BellaSugar

Definition: Pheomelanin

BellaSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:02:24 -0800

Simply put, melanin is pigment, but there are two types of melanins that give hair and skin its distinctive coloring. Let's start with pheomelanin, which lends reddish tones to the body.

While pheomelanin can be found in light- and dark-skinned people, females tend to have more of this type of pigment in their skin than men do. Hence, you'll often notice a slightly more pink or reddish quality to a woman's body. Also note that pheomelanin is more concentrated on the lips, nipples, and girly parts.

Even though we all have at least some pheomelanin in our hair, if you're a redhead, you're loaded with it, as it's what is responsible for imparting those fiery reddish tones to your locks. But don't forget about blondes, however, as pheomelanin, thanks to its yellowish tones within, works to determine the pigmentation of golden-haired beauties, too.

What Do You Know About Redheads?

BellaSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:00:02 -0700

As Lucy could tell you, red is the rarest, and perhaps most coveted, hair color (so much so that Ms. Ball dyed her naturally blond hair her now iconic shade of carrot). And for thousands of years, people have been coming up with stories about it. In the Middle Ages, for example, people with a certain shade of red hair were considered unmistakably vampires or werewolves, and early Renaissance alchemists believed the blood of a red-haired man was necessary to turn copper into gold (aren't we sorta glad we live in a post-alchemy world?). For every crazy superstition, ginger stereotype, or story about a fiery temper, though, there's an actual, interesting fact about red hair. Take my quiz and find out just how much you actually know about our flame-haired brethren.
Photo courtesy of The USPS

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How to Choose Eyeglasses by Your Hair Color

BellaSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:00:44 -0700

Recently, I made my yearly - OK, it's been more than a year - trip to the eye doctor. I've worn glasses for about 14 years now, and from one "trendy" frame to another, I've had lots of different looks. Since some were good, and others I'd prefer to forget, that was the inspiration behind this series of posts on choosing eyeglass frames. Since we've already looked at face shape, eye color, and skin tone, for the final installment of this series, let's look at how your hair color can help guide you when making a choice between those funky green shades or whimsical yellow specs. To check out some tips, just keep reading.

Which Hair Color Do You Prefer on Evan Rachel Wood?

BellaSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:00:00 -0700

We're used to seeing Evan Rachel Wood with the pretty strawberry-blond hair she wears when playing vampire queen Sophie-Anne LeClerc on True Blood, but the other night at a Gucci flash-store launch, she was showing off this new, sexy auburn shade. We all know Rachel is no stranger to hair dye. Do you remember that last year, she went from blonde to dark brunette? But as a redhead, she's gorgeous either way. So tell us: which fiery shade do you think best complements her pale skin and light eyes?

Do You Like Jessica's New Red Locks?

BellaSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:00:00 -0700

Back in July, Jessica Alba lightened up her hair from brown with caramel-toned highlights to a somewhat flat blond shade that most of you weren't loving. We've seen the actress go back and forth with various shades of blond and brown before, but to my recollection, we've never seen her go red. Yesterday, after a trip to the salon, Jessica debuted her new red locks. What do you think about the switch? Is it a good one, or do you prefer her with another shade?

Which Hairstyle Do You Prefer on Ashlee Simpson?

BellaSugar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:03:56 -0700

Just a few weeks ago, Ashlee Simpson was sporting a much subtler, natural hair color, but now, she's taken it up several notches, going for an intense copper-toned red. The new version of Melrose Place is set to premiere on Tuesday, and as one of the show's characters, she has been all over Manhattan making appearances on various talk shows to promote it. Yesterday, she was seen wearing three very different hairstyles while making her rounds. Of course, like Ashlee, each style had its own distinctive flair. Which one is your favorite?

Redheads' Pain Intolerance Puts a Dent in Their Dentistry

BellaSugar — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:00:01 -0700

When it comes to your biannual dental checkups, is there anyone out there who really enjoys going? If you're a redhead, you might just have more of a cause for your discomfort, according to a recent study.

"The reason we studied redheads in the beginning, it was essentially an urban legend in the anesthesia community saying redheads were difficult to anesthetize," anesthesiologist Dr. Daniel I. Sessler told the New York Times. "Redheads really do require more anesthesia, and by a clinically important amount," he added.

