As some of you might know, I’m a redhead. Here in the UK, that’s a little bit like admitting that you have some hideously disfiguring disease. No, really: red hair is not popular here. Hot it is not. In fact, ever since I wrote about red hair, and how it’s perceived in the UK over at Forever Amber, my blog referrers have been filled with search terms like "can I dye my baby’s red hair?" and "what if my child has ugly red hair?" Go figure.
Well, luckily for me, I love my hair. And I love red hair on other people, too. Here’s a quick look at some famously ravishing redheads…
Nicole Kidman
Nicole’s been letting the side down a bit lately, having pretty much fallen into a bottle of bleach in recent years. She’s at her very best as a redhead (the blonde is just a wee bit draining with her typically pale skin) and she’s one of the few redheads I’ve seen who can even pull off red itself. (Remember that gorgeous red dress she wore in Moulin Rouge?)
Lily Cole
Lovely Lily Cole is the model of the moment. She’s beautiful, she’s brainy (she’s just won a place at Oxford University) and she’s a redhead. She’s so perfect that I really should hate her, but actually, I love Lily: there aren’t nearly enough redheads in the world of high fashion, and it’s great to see someone like Lily flying the flag. The red flag, that is…
Lindsay Lohan
I know, I know: ole LiLo’s been through so many colour changes it’s amazing even she knows what her original colour was. Luckily, though, The Fashion Police have long memories, and we’re here to tell you that her original colour? Was red. Lovely, lovely red. (We’re still not willing to forgive the crimes of fashion, though, Lindsay. Sorry.)
Marcia Cross
Her hair may be as rigid as Nicole Ricthie’s stomach muscles in Desperate Housewives, but off-screen, Marcia is one sexy laydee, when she lets her (red) hair down.
So there we have it. It’s by no means an exhaustive list, but these are my top four redheads of the moment. (Well, except Lindsay, obviously. I just let her in there because hey, it’s a Friday and I’m in a good mood). We need to praise them like we should…
my names lauren and im from usa
redds not very popular here either
but im a unnatural red head and i love it!
ive been black, brunette, and blonde and deep rich red hair color will only work on a few people but when it does, they are hot bombshells.
i wish people would give it up for more sexy redheads.
forget blondes. red heads have more fun.
my names lauren and im from usa
redds not very popular here either
but im a unnatural red head and i love it!
ive been black, brunette, and blonde and deep rich red hair color will only work on a few people but when it does, they are hot bombshells.
i wish people would give it up for more sexy redheads.
forget blondes. red heads have more fun.
hi I’m gaia and I’m from italy! also here redhead aren’t popular! expecially in naples where the guys joke on this! i’ve got red hair and i think that the guys who tell me that they don’t like my hair are very stupid! i love my redhead and i wish that the peoples don’t say more absurd things on red ones! in finally excuse me for my bad English! hihi
with love!
Hi my name is fran and I live in Yorkshire. I used to have light red curl hair when I was younger and I loved how I stood out from the crowd. However, soon as I reached secondary school I couldn’t cope with all the abuse I recieved. So I reached for the Bleach and hair straightner; ever since I have had blond hair. I think it is horrific how I was treated at school. I truly believe it is the same as racism.
Hello,I’m kim and live in Korea.
I see you blog, and it’s good!
I love lily cole, too!
So I save her picture in my personer Computer.
Anyway, Thank you!
Hey I’m Katy from the states–I’ve been so fortunate that men I meet around here really LOVE red hair… One tells me that more artistic men are attracted to redheads–in my experience that has been so true.
Very proud of her pale complection and red hair,
Katy
Hi my name is Jess and I’m from Australia. Throughout most of school I was the only redhead, and got teased constantly because of it. But I love my hair and have never dyed it because I am proud to be a redhead too! I agree with you when you say that you should be jealous of people like Lily Cole but instead love her because in a way she is representing redheads around the world! I’m a big fan of LiLO’s too because when she first became the ‘IT’ girl guys noticed her and then shortly after me! So for that I thank her. I love being a redhead! Glad to know I’m not the only one!
