Getting more male attention after dying hair?

[Accidentalblonde]

This is going to sound like a stealth boast, but I swear it's not. You know the stereotype of blondes being more desirable and getting more attention?

I have had brown hair all my life. Sometimes it has been chestnut, sometimes it has been almost black, but it has never been lighter than a solid medium brown.

For a number of reasons (ok, slightly tipsy home box dye disaster resulting in expensive salvage trip to hairdresser) I am now a caramel blonde with lighter blonde bits. So not even blonde blonde. I'm quite pleased with how well it suits me, as I never thought a lighter colour would, but it does. I'm a stocky size 12, reasonably alright looking but nothing special, wear minimal makeup, am in early thirties, happily married with kids, dress sense is appalling so I stick to fairly plainish dresses with tights and boots. Always had a boyfriend or two before DH, usually they started off as friends, nobody has ever tried to chat me up in a bar or bus queue, lots of prettier friends, you get the idea. Minimal attention from men, which I've always been happy with, because I reckoned that although it must be nice to be the really gorgeous girl getting all the attention at the club, it wouldn't be so nice when white van men are yelling horrible things at you the next morning.

Well long story short, but fuck me. Never in my life have I had so much attention from men as I have in the last two months. It's all been fairly positive, don't get me wrong, and it's not anything crazy, but it's noticeable due to its previous absence. Even my mum noticed when we were out together the other day. It's as though men are "seeing" me, if that makes sense

The only thing that has changed is my hair, and this has only happened since I went blonde. I actually think I look better with a rich chestnut brown, but the blonde must catch the eye more, and men really must be socialised to find it more appealing?

Like I said, not a stealth boast because I'm under no illusions about myself, it's just that as a sort of accidental social experiment, I'm so shocked at how differently I've been treated

Blonde hair is definitely more eye catching my mum is blonde and always noticed this

My hair is darkish brown but lightens in the sun

I had my long wavy/curlyish hair straightened and dyed it very dark brown - I got quite a bit more attention then

I would look awful with blonde hair had Carmel highlights looked terrible

I often been told by men that they prefer brunettes to blondes I never understand why they say this am I meant to be flattered or thankful (I think most men notice blonde hair more than dark hair)

My understanding is that you are more likely to be blonde when you are younger. Men may subconsciously associate blonde hair with youth and fertility.

A PP mentioned that she got fillers in her lips. This (assuming that the lips still look natural) will also imply youth.

Same here. I have naturally very dark brown hair, decided to go blonde and it was like magic. Men giving way more attention than before (some positive, some negative/creepy)!

Back to dark brown now as I'm growing my hair and hate the dry feeling the blonde had. We shall see if I become invisible again to the male species

I bet you feel more confident and it's shining through, good for you xxx

Blonde hair reflects more light so makes you more visible. Longer hair would reflect even more light. As simple as that. Men are visual creatures so instinctively get drawn to that shinier area. It doesn’t necessarily means it makes someone more beautiful.
Put a hat on if you don’t like the attention

CruCru that might be a flawed theory, a predominantly darker hair nation wouldn’t have that association.

"Blonde hair reflects more light so makes you more visible. "

The looking younger theory makes more sense to me. Blond isn't particularly valued in men so it's not just about reflecting more light.

"AND other women were nicer to me too."

There's research showing that both men and women will choose blonde supermarket checkout women or receptionists. They're seen as more friendly and approachable.

Blond hair probably just suits you better. I get more attention when I've got very dark brown hair.

Ugh. This is all so gross and supremacist. Don’t get me wrong @Accidentalblonde I’m really glad you’re seeing the (positive?) effects of an accidental social experiment but it highlights (no pun intended!) how geared toward Northern European beauty/facial standards so many people are.

I have had similar experiences to Fraggling and needing a bra at age 11 didn't help.

My favorite colour for getting the 'right' type of male attention is red though.

I go between blonde and a more 'ombre' effect with darker roots.

The minute I go blonde I get some male attention - horn beeping etc I actually think I look much nicer a bit darker 🤷‍♀️

Blonde hair is more forgiving I think.

The exact same face with dark brown hair can be seen as plain, I think the blonde does something to the skin in terms of light deflection ? My ds has always had florid tones, when she dyed hers blonde, her skin looked like porcelain, it was incredible.

I'm a dark blonde with quite a lot of long wavy hair, like Gisele. I actually think being browner/darker suits me more but have been going lighter through highlights over the yrs as I like the sun kissed look & starting to get greys. I definitely find lighter & long hair = more attention.

Although I think the younger generations are into the black hair Kardashian look.

Might be the colour or it might be something changed in your attitude (more confidence). Or you might be looking more approachable.

I am a brunette and though my face is described by many as beautiful, it is also said it can make me look a bit stand-offish. Perhaps because of my features, which are prominent (high forehead, big eyes, straight but small nose, full lips, high cheekbones and square jaw). I have dyed my hair blonde a few times in my life and I did get more attention from men but I suspect it has to do with making me look softer, more approachable and cuter (my friend’s description).

That's a good point Honeybee

I have a longish chin and can look fairly severe in repose.. I have not go a cute face at all. Handsome at a push.

Oh god maybe I should be gpijg blonde to soften my features

But then maybe the menz like the blonde fluffy non-threatening vibes and as a rabid feminist, I say fuck that.

This is like a fucking soliloquy.

I shall shut up. Now.

I had a spell of being blonde when I was about 19. I actually looked pretty ghastly to be honest, it doesn't suit me and wasn't that well done, but I definitely got harassed in the street a lot more (often with comments specifically related to being blonde). Probably age-related too but it made me even keener to get rid of the blonde.

That makes sense re softening the features. My best feature is my eyes, they are quite big and and unusual colour, but I have quite a wide face, strong jawline and big nose. The blonde is perhaps not outlining that as much

It is a bit sad re beauty standards! Though my mum is the daughter of a Jewish survivor of the concentration camps, and also has a horribly black sense of humour, so I'll not even repeat some of the jokes she was coming out with when we were discussing it the other day

Thank you @FergusSingsTheBlues

No way! Red heads get way more attention!!

So. Of course this is why the dark haired gamine look is so effective, it frames your features good or bad....

Maybe I should go red.

I am a man. This does not surprise me, though I am probably the 1% of men who are the exception and take more notice of a woman with their natural hair colour.