Helen Mirren hits back at stereotype that older women 'shouldn't have long hair'

Helen Mirren has grown her hair out past her shoulders and she doesn't care what any of you have to say about it.

The 77-year-old star is absolutely not here for the baseless stereotype that women should keep their hair short when they're older.

For most of her life, the Shazam! Fury of the Gods star has had a bob haircut, but decided to grow it out over the Covid lockdown - and she's loving the 'radical' look.

James Veysey/Shutterstock

"You're not supposed to have longer hair after a certain age," Helen said during an interview with Lorraine Kelly this week.

"But during Covid, I started growing my hair and I hadn't actually had long hair since I was in my 20s.

"And it sort of grew and grew and grew, and I couldn't be bothered to cut it, basically.

"I thought, do you know what, it's pretty cool, I think I'll stick with it for a little while. It will come off eventually.

"But I'm kind of enjoying it, it's quite radical."

Helen has previously been tying her hair back with hairbands and headpieces, but decided to officially debut her long blonde hair in all its glory last month at the Berlinale International Film Festival.

And, honestly, what an iconic move.

This is one pointless beauty rule that we've been living by for far too long. Let your hair down, ladies!

Lorraine

This isn't the first time that Helen has called out the ridiculous beauty standards that older women are faced with on a daily basis.

Back in 2019, in an interview with Grazia, she complained: "It's extremely annoying to women of my generation and others following mine to have beauty products sold on a 15-year-old face."

She also added that they had been subjected to ageism 'far too long'.

Elsewhere in her chat with Lorraine this week, Helen also spoke about 'flying the flag' for women over 60, whether it's dressing in fun outfits, growing out your hair long, or just having a good time.

"Life doesn't stop," she said.

"And creativity doesn't stop and passion doesn't stop and energy doesn't stop, unless you decide to stop it.

Lorraine

"So it's just be self-motivated, really, and never give up. And find enjoyment, if it's possible in your life.

"As you get older, you understand the struggles that people go through, you know, the physical struggles or the financial struggles. And life is tough. Life is very, very tough, very demanding.

"And therefore all the more reason to maintain your energy as far as you can and maintain your health as far as you can."