I have been a redhead, a brunette and a blonde.
The red and the brunette came naturally, but my six months spent as a blonde was due to a series of unfortunate accidents at a salon in Florida where the words “just a few auburn highlights, please” was inadvertently translated into “make me look like Anna Nicole” thanks to some glitch in the local dialect.
I never wanted to be a blonde. Everyone is Florida is some variation of blonde, and I like to stand out. Plus, I quickly grew tired of people talking to me as though my IQ had dropped 30 points at the shampoo sink.
I know a lot of smart blondes. But I never would have imagined that in 2007, in an age of blonde, female CEOs, politicians and doctors, that the color of your hair could affect how people perceive you. Boy, was I in for a shock.
There’s a new survey out from hair products company Sunsilk and website Askmen.com claiming to “get to the root of the age-old debate.”
Have men’s views on blondes and brunettes changed since the days of Marilyn Monroe? Or are we all still stuck in some sort of foil-wrapped time warp? Here’s what more than 4,000 men ages 18-34 said about blondes and brunettes:
One Night Stand
“More men are having one night stands with brunettes (59 per cent) than blondes (41 per cent) and more men would make a move on a brunette in a bar if he were given a choice between the two,” according to the survey. As one dater, Nick, says, “There are more brunettes in a bar. You have better odds.”
Shrimp-to-Sex ROI
According to the survey, “More than 65 per cent of men would rather spend their money on a romantic dinner for a brunette than a blonde.” Why? Well, 63 per cent claimed they have a better ROI or “return on their investment” with a brunette.
Brunette Brides
According to the survey, “More than 87 per cent of men said they have more intelligent conversations with brunettes than blondes, and nearly 75 per cent plan to marry a brunette, if they haven’t already. Almost 80 per cent of men would prefer to bring a brunette home to meet mom.”
Between the Sheets
Some good news for ladies of both hair colors, nearly 60 per cent of the respondents said that they have “an equally good time in bed with both blondes and brunettes.” One dater, Daniel, says, “I have to pick, huh.”
Blondes v Brunettes: Celebrity Favorites
Most guys have fantasized about a celebrity or two on occasion (hey, he’s not reading People for the articles!) According to the survey, below are the celebs who top the list:
- Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Simpson tied for the blonde fantasy with 31 per cent each. Christina Aguilera came in third with 11 per cent.
- Angelina Jolie was queen of the brunette fantasy at 30 per cent, followed by Carmen Electra at 27 per cent and Vanessa Minnillo at 18 per cent.
Stereotypes Live On
No bombshells here. Blondes have the lead in the following categories:
- Life of the party (48 vs. 9 per cent)
- Air-head (63 vs. 2 per cent)
- Gold-digger (51 vs. 5 per cent)
While brunettes have the advantage in these categories:
- Intelligent (58 vs. 3 per cent)
- Serious (64 vs. 4 per cent)
- Good sense of humor (32 vs. 15 per cent)
Being a brunette myself, I’m pretty happy to take credit for the parts of the survey that I think match my personality (smart, funny) and quick to discard the categories that don’t fit (pass on the one night stand, thankyouverymuch.) But I wonder if changing your hair color can really change how people perceive you? Are blondes with dark roots considered to be smarter? Are brunettes with blonde roots considered to be more fun?
I didn’t like being blonde because it didn’t feel like me. But I have shy brunette friends who blossomed into the life of the party once fortified with golden highlights.
The great thing about hair color is that you can change it in an afternoon. And the great thing about people is that we are all different and fabulous and interesting in our own ways — no matter what the color of our hair.