The incredible photo essay that portrays redhead beauty around the world

About 5% of the world's population has the genetic mutation that causes auburn hair. Nations such as Scotland, for example, have a higher proportion of people with reddish locks, due to geographic isolation, which led to a greater concentration of redheads there. The mutation occurred in the MC1R gene responsible for melanin production around 20 to 40, 000 years ago.

Inspired by their peculiar beauty, the American Briam Dowling decided to record them in a photo essay called "Redhead Beauty." To do so, he toured 20 countries and photographed more than 100 redheads along his journey. Here are some of the flashes the photographer fired:

1. Madeline from Washington, USA

2. Alina from Kiev, Ukraine

3. Kirstie from Glencoe, Scotland

4. Carmen, from Best, in the Netherlands

5. Alisha from Odessa, Ukraine

6. Kryssy from Stutgart, Germany

7. Ellie from London, England

8. Elias from Belfast, Northern Ireland

9. Maria from Moscow, Russia

10. Gracie from Howth, Ireland

11. Aoife from Longford, Ireland

12. Ruby from Essex, England

13. Elaina from Modesto in the United States

14. Tara from Liverpool, England

15. Kim from Hamburg, Germany

16. Masha from St. Petersburg, Russia

17. Natasha from London, England