On top of that, the ginger-haired also need a heftier dose of local anesthetics, like Novocaine. As a result, they're two times less likely to visit the the dentist than their blond-, brunette-, and black-haired counterparts. It's all due to a mutation of the MC1R gene, which influences the redness of hair and lightness of skin. I wonder if any of these famous redheads experience dental anxiety? From the looks of their brilliant chompers, they don't.

St. Patrick's Day Red Hair Roundup

BellaSugar — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:00:10 -0700

When you think of St. Patrick's Day, you probably think of shamrocks, pots of gold, leprechauns, and even red hair. In anticipation of everyone's favorite (green) beer-guzzling holiday, I've gathered together some of my favorite red hair posts. Besides the fact that it's a festive color, it's also one of the hottest of-the-moment shades. Enjoy!

Redhead Beauty Tips
and Tricks

17 Ways to Wear
Red Hair

Keeping Reds
Looking Vibrant

Hair Color How-Tos: Keeping Reds Vibrant

BellaSugar — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:00:04 -0700

Ah, red. It's such a feisty color. It can be a sassy, fiery shade of cherry, or a subtle, natural strawberry blonde. Whatever the case, one thing's for sure. While the smaller color molecules of red dye enter the hair rather easily, they also exit the hair quite rapidly.

The most surefire way to keep red staying vibrant is to wash your hair less often. But, there are more things you can do to keep your reds refreshing. Check them out after the jump, and look out for my tips on keeping blond, brown, and black hair looking fresh in posts to come. Get started when you read more.

Go pro: When it comes to red, there are so many variations and tones of color. Plus, box color isn't as strong as professional color, so it's best to leave it to the experts. That, or use professional color only like you'd find at Sally Beauty Supply.
Sun protection: Besides water, one of hair color's worst enemies is the sun. Protect from fading by covering your hair with a scarf, hat, or even sun protecting product like Aveda Color Conserve Sun Protector ($14).
Wait and wash: After coloring your hair, wait 24-48 hours to help lock it in further. Trust me. It works.
Cold water: Warm water opens up the cuticle. Cold water helps seal it. Help prevent red color from slipping out by washing it in cold water instead.
Safety first: It probably goes without saying that color-safe shampoo is a must for color-treated hair. For red hair, however, it's an absolute must. Try Redken Color Extend Shampoo ($13) and Redken Color Extend Conditioner ($15).
Glazed over: A glaze will keep your red looking shiny and fresh in between colorings. John Frieda's Luminous Color Glaze in Deeper, Richer Red ($8.50) might just do the trick.
Depositing shampoo: Once or twice a week, try a color depositing shampoo and conditioner to keep the vibrancy alive, like L'Oreal's ARTec Professionnel Color Depositing Shampoos ($17 each) and Conditioners ($19 each) in Cherry Bark, Orange Marigold, and Red Clover.
DIY: Use ingredients from nature to enhance your hair color. Apply a 50/50 mixture of carrot and beet juice on damp hair. Let it sit for an hour out in the sun.
Get real: Be realistic about red. If you are going from a light blond to an auburn, it may take a few trips to the salon to get the true, rich red pigment you desire.

Source

Beauty Byte: Brunettes Are Better Paid Than Blondes

BellaSugar — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 08:00:00 -0800

Are you shocked? In a survey of 6,000 people, it was revealed that two times as many brown-haired ladies work in positions that pay between £45,000 and £55,000 (that's around $59,360 to $72,550) than blondes or redheads do.

The study, which was compiled by the folks at Garnier Nutrisse hair color, also concluded the following. Brunettes are. . .

More apt to be taken seriously.
Thought to be the most intelligent, according to 76 percent of the survey takers.
Thought to be the most genuine, said 81 percent of those surveyed.
Preferred in long-term relationships, backing similar data by British hairstylist Andrew Collinge.

Color psychologist Anjula Mutanda tells the Telegraph, "Some hair colors tend to darken naturally with age and so brown hair can be associated with confidence and self-awareness." Of course, this should be taken with a grain of salt. Look at the light-haired Sarah Jessica Parker in Garnier's ads. I'm guessing she's making more than the average brunette. Oh, and don't forget, it's quite possible that blondes have more fun, anyway.

Source