Blonde or brunette?

caridee2

Hiya!

Hope ye don't mind a (relative) newbie coming on here but figured this would be a good place to get some input! I've been blonde the last few years and have gotten to the point where I really want a change, so am going back to my natural, dark brown colour. Was chatting to a friend about this the other day who's been both, and she reckons that as a blonde she got more attention but not always in a good way-according to her, men are alot quicker to assume you're up for it and quicker to make derogatory comments, whereas as a brunette people look at her differently...the whole thing got me thinking and I can't say I've noticed to be honest, firstly because I can't even remember what it's like to be darker and so have no comparison, but also because I have several friends who are absolutely stunning brunettes and get far more attention than any blonde among us!

I'm just interested to find out what everyone thinks? Do you find people treat you differently depending on your hair colour?!

corkstudent

Most people actually prefer, or claim to prefer, brown. The reason for this is fairly confusing but also rather simple; most people are pretty stupid, they look at how blonde is celebrated to the media, immediately assoiate it with trash culture, and think they're somehow more refined for prefering dark hair. Brown is much more common and much duller. Some very rich browns, and reddish browns look nice, but they're very obviously dyed so I doubt your "Natural" colour is close to that.

If you want a "change" why are you going back to a colour you no doubt had for many years before going blonde? Try going to ginger or black or something entirely out of left field. Or maybe a different shade of blonde, or even white/silver, or stripes of all of them.

Peared

I honestly don't think that men think that much about a womans hair colour and what it means.

I think that women think that men think about their hair colour and what it means but as with most things, men think a lot less about it than women think they do.

redout

From a male perspective I prefer a brunette to take home to the mother. Nothing wrong with blondes but there is too many of them ! Waltz into Peter Mark and about 80% of the staff are all blonde. Thats what woman see when they go to the salon.

Blush_01

I have naturally light to mid brown hair, it's been dyed a more definite mid brown for the past year or two, and I recently darkened it using a semi to a dark brown with a plum-y tint, and I have to say I feel far more attractive since.

It's all personal perspective. It's your hair, you'll only feel as confident as you are. The magic of hair colour is that regardless of what colour you go, you can change it to something completely different within a few days.

Creamy Goodness

red/brunnette > all tbh.

that being said it's not like i can be fussy like.

corkstudent

redout wrote: »

From a male perspective I prefer a brunette to take home to the mother. Nothing wrong with blondes but there is too many of them ! Waltz into Peter Mark and about 80% of the staff are all blonde. Thats what woman see when they go to the salon.

And brunettes aren't more common? The only reason you don't notice is that brown hair doesn't stand out at all. Dull brown hair is twice as common as bleached/dyed blonde hair, and certainly a lot more common than blonde hair done tastefully. There's a lot more variance with bleached/dyed blonde too than "Natural" brown hair too, it can be everything from a darker golden colour to almost white, as well as varying tints and levels of vibrance.

thermo66

Neither. Red is the nicest and is the greatest crowd pleaser imho!

A Primal Nut

corkstudent wrote: »

Most people actually prefer, or claim to prefer, brown. The reason for this is fairly confusing but also rather simple; most people are pretty stupid, they look at how blonde is celebrated to the media, immediately assoiate it with trash culture, and think they're somehow more refined for prefering dark hair.

This is definitely true; the amount of guys I know who say they prefer brunettes just because they think they are being different; when in fact most men say the same thing! Then you see these same guys out at night and they are chasing after blondes.

To give a mans perspective:

The first thing I notice about a girl, other than her body size, is her hair, primarily the colour. Most girls I like tend to have blonde hair but then again some of the very best looking girls I know have black hair, so I don't think I have an preference even though its the most important thing; its either nice or it isn't.

Having said that I'm certain blondes would get more attention for the simple reason is they stand out a lot more, its easy to notice a blonde and you automatically think "i bet shes hot." But like someone said there's nothing much more to it than that and most men don't use hair as a guide to personality or how likely she will go home with him. If you want more obvious attention from strangers in pubs and clubs and lots of it then stay blonde; but other than that I think you'll find most guys don't have a preference once you start talking to them.

