Rex Trulove
Since the 1960s women, and some men, have been coloring their hair at almost the slightest whim. It was in the 1960s that hair dye became readily available in most places. There were even television commercials that claimed such things as “Blondes have more fun.”
However, both makeup and hair coloring have been used since ancient times, usually using minerals, insects, and plants as the coloring agents. Around 1500 B.C., the Egyptians were using henna to color their hair.
Today, coloring hair is primarily a point of vanity or for attracting mates, but it hasn’t always been that way. In times past, there were occasionally practical reasons for doing it.
For instance, during the Dark Ages, red hair was equated with witchcraft. Red hair occurs due to a genetic mutation. The first documented case of red hair happened during the Dark Ages, in Scotland, and since this color was so rare, the witchcraft stigma was attached to it. It would have been in the best interest of a Lass (or Lad) who had red hair to color their hair so they wouldn’t be thought of as witches.
Of course, we now know better. Also, though red hair is due to a genetic mutation, it is also far more common today than it was in the Dark Ages. In fact, many people with other hair colors often have the gene responsible for red hair, so they often have red highlights even with dark hair or with blonde hair. There is little doubt that the young woman in the picture has the gene for red hair, though her hair is actually blonde. True redheads have a tendency toward light sensitivity that often causes a melanistic appearance of freckles. Notice the freckles on the nose of the woman. She could have chosen to cover these with makeup, but she didn’t and to me, that adds to her natural beauty.
Although both of my sisters are as Cherokee as I am, one had flaming red hair before it turned white. The other had dark hair, but red highlights could be seen when she was in the sunshine.
Hair color has also been used to denote social status or profession. It was even required in some places for women who worked in the oldest profession to darken their hair so that the men who would partake in their wares would know what they did for a living. Royalty, on the other hand, often lightened their hair or gave it a reddish tint. Light hair was (and sometimes still is) thought of as “angelic”.
Today, it is common for people to color their hair, particularly women, and this can be done with regularity. Hair dyes are quite common and many come with conditioners designed to make the hair soft and shiny. It isn’t uncommon for a woman to be a blonde one month, a red-head the following month, and a brunette the next month. It also isn’t just women who color their hair, men do it too. Pink, purple, blue, and orange hair color has even become popular. All of this is probably understandable since most people have a preference for one hair color over others.
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Do you have a favorite hair color?
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No, no preference
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Yes, blonde
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Yes, light brown
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Yes, dark brunette
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Yes, black
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Yes, other
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I color my hair because I hate the white coming out and still want to look young. I choose the color of my hair which is brown.
Very interesting read. I would not mind coloring my hair but for the fact I am allergic to any colorant.
You might check into the natural hair dyes like the Egyptians used. Most people who are allergic to hair dye are actually allergic to some of the artificial chemicals in it.
Thanks Rex. You are right. Henna works for me though it is not pure black.
The last color I used was red, I loved being a redhead. Now I have stopped dying my hair and it is interesting to see that except for a patch of white right up front the rest of my hair looks like it’s back to its original brown color.
Many years ago, I tried to bleach my hair blonde, since I was born with such pale blonde hair. It was a disaster. Basically, all I took out of my hair was the brown and my hair ended up bright red. It was unintentional, believe me.
I like dark brunette for now.
That is Ella’s natural hair color. She stopped dying it about a year ago, so like mine, it is now mostly gray. She just got it cut a few days ago.
At this point in my life I have what people call bird shit colored hair, a little light brown, a little gray and a little white. so I go with the white for now, I thought about going all silver. You now have your own pinterest board from me, I call it “everything Rextrulove” and I am pinning all your stuff there.
That is very cool because Res is an amazing person.
Aww, thank you for saying that. I’m not sure I really deserve it, but it is nice to hear.
LOL…Thank you. I hope that your visitors like the stuff. I tend to just write about whatever comes to mind. There really isn’t a rhyme or reason to it.
Incidentally, I was born with platinum blond hair that gradually darkened over the years. Now it is brown and grey, a little more of the latter than the former.
What was it that Ronald Reagan is reputed to have said? “God bless America – God bless Grecian 2000”!
LOL…it is quite possible. He was a witty man who often made fun of his age.