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Guy “Bans” GF From Changing Her Hair Color, She Revolts With Flaming Red Dye And Dumps Him As Well
Woman with a concerned expression, wearing earbuds, looking at her phone. She is unhappy about changing her hair color.

Guy “Bans” GF From Changing Her Hair Color, She Revolts With Flaming Red Dye And Dumps Him As Well

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I’ve always found it interesting that hair dye, a tiny bottle of chemicals, somehow launches a thousand identity crises, family arguments, post-breakup glow-ups, and apparently relationship breakups too. I think most people can handle a partner saying they’re just not a fan, but you don’t expect it to make them reconsider the entire relationship.

This Original Poster (OP) discovered that her boyfriend of several months apparently considered her hair color important enough to threaten a breakup, and when she eventually called his bluff, she learned there was more to his reaction than she initially realized.

More info: Reddit

RELATED:

    Sometimes, you just want to do something because you like it, and that’s what makes personal choices so tricky in relationships

    Wavebreak Media (not the actual photo)

    The author  told her boyfriend she was considering dyeing her dark hair a subtle red after being inspired by Zendaya’s look

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    wayhomestudio (not the actual photo)

    He strongly objected and said he would break up with her if she dyed it despite her repeatedly asking if he was serious

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    wavebreakmedia_micro (not the actual photo), ai-assisted image

    She went ahead with the red hair, loved the result, and broke up with him after he continued making hurtful comments and backtracked on his ultimatum

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    Image credits: Perfect_Research_200

    Afterward, she discovered his previous long-term girlfriend also had dyed red hair, adding an unexpected twist to the story

    The OP shared that after watching the new Spider-Man movie, she became fascinated by Zendaya’s deep red hair and told her boyfriend she was considering trying something similar. Since her hair is really dark, she expected the result to be subtle. She had also worn a similar color before meeting him and remembered loving how it looked. His reaction, however, was immediate and surprisingly intense.

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    He said he didn’t like the idea and claimed he was against hair dye of any color. When she asked whether he would actually break up with her over it, he said yes, and after she repeatedly asked if he was serious, he insisted that he was. Naturally, she was hurt, especially when he added that he might not be attracted to her if her appearance changed. Well, the OP decided to go ahead with it, and she loved the result.

    Her boyfriend, unsurprisingly, wasn’t thrilled. When she showed him the new color, he gave her a dismissive response. When she asked whether he found her unattractive now, he essentially told her she was still somewhat attractive. However, he began backtracking on his original threat, saying he had just been joking.

    But by then, the OP had already reached the conclusion that she didn’t want to remain with someone who could speak to her so unkindly over something as personal as her appearance. Ultimately, they broke up, and after she did some snooping, she discovered that his ex-girlfriend, whom he’d dated shortly before her, had also had dyed red hair. This left her wondering if that was the reason for his reaction.

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    simonapilolla (not the actual photo)

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    Hair can play a much bigger role in a person’s sense of identity than simply being a feature of their appearance and can influence how one sees themselves. Psychology Today notes that because it is highly visible and relatively easy to change, hairstyles can become a way of expressing personality, individuality, and how someone wants to present themselves.

    Of course, physical attraction is also a legitimate part of romantic relationships, and nobody can be expected to find every possible change equally attractive. Men Women Psychology emphasize that to some, hair color can influence first impressions and perceptions because different shades may carry cultural associations and stereotypes.

    Therefore, having a preference is perfectly normal, but boundaries should not become a way of controlling another person’s choices. Relationship expert Terri Cole also distinguishes between a preference, a demand, and a genuine deal-breaker, emphasizing that the way someone responds when their partner makes an independent choice can reveal important things about the relationship.

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    Netizens largely agreed that the boyfriend’s ultimatum, dismissive responses, and attempts to dictate her appearance as signs of controlling behavior rather than ordinary relationship preferences. What do you think? Was the boyfriend’s reaction a red flag to you, or was he simply being honest about what he finds attractive? We would love to know your thoughts!

