I'm Honey!

As a woman who has lived through many passages and learned through my larger than life experiences (positive and negative), I’ve discovered how to take a big empowering bite out of life.

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What to consider when changing your hairstyle after 50

Honey Good wearing her hair in a short bob.

 

There’s a lot to think through if you’re a woman looking for a new hairstyle after 50, but first a story for why you should.

At 96 years old, my mother continues to live outside of the box. She has always tackled everything on her plate. She learned to play every card game. She learned to ski and play golf. She did the daily crossword puzzle, used her hands to knit, crochet and needlepoint and entertained with grace. She had a style that was her own. She put my father first, her children second and her friends third. I think she would have enjoyed having her own business, but that was unheard of in her day.

I acquired her appetite for taking risks and have also spent my entire life living outside of the box. It has been a wild ride and I never want it to stop. I have done things and gone places that none of my friends have, such as wearing a buzz cut for nearly four years, traveling to Iran and Syria, starting a dotcom company in my sixties and God knows what else.

As an empty nester, you likely have the time to think about this passage of your life. I suggest you expand your lifestyle and take new risks. Why not begin with a new hairdo? 

My hairstyle story

My hair story began when I was still in diapers and the saga continues to this day.

I imagine if my mother was a young woman, she would be a world renowned hairdresser with salons across America. Why? Because for the first 18 years of my life, I was her client. Her professional shears were unstoppable and not until I escaped her escapades, when I left home for college, did I finally have a chance to choose my own look.

My college friends were city girls and taught the ropes to this small town girl from Kankakee. They went to the hairdresser weekly because they said they were mature. They dragged me along to be pampered and I loved my first hairdresser, who streaked my brunette hair blonde and took pleasure in styling it as it grew longer throughout the year. Young women meeting me for the first time would ask, “Are you from LA?”

I wore my hair long until I married my Sheldon in my 40s. One day he casually mentioned to me, “I love short hair.”

I decided I needed a change and figured, why not try a new do? Ask yourselves, dear readers, if you might feel the same.

What to consider when choosing a new hairstyle

Having left the Hawaiian Islands a year after my late husband passed away, I was now a city girl. I remember exactly what went through my mind as I walked into the hairdresser. Take notes, darlings.

  1. I wanted low maintenance, meaning I did not want to go to a hairdresser except for a haircut and a streaking.
  2. I wanted to wash my hair daily. I had done that in Honolulu for the past ten years with long hair.
  3. I did not want to tease my hair, use a blow dryer or a straightener.
  4. I wanted a look that worked during the day, but that I could wear black tie if need be.
  5. Last, but really first, I wanted my husband to love it.

My wish list was fulfilled. The hairdresser cut my hair one length and it was short, but long enough to comb behind my ears. I washed it daily, towel dried it, put a little gel through it and I was done. I went for a trim every six weeks or so and my husband loved my new ‘do. It was very edgy and stood out in a crowd.

Taking a hair risk

Think about yourselves, darlings. Whether you go short or long, wavy or curly, dare yourself to take risks.

In my fifties, I really did a number on my hair when I accompanied my husband to a new barber shop. He wears a crew cut and to find the right barber is not easy. Her name was Christine and as she was cutting my husband’s hair she said, “You would look great with a buzz cut.”

I asked my husband what he thought about the idea and he replied “Do it.”

I sat in Christine’s chair and before my eyes, watched as my hair disappeared. It was so edgy and I loved it. I felt so fresh and squeaky clean.

I survived all types of comments from the peanut gallery including:

“You look like you just got out of a concentration camp.”

“At least you did not jump off the top of a building.”

“You look like a cancer patient.”

“I liked you as a blonde.”

“I liked you with longer hair.”

My husband loved my haircut. I wore this crew cut for nearly four years, ignoring the comments from others. In other words, be a relevant woman to yourself, first and foremost.

I knew growing out my hair would be very difficult. One day I accompanied my mother to a wig shop. Her hair was thinning and she wanted to go the wig route.

As I watched the salesperson put the most gorgeous salt and pepper wig on my mom’s head, I realized my problem was solved. I invested in two wigs and wore them for a few years until I have what you now see…my own hair.

By the way, real salt and pepper hair wigs are impossible to find, but you can buy synthetic wigs which are easier to maintain and cost a third of the price.

I must confess  – I am my mother’s daughter. When my hair is feeling a bit too long, I walk into the kitchen, open up my knife drawer where I keep the kitchen shears and think of my mother with a smile as I cut my hair. If you notice in my pictures, you will see my hair is uneven on the sides. That is what I have named the Honey Good cut and I have decided I like it just fine. It is edgy, isn’t it darlings?

I have heard from so many of you, dear readers, about your necks. I am anxious to hear if you have decided to be daring and try a new hairstyle after 50.

Honey Good's signature

February 21, 2017

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  1. Darlene says:

    Great hair and love the outfit One of your best pics.

    • Honey Good says:

      Glad you like my outfit. The wrong photo went up on my site. My hair is still long but I do cut it with my kitchen scissors. About an inch a month. Warmly, Honey

  2. Maureen says:

    I love your hair Honey! And you always look so chic and glamorous. Maureen Murphy

    • Honey Good says:

      I must tell you the wrong photo went up. My hair is still long but I do cut off with my kitchen scissors an inch here and there. I maybe cutting it all off soon. Stay tuned. Thank you for the very nice compliment. Warmly, Honey

  3. Wanda R Dunn says:

    After 30 years of long hair that is thin, fine and straight that really did not grow past my lower shoulders and at my husbands insistence and two scorpions in 6 months crawling through my hair, I finally made an appointment with a stylist and had my hair cut to just under my ears. Everyone loves it, my husbands says it refreshes me. It is still wash and wear, and i have grown use to it, but i still love long hair. It has grown about an inch now in the five months since the cut and I guess i will need to get a trim now. But, why is it considered unflattering for a woman over 50 with long hair?

