'Stereotypes are ripe for smashing.' 5 things having red hair is teaching me.

After a lifetime spent never straying too far from a safe (boring) head of hair, I’m now a vivid redhead and can unequivocally say it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. I spent two years as a blonde agonising over this decision, though! Which is ridiculous, really, considering hair colour can be temporary and I’ve given less thought to some very permanent tattoos. 

The swirling ‘what ifs’ were holding me back. What if it didn’t suit me? What if I didn’t like it? What if it was high maintenance? But when push comes to shove, what kind of existence are we really living if we're not leaning into all of the untapped versions of ourselves?

Besides, what is life for, if not for a little throwing-caution-to-the-wind fun now and then? Not that long ago the colour aisles of the chemist offered a pretty limited selection of dyes. Varying shades of blonde and brunette, with a sprinkling of black, silver and maybe a mahogany.

Schwarzkopf Brilliance is *the* range of bold and vibrant colours, which includes five different options of fiery, passionate, hypnotic gingers and reds. When it’s right in front of you at the supermarket, well that’s what they call ‘a sign’ isn’t it?

I was starting to think that my hesitancy to make ‘crazy’ colour choices might have less to do with my actual hair, and may be more indicative of what I perceived to be society’s attitude toward women who make bold choices.

But conforming to norms and expectations never landed any woman in the history books, and stereotypes are ripe for smashing. So I took the plunge, and you know what? It did turn out to be life-changing. Just not in the ways that I expected.

1. Your vibes will be untouchable.

Secretly or not so secretly, we all hope that if there comes a day where we bump into our ex – we’re looking and feeling like absolute heaven on legs. Last weekend I bumped into one of mine, who wasted no time in telling me he “wasn’t sure about the red”. Stay unsure, buddy. I could not give one single, solitary stuff.

There is true power in responding to someone voicing they don’t ‘like’ something about you with ‘Cool. I do, though’ and actually meaning it. Queen behaviour.

2. You will absolutely own it.

I’ve spent years trying to make my personality smaller so I could slip in and out of rooms unnoticed, but now I’ve got a bright red beacon on top of my head it’s pretty hard to fly under the radar. I stand tall, unapologetically take up space and absolutely rock it, because I have to. And deserve to.

3. Big choices attract big energies.

I don’t know if it’s just coincidence but I’ve had an influx of opportunities since I became much more ‘noticeable’. With hair that demands attention, it may be just the thing that keeps you front of mind when it comes to that promotion, offer, public speaking gig, date, new job, or anything else you’ve got your eye on. 

Get that glory, girl. Once you’ve gone "rogue" with your colour there’s no knowing what you’ll do next.

4. Stereotypes are stupid.

To you, I might look like I'm partying on a Wednesday, but really I’m in bed at 8.30pm and up at 4.30am for a bone broth and some yoga. It’s actually really fun to completely throw people when they find out you’re the antithesis of what they expected. The only thing coloured hair ‘says’ about someone is that they’re vibrant, creative and unafraid to embrace life without limits. 

It also acts as a handy little filter for judgy, close-minded people, too!

Image: Supplied.

5. Life is for living.

Legit mad it took me so long to decide to do this. If you want something, go for it, full steam ahead. You only get one life, and it is yours to live the way you want. You should feel free to express yourself authentically – and colour your hair as you please.

Schwarzkopf Brilliance gives brilliant intensity for up to 10 weeks, and comes with the diamond gloss sealer – a post colouring treatment which contains keratin and apricot kernel oil, helping locks colour pigment into each strand for stronger, healthy-looking hair. It's a range honestly worth trying: they're empowering women, one striking shade at a time, from intense, bold reds (hello, Fiery Topaz 👀) to classic, chic browns (like Venetian Sunset, oof).

It’s never too late (and it’s never been easier!) to take life by the horns and bring big main character energy into play. 

Get it, girls. 

Take back your hair power with Schwarzkopf Brilliance: bold, brilliantly vibrant colours that give up to 10 weeks colour intensity. Shop online or from your nearest Chemist Warehouse.

Feature Image: Supplied.