11 Things Adrienne & Stephanie Wish They Knew When They Were Younger

Updated: November 30, 2020

As our co-founders, Adrienne (right) and Stephanie (left), know how it is to grow up with unique redhead characteristics. They are here to share with you 11 things they wish they knew when they were younger. Comment below & tell us if you can relate to any of the below!

1. “I wish I knew my freckles were so beautiful.” -Stephanie

“I have a face full of freckles and growing up, I so badly wanted them to disappear. So, I bought makeup to cover them up. I don’t know why I did that! Now I look in the mirror and I ask myself, ‘What can I put on my face to make my freckles shine through even more?’ I’m at the stage of my life where I’m always looking to enhance every freckle on my face.”

2. “I wish I knew my fair skin was actually the biggest fashion statement.” -Adrienne

“I am definitely a shade lighter than Stephanie, which means I am really, really pale,” jokes Adrienne, “But in all seriousness, I am very light. I use to hate my fair skin, especially when people would point it out during recess. I’m now in my late 20’s and I have realized my fair skin is my biggest fashion statement. I love to wear shorts. I’m pale and proud!”

3. “I wish I didn’t spend so much money dyeing my hair.” -Stephanie

She continues, “I know. Can you believe it? I dyed my hair blonde for seven years. I wanted to fit in and would spend $400+ a month to make sure my red didn’t come through. It’s one of my biggest regrets, but I’m an even prouder redhead as a result. I love to say: red hair is the coolest!”

4. “I wish I knew sunless tanner isn’t always attractive.” -Adrienne

“Let me explain. When I was in high school, I would not leave the house without applying loads of sunless tanner on my body. I was convinced my skin was supposed to be tan. Looking back at photos I laugh at myself. I wish I knew less is more when it comes to being a redhead. I still dabble with instant tanner, but it looks completely natural.”

5. “I wish I knew red hair is an accessory.” -Stephanie

“I don’t know why, but I would cover up my hair and wear lots of accessories when I was growing up. I think it was a way for people to not notice my red hair. Now, I rock it like a redhead with my red hair as my full accessory. Why wear jewelry when my accessory grows out of my head?!”

6. “I wish I knew bullies were simply afraid of not being unique.” -Adrienne

“Most redheads definitely understand how it is to be picked on. I wish I didn’t take the bullying personally. I wish I knew bullies bully because they are insecure with themselves and jealous that they look like everyone else. I later discovered that having self-confidence, even if you have to fake it, is like a repellent for anyone who makes fun of you.”

7. “I wish I knew red hair grows back more fabulous each and every time.” – Stephanie

“I have received some of the world’s worst haircuts But, I think the worst was when Adrienne cut my hair with kitchen scissors when I was 3 and she was 5. I cried for days. I soon learned it grew back quick & was always more fabulous than before,” Stephanie laughs. “I’ll get Adrienne back someday.”

8. “I wish I had a love for my blonde eyebrows and eyelashes.” -Adrienne

“I spent so many years fighting my transparent eyebrows and eyelashes. I still won’t leave the house without mascara on, but I don’t eagerly try to cover my brows and lashes with dye. I’m truly proud of how I was born and love my redhead features.”

WATCH: TIPS FOR APPLYING MAKEUP ON BLONDE EYELASHES AND EYEBROWS

9. “I wish I knew about ‘redhead friendly’ colors for both makeup and fashion during prom season.” -Stephanie

“Instead, I followed what my other friends did — all of whom have dark, olive skin. I should have worn colors that complemented my features better, and makeup that enhanced my beauty. This ‘struggle’ is definitely a reason we started How to be a Redhead.”

10. “I wish I wore more sunscreen.” -Stephanie

“I was a sports fanatic growing up and never applied enough sunscreen. I had so many painful sunburns and it was my entire fault. I was too stubborn to apply and re-apply SPF. I now visit a dermatologist regularly to make sure my skin is healthy and safe.”

11. “I wish we had HowtobeaRedhead.com to turn to when we were kids.” -Adrienne & Stephanie

“Oh, life would have been so much easier! We wouldn’t have struggled to find beauty and fashion tips for redheads. And, we would have had a confident audience to turn to when we had to deal with teasing. It’s now our life mission to turn our ‘wishes’ into reality with How to be a Redhead as the backbone.”

Rock it like a Redhead!