the unkindest cut of all
“Doth not nature itself teach you, that if a man have long hair it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her. wrote Saint Paul to the people of Corinth (I Corinthians 11:14-15)”
This is what I found when I banged “symbolism of hair” into Google musing on this bloggy thing I am now writing- forget which site so a credit to wherever it is found- and first up I am an atheist, so am not quoting that for religious reasons.
Interesting though!
Obligatory short hair in middle age…what IS that all about?
As soon as you hit middle age, and the catalogues for weird beige clothing, and useless items like toeclippers used by those that cannot bend start to plop on to your doormat unbidden.
How do these people get your details? Is there a list for old fogeys that you somehow have ( wrongly!) been placed on?
The oddest thing is the pressure to cut your hair, or as a hissy queen of my aquaintance told me “get something modern!!” and, in my eyes, conform to the stereotype of a sexless middleaged invisible woman- just oblige society would you, and get neutered.
This is not to say that there aren’t some incredibly sexy women with very short spiky white/blonde hair ( you know who you are Tamara!) who look just sensational…
But I do not want to look like a suburban matron ( mutton dressed as lamb) or a woman who wears sensible shoes….which is how I feel I would look if I went the same way.
I cling to my shoulder length hair ( formerly shorter and permed relentlessly for 40 years can you believe it!) like a limpet to a rock, resisting multiple cries to get with the program..fondly thinking that I can still coquettishly toss my tresses with the best of the girls in the hilarious shampoo ads.
We all know older women who still have LONG beautiful salt and pepper grey hair but society definitely dislikes it- why do you think that is?
I am a totally low maintainance gal which is half the issue really- roll out of the shower, on with the BB moisture cream, hair upswept up into a ( stylishly bohemian I like to think) topknot, on with the eyebrows ( Joan Crawford has got nothing on me!!) and out of the door.
I am repelled by all the slimy synthetic silicon gunk that would be required to sculpt and give shape ( mostly like an electrocuted chicken from what I see on the street) to a short style, and being a rotund individual I need height, baby! to balance my chubby little face.
And it has to be said, I grew my hair, and stopped the hated “perming” 2 years ago especially to experience the sensual joy of hairbrushing again, and to finally own a Mason Pearson hairbrush at long last.
Having fondled them in Harrods years ago, I thought, I’m worth it, and I DESERVE a Rolls Royce hairbrush now, I’ve earned it- so I introduced them to our range!
And they are expensive, no doubt about it, but worth every penny for how it feels, and what it does to your hair.
This is the ultimate brush that you can pass on as an heirloom to your daughter- indeed such is the quality that the company will recondition the brush and “service” it so that it will last virtually forever, something you never see in our throwaway plastic society.
If you look at Mason Pearson’s website www.masonpearson.com all the benefits are there, but the experience isn’t and that is what makes it so special.
It is SOOOOOOO relaxing- a nightly ritual that Victorian era women espoused as the secret to healthy glossy hair ( 100 strokes from root to tip with the head hung down to improve blood flow) and I am living proof that it works- AMAZING, and I swear helps me to sleep better, scalp tingling and feeling all glowy ( but let’s not go there)
My hair is growing faster, and is the best that it has ever been, so hairbrushing with a beautiful brush,combined with our BB shampoo bars and Applecider and Herb Conditioning Rinse, is the ultimate combo treat for naturally healthy hair.
Hello, Interesting post there! I have often pondered the same thing. We see many older women with longer hair (Jerry Hall, Jane Birkin, Pamela Stephenson to name a few) And yet, there is the pressure to go for the sensible bob as soon as you hit 40. I think if the sensible bob suits your face and lifestyle, then go for the bob but if not – women end up aging themselves! I always remember seeing a woman in Sydney CBD who had white shoulder length hair, a lined beautiful face with a great smile, red lipstick and white shirt and jeans. She looked stunning. I have no idea of why society frowns upon older women with long hair unless it harks back to a fear of witches or something to do with the power of hair. Perhaps long hair is perceived as being sexual and wanton and an older women shouldn’t go there? Keep brushing with that Pearson hairbrush I say! I think the only rules are that your hairlength suit your face and lifestyle.
Love your Blog. My mother and sister use your products and told me about how great they are. I’ll give you a mention on my Blog post today for my Fabbo Friday post. When my products run through, I’ll give them a whirl. Always love to support Tasmanian products.
Cheerio xx
Hi Josephine
Thanks for your kind comments, and yes we all see those FAB silver haired chic women around ( mostly in Europe it must be said) and long to be them! The whole hair thing in society could take up a whole lifetime of discussion, but at the heart of it is…sex. No doubt about it, you are supposed to enter middle age as a sexless blob, and brook no argument…just cut it off and disappear!
Actually I was in Melbourne at the Australian Centre for The moving Image and saw that there was a great looking film made about the sexual and economic politics of hair…pity I missed it, wonder if there is a DVD? Have a look at this link..
http://www.acmi.net.au/media_good_hair.html