Locks of Love [WARNING, IMAGE HEAVY]

[VelkynKarma]

So! Anyone heard of Locks of Love? Long story short, they accept donated hair and turn them into hairpieces for children with illnesses that cause them to lose hair.

I've been growing my hair out for years to donate to this cause. Today, I finally cut it all off and sent it in! I thought I'd share the pics with you all.

I started growing my hair out about six years ago. It jokingly began with my mother "complaining" about how fast my hair grew, and yet it was still very thick. She joked that she'd want my hair. So finally I said, "Fine! If you'd want my hair, then maybe somebody else will too. I'll give it away!" So I started growing my hair out long, which I previously hated! Only a few months in, I was half dared to see just how long I could grow it, and see if I could get it down to an absurd length, like my knees.

Well, it wouldn't go that far. It got to my waist and stopped. For the past two years, I haven't been able to get it to grow any farther, no matter what advice I take. So I decided, it's time for it to go! So here's a before pic, just so you know how long it was:


Headed down to the mall to get it chopped off. The two girls there were very helpful and were even willing to take pictures of the cutting for me as it happened. Here's a few (there were tons more though):






And then...it wasn't attached anymore!





Afterwards the girl neatened up my new, much shorter hairstyle. I prettymuch gave her free reign with my head, as I really know nothing about hair, despite browsing hairstyle sites for the past week. It's longer in the front and shorter in the back.

It feels so weird! My head feels so light now. It took me only ten seconds to brush my hair, instead of the usual 5-20. I will not go through an entire bottle of shampoo and conditioner in 2-3 weeks. People will stop complaining about me shedding on their sofas, beds, chairs, rugs, and in their shower drains. I won't need to worry about tying it up or back before I do anything artsy.

For the finale, the NEW ME!





I donated 18 inches of braid today. I feel very proud of myself

~VelkynKarma

[Saturo]

What a nice cause. And yay more economically efficient shampooing!

[Vephriel]

Wow, what an awesome thing to do! You look great with the shorter hair too, the new cut looks very nice! ^_^

[Darkharvest]

Yes I've heard of it a great cause. I usually see clips in are paper about kids or teachers and what not donating to them.

[Dakonic]

Thats very nice of you! Definatley for a good cause, my uncle donated 13 inches o.0

[VelkynKarma]

Thats very nice of you! Definatley for a good cause, my uncle donated 13 inches o.0

Ooh, grats to him. It really is a good feeling when you hand it in

I couldn't believe how heavy it was! When I held it in those last pictures I was astonished I put up with it attached to my head as long as I did XD

~VelkynKarma

[Jadvya]

That's what my best friend did--she never cut her hair until she was about 14, so it was about halfway down her thighs, then she had it cut to just above her shoulders and donated it as well; wish I knew how many inches in total. The new cut looks great on you!

[Sarayana]

Here in Montreal they have annual radio-thons on a couple of the radio stations - they'll go to malls and people's work places and 'shave to save' (I guess that "save" part is because they try to raise funds for cancer research while doing the radio-thons). It's awesome!

I agree with Veph, your short style really flatters you. As does the gesture. Great effort for a great cause.

[Kamalia]

How ironic - just as I decide to start growing my hair out after four years of wearing it short. It's wonderful you donated to a good cause! Must have felt strange holding your chopped braid of hair.

[VelkynKarma]

How ironic - just as I decide to start growing my hair out after four years of wearing it short. It's wonderful you donated to a good cause! Must have felt strange holding your chopped braid of hair.

It is totally worth doing

And yeah, it was a very surreal experience. It wasn't alive of course, but all the same, I was holding a part of myself in my hand and yet strangely, it wasn't a part of me anymore. It was very...weird. VERY weird.

Also, thank you all for the compliments on the new cut ^_^ I must admit I was a bit nervous about how the new look would pan out, as I've had long hair for six years, but I feel much more confident about it now haha!

