Prior to becoming the dirty blonde babe that I am today- I was a redhead for just over nine years- having taken the crimson plunge when I had become so painfully bored with my naturally dark brown hair and desperately needed a drastic change to liven my look up all those years ago. It was nine years of fun, ruined shirt collars after every dye job, and multiple trips to Sephora when the red made it a little trickier to match my correct foundation shade since I looked a bit on the paler side.
Regardless- the red eventually became too time-consuming and too costly for me to manage regularly- and I couldn’t just sit back and let it fade to orange as it gradually began to grow out. I decided to make the switch to my current shade- and although I love it and have enjoyed being able to go longer between salon visits for touch-ups- I sometimes miss my faux-ginger curls. They were, and I suppose always will be- part of my identity.
I have all the respect in the world for natural redheads- and not just because they have to tough it out through all of the bad ginger jokes and typically have to apply way more sunscreen than other people. I also have to give a shout-out to the other dye-job redheads out there- because that upkeep and maintenance takes a LOT of dedication! Regardless of whether your reds are natural or courtesy of a salon or a box job- it can get downright frustrating from time to time!
Fortunately, I may have found a book that is perfect for my (former) fellow redheads!
I recently received an advanced copy of “The Big Redhead Book” Erin La Rosa at my door- and I couldn’t put it down until I’d read it cover to cover. Even though I’m not a redhead anymore, I could relate to so many things in the book- which covered redheaded depictions in pop culture, art and history throughout the years, the science and genetics behind red hair (which is actually pretty fascinating stuff! Did you know that redheads are harder to sedate during surgery and require 20% more general anesthesia than people with other hair colors do? Me neither!) and of course- dabbling into and de-bunking some of the rumors/myths surrounding redhead stereotypes- but it’s all done with sharp wit and surrounded by interesting statistics and fun quotes from notable figures and characters throughout time who have commented on ladies and gentlemen with red hair.
There’s also a chapter to assist redheads with those pesky makeup and wardrobe challenges that come with having a stand-out hue on the top of your head. Your freckles? Embrace them. Sunscreen? Don’t leave home without it applied to every inch of exposed skin. Hair care? Avoid those sulfates- and so many more helpful tips to make living your best life with the most challenging color to manage a little easier. And if you’re thinking of going red? Don’t worry- Erin has included a helpful guide to make that transition much smoother than standing in the hair dye section of your local pharmacy and staring in confusion at the boxes until you just randomly choose one and hope for the best.
The entire book is clever, funny, and informative. Even if you’re not a redhead and don’t plan on becoming one anytime soon- it’s still a good and enjoyable read- especially since there’s some tips on how to approach and talk to redheads, too. Believe it or not- there are some things that you can say or ask that could be taken offensively (like if the carpet matches the drapes. Never, ever, EVER ask that. EVER.)– so knowledge is power!
“The Big Redhead Book” comes out on August 22nd and is currently available for pre-order at Amazon!
xx
– Ashley –
Blondie Birdie 