Many stereotypes are associated with our natural hair color: blondes are attractive but dumb, redheads have fiery tempers, and brunettes are smart. While we believe these to be assumptions, it is no secret that people often create a first impression about others based on their hair color. Research has now proven that many of these stereotypes can sometimes have very real effects.
Scientifically, hair color is formed by a substance called melanin produced at the root of the hair bulb by groups of specialized cells called melanocytes. There are different types of melanin, and the ratio of these together creates the hair color in each individual.
Whether you were born redhead, blonde, or brunette, your hair color influences everyone around you and may reveal something about your personality. Let us find out what.
Hair Color Meanings
Here are the most common hair color types and associated personality traits:
Red Hair
Contrary to the belief that red hair color was given to us by Neanderthals, science has shown that it results from the mutation of a gene on chromosome 16.
Red hair has always had significant standing in society and has been represented in the artworks of Michelangelo. It has not escaped present-day media scrutiny.
In Europe, the red hair color is valued and respected, and nearly 10% of people in Scotland and England have red hair. It has been spotted in Pakistan and some regions of Asia, though very rarely. In the UK, redheads are bullied or teased with words like “ginger,” which some consider racist remarks.
In Germany, red hair color has even represented the devil. According to German folklore, women with red hair and green eyes have been associated with witchcraft and considered demonic or evil.
Personality Traits
Mysterious, romantic, passionate, alluring, and fiery, people with red hair color tend to have different personalities. Explosive, bad-tempered, opinionated, seductive, or sexually promiscuous are other traits seen in people with this hair color. Such individuals have increased levels of excitement on account of lower anti-stress hormone levels.
Blonde Hair
Blonde hair is a rare color globally, occurring naturally only in northern Europe and America. However, it has also been seen in nearly 5-10% of the indigenous population of the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, where the inhabitants predominantly have very dark skin.
It was until recently assumed that this hair color was a result of gene flow – a trait passed on by ancient traders and travelers who visited different countries centuries ago. Today, it has been established that a single gene is responsible for this, though the natives of the Solomon Islands also attribute their blond hair color to a diet rich in fish and sun exposure.
Personality Traits
Blonde hair color is perceived as feminine, youthful, naive, and obedient, so gentlemen tend to prefer blondes. However, females with this hair color are also considered high maintenance. Some surveys have shown that this category’s divorce rate is higher than the average, but that could be coincidental.
Brunette Hair
Predominantly seen in Asia, South America, and Africa, brunette hair color is considered exotic in Europe, just like blondes and redheads are in the remaining part of the world.
There was a study conducted on hair color attraction. A girl visited a nightclub three times with her hair color changed from red, blonde, and brunette. Most men that approached her said that they found her most appealing, attractive, approachable, dependable, and seemingly better suited for relationships as a brunette.
Personality Traits
The majority of Nobel Prize winners are brunettes. They are intelligent and very hard-working but are also likely to give up sometimes. Brunettes are more serious and tend to form long-term relationships. The likelihood of going bald is higher with this hair color, and so is the possibility of being addicted to substances such as nicotine.
Black Hair
Black is by far the most common hair color in the world, with about 85% of the global population having a black hair color.
Just as men prefer blondes, women are known to prefer men with black hair, who are considered deep, reflective, meditative, serious, and sometimes melancholic.
Personality Traits
Black-haired people are often interested in religion, poetry, and spirituality. They are serious and self-centered but also tend to have self-doubt. Professionally, they make great psychiatrists or therapists.
Conclusion
Studies have shown that complexion and hair color can influence age, health, and attractiveness perceptions. So, if you color your hair with a shade other than your natural hair color, you will likely affect your own behavior and others around you. After a while, you may even adopt the stereotypes associated with that hair color.