Life as a Redhead

Having red hair comes with its pros and cons. It makes you part of a community of people who can relate to the joys associated with it - the teasing, the sunburn, the freckles, the pale skin and the inability to blend in with a crowd.

Few haven’t heard the jokes: gingers have no soul (we do have souls I promise) or have a fiery temper to match the fiery hair (WHAT DO YOU MEAN I HAVE A FIERY TEMPER). There are also the constant comparisons with any red haired celebrity the person can think of. I usually get Annie from Annie the musical or Merida from Brave (this one I’m totally ok with).

Growing up, if I ever even mentioned wanting a different colour of hair I was shot down like I'd just suggested the most unforgivable idea in the world: “people pay a fortune for your hair, don’t you dare change such a unique colour!”. Not to worry, ginger hair is very hard to dye due to the natural red pigment and texture.

Finding makeup as a redhead is a challenge. Even the palest of shades are often too dark. Mascara and brow colours generally cater to people with dark features and if you do manage to find a brow shade that works then you still have to find your eyebrows - it’s not easy following the shape of a brow you can’t see!

Red hair has traditionally been associated with witchcraft and the supernatural. In the middle ages many red-haired women were burned at the stake on suspicion of having magical powers. Red hair, green eyes and freckles were thought to be traits of witches, vampires and werewolves and redheads came to be stereotyped as untrustworthy. Biblically, Judas “the betrayer” was said to have red hair and the devil has also often been portrayed with flaming red locks.

Nowadays, red hair is mostly just associated with Scottish and Irish heritage. Ginger hair is undoubtedly a feature that makes you stand out, particularly outwith the UK. Whilst red hair is thought to make up approximately a quarter of the Scottish and Irish population, globally we account for less than 2%. We’re rare! Especially red hair and blue eyes, which is the rarest genetic combination in the world, both being recessive traits. Whilst travelling abroad, we get comments, looks and questions because of our appearance. Personally though, I love that my hair ties me to my homeland, Scotland, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.