    • Honey Good says:

      It is not unflattering to wear long hair after any age. it is how you feel about your style that is important. Do what makes you feel fabulous. Warmly, Honey

  4. Dawn says:

    Really enjoyed this story.

  5. Mary Townsend says:

    Love you new cut, very flattering!

    • Honey Good says:

      Hi May, My hair is still long but I do go into my kitchen drawer and get my scissors and cut. Accidentally the wrong photo went up. I am thinking of cutting it all off soon. Stay tuned. Warmly, Honey

  6. Nancy says:

    I like your new hair cut.
    I’m going out this week and get my delta daring new do !
    Going have some fun with my hair day will let you know !!
    Thanks Nancy

    • Honey Good says:

      I still have my ‘my old do.’ The wrong picture was put up but I do cut my hair an inch or more with my kitchen scissors every five weeks. I am now thinking about cutting it all off! Stay tuned. Warmly, Honey

  7. Luna says:

    I’ve been admiring your hair styles and gorgeous color, and really enjoyed this post. Do you really cut your own hair styles? I’m impressed and intrigued, and love them. Any tips you can pass on to readers who are ready to make some changes? Thanks!

    • Honey Good says:

      My advice is to go with your gut. I do not give myself new hairstyles. I just get the urge to go shorter, walk into the kitchen and cut off around an inch or so. The wrong picture was put up. I still have long hair but I am getting the urge….Warmly, Honey

  8. I live in MS and am 65 years old. I have been sporting a buzz cut for about 5 years. Needless to say I am alone in this venture just about. I really like my hair this way though. I am a wife, mother, and grandmother and I don’t have time to fuss with my hair. People in the south think you have cancer if you have a buzz cut! I just be nice and push through. I wish there were
    more open minded. Since so much time has pasted it has gotten somewhat better. ; )

    • Honey Good says:

      Good for you. Wearing a buzz cut made me feel so free. I loved it. It is ok to be alone in your verdict. People in the north think you have cancer too. Just enjoy being you. Warmly, Honey

  9. Elaine says:

    Love it! You look 20 years younger!

    • Honey Good says:

      I have to be honest with you. The wrong photo was put up. My hair is still long. But the truth is I do cut it every few weeks with my kitchen scissors. And I may cut it all off soon. Warmly, Honey

  10. Julee Hunter says:

    You are adorable in your new "do"! So glad I found you, you make me feel as though I have a new, very fun friend!

  11. Laura centini says:

    Thank you for the article! I have worn my hair short for most of my life. On occasion I have tried to grow it out because of pressure from girlfriends and an ex husband. Twice I have succeeded in growing out my hair only to realize that it did not feel right or suit me. In the end, You have to be true to yourself!

  12. Joan Galloway says:

    I love you and the new hair cut! I’ve never posted on any blog, but you are very inspiring. I’m 72, retired last year, moved to the wine country of Temecula, growing grapes and loving the new chapter of my life!
    Thanks for being there.

    • Honey Good says:

      I hear Temecula is beautiful. And you are growing grapes. How special. I have to be honest. The wrong picture was put up. My hair is still long but I am totally honest that I cut it every few weeks with my kitchen scissors. I am getting the urge to cut it all off, soon. Stay tuned. Thank you for posting and I am glad you are enjoying my stories. Warmly, Honey

  13. Susan says:

    I love how you think!!! The first time I saw your blog I noticed your hair and your style!!! Thank you for being honest!! Please keep up the great reads!!! Blessings!! 🙂

  14. Pamela Gafford Maisano says:

    Dear Honey, This blog came at the perfect perfect time for me. I am 69 (. But dare to look 59) and have had below-the-chin hair for several years. It is baby fine and had become a straggly hag mess when worn down. My husband raved that he loved it but one evening last week when he was gone I cut it to 3-4 inches all over. I set it on Velcro rollers for two hours then took it down and styled it. The cutest, most chic cap of all over curls lifted my features, slimmed my face and makes me feel young and joyful. Your advice has reinforced my confidence and given me back the feisty faith in my own sense of style. In fact, you always do that! Thank you, Honey Good. ????????????????????????

  15. Marilyn says:

    In my early 50s, I completely cut off my hair and wore it in a faux hawk for years. It was the cutest hairstyle I have ever worn and I loved it. I also had a very talented hairdresser. Last August we moved to Florida. My hair is naturally curly and I can’t spike/whisp it in this humidity so I am growing it out…ugh! Very UNflattering!

    • Honey Good says:

      I have been told that by my friends who live in Florida. It is all about ‘their hair.’ They all have the frizzes. Good luck! Warmly, Honey

  16. Susan "Honey" Good says:

    Thank you for writing to me and for your nice words. Warmly, Honey

  17. Millie Hue says:

    I have the same thought as you regarding having a low-maintenance haircut and a streaking. As of now, my hair is really long that it reaches the bottom of my back. It takes me a long time to dry it out, so I badly want to get a haircut like that. Thanks for the push that I needed!

  18. I love how you mentioned that getting a new haircut helped you feel edgy and cool. My hair is rather long and damaged from bleaching, so I’ve been thinking of getting a short bob. Thanks so much for you story about experimenting with hairstyles! It was so motivating!

  19. Arya Smith says:

    I like that you talked about choosing a low maintenance hair cut when going to a hairdresser for help. I guess that is a piece of good advice because it will be perfect for busy women like me. It will reduce the time I have in the morning when preparing since I usually need to dry my hair for about 30 minutes before I go out.

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