Red hair is by far the least common hair color in the United States and in the world - so says Wikipedia. But tell that to Larry King, Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Travolta, Michael Reagan and every other man who doesn't want to admit he is graying, preferring to walk around with hair color that defies all logic. I call it bottle red because it sure didn't come from nature. It reminds me of a catastrophically failed chemistry experiment.

Get a clue - when we see that color we don't for one second think it's natural. I think Arnold might have gotten a clue (or a better hairdresser) because during his one and only debate with Phil Angelides, Arnold's hair was looking almost black. And talking of politics - in that sorry Senatorial race in Virginia, both George Allen and James Webb seem to be using the same bottle red, although that's one of the least bad claims made against either of them!

. Here's Arnold pre-debate.

Let's get this straight. Women like gray haired men, We think you look distinguished, we don't think you look old. Stop messing with the color. If you decide to ignore that piece of advice, please, please go to a top colorist - don't try to cover your gray with a product purchased from the drug store. First, you will most assuredly not pick the right color and secondly one misstep and fiery red will be your constant companion for many weeks. People will definitely notice, even though no one will saw a word directly to you. We aren't even going to discuss how you will probably drop the bottle on the rug in your bathroom and if you don't get how bad the bathroom rug looks and equate that to what your hair looks like...... Need I say more?

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive