I came across an interesting little article on the Marie Claire website called, "What's So Hot About Redheads?", and, of course, I just had to check it out! It starts out with a quote from Conan O'Brien who says, about growing up a redhead, “the insecurity and defense mechanisms are downloaded pretty early.”
That got me to thinking about myself. I could certainly relate to the statement. I remember the hell I went through as an adolescent. Growing up is hard enough without being markedly different. While I had no physical deformity or handicap of any kind, being practically the only redhead in a very large school made me feel as though I did. I would definitely attribute some of my insecurities to the teasing I endured as a kid.
Fast foward to today. I like my hair. I like most things about myself - 
except this damned baby belly, but I can even see the benefit to that - just look at what it produced! The road to self-acceptance was a long one for me. As a mental health counselor and a college advisor, I've talked to many adolescents about my struggles as a way to help them through their own. The best advice I could give would be to be patient. Learning to love yourself takes time, and each person comes to it on their own schedule.
The Marie Claire spotlight on redheads had a slideshow with various female celebrities, outing who was born a redhead and who was not. Did you know Lucille Ball was not a natural redhead? I can't believe I didn't know that. But, of course, two auburn beauties I love, Juliana Moore and Kathy Griffin, are the real thing. One of the most surprising pics was of Rose McGowan as a redhead; she looked good! I think she should go red all the time.
Finally, I enjoyed reading the comments left by others. I could definitely commiserate with each. I cheered for those who had come into their own, accepting their unique beauty, and felt for those who still seemed to have issues from their youth. Being the secure woman I now am, I felt compelled to leave my own comment - something I never would have done in my teens!
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