blondness

Blondness is the state or quality of having blond hair, a light-colored hair hue ranging from pale yellow to almost white. In English, blond is the common adjective; blondness is the corresponding noun, with blonde used for the feminine form in some spellings. The term can apply to people born with naturally lighter hair or to hair that has been dyed blond.

Blondness is a polygenic trait influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors. It is more common in populations of Northern and Western Europe, and occurs less frequently in other regions. Genetic variants affecting the production and distribution of melanin—especially eumelanin—contribute to lighter shades; no single gene determines all blond hues. Hair color can appear lighter at birth and may darken or brighten with age, sun exposure, or chemical processing.

In terms of appearance, natural blond shades include pale blond, ash blond, and golden blond, with additional variation due to age, health, and hair care. Bleaching and dyeing can create artificial blond tones not present at birth.

Cultural and historical associations with blondness vary by society. In some Western cultures, blond hair has been idealized in art and media, while other cultures may have different aesthetic ideals. Stereotypes linking blondness to certain personality traits or abilities are unsupported by scientific evidence; hair color itself does not affect intelligence or temperament.