Sorry, Pantone, it looks like it'll take a while before Peach Fuzz settles in as the color du jour. As opposed to the gentle hue, red seems to be the “it” color bleeding into everybody’s lifestyles. This holds true in the world of fashion, as recent catwalks were painted in flagrant tones of crimson and scarlet.
Garments weren’t the only things that stood out with their unmissable tints, though. Redheads sashayed down the runway in varying saturations, from warm coppers to devilish magentas. Eventually, everyone started to embrace the cherry-colored agenda when it came to their locks, rocking their spicy hairdos on the streets.
Quite obviously, this isn’t the first time that red hair became a buzzing beauty trend. I, for one, noticed the multiple resurgences they’ve experienced over the past couple of years, starting from 2020—the bored-in-the-house quarantine phase of 2020.
With nothing to do but to stay secure within our quarters, a number of my peers reached for their DIY kits and adopted feisty tresses. Then came the copper hair takeover in 2022, where everyone from Jennie Kim to Doja Cat was rocking the autumn-ready hue. Natural-born ginger Jessica Chastain suddenly had an influx of twins!
Two years later, and there seems to be no stopping the redheads from taking over the world, or, at least, our Instagram feeds. It makes us wonder: Why has the color become so popular, and why has it become an unkillable trend? As it turns out, the statement-making 'do has its roots (Get it?) in centuries of discourse.
The First Redheads
It’s reported that less than 2 percent of the world’s population are naturally born with red hair. Most people who have it in their genes reside in the Northern and Western regions of Europe, with most hailing from Ireland and neighboring British Isles. That’s why when you think of a leprechaun, a symbol of Irish folklore, you imagine him to have orange hair.
Queen Elizabeth I of England herself was a redhead. An “it girl” of sorts, she popularized having warm-toned locks during her time. In the mid-1480s, Italian artist Sandro Boticelli depicted the birth of the goddess Venus, painting her to have long ginger tresses as she ascended from the sea. Even Mary Magdalene, a polarizing character in Christianity, was attributed to also having red hair.
One of the most beloved redheads in contemporary times is none other than the Little Mermaid herself, Princess Ariel. When she was brought to life by Halle Bailey in the recent remake, her fluorescent red locks adopted a more subdued but still eye-catching auburn shade.
Throughout history, it’s been made apparent that being a redhead translates to a certain “otherness.” In other words, one always stands out when they paint their hair with the bright hue. This, as expected, is not exclusively a good or bad thing.
The Meanings of Red Hair
Red, in itself, is a rebellious color. It rejects any harmony when positioned beside other hues, always tipping itself over those it’s meant to bond with. It’s the first thing our eyes are directed to, and more often than not, we ignore anything else around it.
There’s a reason why red is tied with imagery of the devil. Aside from Mary Magdalene, who is already a morally-ambiguous figure in religion, Judas Iscariot was also portrayed to be a redhead in Spanish literature. There have even been modern beliefs that being a ginger is a curse, and that those who have red hair are soulless. With all these in mind, why would anyone not born with red hair purposely want to take on the supposedly "evil" hue?
In terms of the natural world, red is present in many things that represent life. It’s the color of fire, it’s a pigment present in the sun’s rays, and it’s the shade our blood is in. The color is so multi-faceted that it’s able to simultaneously represent one’s birth and one’s demise. It’s good and evil all in one. While it’s associated with animalistic rage and fury, it also symbolizes unfaltering romance and empathy.
Why It Will Always be Redhead Season
Having said that, it can be argued that adopting the color through one’s crowning glory is a form of reclamation. Red hair is always on trend since there will always be people who seek to stand out in a crowd. As times have evolved, society’s understanding of “otherness” has also turned a new leaf. It’s okay to be different. It feels good to be a little bad nowadays. You can be Rihanna circa 2010s, and at the same time, have all of the sensitivities of Gen Z poster child Billie Eilish.
Of course, each person has their own reasons for coloring their hair. I personally have never had a drop of bleach touch my scalp, so I wouldn’t be able to assign a singular reason as to why redhead season always comes back. Though, what one can infer is that the color of one’s hair is an extension of the person. Red, no matter what shade or saturation it’s in, remains to be a popular choice because it can symbolize just about anything, and in turn, anyone.
Filipino Celebrities Who Are Making a Case for Red Hair
So, have you been convinced to hop on the redhead bandwagon? To see how various shades of red look like on Filipina complexions, peruse the gallery of local personalities below.
Kathryn Bernardo
Alexa Ilacad
Julia Barretto
Janella Salvador
Siobhan Moylan
Nadine Lustre
Anne Curtis
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