Mature Fashion: The Role of Hair Style

Just washed hair

      Drying hair with product added

Greetings, 


We have discussed face shapes in previous posts and how a haircut can be  important in flattering a particular face shape,  but a hair style does more. Styled and groomed hair provides a look of confident self-assurance and competency. Feeling good about the way our hair looks makes us feel attractive.

We all know the expression "a good hair day"; a statement that tells whoever is listening that we feel good about the way we look.  Have you ever seen someone actually cry because they felt they had a poor haircut?  I have seen it, and accompanied by rage.  Most of would feel that much emotion would be a little 'over the top', but most of us would empathize.

Our fixation with our hair is rooted in our ancient history. For thousands of years beautiful and styled hair was a status symbol; the oldest carved statue of braided hair on a woman is dated over 25 thousand years ago. Elaborately styled hair worn like a crown has always projected a regal and queenly appearance and elegant life styles.

Additionally, according to Dr. Vivian Diller, Phd in an article for Psychology Today, humans instinctively view babies born with thick hair as heartier than those born with little or none.  Luscious thick hair is often equated with female sexuality. We all view thinning or losing of hair as a sign of ill health or advancing older age. According to this same article, hair is the third most noticeable physical feature after height and weight.

Okay, all of this may be more than you ever wanted to know about ones hair, but the purpose of mentioning these facts is to stress how very important it is to find and maintain a hairstyle that makes us feel great about ourselves.  It also serves the purpose of reminding us that they style of our hair, just like our clothing, needs to be changed up to suit the role we are playing.

All too many older woman wear exactly the same hairstyle for whatever it is they are doing, sometimes year after year. Appropriate styles for our varying roles need to be explored.  Some hair stylists believe that most women need only three different  'go to' styles for the various roles they play, but they all believe mature women in general keep the same hair styles way past the time they should be updated. According to a stylist who wishes to remain anonymous, a woman needs one style for casual day to day relaxation, another for a more professional polished look, and a more formal type for "dress up".  Each of these styles should be updated at least every five years to not look "dated".

My hair is a challenge to me.  I have been working on developing a smoothly polished style that I can maintain with my frequently bleached dry and thinning hair without incurring a styling bill equal to the national debt and that does not require me to spend hours a week at a salon.  I have a particular problem with sensitive skin that prevents me from using many of the hair products that work for others.  I still am working on it...........

........................................Geneva...................Rockmyages@aol.com