According to Science, You Should Dye Your Hair Blonde if You Want to Be Successful?!

Blondes have more fun... and get more cash money? The numbers suggest yes. But why is it that lighter-haired women are more financially well-off than their darker-haired peers? Is it the result of blatant sexism in the workplace, where "gentlemen prefer blondes"? Not exactly. According to research conducted by British Columbia's Sauder School of Business professors Jennifer Berdahl and Natalya Alonso, who first decided to delve into this after attending a business conference in which nearly every female speaker was blonde.

Let's take a look at the numbers real quick:

- 2% of the world's population is naturally blonde

- 5% of the population of white people in the world are naturally blonde

Okay, so it's pretty clear that being blonde isn't common (or, naturally blonde, at least), but what are the numbers beyond that?

What percentage of "successful" women have blonde hair?

- 35% of female US senators 

- 48% of S&P 500 female CEOs

So are we basically saying that all natural blondes are freaks of nature that are destined for success? Nope. But what we are saying, is that women who are either naturally blonde, or made the decision to alter their natural hair color to a blonde hue, are, statistically more likely to make more money than you and get ahead climbing the corporate ladder. Cool beans, you may think. But why? 

Why are blonde women more successful?

A place to start would be institutionalized racism. White women are more likely to be naturally blonde, and therefore hold senior, high-prestige positions in American society. Is it true that if a Latina, African American, Asian or other woman of color dyes her hair blonde, more doors may be opened for her due to her conformation to whiteness? This hasn't been proven, but it's among a list of theories as to why blonde women have it made in the work world.

And does this translate to men? Nah. Only 2% of men in the S&P 500 are bonafide blondies. So the question remains. Why is it that blonde women are more successful?

In an interview with the Huffington Post, Berdhal explains, "If women are choosing to dye their hair blonde, there's something strategic about the choice. If the package is feminine, disarming, and childlike, you can get away with more assertive, independent, and masculine behavior."