chrslvsbks writes:
Ladies, have you ever considered donating your hair? Yes, cutting your hair and sending it to a cause who makes wigs for those who lose their hair due to illness. Well, I did just that Saturday, March 31. Here are a few pictures.
blow out pre-chop
the ponytail!
the result
The rules are pretty simple for the causes I am familiar with–Locks of Love and Pantene Beautiful Lengths.
- Ensure you care for your hair as it grows.
- Do not use permanent hair color.
- Have at least 8″ (as curlies, stretch your hair to see true length)
- No more than 5% gray hair.
I am hoping I can do it again in three or so years. Please consider it. At least six ponytails are needed to create one wig. I know those who receive the wigs and the ones who love them appreciate your generosity.
National Donate Your Hair Day sponsored by Pantene Beautiful Lengths is April 23.
Would you donate your curly length to Locks of Love or Pantene Beautiful Lengths?
that's awesome! love the earrings.
i would so donate my hair when it got long enough its going to a great cause
Great idea. I really never thought black women did this. Admirable!
I would never donate my hair even though I feel like its for a good cause (wayyy too attached). Don't really understand the concept of cutting people's hair to make wigs when synthetic hair can be used. As a side comment, I wonder if they allow natural hair to stay in the state its donated in or if they chemically straighten it…
This article has come at the perfect time. I was considering cutting my hair for the same cause! Thank you!
@Noni, stretching means pulling your hair taut. Once taut, measure the length. If it is at least eight inches, it may be donated. 3a/b curls' elasticity is not as great as those with tighter curls. I think it is about 2"-5".
IF I had the length yes I would consider donating my hair. Great cause. Beautiful hair and a caring heart!
Hmm…I may not have natural hair, but having 3a/b curls, what did you mean by stretch, for my hair type? Does that mean straighten or just loosen it with natural methods? I wanted to donate once, but I saw that all the pictures of the people that donated had straight hair, and I knew that hair couldn't be processed, could it? That's basically all that discouraged me.
Awww! This rocks very inspiring.
This is such an absolutely inspiring, selfless act!!! ITA with Shelli and others…Chrs that cut is FIERCE!!! And I have to add you look marvelous with long and the new short cut. Thank you for sharing and caring for others enough to make such a commitment. 🙂
I have a male friend who plans to donate his hair as well! However, I'll definately have to let him know to do his research. He is definately under the impression that it will go to a kid with Cancer!
This was awesome! I'm definitely going to do this in a couple of years – I've been wanting to TWA for a while, but hubby isn't so exited about the idea. But I'll be able to twist his arm with this "excuse". Also, thanks Anon 10.55 for a reminder for us to do our homework before donating to make sure our hair goes to the right place. So cool, GREAT post!
That is so wonderful! I would definitely do if my hair was long enough.
Yes definitely we can charity in this way also cutting your hair and sending it to a cause who makes wigs for those who lose their hair due to illness. I think we also Donate money to charity.
You are fantastic and your hair is beautiful. I'm way too grey now but inspired!
Wow, what a selfless act. Wonderful story. I don't have the length but I would definitely consider doing this if my hair was long and full enough.
I am so scared to do this, I've never had short hair before.
I should have read the comments first … I see there are some about henna being acceptable because it can be dyed over and that the sell grey hair. Thanks!
Shelli
That is awesome Chrs!! Your new cut is fierce and you look GORG! I actually think that I may have too much grey now!! Does it count if my grey is covered with henna? If that isn't a problem, I will definitely consider this. I'm still growing my hair to "max length" right now, but know that I'll tire of the length at some point!! So, I'd love to donate, if they'll have me:). Thanks or the info and being so inspiring!!
Shelli
If I could prove to myself that my hair could become a ponytail like that i'd definitely give it a try so someone else could enjoy having hair
Your hair is beautiful. That is such a great cause.
If I had the length I would definatly do this. This is such a wonderful thing to do.
WOw You have given a great gift Its difficult for any woman to lose her hair so to do this is very honorable of you.
Ohh My Gosh!! Your are a huge slice of Awesome!. I am so happy with every inch of growth I never gave thought of what I would do with it when its gets truly "long"… But i luv this idea
wow! you are gorgeous! and this was a great cause! I dont know many ppl of color that do this, so i wasnt sure if we could! thank you for the info!
Congrats again! I posted on your blog in the forum. That is a really great gift that you gave.
Nice post! I am 17 yrs. natural and have grown long locks, long natural free hair, and all – I wish I would have known about this, I would've donated my hair 3 times over.
This is such an awesome post. I hope I can be brave enough to BC again one day. I love her cut. She is beautiful on the inside and out.
This just put a smile on my face.
Definitely! This will benefit others so why not. Nice article – discoveringnatural.blogspot.com
I hate to say it, but I really didn't know that those types of charities were even checking for black natural hair like this. It's good to hear.
Beautiful! beautiful! beautiful! But I think this hurt me than it hurt her! haha.
Beautiful!
Wow, this is such a wonderful, touching article. If my hair would grow (and actually stay) that long again I would definately donate it to a worthy cause. I'm almost there, but have permanent color on the last few inches. So glad to know that henna'd hair is acceptable!!
…Miss TeeTee
I am glad to read so many are willing to donate.
@anonymous 11:22 AM Henna isn't permanent. You can color over it.