Jess!
Hey. I’m from Czech Republic and not a natural redhead. But since I henna-dye my hair, lots of people thinks that this is my natural colour. I love it, feel good about it and absolutely don’t understand people who make jokes about this.
Hey. I’m from Czech Republic and not a natural redhead. But since I henna-dye my hair, lots of people thinks that this is my natural colour. I love it, feel good about it and absolutely don’t understand people who make jokes about this.
Hey My name is Sarah. Im from Australia. I have natural curly red hair and I used to get picked on alot. But people seem to like my red hair now. I am very proud of it because I am yet to see someone with hair like mine.
hey, I’m from England and I get teased about my hair constantly, It is not very popular here and is viewed as extremely unattractive, I don’t want to dye it as I like it! So thank you for writing something supportive about having red hair!
hey, I’m from England and I get teased about my hair constantly, It is not very popular here and is viewed as extremely unattractive, I don’t want to dye it as I like it! So thank you for writing something supportive about having red hair!
redheads are really big in the states, i don’t know what that other girl from the states is saying! Men of all ages find redheads, hot and hard to find. especially in the south. many younger men have tattoos of varying themes, and one theme is ‘man’s ruin’..most of the time that tat’ refers to redheads.
i have dark brown hair but have been platinum to black, but i prefer my hair henna red as do others.
i’ve lived in europe and travelled the U.K. and honestly, sometimes i do NOT get you all!!!
my name is stephanie and im from rural australia. i have orange red hair and have never been teased by other kids during primary school. despite being the only red head in my class and one of 2 or 3 in my year. infact when i was in highschool a few of the teachers would say how lovely my hair is and alot of female classmates have said my hair is very pretty. i feel sorry for all the red heads in england/europe because it sounds as though they go though hell, it must be awful and im glad i don’t live over there.
I am a natural red head with freckles from Canada. I agree, I was made fun of all the time for my colorings. Even the kids in my Irish dancing classes wouldnt be my friend and teased me. But it is like a “tug of war” one minute people hate natural red heads, but every time I see a hair stylest, they always give me crap for dying it blonde they say “people pay me lots of money to try and get close to this color”. Oh and, I went to LA last summer and sat on the beach lol I was the palest one there!
Hi,
My name Becky and Im from the Midlands, England. I am a natural proud redhead with pale skin. Even though I come from a small town Ive never been bullied or teased about my hair colour. People complement me all the time and all the men I know find it attractive. I think maybe Ive been lucky!
I’m also dating a redhead! and he’s is very attractive. I’ve never understood why some redheads dont like dating people with the same hair colour.
I’m from Scotland, land of the red heads and you get a lot of abuse here as well but I love my hair colour and would not change it for the world.
hey im from Australia,
and my hair colour is Aurban, shade of red.
I used to get teased immensly in primary school and the first dew years of highschool, being called Ranga. my mum used to say they were all jealous, and my teachers loved my hair. I just couldnt cope and died my hair mocha brown. I feel happy in a way, but i hate it, how so many people hate red hair.
I just dont understand. its like admitting you have red hair, is admitting you have aids or some terminal disease. its disgusting and horrible.
i hate it, but deep inside, i do like my red hair. its not bright red, its browny red, and wish i could go back to it without getting teased.
Hey my name is Zoe and im from Australia. I have natural red hair and i always get called names like ranga and rednut. I dont understand why. My hair is beautiful and i love being unique.
I’m a redhead and I also love my hair.
It’s totally not normal to be a redhead here, in Brazil, and I heard jokes about it my entire life.
But guess who’s laughing now: I feel powerful, both men AND women admire me and my hair. Just be yourself. With our special rouge touch
well guys i am british and in hollywood, I am a natural redhead and died it blonde in the Uk, requested by my agent at the time, as I was not getting many auditions as a red head, what i need to know is, is it more marketable to be a redheaded actress or a blonde actress in hollywood??
Blondes are 10 a penny. As I walk down the street, it is the Redhead that catches this UK mans eye.
