Emerson Salon – Capitol Hill Seattle

Ah, red hair. Throughout history, it has been seen as a blessing and a curse. Due to the extreme rarity of the color, redheads have been thought of as witches, vampires, demons, you name it. They are often assumed to have a fiery temper and be quick to anger, as well as being sassy and mischievous. But there is also an awe associated with red hair. Venus in Botticelli’s famous painting is a redhead, as are many important figures in history and art (Queen Elizabeth anyone?).

The attraction and interest in red hair no doubt comes from its rarity: only 1 to 2% of the human population has natural red hair. Most of these, as you would probably guess, come from Western Europe, mostly Ireland and Scotland, but they are found all over the world, in places you wouldn’t expect (South America and Africa to name a couple. No, I’m serious!). The color comes from a mutation in a recessive gene, which explains its rarity. Yes, red hair is in fact a genetic mutation, but it’s a damn cute one if you ask me!

And having red hair affects your whole body and health. The gene that creates red hair also affects skin pigmentation, which is why most redheads have light skin and are prone to freckling. Light-skinned people have an increased sensitivity to UV rays, which make them susceptible to burns, sun damage, and skin cancer. Put on that sunscreen redheads! There have also been studies that show that redheads have different capacities for pain than most, and researchers have found that redheaded women need more anesthetic than men or women of any other hair color, although they’re not sure why this is. The makeup of the hair is different too- redheads have the least amount of hair on their heads than other colors, but their hair is generally very thick. Also, redheads don’t grey. As it ages, red hair turns sandy, and then white. But take heart redheads- you generally keep your color longer than people with other hair colors. So you can rock that red into middle age and beyond!

You want to make sure, as either a natural or a colored redhead, that you are taking special care of your hair to make sure it stays as vibrant as it can be. If you’re natural, make sure you shampoo and condition your hair with a lightweight moisturizing formula; since red hair tends to be thick and heavy, you want to make sure you’re not weighing it down. I love Kevin Murphy’s Angel Wash and Rise, or the Alterna Caviar Moisture line. Colored red hair takes a lot of care too. “You have to be aware that the red color has the biggest molecule, so it comes out of the hair fastest,” says our stylist Ellen. “If you’re going to red you have to make sure you’re using a color safe shampoo and also a sunscreen for your hair.”

Thinking about going red? Good for you! Red is a popular and daring look that more and more people are trying out.  Make sure you talk to your stylist about which shade will be right for your skin tone- reds are fabulous when done right, but can be tricky, especially when dying from a different color. You have to be aware of what the red formula will look like when mixed with the natural pigment of your hair.

A lot of it will have to do with your skin. People with light skin will want to stick with the more strawberry or terra cotta reds. You’ll want to stay away from darker reds, as they’re liable to wash out your skin coloring. Auburns are an excellent choice for those with medium skin tones, or if you want something with a little more punch, try a bright copper or an orange-red. Dark and olive skins are the hardest colorings to pull off red, but it can be done. Make sure you opt for a cooler red, like a burgundy or a violet-based red. You’ll definitely want to avoid strawberry blondes and other bright, lighter colors.

Thinking about taking the leap to red? Maybe you want to start out with a couple red highlights to punch up your natural color? Give us a call and make an appointment for a consultation- our stylists are always more than happy to sit down and discuss what’s going to look best for you. Stop by or call today!

Post by Amelia