What Is the Most Attractive Hair Color? For Men and Women (2024)

Co-authored byAnnie JohnstonReviewed byJohn Keegan

Last Updated: June 20, 2024Fact Checked

What Is the Most Attractive Hair Color?

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   Most men looking for a long-term partner favor brunettes. It’s long been assumed that men have a natural affinity for blondes, but when it comes to what may be seen as “wifey” material, research actually shows that most men gravitate toward women with brown hair. Researchers from the College of Natural and Health Sciences for the University of Tampa conducted a 2018 study that found that "brunette hair color in females has been associated with several personality characteristics, such as intelligence, independence, competence, and not being needy."^[1]

   • In a poll conducted by Health Digest in 2021, 32% of readers voted for brunette hair as their favorite, landing it a spot as the number one most attractive hair color among readers.^[2]
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   Men often approach blondes the most. While studies show that a lot of men view brunettes as the most attractive, other research reveals that some are more confident when it comes to approaching someone with blonde hair. A 2011 study conducted by the Scandinavian Journal of Psychology found that British men approached a blonde woman in a nightclub significantly more than they approached the same woman in a brunette or red wig.^[3] Moreover, it's been found that many men associate blonde hair with "youth," "health," and overall "attractiveness," which researchers believe could signal "reproductive potential."^[4]

   • Men in the 2011 study were found to approach blonde women more, but also reported that they perceived them as being “more needy.”^[5] This may lead men to assume that light-haired females are more receptive to advances and less likely to turn them down, which could explain why blondes are targeted the most.
   • According to the 2021 Health Digest poll, 25% of readers voted blonde hair as their favorite, making it the second most popular color after brunette.^[6]

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1. Most women prefer brown hair. While there are very few women who would turn down Ryan Gosling because of his hair color, the general consensus shows that women are more drawn toward guys with darker hair. The hair color preference study from the College of Natural and Health Sciences for the University of Tampa revealed that most women who took part in the research, just as most men, were more attracted to brunette hair.^[7]

   • The attraction women have toward brown-haired men likely stems from stereotypes. For women taking their dating life seriously, blonde-haired men may be perceived as unserious or looking for nothing more than a fling, as "blondes have more fun" has been an enduring and infamous label.
   • In a 2012 study by Nicolas Guéguen from the Université de Bretagne-Sud in France, 65% of women agreed to dance with a dark-haired male suitor. On the other hand, only 13.8% of women agreed to dance with men wearing a red wig.^[8]

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   Red hair is the least favorable color among many men and women. University of Tampa researchers noted that only 6% of males and 6% of females chose red hair to be most attractive in their study; however, despite this, men and women "did choose red hair twice as much as the prevalence of red hair in the sample population," they noted. Only 3% of the female population had red hair, but both females and males preferred it at a higher rate of 6%.^[9]

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   Black hair is slightly less popular than blonde. Per the Health Digest poll, black hair came in third place with 20% of votes, meaning many find it less attractive than blonde and brunette hair, but more attractive than red hair, which came in last place.^[10]

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   Age Because blonde hair is often seen as a sign of youthfulness, it may be a more attractive hair color for younger age groups.^[11] For example, teens or those in their early twenties may be more attracted to the bright, bubbly effervescence of a blonde as opposed to the timeless elegance of a brunette. People in their 30s may see brown as an attractive hair color because they’re looking to settle down, get serious, or choose a partner they view as their equal.

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   Natural hair color Though blonde and brunette tresses are viewed positively for different reasons, people are considered most attractive when their hair color is similar to their skin tone.^[12] In other words, many people gravitate towards a natural look.

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   Region or Location Ideal hair colors may vary by region. For example, a rare hair color in a certain region may be considered beautiful because of its uniqueness; on the other hand, the most common hair color in one area might be considered more attractive because it’s what that particular culture is used to and comfortable with.^[13]

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   Hair color can influence how you are perceived. Due to evolutionary and biological factors, your hair color might cause others to view you in a certain light, meaning, yes, hair color does affect how attractive you are to others.^[14] However, it’s important to note that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and there isn’t one hair color that’s better than the other.

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   Hair color holds societal and cultural significance. Across numerous cultures, lighter hair hues are often linked to wealth, high social status, and privilege.^[15] This means that depending on the culture and how significant these attributes are, hair color may play a large role in attractiveness.

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   All hair colors are attractive in their own way. Regardless of which hair colors are the most popular or what the majority of people find attractive, personality has been proven time and time again to trump all physical features.^[16] So, while someone may have always been attracted to blondes, they may just wind up with a redhead or brunette.

   

   Jen Atkin, Hairstylist

   Love the hair you've been given. "Always embrace and enjoy your natural texture, instead of fighting it."

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