Age appropriate - thinking outside of the anti aging jar - YouLookFab Forum

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Age appropriate - thinking outside of the anti aging jar

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I know age appropriate dressing can be a rather delicate subject on the forum so I hope I am treating the issue with due care when I highlight an article I found an interesting read this weekend. The author, Brigid Moss 41, who is a beauty editor for UK Red undertook an 'unconventional youth boost' that put aside the moisturisers, eye creams, botox and fillers in favour of an alternative route consisting of 'some bright colour in her hair to make her look more contemporary, a piercing in the cartilage of her upper ear designed to be flattering and widen the face and some coloured contact lenses to act as an internal eyelift.'

Here is a paraphrased excerpt which I found both challenging and thought provoking regarding hair.

"For the colour Brigid is seen by Josh Wood, catwalk hairstylist at Neville Hair and Beauty who says 'it is more modern to embrace the grey and go platinum,a crystal sparkly blonde' (the author has golden blonde highlights). His advice for women of 35+, ' it should looked effortlessly groomed but not done. What doesn't work? A head of highlights, there's an army of women in their thirties onwards who have them and they all look the same. Bog standard, expensively over highlighted hair is like a modern blue rinse. There are a lot of other options; everybody shouldn't look the same. What you want is to look contemporary: think Jill Sander, Celine.'"

Certainly, the before and after images of Brigid are striking, not in how old she looks but how I would perceive her personality, her story and overall energy. For me the article reinforced the notion that reflecting a joy de vivre becomes more important as we age, do you agree?

Photographs taken from Red magazines April edition

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25 replies

Latest reply was from Deborah

Thistle

Veteran

Interesting, especially as I am in the 35+ category.

I don't highlight my hair any more, but then i did it to get more blond rather than hide grey. I have been blessed with no greys. Yet. *knocks on wood*

qfbrenda

Veteran

Very interesting. I'm not sure what I think of the blue hair, but I'm old-fashioned that way I guess. Regardless, I find it encouraging that it's more modern to embrace the gray since that's what I'm attempting to do.

Anonymous

I agree. I also see multitudes of women with hair looking the same. As far as the pictures, it looks like she has some cobalt streaking. Now this is just my opinion, but hair color like that to me screams, "I hate the way I look and I'm desperate". I'm not against color. It just seems best when one commits to it and does the whole head blue or pink or whatever. Then it seems confident. Again, just an opinion.
ETA: about going grey, it may depend on what the woman's job is and her over-all look. Some women need to color their hair to not get passed over. There can be lots of variables to consider. I love that grey is more acceptable now, thus more options open up.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, Jules :). Can you provide a link to the article, do you think?

I wonder if the hairstylist means it's more modern to embrace grey hair when you are already blonde - because that's the example given here. At least that is how I perceive the photos. Is Brigid a greying blonde? I can't really tell from the photos. She seems to have dark hair underneath the light hair too. Is she a brunette going grey? What do you think, Jules? Sorry to sound obtuse

I LOVE the blue streak! I fully agree that reflecting a joie de vivre becomes more important as we age. I vote fashion forward hairstyle at any age.

Just the other day I saw a fabulous lady in her late 60s (that's my guess) sporting an elegant dark punk do with a classic trench coat and sassy sneakers. I wanted to march up to her to tell her how incredible she looked - but was walking in the other direction with a client and did not have the opportunity.

Anonymous

Interesting tips and I do agree, somewhat. I would've liked to see the author get a kickier haircut rather than the blue streak. Did the article mention anything specific about the streak, or is that just part of the "non-highlight" approach?

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Unfortunately the article is print only Angie. The only thing I can fin on line is this
http://www.redonline.co.uk/new.....iate-style

Do you need me to take down the photos Angie?

I think the reference to platinum was directed at the author who has been having golden highlights on her greying hair since her early twenties. Platinum would not be the right choice for most people in my opinion.

Jules

Veteran

I'd have to read the article, but...
It's normal to look like your peers (highlights or blue rinse as the case may be in different decades), and also ok to want to look different. I don't think either way is "better" or "worse". Should I not have cut my hair in my early 30s because that's what all the moms were doing? My long hair was dated and unflattering. Many many trends worn by young women these days are not flattering/suitable for all of them either. Hopefully with age comes the confidence to do what you like and what suits you rather than be a blind trend follower - or rejector.
As an aside - I personally notice women of a certain age going for the "punk" coloured streaks, and those are women older than me (39), so I would feel it was "aging" to do that. But also, totally not me, and therefore a bit desperate. I don't think it's desperate on other women though, if it's true to their style.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I don't care for that much blue in her hair (or anyone else's for that matter). While I'm all for having a different colored streak put in your hair (I've done it myself), I think a little goes a long way.

I'm all for embracing your age and being contemporary, but it's a delicate balance - I want to be contemporary, but I don't want to look like the 16 yr. olds that I teach either.

A huge patch of blue hair in the back of my head? No thanks!

