Art, obsession, and identity
Are you a blonde woman? If so, apparently you're fun, open, and more approachable than women with darker hair. And the results of numerous academic studies prove it! In fact, those with lighter locks tend to be more upfront and confident in company and, hey, they're apparently even more adventurous in the bedroom! So, what other advantages are there to being a golden-haired girl?
Click through and find out if blondes really do have more fun.
Apparently it's true that blondes have more fun. This conclusion is based on a number of studies that appear to confirm the preference of men—and women—for lighter locks.
Gentlemen prefer blondes, right? Well, blonde bombshell Marilyn Monroe might have something to do with that. More to the point, perhaps, is that research has revealed that being blonde does tend to get you more noticed.
Society generally perceives blonde women as more fun, open, and approachable. And it's these qualities that make golden-haired girls more attractive to men, according to a paper published in Psychological Studies.
The study authors set out to confirm previous research on the effect of hair color on people's evaluation and behavior by conducting a simple experiment.
Female volunteers wearing blonde, brown, black, or red colored wigs were observed while sitting in a nightclub.
It was found that those women wearing blonde wigs were approached more frequently by men asking for a dance.
Men's preferences aside, a lot of women are obsessed with going blonde. But why?
In a profile published in The Economic Times, it's suggested that blonde women feel more "confident and youthful."
Blonde hair and fun are integrally linked. Many feel that they're more attractive, and seem nicer while blonde, according to an article published in ZME Science.
The same article suggests that blonde women are more daring when it comes to asking someone out, and even more adventurous in the bedroom.
ZME Science was quoting the results of a study undertaken by Nottingham Trent University in England, where researchers analyzed more than 200 women before and after they dyed their hair. They concluded that lighter locks actually lift the mood for most.
"The changes we noted in the study in participants' behavior and psychology were significant," remarked Mark Sergeant, a researcher involved in the study. "Not only were their confidence and mood levels elevated but also their inhibitions seemed to be mitigated with many reporting feeling more attractive and exciting."
"Across the board participants viewed coloring their hair as something that raised their confidence," said Sergeant. "They were prepared to ask for things they wouldn't normally be confident enough to ask for, such as pay rises or time off."
The Nottingham Trent University study also revealed that blondes, whether natural or dyed, sometimes feel unfairly treated at work. But armed with the confidence that comes with having lighter hair, these same blondes were prepared to stand up vigorously to any bias and prejudice experienced in the workplace.
And therein lies the downside to having light hair—having to face up to the "dumb blonde" stereotype.
Historians generally agree that the notion of blondes being dumb dates back to a play performed some 250 years ago, titled 'Les Curiosités de la Foire.' Staged in France, it was based on the misdemeanors of the legendary courtesan Rosalie Duthé.
'Les Curiosités de la Foire' established blondes as both stupid and available, with Duthé herself called "the first officially recorded dumb blonde.
In 1953, Marilyn Monroe epitomized the dumb blonde in 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,' her character Lorelei Lee portrayed as absentminded, slightly dippy, and interested in marrying solely for money.
In 2001's 'Legally Blonde,' however, Reese Witherspoon's Elle Woods overcomes stereotypes against blondes and triumphs as a successful lawyer.
In an interesting article carried by the The Telegraph, it was revealed that blonde women can, in fact, make men lose their heads.
Academics at the Paris Nanterre University examined men's ability to complete general knowledge tests after exposure to women with different hair colors.
Test results demonstrated that men performed worse after they were shown pictures of fair-haired women, probably because they believed they were dealing with someone less intelligent.
Researchers concluded that rather than simply being distracted by the golden hair, the men were subconsciously copying the stereotype of the "dumb blonde."
"Blondes have the potential to make people act in a dumber way, because they mimic the unconscious stereotype of the dumb blonde," remarked Thierry Meyer, joint author of the study and professor of social psychology at the university.
And here's an interesting statistic from Match.com: according to the dating service website, blondes get significantly more attention from gentleman e-mailers and receive on average more flirtatious messages than their redhead or brunette counterparts.
And as reported by ABC News, Match.com reveals that light-haired ladies are actually more likely to have college and graduate degrees than other female members. They're also more likely to be employed in the legal profession or other brainy fields.
Meanwhile, the battle of the dyed blondes versus the brunettes rages on across social media. A quick glance at the messages published on the Cosmetic Coach website reveal user quotes such as, "I went back from blonde to brunette for a while, definitely didn't have the fun I did as a blonde." And how about this: "Loved being dark, but feel better blonde." Another user signed off with this affirmation: "The siren look works really well on blondes."
And blondes seem to have more fun at any age. Actually, one of the big advantages of being a mature blonde is that lighter hair color tends to soften the complexion, thus emphasizing youthful radiance.
And hey, being blonde is a great way to cover your white hair, unless of course you're cool with your silver locks.
Otherwise, science really does confirm that blondes have more fun. And that's something to laugh out loud about!
Sources: (Psychological Studies) (SpringerLink) (ZME Science) (The Economic Times) (The Telegraph) (Match.com) (ABC News) (The Cosmetic Coach)
Do blondes really have more fun? Here's what science says
Can a lighter hair color enhance your appeal?
LIFESTYLE Society
Are you a blonde woman? If so, apparently you're fun, open, and more approachable than women with darker hair. And the results of numerous academic studies prove it! In fact, those with lighter locks tend to be more upfront and confident in company and, hey, they're apparently even more adventurous in the bedroom! So, what other advantages are there to being a golden-haired girl?
Click through and find out if blondes really do have more fun.