Redheads (natural or unnatural) are like diamonds, rare, classy and the among the hottest women on the planet.
As for freckles I was told years ago that they were Angels Kisses!
I am a natural redheaded girl from Texas and I LOVE my hair I have never been picked on for it. I always get compliments on it and most people tell me I should never dye it{which I dont intend on doing}. That really sucks that people are so cruel about it in Europe, yall should just come to Texas, because they LOVE it here lol!
Im auburn haired and at secondary school and I dont actually get bullied but since when I was in Year 7 I did, I wondered why I was picked on.. them kids were sad! I use Rusty as my nickname and I love it!! Girls are like blonde and “ugly” and have no unqiueness from my school. have been spoken to people them saying that if i liked my hair colour and whether I should add blonde to my hair, But i didnt dye it blonde. I want to dye my hair more redder and orangy as it could be going more brown! If someone told me to go blonde.. I would never!! I’m me and Auburn, end of!
Hi there!!!!
Ive got a big red head of curls and proud of it, yes its differant, aint it nice…and who says redheads dont tan…im from south ireland, not that i tan here though but away oh ye, its our time too shine girls cause reds in fashion now!
I had no idea redheads were so discriminated against!! I am a natural blonde, but have dyed my hair red for several years now, and I’m always complimented for my red curly hair. I don’t like being called ginger though.. It’s like the negative word for redhead.
Oda, Norway.
And I might add that I’ve never heard anything bad about my hair when I lived in Italy or England, and the scots I know all like my hair. Maybe I’m just hanging with all the right crowds?
Oda, Norway.
I used to hate my Auburn hair because people would comment on it all the time. I’m part Native American and always wished I had the dark red skin and the jet black hair. However, it’s like my Scottish side took right over on me.
I’ve dyed my hair numerous time and even went blonde once, yuck.
After trying out various hair colors I’ve finally learned to love my hair color. Not the shade all the time though. Now instead of trying to be brunette or blonde I try to be other shades of red. Redheads are better anyway.
Oh, ever notice it’s like a never ending battle between blondes and brunettes? I’ve heard blonde jokes and brunette jokes…but never one about a redhead. It’s like we’re on the side lines laughing at the others =)
Hey, my name is Isabel and I’m from urban Australia. I have only been teased about the colour of my red hair once in my life.
I love my hair, I love the pale skin and the freckles. Unlike many other unlucky redheads, I am constantly being complimented on my hair colour by people of all ages.
I was truly surprised to hear about such a hair-ist culture, because I have never experienced it or even seen it before.
Keep going, all you red-haired people who are being discriminated against. We love our unique-ness =)
RED HEADS ROCK!
I am a natural readhead and despite being bullied about it when I was younger, now I love my hair and wouldnt change it for the world. I find it to be a conversation piece, an asset and part of my identity. As much as we all hated the ‘Anne of Green Gables’, ‘Pippi Longstocking’, ‘Rusty’, ‘Red’ nicknames, we need to remember that we are collectively the most unique hair colour on the planet and a blonde certainly cannot claim this. We command attention when we walk into a room, we are fiery and believe me, from the males I have talked to, we get their attention.
So stay red, be proud and embrace being unique!
Sarah C
Hi, I’m Hannah
I’m from the USA and I’m a natural ginger. I love it!! 
I’m from England and, although I used to be bullied for my red hair in school (mainly by girls incidently), I only ever get positive comments now.
I once met a guy in a dark club who asked me to meet up with him the next day, I was terrified that he hadn’t realised I was a red head! When we got to know each other better I told him this and he told me that my hair was the main reason he came over!
I would really love to help all the other red headed little girls growing up with the teasing and taunts to feel as fabulous about their hair as I do. It genuinely is a gift of which I am SO proud.
hey- i’m lyndsay and i’m from the US. I’ve been a blonde most of my life aside from a few winters as a brunette. I’m about to go red and absolutely can’t wait.
Redheads are the sexiest women out there. Did you know the sirens (like from the odyssey, the temptresses) were redheads?
