How to feel proud of being a brunette?

[Friendsabouttown]

I know that sounds ridiculous but I have a group of friends. 6 out of 7 are natural brunettes but have bleached / platinum hair.

I did too until I got tired of the upkeep and damage it causes. I started getting my hair highlighted years ago because my skin is very pale and my eyes are very light - brighter hair made me sparkle.

Fast forward to today. I've let my extremely dark roots grow out and now I'm the only brunette in the group. It has taken a LONG time to get used to looking so different and I constantly hear things like

"Omg my hair is SO blonde I love it. So glad I don't have dull brown hair"

"I can afford to get my hair done every 4 weeks. I'm so lucky I can maintain my blonde" - then a quick pitiful glance at me.

"Look as us bunch of blondes" - cue selfie without me included.

The list goes on and on. I never receive a compliment and the blondeness between the rest seems to be competitive 😂 the whiter the better (I can't believe I am friends with people that shallow but I am, I love them and all their flaws!)

I'm just really struggling with being a brunette. I was doing the school run last week and noticed everyone was blonde! (Mostly brassy blonde.... but still!)

Anyone experienced similar or am I just surrounded by weird people?

Any makeup tips for brunettes with paler skin?

Blonde does really suit some people as they get older. It’s ageist to sneer at this or the effort they make for themselves.

Your brunette hair sounds lovely OP, you are lucky to still have it. Your friends are clearly weird. I would just ignore.

I don’t even consider other people’s hair colour as defining them. It is theirs but I can’t say it should define anyone. I think all hair colours and types are beautiful, I especially love natural red hair. I’m a lifelong brunette in my late 40s and have a few grey hairs but I don’t feel defined by it in the slightest, hopefully there is more to me than that.