The Chop | My Hair Donation Story
If you follow me on Instagram, then you know that I chopped my hair last week! I cut off about 12 inches total (more like 9 inches on the front) and I donated it. This was actually my second time donating my hair – I did it once in November of 2012 and decided it was time to do it again.
A lot of y’all have asked me about the hair donation process, my thought process behind it, where I donated it, how to go about doing it, etc. So, I thought I’d share my experience. I’m also sharing my before and after pictures so y’all can see! These were all taken on my phone, so I apologize for the poor quality of them.
Also, I realize I look creepy in these pics… haha! Totally unflattering, but whatevs…
So, this is my BEFORE. While I, admittedly, do love my long hair, I’ve felt like I’ve been in a hair rut for AWHILE. It had gotten SO long, and SO thick, that it was at the point where it was starting to get unmanageable. And, with the hot North Carolina summer approaching, I knew that I was going to need to do SOMETHING. Since I had such a great experience donating my hair the first time, I thought I’d do it again.
I wanted a change and instead of just cutting off a few inches, I felt donating it was the better way to go. I’d much rather see it made into a wig for a child or an adult who needs it much more than I do.
I went to The Cottage Salon here in Durham after a few friends recommended it to me. I made my appointment with Taylor (who ended up being AWESOME) and just decided to GO for it.
This is my before… that is A LOT of crazy, long, thick hair.
To donate your hair, it needs to be clean and dry. Then, tell your stylist that you want to donate it. Most organizations require AT LEAST 8 inches of clean, dry hair. Some require 10 inches. Just make sure you check with the organization that you’re going to donate your hair to to see how much they need.
Your stylist will then section your hair off into small ponytails all around your head… the number depends on how much hair you have. Then, they will cut straight across right ABOVE the rubber band. This keeps the hair together. I then just take these pieces, place them in a plastic bag, put them in a padded mailer and mail them off. I will touch on this process at the end of this post.
Then, Taylor took me in the back for shampoo and conditioning and then she does the cut and style after the majority of the length has been cut off.
I have been wanting to try an angled bob hairstyle for awhile and thought now was a great time to do it. I didn’t even give Taylor much direction, I just told her what I was envisioning and she went from there.
This was the final cut and style!
I love it from the side!
Side-by-side before and after!
I thought I’d just share with y’all what it looked like when I cut it back in 2012. This was my before and after the FIRST time I donated my hair:
While the short hair is definitely taking some getting used to, I do really love it. And, of course, hair does grow back… so there’s that! 🙂
Now, as far as what organization I, personally, chose to donate my hair to… I chose Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths. I did a lot of research before I donated the first time and loved their mission and reputation so I opted to donate my hair with them again.
Wigs for Kids is also another amazing organization. I have not donated to them because they require AT LEAST 12 inches and I would have needed to wait a little longer to be able to donate that much hair all the way around my head.
I have heard some sketchy things about a few other organizations that I just didn’t like… things like them turning people down for wigs, charging for wigs, or throwing out hair. That didn’t sit well with me.
A few things to keep in mind…
- Hair can be no more than 5% gray
- Hair MUST be clean and dry
- Hair must also be free from dyes or chemicals… so, unfortunately, if you have colored your hair permanently, you can’t donate hair 🙁
I hope this information is helpful for those of y’all who are considering donating your hair. It’s such an amazing and worthy cause and totally worth the big CHOP!
Have you ever donated your hair before? What was your experience?
I’ve donated my hair 3 times now and the last two times I also worked with Pantene! They really have a wonderful mission and I haven’t heard anyone say anything negative about their experiences. Your cut looks great!
Thank you so much for sharing your hair donation experience, Molly! My hair is shorter than yours is right now, but I’ve been growing it out from a pixie cut with the intent to donate. I’ve done some research on where to donate my hair to, and as of now, I’m leaning towards Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths as well. It’ll be about 18 months-2 years until my hair is ready to donate, but I’m SO motivated to do it! It’s one of the first things I put on my “30 before 30” list 🙂 Your new cut is so beautiful and I adore it!
I have always wanted to donate my hair, what an awesome way to give back! Xo, Stephanie
you look incredible! I love your new haircut! Honestly, you are rocking it girl
Happy Medley
I’ve donated my hair five times in eight years. The first few weeks of using way too much hair product are always the worst, haha.
Oh my goodness, you pull of short hair SO well. I may even like it better than long hair on you. Gorgeous!
I love that your wrote all about this! I chopped all my hair off last year and my goal right now is to grow it long enough to donate it again (I’m almost there!) so I’m glad you named a couple good organizations and how the whole thing works! Also, I love your short hair!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Your short hair is sassy and I love it! I have CRAZY thick, heavy hair so while I’ve thought about donating before, I’ve never let it grow out that long. Kudos to you!
Love the new bob! I’ve donated three times. But I think we’ve already talked about that. Love the new do! So cute. I keep telling myself, don’t cut your hair again, it’s such a pain to grow back. Getting older sucks, my hair seems to be growing slower with age, arg.
Gorgeous! I love the cut. So fresh and chic for spring. And so nice to donate to a great cause. I, too, have had loooong hair my whole life but did the famous post-wedding chop. It’s amazing what a new haircut will do to ya! ~Madeline
Love, love, love your new cut!!!!
1. Love the Cleveland shirt in the first picture!! YAY!
2. I just donated my hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths back in December- it was crazy and terrifying to chop that much hair off (I was able to donate 13 inches). But I loved doing it! And that was definitely the best organization- I did a ton of reserach too.
and 3. The new cut is ADORABLE!! I’m thinking I want my next cut to be a long angled bob like that- so cute.
LOVE the new cut!
Darlene
http://whosaprettygirl.com
I love your new cut, Molly! It is absolutely adorable!!
I am a huge fan of donating my hair and love the Pantene Beautiful Lengths organization – it is so rewarding knowing that I was able to help someone by doing something so small. Plus, I love getting a new ‘do and changing it up!
Emily
Something Gold, Something Blue
I donated mine years ago before I had to start coloring it. I really do understand the reason they can’t take it now but it feels like such a waste! I mean, I cut off 16 inches last year.
I love your new haircut! I haven’t donated before, but I’d love to someday! My hair just doesn’t grow fast enough!
Alyssa
Glitter and Grey
I also donated to Pantene Beautiful Lengths in 2013 – I’m considering donating to them again this summer! Love your haircut!
so great! love the new cut! I go to the Cottage Salon, too with Aubrie. You look great no matter what length your hair is
I love it! So cute! Isn’t it funny when you go to wash it & there isn’t any there? I’ve let mine grow long and then chopped it off a bunch of times and that part always takes getting used to!
Looks so good, Molly! Love it!:)