Right now, my hair has been cut so short that I can't even use a curling iron on any part of it all.

Well, at least some of my sculptural silver earrings will stand out more with such a short cut.

As for the so-called stereotypical short cut for an older woman: I don't have grey hair yet (I will turn 50 next yr.). I need to keep my hair short and easy to manage when taking my bike helmet off and on.

And I haven't had a perm since I was 23. And don't intend to. My hair is straight. A very short cut actually makes me look more alert and petite. I am 5'1".

I am in perimenopause but notice no affect on my hair. Most likely when I do turn generously gray, my hair texture will become drier and thicker..like my mother's. I probably still keep my hairstyle short and pixie-like.