The phrase “Blondes Have More Fun” has been a part of popular culture for decades. It’s often associated with the stereotype that blonde-haired individuals lead more exciting or privileged lives. But did you know that the origins of this catchy slogan are rooted in a clever marketing campaign?
The phrase was coined in 1955 as part of an advertising campaign for Clairol hair dye. At the time, Clairol was introducing Miss Clairol, the first one-step hair coloring product for home use. The company needed a way to make hair dyeing more socially acceptable and appealing to the masses.
Advertising executive Shirley Polykoff, herself a bottle blonde, came up with the slogan “Does she…or doesn’t she?” implying that the hair color looked so natural that others wouldn’t be able to tell if it was dyed. This campaign was a massive success, but it was the follow-up slogan that really captured the public’s imagination.
In 1961, Clairol launched a new campaign specifically for blonde hair dye with the tagline “Is it true blondes have more fun?” This evolved into the shorter, punchier “Blondes Have More Fun,” which quickly entered the cultural lexicon.
The campaign was so effective that it not only boosted Clairol’s sales but also sparked a broader trend of women dyeing their hair blonde. By 1970, about 40% of American women were using hair coloring products, up from just 7% in the early 1950s.
