Should you cut your hair after 50?

Aging

How to Wear Long Hair Over 50: 21 Photos of the Best Hairstyles

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Since when was, “Thou shalt not have hair below your shoulder after 40, and heaven forbid, after 50,” the 11th commandment? Just because you’re a certain age doesn’t mean an entire hairstyle is officially off limits. It’s totally possible to rock long hair over 50 — even with glasses. We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about maintaining long hair after 50, including the best long hairstyles for ladies over 50 and how to go gray with long hair.

As you age, your hair also changes — and not just the color. Maybe you’ve noticed your hair texture is different. Over time, fine hair may feel thinner and more delicate, while thick hair becomes stiff and coarse. If you’re looking for a long-term natural solution, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to caring for mature hair.

RELATED: The Best Youthful Hairstyles for Women Over 50

What to Do If You Have Thin Hair

Thin hair and hair loss in women is not uncommon after 50, so don’t be ashamed. But despite how prevalent an issue female hair loss is, a regular old bad hair day can also totally ruin your mood. Chopping off your hair might seem like a simple solution to hiding a thin head of hair, but it isn’t necessary. If you’re wondering how to get thicker hair naturally, there are a few steps you can take. Alexis Wolfer, the author of The Recipe for Radiance ($9.99, Amazon), mentions a relaxing in-shower scalp massage and a fragrant herbal hair rinse as the keys to growing thicker hair.

In the shower, you should also use a dandruff shampoo like Nizoral A-D ($14.84, Amazon) one to two times a week, as its anti-inflammatory properties help fight scalp infections. “Reducing yeast on the scalp may help decrease inflammation and promote healthy hair growth,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Going Gray With Long Hair

To gray or not to gray, that is the question. Going gray gracefully is a process many women struggle with, and it’s fraught with lots of difficult decisions. When is the right time to go gray? Should I go gray naturally? Of course, the answers to those questions will vary from person to person, but here are a few things to know when it comes to going gray.

Whether you have long hair or not, going gray is an undertaking that first requires you to face your fears. Society often ridicules women for their silver streaks, but there are tons of celebrities with silvery locks who inspire us to embrace our natural beauty. Going gray is a sign of aging, and the moment you embrace it is like starting a brand-new phase in life.

Now that you’re feeling inspired to kick butt and look beautiful with your gray hair, let’s move on to the logistics of going gray. If you currently dye your hair, it might be easiest to simply let your roots grow out and chop off the colored sections so you’re not walking around with two-toned hair. It’s possible to keep your hair long while still going gray, though it will require working with your hairstylist so that he or she can slowly fade out the color.

If you’re planning on going the budget route — don’t! At-home gradual-gray box dyes seem like a cheap alternative, but these products can actually cause your hair to fall out if you wash your hair with hard water. Over time, the constant dyeing will weaken your hair, so it’s better to just go to a professional. It might be a little bit more money up front, but it will save you from ruining your hair and having to pay anyway to see your hairstylist so they can fix the mess.

Once you’ve gone gray, you’ll want to stock up on purple shampoo. Over time, your hair can start to get brassy. Fortunately, there are plenty of purple shampoos for gray hair on the market that will counteract those yellow tones.

The most important thing to remember is that you need to do what makes you feel comfortable. Our hair is so integral to our self-esteem that it doesn’t make sense to cut yourself off (literally) from the world of long hair. It’s time to embrace your long, gray locks because they truly are beautiful!

Best Long Hairstyles for Women Over 50 to Try

It’s 100-percent possible to look stylish with long hair even if you’re worried about your thin locks — but you might want to have a talk with your hairstylist first. “You can make your hair look thicker by cutting the hair blunt and adding square layers,” says Joe Vitale, the owner of K Salon in New York City. Vitale recommends using a volumizing shampoo (and a volumizing spray before blow-drying), which will make hair look and feel lush. If you’re not a fan of going gray just yet, you’ll be happy to know that your monthly paint job is also working to make your hair look fuller, because the dye coats the hair shafts, making them thicker.

Keep scrolling to see some of our favorite celebrity-inspired hairstyles for women over 50 with long hair.