I read in an interview with Kirsten Dunst and Bryce Dallas Howard (spiderman) that blondes attract the attention of a lot of guys but redheads attract the attention of much more interesting, unique guys. I’m so excited!
Hi, I’m another redhead… I was lucky as a youngster and got mainly positive comments about my hair, but now I’m in my 40’s I sense its a lot harder for girls and especially boys with red/ ginger hair growing up today. This really horrorfies me as they should be feeling unique and lucky to have such a rare and beautiful feature, instead some are getting badly bullied and many are dyeing their hair to survive it. Why are we becoming more and more cruel to each other? I have recently considered dyeing my own hair but something in me is proud of my red and I actually believe I look great with my natural colouring. My husband agrees and I know he’d miss it if I changed. I would become just another blonde or brunette, nothing special. I tried putting a blonde wig on once and immediately felt and looked ordinary, it was quite a shock. I really think some of the cruel comments are caused by jealousy… redheads stand out and attract attention. Although not a commercial “celebrity” look, the sort of males that are attracted to redheads are of the best calibre. Stick with your hair colour if you can… these cruel idiots that tease you are secretly jealous of your uniqueness, don’t let them rob you of it! You will find someone who truly appreciates it. Think of it as a filter so you get the best partner, not the shallow-minded herd mentality type.
hello
i live in dubai, and i have natural auburn hair. I use to hate it in yr 7,8 and 9 cus people use to tease me and call me horrible names, but over the last few years i have come to love my hair colour and the fact that i am so unique. and now that comments dont bother me and i have alot more confidence about my hair, i never get teased any more. so fight through it becus when you do, ur’ll understand that people do actually love red hair!!
I have natural strawberry blonde hair with very pale colouring and freckles, and I used to get blonde highlights but not any more… personally I find bright bright ginger redheads the most beautiful people on earth, I wish my hair could be even REDDER!!!
Hey
i live in a small town USA. i have never once wanted to change my hair color even after the abuse i got in school. i believed they were just jealous. now, i’m the envy of the town. everyone is going red, and curly. i take pride in the change bc i was the original.
i get lots of attention in crowds. it’s a good way to meet people.
i’m in college now and am doing a research paper on redheads. it’s unbelievable, if you thought you had it bad growing up, think again. i recommend all of you to research your history. you’d be amazed. i was.and i’m glad i just get called names, not killed for my color.
Hey! im a natural redhead from the US and even though i get ridiculed all the time for my hair i love it and will never dye it! Although the pale skin i cant really deal with, sucks that most of us just CANT TAN.
I’m from the United States. I was born with beautiful bright red hair, unfortunately as I got older it turned to strawberry and then darkened to a reddish brown, now I dye it to my original color! So I’m a natural dyed redhead! lol!
I’ve found being a redhead (Bottle or Natural) you really grow into the personality that goes with that hair. Frankly it’s empowering! And I love that everyone thinks twice of messing with me (that ruinous temper has them scared I think)
All the men I’ve ever met think it’s the sexiest hair color. My fiance loves it and me for who I am. Ha! He says that the men in the UK and other places are nuts! Redheads are the hottest AND we definitely have more fun
Hey redheads:)
I’m Jessica and I live in Canada. I love my red hair. I was teased as a kid, but I can’t recall any major teasing after 7th grade. In 6th grade my crush told me he wouldn’t date a redhead when I confessed my love. *sigh*
Except for the comment from that snotty little boy (whom I’ve seen many years later and who told me I was beautiful)
The only comments I ever get on my hair now are good one. Complete strangers stopping me in the street to ask me if it’s natural. Men of all ages telling me they think it’s beautiful… Really why wouldn’t I like my red hair?!!! It’s what I’m complimented the most on! My boyfriend, who only ever liked brunettes with straight hair now developed a major redhead fetish hahaha.
Of course some days we all wish we could be different, but over all, I’m proud to be pale and to have red hair. If I could change something about myself, that would be at the bottom of my list!
PS, My British friends love my hair too;) but I -AM- afraid to go visit England because of the teasing there.
