BB FANS

Updated: 19:24 UK, Monday September 05, 2005
SKY News

Gentlemen apparently no longer prefer blondes.

Instead, they would rather choose the brains and sophistication more often associated with brunettes.

That is according to a study into hair colour and the intensity of attraction, which showed 51% of men thought brunettes were more attractive.

Researchers at City University showed 1,500 men three pictures of the same model digitally enhanced as a blonde, a brunette and a redhead.

They were then asked to give their impressions of the model's personality based on her hair colour.

Brunettes were described as intelligent by 81%, while 67% described them as independent and self-sufficient.

Two-thirds of the men (62%) said the brunette women appeared stable and competent.

The blonde model was described as needy and lacking in independence by four out of ten.

Redheads were thought to be intelligent by 79% of the men, although 45% described them as neurotic.

City University Professor of Psychology Peter Ayton led the research commissioned by hair products company Sunsilk.

He said blonde hair had historically been seen as a symbol of youth which was attractive to men, but added: "As the role of women has evolved, men's expectations of women have changed.

"They're looking for more intense, equal partnerships and appearance has a large role to play."

Even Jodie Marsh has dyed her hair brown....

I think hair colour is one thing us gals are instantly judged on.When had long blonde hair I would get looks but found it hard to be taken seriously.Now I have short dark brown hair and attitudes have deffo changed

nice to see our well-earned taxes invested so well into educational 'research'

I generally find dark haired burds more attractive.

I think the stigma attached to readheads rather unfair; what about people who have browny red hair? Are we intelligent neurotics? And why does that sound so very scary?

Agree about that Amaunet. At school yesterday a boy said a girl was ginger and she was getting REALLY annoyed harping on about it being strawberry blonde and stuff. I think it's pretty sad that there is that stigma attached to having red hair because my friend's hair is a really nice ginger colour.

Did they show them pictures where models hair was different length? Because that makes different impression as well (short, medium, long) - for example a blond, short hair?

So I guess I'm loosing the one thing that I have to attract men

No seriously, I don't mind beeing judged as a bimbo, I can't help it with my blonde hair and big boobies. I just utterly love the look on people's faces when they realize they were wrong

I'm not really bothered what colour hair they have, as long as the chemistry is there, that's all that matters. Oh, and as long as they aren't manipulative and all the other things that go with that, i'm not really bothered.

Taking your life in your hands with THAT one zx!

Mums strawberry blonde and Dads got black hair. Result is some mixed up chestnut/bronze colour. I just dont understand the stigma attached to red hair; i think it is one of the most beautiful colours out there- and its getting rarer.

~Amaunet for the Campaign to make Redheads Cool~

And is hair colour really that important? Id rather settle for someone who can make me laugh till I snort.

Nothing wrong with being strawberry blonde(says she who hides hers!!!).Am chestnut brown atm.Its quite amazing how peoples attitudes do change according to your looks though....including outfit.If I wear a suit to work I find visitors always think I'm more important than I am specially if I have my specs on!

I haven't really noticed the difference in any other than cleavage -size. The lower cut the shirt, the easier it is to sell things to men (and harder for women)

I keep mine well hidden as one of the hazards in my job is bending down to make eye contact with smaller people