In your original post, you suggested the attention was a positive thing and you don't have a problem with people making derogatory comments so no real need for a change if thats all that matters.

Of course, thats all just a mans perspective, and i'm sure your hair means more than just what fellas you attract, in which case you may decide to change for all the other girly reasons that girls change their hair.

Tar.Aldarion

Both.

No gingers, except moonbaby.

Webmonkey

Brunette, think a lot of guys claim to like blonde ones only because its what "every other guy thinks as attractive". Bull**** imo. Not saying blonde not nice, but Brunette is equally if not more attractive.

g'em

Good question actually OP, and having been both, I can see both sides of the coin. Imho blondes get more attention, not necessarily the right attention, but attention nonetheless. I guess its up to the hair owner to filter through the admirers to decide who is and isn't worthy of pursuing (meh, what's new??).

Its come to a point now where I've had to decide what I prefer, coz at the end of the day, my opinion is really the one that counts most. I *love* being blonde. It brightens my face, makes my eyes stand out and generally makes me feel brighter and a little happier - being brunette always tended to make me super-serious. I've recently gone from a muted blonde to platinum blonde and it's the best thing I could have done - my hari is fun, exciting and a reflection of the slightly more mad side of my personality. And hell yeah, when I feel like being a little Marilyn about things, I can!!

If guys want to make the assumption that as I'm blonde I must therefore also be thick, then that's their perogative, and their problem. I have great fun in disproving them.

In short, which colour guys prefer is no longer of any conseuqence to me anymore - I am who I am, and I decide which colour is more "me". That colour happens to be blonde. Bright, colourful, exciting, playful blonde.

Snowie

Peared wrote: »

I honestly don't think that men think that much about a womans hair colour and what it means.

I think that women think that men think about their hair colour and what it means but as with most things, men think a lot less about it than women think they do.

i do

i prefer brunetts or dark haired women i think they look more elegent, aposed to blondes who look good but dark haired women are more jun a sa qua but red heads are my weekness :eek:

Tar.Aldarion

g'em wrote: »

If guys want to make the assumption that as I'm blonde I must therefore also be thick, then that's their perogative, and their problem. I have great fun in disproving them.

I take it you're blonde at the moment?

caridee2

A Primal Nut wrote: »

In your original post, you suggested the attention was a positive thing and you don't have a problem with people making derogatory comments so no real need for a change if thats all that matters.

Didn't mean it to come across that way at all, not too sure how you got that from my original post! My friend reckoned the attention was not all positive as a blonde; I was wondering what people's opinions on it are. I've been on the receiving end of derogatory comments in clubs before and it's not pleasant at all; it can totally destroy a night actually so I'd definately have a problem with it! Sorry just wanted to clear that up in case I was misinterpreted

metrovelvet

g'em wrote: »

If guys want to make the assumption that as I'm blonde I must therefore also be thick, then that's their perogative, and their problem. I have great fun in disproving them.

So did Marilyn Monroe. She really plays with this. Like a true siren, she is both seducing and mocking her audience.

As a side note, blonde reflects the light and will therefore draw in the eye.

GirlInterrupted

Peared wrote: »

I honestly don't think that men think that much about a womans hair colour and what it means.

I think that women think that men think about their hair colour and what it means but as with most things, men think a lot less about it than women think they do.

I have black hair, and 90% of the time, when I meet someone new, he'll remark on the colour and lenght of my hair within the first five minutes. Its happened several times this week alone.

cmcsoft

I don't think it makes much of a difference what colour hair you have. The main thing if you're happy with whatever colour you have. Some lads like blondes, some like brunettes etc etc. I wouldn't say fellas link a woman's personality to their hair colour. Well the lads I know don't anyway.

Black Swan

I like being brunette, but it tends to lighten a bit, especially during summers at the beach. Don't think it makes a difference. Staying physically fit, how you carry yourself, dress, and interact with the lads is more important.

Trinity

I've had black hair for the last 13 years and everyone says it suits me but i would love to be blonde. Even when walking down the road its the blondes that catch my eye, from a standing out point of view. There is something quite dreary about my particular colour anyway, its not shiny or glossy.

