Famous Redheads

Redheads throughout history have often been portrayed as fiery and seductive; from Queen Elizabeth I to Cleopatra (who some argue was a redhead). Sexy red hair is something Hollywood has loved from its early days. Think of Clara Bow the redheaded “It Girl”, Lucille Ball and Maureen O’Hara with their playful confident personalities and Rita Hayworth’s bombshell sexuality and you got it. Today’s dazzling redheads; Lindsay Lohan, Debra Messing, Susan Sarandon, Julia Roberts and Nicole Kidman continue to light up the silver screen with their ravishing red hair.

The start of a new year marks the opportunity for redefining your style and what better way then with a new hair color. For years the hair fashion industry has been obsessed with blonds. Make no mistake, blond hair isn't going out of style but with the start of the new decade it's time for blonds to make way for the redhead. A redhead isn't just a hair color it's an attitude. If it were a formula I’d mix two parts red hair, one part personality, plus two parts sexual confidence. It’s said that Blonds have more fun, but Redheads are never forgotten. Bette Midler (singer-actress) may have said it best, "Gentlemen may prefer blonds, but it takes a real man to tame a redhead."

Red hair comes in many shades from cool to warm and is most flattering to creamy complexions although it also works well with complexions of medium warm tones. Women with pale porcelain skin and green or blue eyes should go for natural gingers and neutral-tone coppers. Dark and olive skin tones should stick with the Burgundies and violet-based colors to flatter skin tones. Brunettes should favor the darker shades of red to match their complexion and natural hair color. Medium brown and light blonde can wear either dark or lighter shades of reds. Adding red highlights or lowlights with a foil weaving technique can achieve a natural or dramatic look. This dimensional look is eye-catching and far from ordinary for those who like to get noticed. If you chose to become a redhead lightening the brows will give it a natural look.

Red hair dye contains the smallest of hair color molecules as a result keeping red in your hair becomes a challenge. Small molecules enter the hair shaft easily but can also wash out of the hair easily each time you shampoo. To preserve the color using a pigmented shampoo and conditioner between touch ups will help prevent premature fading. Because there are dozens of ravishing red hues from strawberry and auburn to coppers it can be difficult to know which shade is right for you. To determine what shade would suit you best and which to avoid a visit to a professional hair colorist is well worth the time and expense. Before you make an appointment, clip a few pictures from magazines with colors you’re interested in trying and show them to the colorist….a picture is worth a thousand words!