@anonymous 12:30 PM I cut the ponytail myself. I plan to have a professional cut it shorter on top and get the random long hairs.
I have this hair;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGcFBNDrluE
I would have to send them the money…
I sure would! Way to go Chrslvsbks!
@Chrslvsbks – Where did you get your hair cut? It looks great! And yes, if I could grow to those lengths, I would donate.
Yes I've donated to Lock of Love and understood that if you hair is grey they will sell it. I also did my research and understood that it was not just for kids with cancer. I let my hair grow for 7 years and reached Waist Length stretched. I was ready for something new and instead of getting a hair cut at the salon and tossing it in the trash, why not donate to those who lost it due to illness. It was the greatest feeling ever, I am proud of ChrsLvsBks. I would love to donate again also but right now I am enjoying my shorter length and shorter, wash and styling times.
Wow, what a great thing to do!
I might do this.
Heck yes! Unfortunately, my texture is not the texture that is in high demand : ( But it is what it is. Its the hair God gave me and so its the hair I have – besides my hair is perfect for locking : ) But would I donate? Most definitely.
I chopped off my hair to donate back in 05. I gave to wigs for kids or locks of love, I forget which…but at that time the minimum length was 10 inches. It's great they shortened the length so more people will be able to give, and give sooner. After I get bored with having it long again I'll probably donate again. Why not.
xo
Dani
okdani.com
longnaturalhair.info
i nearly shed a tear when i saw that ponytail ,-__-
love the cut though!
i would never do it. i'd donate money to a cause, but never my hair…1. after all the blood sweat and tears i'm putting into my hair to grow it to WL, i cant see myself just chopping it all off 2. i'm too attached to my hair to cut it and then not to explicitly what its going to be used for…3. im scared of someone using my hair for juju, so…no. lol
but i know chrs uses/used henna, that wasnt considered a permanent color?
BTW, that cut is FABULOUS!
What an amazing thing to Chrs:) You are beautiful inside & out!
I had no idea I could do this!!! This may sound ignorant but I had no clue that very curly/kinky hair would be "accepted"…Mannn I'm sooo embarrassed smh…this is great to hear though…I'm in!! 🙂
This is amazing! I've always wanted to do this and prob will not in another year or so!
Sorry for the long post. ^__^ I'm not familiar with the reputation of Pantene's cause. but I urge everyone to RESEARCH LOCKS OF LOVE. It's a good charity but most people think they give free wigs to kids with cancer, they actually don't, but MAY SELL a wig at a lower price. They only donate wigs for "permanent" hair loss and they don't consider hair loss due to chemo "permanent". :/
Most of the (free) wigs are given to those with alopecia (which is a great cause) It's just that most people are unaware that the hair they are donating may be sold to third parties or will never actually be used for a free wig. Selling hair to help pay for running expenses is what they say they're doing. But I think most people are unaware that their hair is being sold. And if they were aware of this, they'd donate money to prevent hair from being sold.:/ Even About.com seems to think they "give free wigs to kids with cancer". They don't.
I'm close to someone who (after his father passed away from cancer) thought that he was donating his 2 foot ponytail to help a child going through chemo. After all, many shows where they cut hair for Locks of Love donations actually mention "kids with cancer". Unfortunately, there's a good chance his hair was sold. If you search for The Long Hair Community and Locks of Love, you'll see more of the controversy. If I recall correctly, some of the women who donate their hair refuse to do it for Locks Of Love for these reasons. There are other charities that don't mislead people or sell donated hair.
My friend could have sold his virgin, blond hair for hundreds of dollars, even over $1000. :/ He could have then donated this money to a charity that actually gives free wigs to kids suffering from all sorts of hair loss, including hair loss due to chemo. There's nothing at all wrong with selling a wig to a kid with alopecia at a reduced price. But is that what we associate with Locks of Love? No, Most people hear "locks of love" and think "kids with cancer".
I have always wondered if any black woman have done this, 'cause all you see in the press are White women.
Glad to see a sister with long enough to donate and was willing to donate. So kudos to you!!
@Chrslvsbks WOW! That is amazing! I commend you for that! I'm sure your hair will grow back even more beautiful! You rock!!!
Natural83
That is wonderful. I would do it but my hair doesn't grow that long. probably would take 10 yrs to get to the length you had before the chop. ive been natural for 4 yrs and my hair is not long
I would consider donating my hair 🙂
This is great!
Luv your new haircut!
Your hair both before and after is absolutely gorgeous!
Nope. I want to grow my hair long and it is taking years to do it. So, I won't be chopping it off for any reason.
Thanks for sharing! This is the main reason why I decided to go natural in the first place. I'd love to donate a few times. I didn't realize you couldn't color treat your hair. I'm happy I read this.
I would definitely do this, though I didn't know about the no-color requirement. I imagine they could use some curly-textured hair to create authentic looking wigs for Black women who may need this service.
That was how I became natural initiallly!
WOW! That is extremely admirable. I had never even thought of doing this. I might do this once I grow out my layers. My longest hair is definitely long enough to contribute but the rest has to catch up. What an inspiration!
oneand20.blogspot.com
My hair is currently not long enough (still rockin' my TWA), nor has it ever been long enough. But if my hair continues to grow healthy and I achieve some great lengths, I'd definitely consider donating. While it's "just hair" to me that would eventually grow back, I know that it could mean a lot more to the person who received the wig that my locks contributed to.