I have been blonde in fact i am naturally fair, but i forget what its like to be blonde

Yet i do think some of the most beautiful women (celebs) in the world are brunettes, thats because the colour suits them though and they have all the money at their disposal for professional treatments/products and the best hairdressers in the world to make their hair look great.

MJOR

My hair is naturally dirty blonde and is highlighted, last Christmas i went brown and people i knew passed me on the street becuaei looked so different. i am now back to blonde, all my friends said they prefer it. My boyfriend bless him said it was nice both ways! I only lasted brown three days and had to use eyebrow pencil as my eyebrows are blonde too!

bills

Brunette all the way. Well its my natural colour even though I dye it a sort of mahogany shade. Dont think blond would suit me but would love to see what its like for a day or two.

Weidii

I'm naturally (strawberry) blonde and I recently died it dark red. I much prefer it this way, though I'm not sure why.

star-pants

I'm a sort of chestnut brown, depending on the sunlight you can see tints.
I've never ever dyed my hair. And I'd never want to be blonde, I don't believe it'd suit me (I've very pale skin) and I like my brown hair, I wouldn't want black either.
If anything I'd go for red tones, or steal S&Mbarbies hair!

Most guys I've been with have liked my hair, like the length/softness etc. As most posters say, it's more to do with you yourself, if you carry yourself with confidence, your hair colour won't matter so much.

allabouteve

I'm Swedish/Irish, and was raised in Australia. I'm a natural blonde and I can't imagine being another colour. People do tend to assume that I'm not that bright sometimes, usually because they aren't.

bigpinkelephant

My hair is naturally almost black but I have been getting it done blonde for the past 3 years. I will never be dark again. When I am dark, I feel like a plain Jane, and it makes my skin look really washed out.
The only time I liked having dark hair was when I went through a bad phase at the age of 15/16 but this was because I felt it tied in with how I felt at the time.
I get equal amounts of attention as a blonde or a brunette, and the men are the same types. No one treats me like I'm stupid since I went blonde, the only difference I've noticed is that I get asked for I.D. a lot more now than when I was dark (and underage!).

LolaLuv

I've got sort of auburn hair. I'd love to try blonde but I never will because my hair is too delicate and I would look like a moron. But I think being blonde would be a lot of fun, if only for the change.

thermo66

PillyPen wrote: »

I've got sort of auburn hair. I'd love to try blonde but I never will because my hair is too delicate and I would look like a moron. But I think being blonde would be a lot of fun, if only for the change.

Don't ever dye your hair there's girls who would love your hair colour!!

LilOc

I've got very dark brown / black hair and would like to highlight them but i'll never be able to. Because the big concern with my hair is first getting it straightened and not too dry looking so i'll never be able to play with perms and colors etc... Maybe through hair extensions but even this would hurt it i think.

I hate my hair.

Appart from that i like being a brunette but i'd still like to be able to experiment.

LolaLuv

thermo66 wrote: »

Don't ever dye your hair there's girls who would love your hair colour!!

Aww, thanks! It isn't really auburn, but it isn't totally brown either. (Saying it's auburn make me feel more special, basically! :pac:)

thermo66

PillyPen wrote: »

Aww, thanks! It isn't really auburn, but it isn't totally brown either. (Saying it's auburn make me feel more special, basically! :pac:)

i love auburn its cool and the hardest to achieve and maintain as it always turns to mud after a few washes!

Agent Smith

Dark hair for myself,

dont get me wrong, there are some really hot girls with blond/red hair, but auburn/brown/black hair looks more really sometimes.


saying that now, a friend of mine has red hair, and has dyed/added/? extra red, so its more vivid, and she looks stunning with it

dark-red-blond

Tirabaralla

My two cents:
Maybe cause I look mediterranean but irish guys they use to say they love my hair colour (which is naturally darkdark brown)...My experience is a good dark colour is more appreciated here, a bit the opposite than in Italy (where I'm from), where a blonde head (or at least one that doesn't look too fake) is probably more popular...I think it's also a bit a mater of "exotism"

shinny

GirlInterrupted wrote: »

I have black hair, and 90% of the time, when I meet someone new, he'll remark on the colour and lenght of my hair within the first five minutes. Its happened several times this week alone.

