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Long Hair, Red Lipstick & Being Age Appropriate

By now, you know I love my long hair and red lipstick. There are, however, a lot of opinions about what is and isn’t appropriate for women my age. Of course, long hair and red lipstick are on the list of no-nos. But that’s nonsense. Watch…

16 thoughts on “Long Hair, Red Lipstick & Being Age Appropriate”

  1. You look great … not inappropriate at all. It never even occurred to me that your hair or lipstick was out of place. You look professional … exactly what I would expect. Those people are uptight losers. 🙂

  2. Well, I love my bright red lipstick and I’m 72 and write fashion columns. Now admittedly my hair is normally short because, well, I live in the tropics and it’s cooler, but there is many a style icon of a certain age that wear their hair long, S. You earned ito do what makes you happy

  3. Love this message, Ruth. And by the way, you look marvelous. Absolutely marvelous. Hey, wait a minute. Isn’t that a song? Yes, an oldie but a goodie from Billy Crystal, 1985, just for the age police.

    1. Yes! That’s Billy Crystal’s SNL “Fernando” character who always said, “It’s better to look good than to feel good.” LOL. Thank you, Jessica! xo

  4. Ruth,

    As a man ‘of a certain age’ (I am 72 years young, unkind people say ‘old’), your comments quite shocked me. I thought as a society, we were supposed to be past all this sexist, gender-oriented, personal attacks not relevant to whatever topic is being talked about. It seems we still have a long way to go in the gender equality stakes. That is rather sad as well as being an indictment of a lack of sensitivity and courtesy on the part of certain people in our community.

    I am very glad you have stood your ground and brought this out into the open. That is really the only way to attack these small minded people who I think are simply envious and consequently feel they have to cut down the ‘tall poppies’.

    Personally, I think you look amazing. In fact, I would be proud to be seen with you with your red hair and bright red lipstick. It is your right to adopt whatever persona you want and we looking on must accept that. After all, that is the real you!

    This reminds me of the oft-used poem in the autograph books of our youth (remember them?):

    As a beauty I am not a star,
    There are others more handsome by far.
    But my face, I don’t mind it
    For I am behind it,
    You people in front get the jar!

    I would love to ask you out for dinner, but as I live in Queensland, Australia, it would be a bit of a long drive to pick you up at seven o’clock (lol).

    Ruth, I enjoy your messages. Keep up the good work.

    yours very sincerely.

    Graham

    1. Graham, that is a lovely and sweet message (though not sure my husband would approve 😉 ). And I did enjoy the limerick – hadn’t heard that one before. Yes, we young/older folks have to stand our ground.

      In fact, there is an interesting campaign here in the US in fact by some young journalists, who have become highly critical of several of the New York Times columnists, who are also young/older. It reeks of age-ism, is rife with name-calling, and is thus so transparent. In fact, I believe it’s been shut down since I have not seen anything in several weeks.

      There is an effort always by younger generations to push the ones who came before aside. Scarce resouces is generally the excuse. But – being older and wiser – I know for a fact there is plenty to go around.

      Thank you for writing.

  5. Others opinions about how anyone looks or dresses is a reflection of them, not you. You look great at any age if you feel good.

  6. I don’t often comment ,but this time I feel compelled to do so. You look fabulous and completely age appropriate. Your long hair and red lipstick certainly hasn’t hindered your business success.

    Having worked in the makeup, hair, and fashion business for many years before studying interior design, I can guarantee you’re spot-on!

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