I look like a mushroom, I'm gutted!

[sillymillyb]

I have been feeling all fat and grotty lately, so went to hairdressers for a change and now it's a million times worse :(

I showed the lady a photo of what I wanted, and have ended up with nothing like it really. I think it's too dark now? Def too short. I hesitate to say this in case theres a very slim chance my hairdresser is reading, but I really hate it.

Can any one recommend any solutions? Beyond hats / extensions / crying for the next 3 months.

I've included a before / after photo so if I'm outed by it - I'm so desperate I don't care!

[BeattieBow]

I did this when I was in my early 30s too - had my long hair cut into a bob. it was a perfectly nice bob, and suited me fine, but in hindsight, it made me look more mum-like, more middle aged, more dull

I kept my bob for 2 or 3 years I think before growing it back, and it does look much better now. I look younger, (although I look older too iyswim) and less middle-aged.

lots of mums do this I think - have their hair cut into a bob! why?

I agree, you don't look awful at all (your hair is thick and glossy), but you look better before imo. and if you felt better too, then do it.

It'll grow quickly and I agree, in the meantime, just put it in a messy topknot thingie.

[Nocomet]

Im 46, every time I get my hair cut close to Bob length it drives me nuts.

I can't chuck it over my shoulders and behind my ears. I always let it grow again.

[Fayrazzled]

I think the blonde hair is very mum-ish TBH. Nearly every mum in the playground has blonde highlights- some good, some not so good. I think perhaps the dark is just such a if change for you, so it's a real shock. I think you look prettier (and show off your gorgeous eyes better) in the new haircut.

Ultimately though, you need to feel comfortable. I had a friend who went brunette- she looked great and had lots of lovely comments fom people but she went back to blonde because she didn't feel herself. I'd give it a week or two and see how you feel then.

[Floisme]

I completely disagree that darker hair makes you look older. In fact I think dyed blonde hair can be one of the most ageing looks around - unless you can afford Kate Moss's hairdresser.

[Valdeeves]

I think it's a good cut for you but I totally agree with the other posters who have said what I'm about to say.

I think the cut is great - get a bit of side fringe to edge it up and I would definitely go very blonde again. To be fair - you look good with both - honestly you do - you have that kind of colouring that can take both. However I just think it's about feeling a bit more glamorous with a shorter cut. That how I felt going blonde to dark and back again.

I think with the highlights - and really go for it with those - go to a good salon - you will actually look better than with the longer hair as it will be Cameron Diaz like.

Good luck xxxx

[noddyholder]

You look lovely blonde just go back to it. Don't think it looks rats tails at all

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I agree about blonde hair being ageing.

[Valdeeves]

I guess it's about going the right shade for your colouring? Slices of blonde?

[noddyholder]

I think the op looks younger blonde it depends on how it suits you. Over styled hair is very frumpy it think and actually is very hard work! Natural messier hair is more flattering.

[Fruityb]

I had my hair like that for years lol. I loved it, though understand the mushroom feeling. You get used to it.

Depends if you want short or long. I went shorter on one side about a year ago and absolutely love it. Might be an option?

[doziedoozie]

noddyholder but we don't have a photo of her from the front blonde, that pic isn't OP.

I had blonde highlights for years and blonde hair is quite soft and flattering for pasty Caucasians but now I am a warm brown I am fashionable and thus younger looking. Blonde has to be edgy grey/white or else it looks a bit dated.

The Alexa Chung photo is fab if you could do that OP.

[noddyholder]

She posted 2 pictures I thought I saw them earlier. I still think I prefer the blonde. The colour is not really frumpy its just colour its more the style it sounds like it is too 'done' for the OP.

[noddyholder]

I think this proves we all have different taste. I think white blonde is dated and a bit ageing but natural looking hair like the OP is lovely or caramelly like kate Moss blonde.Depends on the style too.

[thinkineed2admit]

I def think an edgy sideswept fringe would make you feel funkier and younger, but it's a nice cut, hair looks healthy and I think the colour is fine, you could do either!

[LucasNorthCanSpookMeAnytime]

I think it's only the straightness and sleekness that's making it look grown-up and corporate. I would style it messy, like this

[OrangeChair]

I think you look lovely with both styles. You're very pretty; lucky you!

[unusuallyboard]

Indians - I think you suit the dark colours more. Lovely!

[Floisme]

to different tastes. I think my own aversion to dyed blonde hair is due to having a had a Sun-in habit all through my thirties. I thought it looked good; I now know from the photos that it didn't.

[unusuallyboard]

I tried Sun in in my teens. Orange, brassy blonde it produced.

[lizandlulu]

I think you look lovely, really sleek and straight.

Not at all mushroomy

[sillymillyb]

Hello again,

thank you all for helping me today - though you all think different things and I am easily swayed so taking all your advice could be interesting :D

Indians - you are such a stunner, thank you for showing me all your pics!

I think what I am going to do is def add a shed load of highlights. In real life it looks a lot flatter than I was expecting, so hopefully that will liven it up.

I love the more messy style someone linked to, its so fecking short at the moment though I'm not sure it would work. Will play around with that tomorrow. I think I need to make it a bit funkier somehow - and I have the hair ability of a fish so whilst some of the up do's I've googled are lovely, it would look like I'd let a 4 year old loose on my hair if I attempted it :S

I now have wine -woooohooooo, and am going to try and forget about my pissing hair for a bit. I can't believe I've been crying over it. I'm such a wuss!

Oh yeah, and I think I am going to go to a different hairdresser. She is a lovely lady, but that makes it harder because she doesn't really listen and I don't have the balls to challenge her.

Thank you all again, I can't believe so many of you have helped me - you are all lovely

[squoosh]

I also think you look much better as a blonde, not that your hair looks 'bad' in any way. It's just a bit mumsy and sensible, although those bobs are a bugger to look after.

I'd get a side swept fringe, grow it to shoulder length and stick some blonde back in.

I sympathise though, I got a fringe a few weeks ago thinking it would make me look all Alex Chung-esque. Ha! I looked like Richard III (minus the crown).