oooohhhh, i didn't think that the "dark hair" was actually her hood but now that i look at it again, i think you're right!

and people couldn't be any more stupid about her skin tone because it wasn't actually that dark in the episode she appeared in, just that it was in shadows: http://i.imgur.com/aLNfl25.gif

also it's been like 5,500 years between the episodes BD premiered in and her current appearance, and gems have shown to be able to change their looks. otherwise garnet would still look like this: http://i.imgur.com/kckpwFe.jpg