I'm the same. I have the blackest black hair you can get, lol. It's something people (men/women) comment on a lot.

cuckoo

I'm naturally fair, and get highlights in winter otherwise it looks a little murky.

Blonde is all i've ever known, so my world view is skewed, but my experience has been that it can be viewed as a subspecies, guys have dated me and when they were talking to their friends it was all "lads, i've got a new girlfriend, a blonde". 'blonde' somehow became all and everything i was - i'd have preferred to be described as 'nice/funny/sweet/whatever' - anything but the hair colour which is an accident of genetics.

Occasionally in (shortlived) relationships i felt like a trophy "ahh, love, wear your hair down, it looks lovely" being paraded around as a status symbol with the possesive arm around me.

That said, I enjoy getting highlights - like g'em, I like the glow it gives me, catching the reflection of my brighter hair in a shop window makes me smile and puts a bit of a spring in my step.

PurpleBerry

caridee2 wrote: »

she reckons that as a blonde she got more attention

Always laugh when people say this. If you wore a suit made of fish-scales you would also get more attention, but people aren't nessecarily laughing with you!

Rozabeez

Does it not generally depend on whether or not the hair colour suits you? I was a brunette/redhead for years and looked far too pale, I'm blonde now and think it suits me a lot more.

sunstar

im a natural redhead, its a sort of coppery colour!it certainly attracts attention from people but then sometimes you read or hear these negative things half messing.so not funny!:eek:.and this is coming from people who are a slave to the the hair dye.as if they can talk like.:rolleyes:

SarcasticFairy

Rozabeez wrote: »

Does it not generally depend on whether or not the hair colour suits you? I was a brunette/redhead for years and looked far too pale, I'm blonde now and think it suits me a lot more.

This is what I think - go with what suits you/what you feel best wearing (what's more you, maybe)

I've never touched my hair ith hair dye because I think my hair suits me. It's sort of auburn-y. It's brown with red and blonde tints, which sounds really odd, but it's not. My hair changes colour depending on the light, which I really like, and so I don't dye it. But that's just it, my hair is 'me', it suits me. I really couldn't care less if people prefer blondes or brunettes or anyone else!

Tech3

No point having the hair if you dont have the personality.

bellydancer19

I think that most blondes look the same but I notice they definately get more attention than brunettes even though every girl that I think is gorgeous whether famous or walking down the street seems to be brunette. But it also depends on the place. If you are in california..you won't stand out that much as a blonde because there are way too many of them there. But in New york which is where i live, there arent that many in my area. My sister is a blonde and yes she has a very pretty face but many people say we look exactly alike except the hair (I'm medium brunette) but when i walk next to her, she gets basically all the looks. I was walking with her in the mall the other day(and there were literally no other blondes in the mall), and guys eyes went right to her and they didnt even know I existed when I was walking slightly behind her so yes guys eyes def go right to blondes especially if there arent a lot in the same area but that does not necessarily mean they are prettier.

Matt3

bellydancer19 wrote: »

My sister is a blonde and yes she has a very pretty face but many people say we look exactly alike except the hair (I'm medium brunette) but when i walk next to her, she gets basically all the looks. I was walking with her in the mall the other day(and there were literally no other blondes in the mall), and guys eyes went right to her and they didnt even know I existed when I was walking slightly behind her so yes guys eyes def go right to blondes especially if there arent a lot in the same area but that does not necessarily mean they are prettier.

Personally as a guy, i'd prefer brunettes to blondes...and a lot of my male friends would be of the same opinion.

