When you're of red hair and pale complexion, summer is a bit of a challenge. The constant fear of burning, the never-ending suncream application, the envy of olive-skinned friends. But you can survive, says fellow scarlet lady Hollie Rosenburg
Being a redhead is tough, trust me, I've been one for 25 years. From a young age, we get singled out for being a bit different but you get used to the annoying "ginge" comments and embrace life as a red.
We realise there are months when we thrive - autumn, our hair glows brilliantly when it's a bit bleak - and months when we literally burn. I'm talking summer, people. That's May (well, sometimes) through to September.
Each year, I look forward to heat, thinking "this year will be the year I get my tan on". But in reality, as soon as those bloody sun rays start beating down, I'm the first to run for cover.
I have memories of being on holiday as a child (Spain, of course – what family didn't head to Spain for a summer hols?) and my mum covering my body from head to toe. I would have so much sun cream on that I would blend in with the white plastic sunloungers.
It didn't get more embarrassing than this and I was particularly envious of my olive-skinned younger brother who was allowed to jump in and out of the pool without having to sit down for a fresh application of sun block each time. It would also sicken me to my core that other sunbathers could waltz around without a UVA ray worry in the world. This remains one of my pet hates to this day. Buggers.