Having little kids has meant my hair is in a braid more often than not, and over the course of the last year, I hadn’t really noticed how long it was getting. Well, until it was time to wash it, and it was a huge drag and I swore I was going to do something with it. I mostly just swore. It takes an hour to straighten (or even just wrestle into submission if I want to wear it out), and after two minutes and thirty-seven seconds, Abby wants something and Pepper is crawling around my ankles trying to get into the bathroom cupboard. It had gotten so long it pretty much had its own postcode, and I didn’t have the time to spend caring for it like I did in my youth. I love long hair, and I find it much easier to deal with than shorter hair, but it was time for a change. I totally told myself that I’d never get a mum cut after kids, but it’s so damn hot, and my head isn’t shaped correctly for buns all the time. I am not au fait with the effortless messy bun, I look like a deranged homeless samurai warrior in cutoff shorts.
So what does one do when they have endless locks to spare? Well, one donates them, of course. It had grown so much without me shaping or cutting or doing anything to it, so it would come in very handy for professionals that make lovely wigs for those who have battled cancer. I did some Googling and found that Pantene offered one such initiative, and all I had to do was send in 7 inches of clean, dry, untreated hair. Well Pantene, I’ve got PLENTY OF THAT.
I got in touch with a friend who is in the hairdressing business and told him of my plan. He very graciously offered to have one of his stylists not only ceremoniously cut it off, but give me a lovely new ‘do in the process. To Sam and all his gang at Universal Hair on the Sunshine Coast – YOU ARE AWESOME.
The very talented Candice tamed the hirsute beast into two ponytails, making sure they measured just a little bit more than 20cm. I didn’t even notice she’d cut them off, so engrossed was I in reading all your lovely comments on Instagram! When I walked in, she asked me if I was going to cry when it was cut. No way, man! It’s hair. I like to change it up pretty mightily from time to time. Probably shouldn’t have dyed it purple in 1999, but hey, we live and we learn! So all of a sudden I had a lighter head of hair and there were two ponytails laid out before me like little offerings on a hairdressing altar.
Then (and this is the fun bit!) I was told to close my eyes and take two deep breaths. As I did, Candice started a relaxing head, neck and shoulder massage with the most delightful citrus oils. If I was concerned about cutting my hair, this probably would have sorted me out! I’m a bit partial to the spoiling you get at Universal salons, I always leave feeling like I’ve not just had my hair cut, but I’ve had an experience. A nice calming, indulgent, quiet experience that includes a good cup of coffee. And the oils they use are 100% organic and cruelty-free. Party on!
Some shampooing, some cutting, and some drying later, I had a much shorter head of hair and a much lighter step. My hair looked so healthy and bouncy! I can wear it out a bit more now, and someone, somewhere will get a a free real-hair wig to help them feel healthy and bouncy after being so ill.
If you’re keen on doing something similar, you can find all the information you need at Pantene Beautiful Lengths, including the story behind the initiative, donation requirements, and others who have gone the chop. If you don’t need your hair, then why not send it to someone who will really benefit? Go on, do it for summer!
And here we are after. Shorter, healthier, shinier and better. Can’t say the same for my mirror. Huge thanks again to Sam and the crew at Universal Hair, such a generous donation of their time, skill and product going to such a good cause. do follow them on Facebook here, on Twitter here, or visit them in any of their salons in Mooloolaba, Buderim, Marcoola, and Maroochydore. They use products that are free of parabens, sulphates, sodium chloride, cocamide DEA and MEA, Formaldehyde, and phlalates. Plus, they’re all just really lovely!
And a huge thank you all for the awesome comments and support. What a gorgeous bunch you all are x
gorgeous and gorgeous and gorgeous. You are the best x
And you are very kind x
Looks gorgeous, and what a great cause beautiful lengths is. If my hair hadn’t been dyed so much I’d happily do that too, but alas I’ll just have to send extra good vibes your way instead. The cut suits you so well!
I will post the vibes along with my hair!
Looks stylish and just a bit on the sensational side!
Candice really did such a lovely job 🙂
Love that you donated it, and love the new do!
Thanks so much!
ZOMG I ALWAYS GET MY HAIR DONE BY CANDICE WHEN I AM IN BUDERIM! I WAIT MONTHS FOR IT! YOU LOOK AWESOME!
SEE I MUST KNOW QUALITY!
You look great and that is such a wonderful thing to have done!
It feels good 🙂
Snap! I did the same thing about two months ago…. I felt like such a giant creep stuffing my ponytail into a snap lock bag and putting it into my purse…(picture golum from the Lord of the Rings) ha ha
I felt weird carrying it home in my handbag!