I get what you're saying, in that a lot of guys would be more inclined to look at a good-looking blonde girl if she passed by, but for me i'd prefer a brunette any day, they look classier.

seahorse

I think darker hair is far more attractive. I've always preferred very dark-brown/black and chestnut shades, because I think these shades are more attractive in themselves and also because of the way they react to light. Any hairdresser will tell you the darker a persons hair is the better it reflects light.

metaoblivia

I think natural blonde hair is special because it's rare. I had a roommate who had natural light blonde hair and it was really gorgeous, like cornsilk. She was of Swedish descent (but raised in Miami and spoke with a Cuban accent - very funny to listen and watch her get angry).
I think dyed blonde is for girls who have a dull hair color (usually the kind that was blonde when they were children and darkened as they got older) and/or have a plain face they'd like to distract attention from. Dark hair and pale skin creates a great contrast that really brings out the face, which is great for a pretty face. But if the face is more plain, blonde can soften the contrast and draw the eye to the hair instead.

allabouteve

metaoblivia wrote: »

I think natural blonde hair is special because it's rare. I had a roommate who had natural light blonde hair and it was really gorgeous, like cornsilk. She was of Swedish descent (but raised in Miami and spoke with a Cuban accent - very funny to listen and watch her get angry).
I think dyed blonde is for girls who have a dull hair color (usually the kind that was blonde when they were children and darkened as they got older) and/or have a plain face they'd like to distract attention from. Dark hair and pale skin creates a great contrast that really brings out the face, which is great for a pretty face. But if the face is more plain, blonde can soften the contrast and draw the eye to the hair instead.

True, but the combination of black hair and meditereanen skin is nice too. I'm part Swedish, and natural blonde, and the difference in the bleached look is a bit obvious, especially when the brows aren't lightened to match.

metaoblivia

allabouteve wrote: »

True, but the combination of black hair and meditereanen skin is nice too. I'm part Swedish, and natural blonde, and the difference in the bleached look is a bit obvious, especially when the brows aren't lightened to match.

Oh I agree. I used dark hair and pale skin as a primary example because this is an Irish board and most of the Irish I know have pale skin. But dark hair and olive skin is very nice as well.
I absolutely hate it when the brows don't match the hair.

DutchStudent

caridee2 wrote: »

Hiya!

I'm just interested to find out what everyone thinks? Do you find people treat you differently depending on your hair colour?!

guys do the think blond is dum (beaty )and brunetts are cleaver (brains) but that rubbish you are who you want to be:cool:

ShineadyRyan

You should find the colour that looks better on you!! I'm naturally brown but I went blonde in September and everyone says that it suits me so much better than my brown hair. I would love to go back to brown hair or even go darker to a dark chesnut brown but I know it won't suit me at all. All girls are different....a girl can look stunning as a brunette but horrible blonde...

caridee2

allabouteve wrote: »

People do tend to assume that I'm not that bright sometimes.

I've got that before too. Was introduced to a friend of a friend one night and he asked me what I did. Told him I was doing a Masters and his reply was "Are you serious? Sorry the blonde just kind of threw me".

End of conversation

corkstudent

thermo66 wrote: »

Don't ever dye your hair there's girls who would love your hair colour!!

I always hate when people say this. Her dying her hair isn't going to somehow stop someone else from having her hair.

corkstudent

metaoblivia wrote: »

I think natural blonde hair is special because it's rare. I had a roommate who had natural light blonde hair and it was really gorgeous, like cornsilk. She was of Swedish descent (but raised in Miami and spoke with a Cuban accent - very funny to listen and watch her get angry).
I think dyed blonde is for girls who have a dull hair color (usually the kind that was blonde when they were children and darkened as they got older) and/or have a plain face they'd like to distract attention from. Dark hair and pale skin creates a great contrast that really brings out the face, which is great for a pretty face. But if the face is more plain, blonde can soften the contrast and draw the eye to the hair instead.

Natural blonde isn't rare, just natural light blonde. And even then IMO bleach blonde looks more striking. Bleach blonde hair done right is actually pretty rare.

What I dislike is how people limit themselves to "Natural" haircolours. To me it's like only ever wearing 4 colours of jumper, black brown orange or gold, and some subtle variants thereof. It may be a little more extreme, but it's mostly down to people considerng it taboo, wrongly associating it with maturity.

If you're really having trouble finding a hair colour that suits you, don't discount your pinks and purples and blues. While not exactly "unnatural" white and silver can look very pretty if you can do it and shouldn't get you into trouble with any jobs(not that any of them should).