1. “Is that your natural hair color?”
I cannot begin to imagine how many times I’ve been asked this. Yes, it can be an innocent question, but after about 50 times, it starts to get old really quick.
2. Your enemy isn’t finals week or stress; it’s the sun
I really can’t exaggerate on this one. A ginger’s worst enemy will always be the sun. While not all of us are paler than ghosts, we’re almost all susceptible to sunburns, skin cancer, and other not so great things. I can still remember going to a pool party in middle school and getting second degree burns on my shoulders while wearing SPF 100 sunscreen. I might laugh about it now, but it is a serious problem. Remember to reapply, my ginger comrades!
3. Your hair is probably thicker than humanly possible
Ok, so not all ginger hair is thick. This is because we’re all different in our own unique ways. However, in most circumstances, red hair really is thicker than brown or blonde hair. On average, we have about 90,000 strands on our heads, which is a lot less than the over 100,000 that others have. However, our strands tend to be a lot thicker, which makes it look like we have a lot more. I guess we really are as sneaky as some people say!
4. Things hurt more than they should—no, really!
Studies have found that redheads are more sensitive to pain than others due to gene mutations.This doesn’t really mean much medically, but we are prone to have a lower pain tolerance and need more anesthesia if we’re having surgery.
5. Finding makeup is next to impossible
This one absolutely kills me. I have gone to every makeup store imaginable just to try and find a foundation that fits my skin color, but to no avail. Porcelain, alabaster, you name it—it always looks too tan.If there really is a foundation that is the right color, it also happens to be over $50. Ain’t nobody got time for that! This lack of proper makeup can have dire consequences for ginger girls, including looking orange in flash photography. If you’re struggling to find makeup, I’d recommend Make Up Forever’s Mat Velvet + in “Alabaster,” Lush Cosmetics’ Skin Supplement “Jackie Oates” or Kryolan’s Ultra Foundation in “TV White.”
6. You’ve been bullied for having some awesome locks
On a more serious note, gingers do have a tendency to be bullied just for their hair color. I blame South Park for this (yes, I do hold a grudge against that show).
7. Did you know that gingers don’t have—
Yes, I know I have no soul. Yes, I am proud of it and will joke about it whenever I can. And no, you cannot make fun of me for it. Only I can do that.
8. You’ve got the coolest hair around
Let’s face it, even with all of the problems your hair can give you sometimes, it is the coolest. We make up less than 3% of the world and we’re still pretty much unstoppable, so go ahead and embrace your fiery hair!