What a lovely thoughtful thing to do. You look amazing! Rachel x
You are so kind, thank you x
Looks gorgeous – I am also wondering whether or not to do the chop. I have cut my hair short once only in my life (year six and I cried for months)…
I do it all the time! Grow it long, then cut it really short. The only time I was really traumatise though, was when I was 14 and I was at a new school. Oh the horror. It was awful.
You’re awesome Stacey. Nice work. x
🙂
Beautiful!
Such a wonderful cause Stacey. I’d love to do it too but my hair isn’t au natural – damn that Balayage trend I got all caught up in!
PS. I love that your salon uses cruelty free products too – awesome.
Oh yes I did see that style rocking around!
Wow brilliant. You are gorgeous! Well done. I felt the exact same a few weeks ago my hair was crazy long and with little kids all I did was tie it in a knot on the top of my head. My brief to the hairdresser was “I do not want to look mumsy” It is above my shoulder now. As soon as I left the salon I had to tie it up it, was sooo poofy, my partner said “What Have you Done, you are not made to have short hair”! I however like it now when I can style it my own way. I wish I had thought of donating all that hair though!
haha I am NOT a fan of the post-hairdresser pouffiness! I have to attack it with the straightener, post-haste x
I have thought of doing this. When I straighten my hair, which is next to never, it is past my waist. However my hair is treated (coloured).
So love that you donated your hair! Oh and you have an amazing new hair cut!
It’s the best of both worlds, really!
Love your new “do”. So sweet of you to give away your hair. Looks fabulous.
Thank you so much. I think because it is even healthier than before!
You wonderfully beautiful lady you!
Never x
You are too awesome & pretty for words x
hah you found seven! and a symbol!
Looks amazing xx
You are biased x
Beautiful! You look gorgeous as always, and well done on donating to such a worthy cause.
xx
Thank you gorgeous x
You look fabulous and what a wonderful gift to give! I looked into it last year but unfortunately my hair is very much treated with chemicals. I wish I would have done it before I went blonde all those years ago.
And pink!
That is NOT a mum cut. Except for that fact that you’re a mum & it’s on your head. Mine is currently a mum cut, and now that I’m actually going to be a mum, I’m desperately trying to grow it out to something more like your new style. Donating hair is such a fantastic idea, good on ya mate xx P.S Stop being so hot, it’s unfair
But I cut it into something more manageable, and I’m a mum!
You are such a pretty lady
🙂
Such a great thing to do!
And I am seriously wishing there was a citrus oil head rub in my future!
I think we’re going to have to organise something like this soon. Let’s get one of those at-home spa people to come to us and we will luxuriate!
You.Look.Awesome! Love the new do xx
and talking of good causes – you might like to have a read of this other blog all about wigs atm http://www.aintnomomjeans.com/
Goodness, doesn’t she rock a wig well!
gorgeous! and such a great cause! xo
Isn’t it x
It looks fabulous and what a great cause!
Thanks!
You —> always SO PRETTY. You could shave your head and still be a total knockout! Love your work, ladypants!
No, I am no Sigourney Weaver. Although I’d be a badass alien-fighter.
Your hair looks so beautiful, love the soft waves and the length, think you have the best of both worlds, not too long or too short. I haven’t tried universal yet, I’m in Buderim, will have to try them, love the use of friendly products. I always buy friendly but hadn’t thought about going to a friendly hair salon so thanks for the info 🙂
I’m keen for it to be a liiiiittle bit longer, but this is fun for now! Tell ’em I sent ya x
You look stunning Stacey it really suits you shorter and I love it curly,you rock that look and you are such a sweetie for donating your hair ,who ever gets it will be lucky.I would do that if it ever grew long enough but it is fine and slow growing !
Curly was fun!
You are one beautiful woman, Stacey; inside and out.
You are sweet x
nice work!
thanks!
Just doing some catch up reading. You are a ruddy legend! And a HOTTIE! X
Neither, ma’am, but thank you x
oh I would so do this.. my hair grows so ridiculously fast but I have been colouring it since I was 18.. not just for fun but as I am 90% grey I reckon ( Thanks Dad Mr Silver Fox by 30).. yours looks fab hun x
Oh thank you! My hair is so grey too, but luckily hadn’t reached the point where it was cut. Damn you, genetics!
You look amazing Stacey! Such an amazing donation and love the new cut xx
I can’t believe how much I like it shorter! I thought that would never happen x
How awesome does your salon sound?! All salons should be that healthy!
(And meanwhile, my hair is the length of your ‘before’… Should I? Hmm….)
TOTALLY!!
Looks great, so much easier than carrying a rope around on your shoulders. I cut off all my hair in 1999 (and dyed it too, only I went for blood red – eugh) and I got money for it, which I presumably spent at the bar next door. Wish I’d done something more giving with it now – my hair probably ended up in a drag queen’s wig on Oxford street, well, I like to think so, anyway…
I genuinely hope that’s where it ended up!