Mature Hair

Whether you're 20 or 50 when you get your first grey hair, it happens to us all - and it presents a whole new set of hair styling challenges. 4Beauty spoke to 10 Years Younger hair expert Andrew Barton , author of Shiny Happy Hair, about grey and ageing hair. He gave us the lowdown on how to care for and style grey hair, and answered the million dollar question: do older women really have to cut their hair short?

Grey Hair Texture

Going grey isn't just about losing your colour - what makes it a tough pill to swallow is the change in texture. "White hair occurs because the follicle stops producing melanin, which is our hair's natural pigment," explains Andrew. "But one of the biggest issues that women face once they get past their mid-40s is that the hair fibre starts to change. Grey hair is colourless and it's usually quite coarse. It changes texture and it's not easy to manage."

Hair Colour

They say that if you pluck a grey hair, three more will grow in its place - but once you've got 20 or 30 springing up in your beloved mane, it's time to make a decision about whether you want to dye it or not. "As a woman matures, a colour next to the skin is much more flattering than what is effectively colourless hair," says Andrew.

But what about the Helen Mirrens (pictured left) of this world - silver sirens who wear their greys with pride? "Although some women can look fantastic with grey hair, they're usually the ones with a full head of really beautiful pearl white hair," explains Andrew. "Unless you're genetically blessed with beautiful skin and a bright eye colour, nine times out of 10 I'd advise against grey hair."

Thin Hair

As if losing your colour isn't frustrating enough, women who've always had a thick mane can also find themselves thinning as they get older. "In some cases once a woman gets into her mid-40s and beyond, she can find that she has half the amount of hair as before," says Andrew.

Don't panic though, as it's possible to fake that youthful density. "Use volumising products that will cosmetically swell the hair shaft, making it feel thicker and more manageable," recommends Andrew. "The important thing is how easily you can style it, because the women who look amazing in their 50s and 60s are the ones who look groomed. If only most of the women I've met on 10 Years Younger had just blowdried their hair and spent an extra five minutes on it a day, they would have looked 10 years younger straight away!"

Short Hair or Long Hair?

There's a terrible rumour going around that as soon as we hit 'a certain age' we're supposed to chop our hair off. "I think it's absolute nonsense," says Andrew. "I've always been an advocate of making women feel as confident as possible about themselves - whatever their age. Women in their 40s, 50s and 60s go through so much change in their bodies, and emotional change through their hormones, that cutting their hair off can leave them distraught. They'd feel less sexy at a time when they may not be feeling that sexy anyway, and it would be a real blow to their self-esteem."

So keep your lovely long hair - but be ready to treat it differently. "You have to follow some simple rules," says Andrew. "If you're going to keep it long you can't wear it hanging down in a centre parting like a pair of curtains. Most 20-year-olds can't get away with that. You have to wear it with some body and bounce - things like heated rollers can really help to make the hair fuller."

"It's just about making the hair look its best," he adds. "With some body and shape to it, with a good colour and nice condition, long hair can look gorgeous into your 60s and 70s."