You’re never too old for long hair! As Dame Helen Mirren, 77, steps out with lengthy mane, an expert reveals the tricks – from extensions to natural growth

• Helen Mirren, 77, wowed with long grey locks while in Germany yesterday 
• Experts told FEMAIL how to grow a lengthy mane of healthy hair at any age 
• Read more:  Dame Helen Mirren, 77, shows off her sleek blonde hair

An expert has revealed how to grow a mane of healthy hair at any age – after Dame Helen Mirren wowed on the red carpet with a new lengthy mane.

The actress, 77,  showed off her sleek blonde locks as she attended the Golda premiere and European Shooting Stars 2023 ceremony at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival in Germany on Monday.

She looked every inch the glamorous screen siren as she wore a floor-length black dress with a low-cut neckline. 

Her golden hair was styled into loose waves, with her tresses tumbling down across her shoulders and down her back.

Hair stylist Tom Smith told FEMAIL there was a myth that mature women ‘shouldn’t wear longer hair’, explaining: ‘The myth comes from the fact that as we age the density of our hair naturally reduces. 

Experts have revealed how to grow a mane of healthy hair at any age – after Dame Helen Mirren wowed on the red carpet with a new lengthy mane

Meanwhile Demi Moore, 60, and Sarah Jessica Parker, 57, also have trademark lengthy locks (left and right) 

‘This is a normal part of ageing as the hair cycle slows down and the hair shedding can increase-this is where that old myth comes from that you can’t wear your hair long after a certain age. 

‘But thanks to the latest science that we have available, products can make hair on the head just a strong, as healthy and as fortified as possible.

‘There is also a lot to do with bio-identical hormones when it comes to peri-menopause and menopause that can limit the amount of hair loss or hair thinning that a woman can experience as they age naturally.

‘From a hair point of view, there is no real need to cut the hair short after a certain age as long as the hair is healthy and as long as the hair cut is well maintained.

‘In the hair salon I use a lot of hair fillers that are micro-sized extension bonds which are the quarter of the size of a traditional hair extension, so completely undetectable.

‘These are not necessarily designed for length but they are fantastic at adding in density or thickness.’

He continued: ‘Women typically see hair thinning/loss around their hair line such as temples and front hair line, and micro-sized extensions can add extra density which is what I suspect is what has been done with Helen Mirren. 

‘She would have had additional clip ins or extensions put in at the Berlin Film Festival but if she was wearing them in real life, the back of the hair will grow thick and strong but the front will be wispy and fine, so the hair filler/micro bonds can be a really good solution. 

‘They need to be maintained every three months and can start from anywhere from a few hundred pounds up to a thousand plus, depending on the length and quality of the hair.’

Among the other A-listers to keep their hair longer as they grow older is singer Cher, who is 76 and still maintains her long dark locks 

A-lister Meryl Streep, 73, has worn her blonde hair in a longer style for years (pictured in February) 

Meanwhile Tom also revealed how even the way Helen had styled her locks gave the illusion of the hair being thicker.

He said: ‘A clever trick – I saw Helen has her hair tucked behind one ear and swept over to one side – this a great trick for ladies with longer hair that is thinner because by bunching it all over to one side can group all of the hair together and make it look thicker by increasing the volume.’

WHAT IS THE MENOPAUSE?

The menopause occurs when a woman stops having periods and can no longer fall pregnant naturally.

It is a natural part of ageing, which occurs in women between 45 and 55 years old. 

However 1 in 100 women can experience menopause before the age of 40, which is known as peri-menopause, premature menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency.

Symptoms often include hot flushes, night sweats, low mood, reduced sex drive, vaginal dryness, an increase in facial hair and difficulty sleeping.

According to NHS advice, symptoms can begin months or even years before your periods stop and last around four years after your last period. 

Premature or early menopause can occur at any age, and in many cases, there’s no clear cause. 

Source: NHS 

‘Typically, if you are sporting longer hair if you are older, you will want more softness around your face instead of straight long heavy hair, having either layers cut around the face can be a good way to soften the features making it more flattering around the face or a soft wave. 

‘Avoid long and straight hair as it will look more severe whereas having those soft almost bouncy waves (like Helen) actually creates curves around the face therefore looking more youthful and fresh’.

Dame Helen wowed with her appearance on the red carpet earlier this week.

Dame Helen’s long-sleeved frock featured a ruffled design on the shoulders and was gathered across the neckline.

She wore a pair of black high-heeled shoes to add a few inches to her stature and opted for a glamorous look with her make-up, including a bold red lip. 

She’s far from the first star to wear her locks in an elegant longer style as an older woman.

Singer Cher,  76, has trademark long black locks which she has said she is committed to keeping dark.

The legendary entertainer told People last year that she’s committed to keeping her trademark black locks.

The If I Could Turn Back Time singer said that having gray hair ‘is fine for other girls,’ but not something she’s open to.

A-lister Meryl Streep, 73, has worn her hair in a longer style for years, only recently sharing a snap from behind-the-scenes on the set of Only Murders in the Building  with her hair in lengthy plaits.

Meanwhile Demi Moore, 60, and Sarah Jessica Parker, 57, also have trademark lengthy locks. 

Good hair day: Her golden hair was styled into loose waves, with her tresses tumbling down across her shoulders and down her back

Experimenting: Dame Helen is know for usually wearing her hair in a statement bob or even shorter but her longer hair makes her look incredible youthful – pictured in February 2022

In style: Dame Helen’s long-sleeved frock featured a ruffled design on the shoulders and was gathered across the neckline

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