Locks of Love

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.

A couple of months ago I thought that my hair was getting a little long. Because I have very baby fine hair it starts to just 'hang' if I let it grow out for too long of a time. G loves my hair long, but I was ready for a change. Except for trims, I hadn't cut my hair in a little over 2 years. Several friends had commented on how long it was getting, and I began to wonder if it was long enough to donate to Locks of Love... This was in late October.

I was surprised when I checked the Locks of Love website that the length asked for wasn't really all that long. Looking at my hair and estimating, I decided that if I waited till January it would probably be long enough to donate. Having made the decision, I stopped putting any rinses in my hair and thought I could cringe and deal with the few gray hairs for a month or so in order for my hair to be as natural as possible when I donated it. (I keep an auburn rinse in my hair most of the time to hide the icky gray, but it is one of those 'washes out in 6 to 8 weeks' things instead of a permanent dye)

This last Tuesday we were in town and we decided to drop by the mall so I could check on the price of a tripod and drool a little over the lens that I will be getting very soon. While there I saw a Regis salon and told G that I would like to stop in and see how much longer my hair needed to be. I was pleased when the young lady told me that if I didn't mind my hair being short it was long enough AND that they would package and ship the hair in for me!! I promptly told her that I couldn't care less how short she made my hair, to take as much as she needed! They were a little busy, so I made an appointment with her for about an hour later and G and I decided to grab a bite to eat and then return.

Luckily I had my camera out in the truck. I had planned on trying to get some tree pictures on the way home. Unfortunately it had clouded over, so the tree pics were out, but G could take a quick pic of my hair before it was cut... thus the picture in the parking lot... people were looking at us a little funny when he was taking a picture of my backside LOL!

Going back in, I sat down in the chair and the nice stylist asked me how I wanted my hair cut.

"Any way you want that you get plenty of hair and hopefully I don't look like a complete horror" I told her laughing.

"I think I can manage something cute AND still get plenty of hair" She then told me that even my bangs would be sent because they were over 6" and, since the rest of my hair was longer, that would be enough ! She was also pleased that although fine and straight, my hair is thicker than it looks.

The picture below is before, then back/front/side of the new cut... I know that I don't look too happy (and could use a little blush/lipstick!) but that is more due to the fact that G is holding my camera and trying to figure out which button to push while I cringe. I do NOT like being on this side of the lens! I actually think I like the cut. Now, tonight we hide the gray! LOL!

So.... It's such a small thing... it's hair that would normally just be swept up and disposed of... but to a child it might mean much more! If you, or anyone you know, is going to have a good amount of hair cut off, please consider donating it to Locks of Love. Even if you don't think it is long enough, ask the stylist... you never know, it might be enough, and it never hurts to ask!