DH told me my new hair 'makes me look 40'

[TorquayHotelWindow]

This morning I left the house with long blonde hair. I had been feeling in need of a confidence boost and decided a good cut to the length and some fresh highlights would do me the world of good. Long blonde hair is 'my thing' and letting it go wasn't a small step for me. After a difficult first year adjusting to motherhood I felt like it was time to shed that part of my story and by cutting my hair it felt quite symbolic, helping me mentally make a fresh start.

So I got a lovely head of fresh highlights, and a really good cut. It's about chin length and shaped really nicely. Chic and polished is how I'd describe it. So, left the salon, felt great. Met DH to go shopping and as I was walking along ahead of him, I glanced round and clocked him looking at my hair with a hint of disdain on his face. I didn't say anything and brushed it off as it just being my imagination. Next thing, I hear 'you look about 40 from the back!' and something inside me died. I'm gutted. Now, I want to make it clear there is not a single thing bad or wrong with 'looking 40' (whatever the heck that is) however as a 28yo woman it's not the 'look' I'm trying to emulate, from the back or the front! In DH's defence he was probably meaning that my hair looks 'grown up' and didn't choose his words well but still...I felt tearful and gutted for the next few hours.

I still can't shake the words from my mind and just feel like its cast a downer on what I'd built up in my mind as part of the 'new me' positivity. He apologised, said it's lovely and was just joking, and now I'm wondering AIBU for reacting how I did? Am I being reasonable to care about what my DH thinks of my appearance or did I react like a silly, stroppy princess?

[PinkiePiesCupcakes]

Men absolutely love longer hair

No they don't. Some do, just like some women like men with long hair.
Some men like short, some mid, some don't give a fig.

[green18]

Men absolutely love longer hair I suppose because traditionally it's one of the obvious physical features that make a woman different from a man in MOST cases obviously part from long haired men. Have a long bob/shoulder length hair but had short hair in my 20s, very long in my 30s and now in my 40s. Luckily my DH likes them all(or has the sense to say he does)

[RebelandaStunner]

Long blonde hair is also my thing and I am well over 40. I'm never having I cut.
I hate short hair on me and think it would instantly age me about 10 years now. I know DH wouldn't like it and I do care what he thinks about how I look.
Nice sharp bobs can look lovely on some people but I have seen some awful frumpy ones. I'm sure yours is the chic kind op.

[GrinchyMcGrincherson]

It's likely because people often associate the chin length bob type thing with older women. In my circles it's often referred to as a mob (married bob) as a lot of wives and mothers cut their hair like this when they can't be bothered with the maintenance of very long hair anymore due to kids etc.

I've had my hair like this and it was great, much easier to wash and style. It can be an adjustment though. He was insensitive but I'm sure it looks lovely. I don't get the hate for chin length hair. I've rarely seen anyone who doesn't suit it. The only exceptions have been really bad cuts.

[daisymai08]

Sweeping generalisation Pinkie but more do than don't I've had many a conversation with male friends about this.....

[specialsubject]

Your hair your choice. He doesnt like the new look. So he should have said nothing. Which would have told you that he doesnt like it so comes to the same thing.

If you like it that is all that matters.

[PinkiePiesCupcakes]

daisy

I've had many conversations with men about it to.
None of them really give a shit, its more about colour than length, blondes are popular, some like brunettes. I never once heard any man complain a woman's hair was short and therefore didn't think she was attractive.

Tbf though my experience is of factory guys in canteen rooms, all of us chatting away etc. Most of them wouldn't notice if their gfs had her hair shaved.

[daisymai08]

Ha ha! That made me laugh...