~VelkynKarma

[Aleu]

Funny thing... I recently cut 12 inches off my hair yesterday. XD I need it cut for a cosplay outfit for Anime Boston in April and my moms friend is a hair dresser. I need to cut it to my shoulders and she suggested I send it into Locks of Love. I RARELY if EVER donate to non animal causes, but I said what the hell. Wasn't going to use it for anything else anyways. XD

[VelkynKarma]

Oh really? Wow! Yeah if anybody is going to get a lot of hair cut I ALWAYS suggest they donate it. A lot of them have never heard of the cause before. But like you said...it's not like it'd be used for anything else. Might as well

~VelkynKarma

[Dragonpuff]

Wow, that is alot of braid. XD

I think what you did is a wonderful thing, especially with so much! 18 inches is awesome! Not top mention that the short hair looks really good on you too!
Around half a year ago, a friend of mine did something similar, but she donated her hair to the Cancer Society, and shaved her head after the ponytail came off. It was fun to watch it grow back!

I'm actually attempting to grow my hair out as long as I can right now too. It always stopped just after going past my shoulders as a kid, so I went to short hair for a long time after that. Now, I want to see if I can get it any longer. Maybe once it stops again, I'll have enough to donate too!
/Now has a real, actual goal

[Skyshot]

Your hair was about as long as my hair is right now. I was sitting here thinking mine was well due for a trim just the other day... I think I've just been inspired.
I might just have to donate my own here when I go to get it cut.

I also agree with everyone saying that the new cut looks really great on you. =)


Edit: I also just noticed your shirt.. I love what it says. xD

[Ryno]

Mmm, I thought about doing this awhile back. Unfortunately my hair grows into a natural, bushy afro. Minimal caring (washing, combing, and that's about it) will cause it to grow like that. It get's ridiculously bothersome... but it is fun... I could never get it long enough to donate without actually ending up like Cousin Itt.

[VelkynKarma]

I'm actually attempting to grow my hair out as long as I can right now too. It always stopped just after going past my shoulders as a kid, so I went to short hair for a long time after that. Now, I want to see if I can get it any longer. Maybe once it stops again, I'll have enough to donate too!
/Now has a real, actual goal

Yeah, it can be tough to get it to go any farther. Getting it trimmed regularly (I was always told every 6 weeks or thereabouts) and certain vitamins supposedly help, but even so hair eventually just gives up and won't go any farther. The waist was apparently the mark for me.

And it's great to have a goal! It feels really good to know you're doing it for somebody else I've always wanted to donate to charities and such, but I'm in college and money is not really something I have. It's nice to know I can help out in other ways Do it, it feels great!

Your hair was about as long as my hair is right now. I was sitting here thinking mine was well due for a trim just the other day... I think I've just been inspired.
I might just have to donate my own here when I go to get it cut.

Bahaha...I love inspiring people Try it! It feels really great to get it all off, and if your hair is as long as mine was it'll be a bit of a relief too. You don't realize how heavy it is until you're holding it in your hand!

Mmm, I thought about doing this awhile back. Unfortunately my hair grows into a natural, bushy afro.

Afro, huh? Neat! Yeah that might be hard to donate XD You can pull curly hair straight to meet the minimum requirement of 10 inches, but that's still a lot to grow for that kind of hair.

~VelkynKarma

[Tilo]

Way late in the reply... that's great Velkyn

I too donated my hair to this as well...

A few years ago my stepdad went through cancer, he'd had it for several years, well in september 09 he went through his 2nd round of chemotherapy & lost all his hair; along with my two brothers I, for my stepdad, shaved my head & sent my hair to Locks for Love; thankfully, he was able to see my gesture before he was called away from us too soon.

Before:


After:


I love my hair very short unfortunately... the husband has a different view, however my hair now, is long enough I can tie it all back without any clips, so guess that's ok...

I also had no problems shaving my head, as this is the third time I've done it, though not for the same reason, & for the cause' I'd do it again too.

[Siliverin]

*hugs* MAJOR kudo points to you vel *hugs* what you did is wonderful i have heard of the cause, a friend of mine cut her hair and donated it.. though i am jelous of how long your hair was... mine NEVER grows

[Palladiamorsdeus]

Ayup, I grow my hair out to donate to them as often as possible. I figure it's just hair, and they need it a lot more then I do...

[Moore]

I remember cutting my hair after it was long, and having phantom hair syndrome, I was so used to having it long I'd instinctively move my head a certain way and expect my hair to go too, but it was gone