I cut six inches of off my hair earlier this year.

It was freeing. My hair felt healthy. It took less time to do in the morning.

I was happy.

Then my sister-in-law asked me, “WOW. You got your haircut. Short. Aren’t you worried people are going to think you gave up?”

{me thinking…WTH? I go to the salon every seven weeks. I spend a small country’s GDP on my hair. I have not given up!!!}

Luckily, she followed it up with, “I’m thinking about cutting mine off, but I’m just worried that it will look like I gave up, you know how some moms do when they cut their hair?”

{me understanding…because…no wants wants to look like they gave up}

Definition of Gave Up:

When one has stopped giving a rip. (This can be about fashion, hair, makeup, hygiene.) But in this example, it means gave up styling your hair…aka super long hair that is always in a ponytail or bun on top of the head, overgrown short hair cut with no highlights (unless you count the gray hairs), or the medium length cut that used to be a short cut with high lights, but now resembles ombre in not the right way.

I understand the concern…for many generations, long hair was a sign of youth and being young. Only when you became a “certain age” did you cut your hair. And then for some reason, it resembled a tightly-permed dome around your head.

Well, NO MORE, sisters!!

Short hair doesn’t mean you have given up! In many cases, short and chin length hair is more CHIC than long hair and no one will ever accuse you of “GIVING UP” and getting short hair.

Tips For Short Hair Styles For Mom {That Don’t Look Like You Gave Up}

1. Get real with your hair. The hair of our youth isn’t the hair of our middle-age. Especially after having kids. (What is that about anyway??? I had straight hair, then had two kids, and now I have wavy hair.) Certain hairstyles are only meant for certain types of hair. And if you are looking for lower maintenance, the last thing you want to do is to coax your straight hair into a wave every morning.

2. Understand that keeping your hair long, but never styling it, is the same as giving up. There, I said it. If you are going to run around with your hair always in a ponytail or a bun, but never style it, you have also given up.

3. Have a detailed conversation with your beautician. (Notice I said beautician and not the dude from Great Clips.) Explain the style you want. Bring pictures. Talk about how long you want to spend on your hair every time you do it. Have he/she show you how to use a straight iron or a curling wand. If you don’t have a beautician, ask your friends who have great hair for a recommendation.

4. Embrace highlights. I have no idea what the true color of my hair is…not a clue. And I’m perfectly OKAY with that fact. I love playing with color and highlights. It allows me to change my hair up with the seasons (warmer tones in fall, more blond in summer), it also gives it much needed body. The key to some short hair styles is the awesome highlights that go with it.

5. Product is key. There are so many new products out there that make our hair look amazing-sauce. Don’t try to cheap out and expect your Pantene Gel to do the same thing as a texture spray, sculpting wax, and heat spray. Talk to your beautician and see what products she recommends for your hair and your style.

6. Understand it is a process. If you are looking for a five minute hair style, you can get it, but you will need to see your beautician every four weeks to maintain it. Still want to put it in a ponytail? Then a longer bob may be the answer. Not sure about highlights? Then only add a few the first time. The great thing about hair is that it GROWS OUT so no decision is ever final.

Best Short Hair Styles for Mom {Wavy Hair}

Best Short Hair Styles for Mom {Thick Hair}

Best Short Hair Styles for Mom {Thin Hair}

Want some short hair styles for women over 40 (aka…not 20 year olds)? Follow my Pinterest Board “Hair Styles for That Work For Non-20 Somethings (aka 40 year olds)”

Follow Kelly Snyder’s board Hair Styles for That Work For Non-20 Somethings (aka 40 year olds) on Pinterest.

What do you think? Think you gave up if you have a short hair style? What are some of your favorite short hair styles for mom?