Yep, that’s 18 inches of hair right there, currently sealed in a ziploc bag and about to be shipped off to be made into a wig for a beautiful woman battling cancer. You may have read last week that ever since the big chop of ’96(ish) I have sincerely regretted not donating my hair. A couple years ago I decided to grow out my hair as long as I could stand it, then chop it all off to donate. Remember the before?
That hair was taking over my life. As you can see in the above photo, it was trying to attack me. It was time for the big cut.
This is what 18 inches of freedom looks like.
As soon as the ponytail was chopped off I felt completely elated. I would have been happy if we left the hair cut just like that! I thought I would feel a tinge of remorse, but there was absolutely none. I was so excited to get this weight off my shoulders (quite literally) and donate it to someone who really needs it.
I did a fair bit of research and asking around before decided who I wanted to donate to. Since I had a lot of hair that was never treated or dyed and had few greys (sigh) I wanted to find a place that had strict regulations. It was also important to me that they didn’t charge cancer patients for their wigs, and that it was either local on the provincial or national level. So I chose the Pantene Pro V Beautiful Lengths Program.
If you’re thinking about donating your hair, here are some things to consider beforehand:
- Do a lot of research first and ask around before selecting your donation place
- Find a place foremost who fits with what you can give – hair length, greys, treated hair etc. Then think about what’s most important to you – location, accessibility, women, men, children, etc
- Make sure you read the requirements carefully, including how they’d like the hair packaged after it’s cut. Most will want a dry ponytail secure with an elastic at the top
- Bring a ziploc bag with you to the hair salon
- Mail the hair yourself. Don’t leave it for the salon to send as it might not get to where you want
While I l-o-v-e having short hair, I’m still figuring it out and learning how to style it. To be perfectly honest, I think I could even go shorter 😉
What have your experiences been?
The big chop looks fantastic! Good for you for sharing your beautiful hair. xo
I love it! You look so lovely. 🙂 I’ve donated my hair twice. I find myself getting a little crazy with lots of hair about a month before I get it cut, and then the last week I fall in love with it again. But, what the hay, it’s only hair. I have two coworkers who wait to get their hair cut each time until it’s long enough to donate. Just a part of their yearly giving. 🙂 xo
ohmygosh look at that new haircut you are SO CUTEEEE I love it. I can never donate my hair, Utah destroys mine, so I can never grow it enough. But I love it 🙂 18 inches, wow!
Oh my goodness, you are adorable! Love the cut and the fact that you donated it. I did the same to mine a few years back; just haven’t been able to make it past shoulder length since! Get ready to really love earrings 🙂
I admit – seeing the long, dark beautiful ponytail detached from the head made me gulp! :p I’m glad it felt good getting it done – and I too love your new “look”, Tanya. But – best of all – it doesn’t change anything. Your smile is still lighting everything up. xo
Love it! You look gorgeous with long or short hair!
I have always wanted to do this but am too scared and very doubtful that I’d look as cute as you do. Such a gorgeous and fresh cut! You are adorable <3
Amazing! What a lovely thing to donate your hair! Your new do looks great too 😀
looks fantastic! So cute! 🙂
this is great! and your hair looks adorable. I cut mine off earlier this year, no regrets!
I’m so impressed! Not only with how freaking cute you look (love the cut), but with all the research you did! I am so shamed to tell you now, that I chopped off (almost) as much hair as you a few months ago and didn’t donate it because my hairdresser told me it couldn’t be treated if I wanted to donate!
Good for you! Not only did you support an amazing cause, you look fantastic with short hair!!
XOXO
LOVE it
Way to go! especially on good deeds and speaking up about it. I stopped dying my hair since my last great chop 2 years ago and have been growing mine out to donate as well to women with cancer. Though I got another year or so. I cannot wait to help out!
Love your new short hair! It’s so adorable! I love having short hair!
Thank you so much for the kind comments everyone! I have to say, washing and drying my hair is SO MUCH FASTER.
xo