Redheads are becoming increasingly rare, representing only 2% of the global population. If you have red hair and blue eyes, it's even rarer, as only 0.17% of the world's population has both of these characteristics.

Redheads are not often seen in movies, television, or on the runways due to their rarity, but when they are seen, they always make a big impression.

Here, we present some of the most famous redheaded models.

Redheads in the Media
Many redheads have personally faced various prejudices due to their hair color, and the media has not been kind to them either. In movies and television, redheaded men are often seen as comedians rather than serious or sexy characters. Often, redheads who manage to get strong lead roles are replaced (Bill, in the book "IT," was redheaded, but he became brunet in the movie adaptation).

Women, too, are regularly confined to roles as villains (Myrtle in Lilo and Stitch) or intellectuals (Willow in Buffy The Vampire Slayer) and rarely play a leading role. Redheads are often stereotyped as overweight and are often portrayed as shy, geeky, insecure, and unpopular.

However, popular culture is changing. Thanks to the rise of popular redheaded celebrities (Ed Sheeran, Emma Stone, Jessica Chastain, Karen Gillan, Prince Harry), redheads have finally been able to overcome stereotypes and play more interesting characters.

Vivian in Pretty Woman (played by Julia Roberts) sports beautiful thick red curls (which she hides under a blonde wig at the beginning of the film). Black Widow (played by Scarlett Johansson) in the Avengers franchise has vibrant red curls, although she slowly transitions to blonde later in the films. Christina Hendricks played a sexy redhead in Mad Men. The Netflix series Bridgerton features a family of redheads, one of whom becomes a main character played by Nicola Coughlan. The character Gisele (played by Amy Adams) in the movie Enchanted has long red hair. Sansa Stark (played by Sophie Turner) in Game of Thrones was a striking redhead. And Emma Stone played the lead role of a redhead in the film "Easy A."

However, all these actresses have one thing in common: none of them are naturally redheads.

Fortunately, in the modeling industry, it's a different story. Redheads have a very iconic look that is hard to replicate: fair skin, freckles, light lashes, and eyebrows. Anyone who dyes their hair red must consider the delicate, expensive, and time-consuming maintenance. Natural redheads stand out from the crowd of blondes and brunettes, which has skyrocketed their demand.

This doesn't mean that redheads haven't struggled to find work in the past; as recently as 2012, agencies claimed not to have redheads on their books because there was no demand for them. Fortunately, the last two decades have seen a shift, and redheads now have great opportunities for signing contracts and finding work. Today, most agencies have at least one redhead registered in their books.

Redheaded Models
What does it take to become a redhead model?
Like with all hair colors, redhead models must meet the requirements demanded of all models. Particularly, haute couture models must be at least 5'8" tall with a dress size of 6-8 and bust, waist, and hip measurements of 34"-24"-34". Commercial models do not have to meet such strict requirements, depending on the niche of modeling they belong to.

Due to their fair skin, redhead models must be mindful of bruises or other marks on their skin, as it could cost them jobs. Redhead models also need to be more cautious about sun damage, as they burn more easily; they should wear SPF every day on exposed areas such as the face and neck.

If a redhead model has freckles, they must also take care to protect them. Sun exposure can make freckles more numerous, larger, and darker, and while they can look lovely on the face, they can end up resembling splatters as the model ages or if they are overexposed to the sun.

Redheads tend to have more sensitive skin than others. Their skincare and makeup routines may differ slightly to protect their delicate skin.

Some redhead models prefer to dye their eyebrows and lashes to make them more visible, although some agencies and brands prefer a more natural and pale look.

As their hair is much lighter than brunettes', leg and underarm hair is much less noticeable on redhead models, but they still need to ensure that these areas are smooth and groomed.

Top Redheaded Models
Karen Elson

Cintia Dicker

Lily Cole

Alexina Graham

Julia Hafstrom

Rianne Van Rompaey

Karen Gillan

Kiki Willems

Redheaded Male Models
Marc Goldfinger

Peabo Powell

Ben Bengtsson

Linus W

Why Modeling Agencies Love Redheads

    Redheads really stand out, and most agencies like to have a diverse range of models in their books to cater to all brands' demands.

    Brands enjoy hiring redheads because they truly attract attention, especially when juxtaposed with blondes and brunettes.

    Brands strive to showcase their products on a wide range of skin tones. Redheads have notoriously fair skin, which allows products to be presented in a new light.

    Freckles have become incredibly popular in fashion. Some people even get them tattooed, while others prefer to mimic them with makeup. Natural redheads with freckles are currently very fashionable.

Brands That Love Redheads:

    Marc Jacobs

    Dior

    Givenchy

    Louis Vuitton

    Tom Ford

    Yves Saint Laurent

    Chanel

    Valentino

    Victoria's Secret

    Versace

    Alexander McQueen

    Jean Paul Gaultier

How to Make the Most of Your Red Hair
Red hair can be extremely beautiful, but it needs proper care to bring out its best.

Red hair is generally thicker per strand than other hair types but thinner overall (there is less hair on a redhead's head in general compared to blondes and brunettes). This means that red hair needs a good conditioner to keep the strands moisturized and shiny. There are also hair products specifically designed for red hair to enhance its color and shine.

Red hair can often appear greasier than other hair types because it tends to reflect more sebum. Hair should be washed and dry shampoos used between washes when the scalp starts to look too shiny.

It should also be regularly maintained by a professional hairstylist, who can trim split ends and choose a hairstyle that best suits the face shape.

Some people choose to have highlights or color accents in their red hair, while others opt for intensive treatments to revitalize their red color and make it stand out.

Top makeup artists advise against using red-colored eyebrow products, as they can appear artificial, and it can be incredibly difficult to match the precise shade of red hair. Makeup, in general, should be chosen carefully. It can be challenging to find foundation and concealer shades that suit pale skin, and bronzing products can sometimes appear too orange.

Celebrities with Red Hair

    Ed Sheeran

    Jessica Chastain

    Julianne Moore

    Bryce Dallas Howard

    Nicole Kidman

    Tom Hiddleston

    Michael Fassbender

    Rupert Grint

    Madelaine Petsch

How to Become a Redhead Ambassador
Redhead models should be proud of their hair and skin and not try to hide or conceal them. A fake tan can be used when a glow is desired, but you should not feel the need to mask or hide a gorgeous ivory complexion. Most brands and agencies prefer redheads who embrace their look and accentuate it rather than fighting against what nature has given them.

Just like other models, redheads need to meet the requirements of high fashion if they want to work for designer brands and on runways. This means they need to have the required height and measurements. Haute couture models are tall and slim, with an hourglass figure. For catalog models, standards may be slightly more flexible depending on their niche, but they are still expected to be well-proportioned and have a smaller waistline.

If you're unsure if you have the right look to become a model, sign up today. We can advise you on how to enter the modeling industry.