Hairstyle Tips for Women in Their 40s and 50s -- How to Know It Is Time for a Change

I always heard something happens to your body when you turn 40. I speak from experience, it does. (The picture above is really old...) I didn't believe anything I had heard until it happened to me. But, I could still be all I was before 40, with a few changes. Then I heard something happens to your body when you turn 50. Again, there were changes, right near the decade marker. Just as our bodies and fashions change, we need to remember to pay attention to our hair.

How do you know it is time for a change? If you are wearing the same style you wore 10 or 20 years ago, it is definately time for a change. It is said that if you keep something around for 20 years it comes back in style again, but I don't think that refers to hair. By your hairstyle you are telling the world your age and your ability to adapt to change with greater accuracy than you can imagine.

A new "do" can make you feel more confident, sexy and even younger, but you want to look classy, not trashy. Below I've outlined a few guidelines for choosing a hair style that is trendy, but doesn't make you look like you are competing with your teen daughter for homecoming queen.

Bleaching, coloring and frosting are great! There is not a reason in the world not to experiment with your hair color. For some women gray hair seems to accentuate character and experience, but most of us don't gray gracefully. If you want to have a hair color other than gray, go for it. Something to consider before you pick out your color: If it is far removed from a color that would have looked natural a few years back, it won't look any better now. You want a color that will complement your looks. As we get older our skin changes and that affects the way color looks on our hair.  That blond color of 5 years ago may be too light for you now. Try going a shade darker than your "young" hair was and add a few highlights.

Look through magazines and catalogs. Think of it as your hairstyle wish list. Anytime you see a style you like, mark that page. Then keep those books together and when you are ready to make a change you have pictures to show the stylist.

Check your local mall for a kiosk that has a photo booth with software to generate your image with different hairstyles. You can see firsthand what that particular style and color will look like before you make any changes. There is also software available that you can purchase and use in the privacy of your own home. This is the time to think outside the box.

Pay attention to other women in your age group. How are they wearing their hair? Is there someone whose hair always looks good? Ask her for the name of her stylist. You'll also notice that old wives' tale that you have to be young to wear hair below your shoulders is just a wives' tale. Whether or not you wear bangs is a face shape issue more than an age issue. 

Ask your stylist lots of questions.

• Should I have a style with bangs?
• What about layers?
• What length is good for my face?
• How hard is it to maintain this style?
• My hair is thinning as I get older -- what can I do to make it look fuller?

These people have gone to school and taken a test to practice their trade in your state. They are qualified to answer your questions.

Ask a trusted friend to go with you. The key word is trusted. Take along someone who will encourage you to make a change that feels good and will be honest enough to stop you if you are about to make a mistake.

At this stage in our lives there are so many changes we can't control, why not take hold of this opportunity to control something you can change. Now that you have a starting point, go for it! I think you will be glad you did. Let me know how it turns out.