    Netizens were relieved that she ultimately ended the relationship and encouraged her to recognize that she did not need his permission to make choices about her own appearance

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    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    I'm a writer and bookworm (eyes glued to an e-book, more accurately) who happens to have a suspiciously deep knowledge about pop culture. When I'm not writing, I can most likely be found taking yet another online quiz to find out which soda matches my personality.

    Read less »
    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    I'm a writer and bookworm (eyes glued to an e-book, more accurately) who happens to have a suspiciously deep knowledge about pop culture. When I'm not writing, I can most likely be found taking yet another online quiz to find out which soda matches my personality.

    Rūta Zumbrickaitė

    Rūta Zumbrickaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Hi! Here at Panda's I'm responsible for Photo Editing and all of the things surrounding it. I love finding great, moody or even dramatic photos to fit the story. Besides that, I'm a proud owner of 2 cats with the silliest names and a bazillion plants<3You can find me at a makeup counter with headphones swatching all of the sparkly eyeshadows

    Read less »

    Rūta Zumbrickaitė

    Rūta Zumbrickaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Hi! Here at Panda's I'm responsible for Photo Editing and all of the things surrounding it. I love finding great, moody or even dramatic photos to fit the story. Besides that, I'm a proud owner of 2 cats with the silliest names and a bazillion plants<3You can find me at a makeup counter with headphones swatching all of the sparkly eyeshadows

    What do you think ?
    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    Premium
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I dyed my hair for the first time in my life (blue, my favorite color) in January of 2023, when I was still living with my now-ex. I was one month shy of my 41st birthday. My ex was NOT happy that I had joined the ranks of (his words) "those women who make their hair color their entire personality". I guess there is a certain type of woman, who is usually apparently outspoken feminists, who dye their hair bright colors, get piercings, and make that their whole personality? I had no idea. But apparently I became an instant stereotype - "overweight white girl with blue hair" - and he hated "those" women. I didn't think that a dye job could change my entire personality, but obviously it did /s. Anyway, it apparently DID change my personality, because I finally moved back home and got away from him after 25 years XD He already had told me I was unattractive since I'd gained weight, so it's not like the hair comments were anything new. I haven't dyed my hair since - too expensive! XD

    g90814
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    sorry but the thought of mac n cheese gummies made me almost yack!

    Load More Replies...
    g90814
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She now has red hair. He HAD RED FLAGS all along.

    A girl
    Community Member
    15 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have white hair. Thanks mom and dad for the genes. I dyed for years as my hair lost its color. Finally hit 95% and ran with it. I have some laundry bluing , for whiter whites ya know, that I keep eyeing as a fun hair diversion. Like the blue hairs of my youth (1960's, '70's). Husband is not really for it but he'd tease me more than torment me. "Mama Smurf, please pass the salt ". "Are you ok? You seem blue ". He's hilarious.

    Load More Comments
    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    Premium
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I dyed my hair for the first time in my life (blue, my favorite color) in January of 2023, when I was still living with my now-ex. I was one month shy of my 41st birthday. My ex was NOT happy that I had joined the ranks of (his words) "those women who make their hair color their entire personality". I guess there is a certain type of woman, who is usually apparently outspoken feminists, who dye their hair bright colors, get piercings, and make that their whole personality? I had no idea. But apparently I became an instant stereotype - "overweight white girl with blue hair" - and he hated "those" women. I didn't think that a dye job could change my entire personality, but obviously it did /s. Anyway, it apparently DID change my personality, because I finally moved back home and got away from him after 25 years XD He already had told me I was unattractive since I'd gained weight, so it's not like the hair comments were anything new. I haven't dyed my hair since - too expensive! XD

    g90814
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    sorry but the thought of mac n cheese gummies made me almost yack!

    Load More Replies...
    g90814
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She now has red hair. He HAD RED FLAGS all along.

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    A girl
    Community Member
    15 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have white hair. Thanks mom and dad for the genes. I dyed for years as my hair lost its color. Finally hit 95% and ran with it. I have some laundry bluing , for whiter whites ya know, that I keep eyeing as a fun hair diversion. Like the blue hairs of my youth (1960's, '70's). Husband is not really for it but he'd tease me more than torment me. "Mama Smurf, please pass the salt ". "Are you ok? You seem blue ". He's hilarious.

    Load More Comments
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