associated press file photos
Hollywood redheads include, from left, Marcia Cross, Julianne Moore and Nicole Kidman. If a new study holds true, these three see more action than their blond and brunette peers.
One of my favourite scenes in Pretty Woman is when Julia Roberts’ character, Vivian, walks out of the hotel bedroom. A robe has replaced her cropped top and mini skirt of the previous night, and her golden-red locks have replaced the platinum blond wig.
“Red,” she says, pointing to her bed-head as she approaches Richard Gere at the breakfast table, a little embarrassed to be outed as a redhead.
“Better,” he responds.
But if Vivian had only known about a study by sex researcher Dr. Werner Habermehl, perhaps she wouldn’t have tried so hard to cover up her own mane in the first place.
The study in question compared the sex lives of hundreds of German women with their hair colour, and found redheaded women have more sex than blonds or brunettes. “The research shows that the fiery redhead certainly lives up to her reputation,” Habermehl told the Daily Mail.
As one whose own hair is a chemical rainbow of shades of blond and brunette, I am, unfortunately, no expert on red. So I turned to the one natural redhead I do know. With her fire-engine red ’do, Toronto teacher Julie Moore, 26, was hardly surprised by the findings. After all, redheads are known for their passion and their tempers. “I myself am a very lovable and sensitive person. Not just about sex, but about everything,” says Moore.
When it comes to men, Moore says they either love her hair or they don’t. It has, however, made for some bold pick-up lines. “At parties guys have come up to me and said ‘Hey, does your curtain match your carpet?’ ”
Before we all hurry off to the salon, consider that Habermehl’s research found women with dyed red hair give off a different message. They’re signalling they’re looking for a partner or looking for something more out of the relationship they are currently in.
And while master hair colourist Joan Weiger does think red hair, natural or not, does come across as sassy, she also cautions that trying to achieve a particular image shouldn’t be the only factor in choosing a new hair colour.
You should be able to wear the new shade with confidence, and also find a colour that complements your skin and eyes.
To date, I haven’t found a shade of red that suits me. If I ever do, I’ll be keen to see what results — just in the interest of research, you understand.
