My thoughts:

Sisterhood

Before I start rabitting on about my hair and hair in general, I wanted to acknowledge our sisters out there who have thinned hair or no hair due to illness or for any other reason.  I see you!  Health over hair!  You are still beautiful!  If you need a little boost of confidence and a little help to feel pretty though, I had a little Google and wow there are so many places where you can buy hats, head scarves, turbans and all manner of beautiful things.  I’m sure you’re more aware of all this than I, but here are just a few that I found:  JAS Fashion |  Hat House  |  Pink Sisters 

My hair

I’ve been very fortunate with my hair, though I didn’t think so when I was younger!  I have had thick curly hair all my life.  I remember as a young girl hating my hair and using bobby pins to try and flatten it much to my Mother’s disdain!  I wanted long, silky straight and shiny hair like Marcia Brady!!

Now that I’m a little more um … mature … I recognise how lucky I am to have thick hair and also curly hair.  I have options – leave it curly or straighten it with my GHD.  I really do like having those options too!  

Two years ago I had surgery and a few months after that surgery I lost a lot of hair.  It grew back eventually (well most of it) but during that time I had a taste of having thin and fine hair and I did not like it at all!  It is not as thick as it used to be anymore but thankfully it has thickened up quite a bit from the worst days following the post surgery hair loss.

I prefer to keep some length to my hair.  I have had periods in my life where I have cut my hair short and I have always hated it.  It made me feel old and matronly and more to the point … I just didn’t feel like me.  Who knows, maybe one day it will feel right to cut my hair shorter but right now I’m happy with it sitting on my shoulders and therefore giving me options to have it straight, curly, up or down, or even braided if I choose to!

Hot tip for curly haired ladies & those that love braids

Speaking of braids and curly hair … if you have curly hair especially … you really need to go check out Christina from Hair Romance.  She provides wonderful tutorials on managing curly hair and has the hugest repertoire of beautiful ways to braid your hair!  I met her in person once at a ProBlogger conference too and she is a lovely person to boot!

To grey or not to grey?

Grey hair is inevitable isn’t it.  It comes sooner for some than others.  At first for me it was just a little grey at the front under my fringe area – a bit like a skunk stripe but hidden from view.  I think I have quite a bit more areas of grey now but I get my hair coloured and don’t notice it too much.  As Mum says … she goes to get “dipped”!  I do too and I’ll continue to for as long as it feels right for me.  I don’t go as blonde as used to in my younger days but maybe I will again one day when the greys and regrowth become a bit more arduous!  Each to their own and whatever makes you feel good I say.

Conditioning

I don’t know what on earth Pamela is talkin ’bout when she says only condition on the ends of your hair.  Perhaps that is something that works for one with oily hair?  For me though, I’ve always had dry hair, so I condition my whole head of hair!  Do you have oily hair?  Tell me if conditioning only on the ends is a thing for those with oily hair?

Shiny hair / Glossy sprays

Pamela mentions how important it is to have shiny, glossy hair and that we should use ‘glossy’ sprays … soooo … I did a little Googling and here’s a list of Best Hair Shine Spray’s as advised by Adore Beauty.  I haven’t thoroughly investigated this list as yet but I do intend to because as a curly (& dry) haired girl, I can always use more shine!  I used to have a much loved hair shine spray product but it was discontinued so I am on the hunt for a replacement!

Fringes

Look I think that it doesn’t matter what your age is – you do whatever makes you feel good and that includes whether to have a fringe or not and if you do choose to have a fringe, whether it’s soft and feathered or thick and chunky.  Your face.  Your body.  Your hair.  Do as you please! 

Do you like your hair? Has your hairstyle changed much over the years? Got any favourite hair products to share?

Ciao for now,