I live in Canada and truly I think red hair and fair skin is SOOO beautiful! And I’m so happy I have it! I would never trade it! Men definately love my hair and I’m so happy I don’t have to deal with dying my hair every 4 weeks.
Isn’t it so awesome that the gorgeous red colour grows naturally from our head?? I think that is so cool.. most people just have a bland brown colour and we have all sorts of amazing reddish shades growing on our head!
We’re unique and beautiful!
Its only insecure people who feel the need to ridicule it.
I definately have dealt with horrible nicknames.. I’m not sure if the people who make fun of us realize how much it can really hurt us. It also boggles my mind how it is so obvious to mainstream society that prejudice is NOT okay… yet abusing people with red hair is somehow acceptable.
Anyways
RED HAIR IS GORGEOUS!:)
Hi i’m from australia and i dont have red hair but i want it and i’m gonna dye it soon:D. there is a girl at my school, she has amazing bright red hair and everyone calls her a ranga (short for orangutang if u dont know) but i love her hair and pale skin with frecles. its pretty. she stands up for her hair!
Hey fellow gingers!!!
I am a natural redhead and live in the UK. I love my hair colour and have received alot of attention and lovely comments about it. If you have red hair-KEEP IT!!I’ve always been known for my hair colour-otherwise known as the ‘ginger ninja’
I think having red hair and being confident with it can get you surprisingly far!!People remember you as it is a rare commodity!
Don’t let the side down, stay red, stay confident, stay FOXY!!woop woop!!!
Issie
hey
im a natural red in England and i was teased about it a little when i was younger but now im 17 and get more compliments about it than ever!
hopefully the pattern will continue =D
I am a Red Head from Australia.
Since a TV series “Summer Heights High” where they were mean to red heads and called them rangas and set the view that red heads were allowed to be treated badly because of their hair colour, red heads are being teased and bullied way too much. Their is even a Sorry Ranga Day to celebrate the teasing of rangas and it is quite popular.
I do not get teased at school but other red heads do. But my neighbour who we are family friends with and is my age 13, teases me sooo much, we go over for dinner and i will leave early crying.
I think it is shocking that people feel they can tease red heads because of their hair colour and i feel this is a form of racism.
If you tease red heads there is something wrong with you, jealousy i think.
Summer Heights High is going down. I have sooo much in common with Hannnah. Racism it is! Its pure discrimination.
I live in Australia.
I get teased in Australia.
I get teased by every single person i know.
I’m sick of it!
Its strange how if you are a redhead, you’re automatically seen as less than. I get people i don’t even know coming up to me and making comments such as:
eew.
get some hair dye.
fix your ugly hair.
go back to where you came from.
you don’t belong in Australia.
AND MUCH MORE!!!!
My advice to anyone who gets teased: Get a few centimetres from their face and scream the word RACIST!!!!
Yes, i enjoy being a redhead, grr. But im not going to change it for anyone. The way i see it, if red hair is soo ugly, let their eyes suffer!
I am a natural redhead – i have quite dark, pretty much auburn hair. I also have pale skin, freckles and don’t tan.
I live in Scotland and have been made to feel ugly my whole life down to the colour of my hair. As a child adults always loved my hair because it was so unusual – and occasionally i have met men who love it (including my husband who loves it) but on the whole I guess some people try and make me feel inferior for it. I have even contemplated moving to another country because it used to make me feel so bad!!
After years of dying it different colours I now embrace my red hair again and I truly love it – I do not look like a clone of every other girl out there.
The only bugbear I still have is my skintone, I don’t tan. My ultimate would be to have tanned, olive or dark skin with my red hair – think that would be gorgeous but alas I am stuck with my celtic colouring!
Hey everyone, I’m glad to see so much solidarity and support of redheads, but it bothers me that some comments are criticizing other hair colours (bland brown, boring blonde, etc) while they complain about being criticized for their own hair colour- if we don’t want people to be ‘hairist’ or ‘racist’ against redheads, let’s set a good example by being proud of ourselves without putting others down! : )