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Anne, there is no reason for the streak in fact I think the author put herself in the colourists hands, the article just mentions if you fancy a flash of colour it should be based on your colouring.

cciele

Veteran

I like the approach of playing with hair and I agree with you Jules about it reflecting joie de vivre. More so than botox or fillers, certainly. I color my hair because it's fun. And I also have cartilage ear piercings, but those are from over 20 years ago. No contact lenses for me though--just cool glasses!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I think I like the idea of doing something different and slightly daring as a pep me up. Not sure blue hair vs highlights is really the meat of the matter, but I understand the reference. Here in CA, the highlight overload is unbelievable! I like the idea of doing something to your style that slightly scares you, in an exciting kind of way. Getting too comfortable with things can certainly affect how current and relevant you feel.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I think you have hit the nail on the head, trying something a little more daring whether it be a lipstick, a haircut a new silhouette can be quite invigorating.

Kim

Veteran

Does anybody else see the irony in the fact that in an effort to rid her of her (Blog paraphrase) "blue rinse" (expensively overhighlighted) hair the stylist gave her BLUE HAIR?? LOL

Suz

(website)

Veteran

That's a neat way to put it, Mo. Doing something that slightly scares you. Hmmm. I wonder what that would be.

I like the blue. Not sure I would incorporate it myself, but from what I can see, it would be fun as a temporary thing.

Angie, sometimes I wish I could flash a little sign at people from across the street. You Look Fab!!!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree with Mo. I love the idea that if you're not a *little* scared, you're probably not stretching enough. I think we can look not necessarily "older" but perhaps less lively when we get too complacent. Just as I would imagine most of us want to keep challenging ourselves to keep learning and growing in our careers, relationships, etc., I think we all want to keep moving forward with our style and appearance as we age.

That said, I'm not sure colored contacts, piercings, and colored streaks in the hair are any more or less effective than the more prevalent "anti-aging" tactics. It seems like just another set of distractions and tricks to fool the eye or draw it away from things we don't want people noticing (wrinkles, aging skin, etc.).

I too would be interested in reading the full article. I seriously doubt anyone would advise someone with my coloring to start going platinum blonde to compensate for my grey hair. I have no desire to put any more holes in any part of my body, and I cannot wear contacts, so I think I won't be adopting that article's advice any time soon!

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Kim, very true.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

What Janet said:)

I do think it's important to keep challenging ourselves as we age - not just with fashion but with everything.

rachylou

Veteran

I think the trick is to know what decade you're living in and look like it. Joie de vivre is probably required. Old people in old clothes can look "present" with it. Young people in new clothes can look totally outmoded without it.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I agree that it is more the spirit behind the decision than the decision itself. Blue streaks would not work on me at all because I would feel ridiculous. I think this is the problem with a lot of beauty advice out there - there is no one answer for everyone, and most people look best (at least to me) when they do what feels good to them rather than blindly following the crowd.

bj1111

Veteran

in soccer, you can "red card" someone. we should develop one for ylf! probably in a color.

Echo

Veteran

If a streak of blue hair would be consistent with the character of the person, then I am all for it (much like Angie describes the woman she passed on the sidewalk). If it was done purely to attempt to look younger? Then that is in the arena of going Emo at 45 in a desperate bid to look alternative and thus "younger". So an unexpected pop of something (lip colour, constrasting styles in one outfit, unusual shoes , a trendy item, etc.) is a great idea, but only if it matches the person's overall style and character. Women who work in banks/fincance don't have the option to colour their hair blue or get random piercings (nor do many women who work in ANY office), thus they seem like a really out-there suggestions.

Perhaps the idea of adding fresh aspects to one's look is a good one, but the specifics in this case of piercings and coloured hair? When I did that in middle school, my mother was ashamed to walk through the mall with me. I can only imagine how the people close to this woman might feel about her piercing and coloured hair at 41.

Gaylene

Veteran

To be honest, as a 60+ woman, it's hard to keep a straight face when someone a couple of decades younger tells me that I need blue streaks and more piercings to look "contemporary". Thanks for the advice, but, hmm, maybe not...

Deborah

Veteran

Im not sure I am totally getting the point of the article. Looking at the photo, she looks to be a very pretty, youthful looking woman to begin with, and she is only 41! From the photos I am not seeing that much difference.

But now Im worried I am oneof those women with a "A head of highlights, there's an army of women in their thirties onwards who have them and they all look the same. Bog standard, expensively over highlighted hair is like a modern blue rinse."!!

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Okay I'm officially putting myself on the naughty step and swearing off these topics in the future. I don't think the author was dictating any course of action but chose to pursue the funky dye, contacts and piercings. Obviously my summation of the article has not been clear and I apologise.

I also interpret the hairdressers views to be that highlights are not the only option, rather than saying highlights are a no no. I have highlights myself but do admit they are ubiquitous for my age group.

Deborah, I have to say your combination of cut and colour is such a huge part of your style and anyone would be a fool to think otherwise.

I do think Angie has embraced the ethos of the article with her new punk do.

To each their own.

Deborah

Veteran

Please don't stop bringing items of interest to our attention. I really enjoy different thoughts and opinions but am sometimes slow to get the gist lol. I think the issues of age appropriate and youthfulness etc are so subjective:). To one person the blue in her hair could look modern, youthful and funky, but to another might look as though she is trying to hard, and to another may just see a woman with colour in her hair.

Now hop off the naughty step, you don't belong there