Inspiration to Make the Chop

Two weeks ago, I announced that a BeautySweetSpot reader volunteered to join me in NYC to chop her hair for Pantene's National Donate Your Hair Day.  Well, Punam, my reader was a rockstar and brought a few friends for support, one of which, was so inspired by the cause that she made the chop as well!  Take a look at the before and after pictures and yes, you can donate anytime too, if you're inspired by their stories as well. Stay tuned, because they'll also be featured in Pantene's vine-umentary about making the chop.  (Instant celebs!)

Punam, who's donated her hair before, chopped 10" and brought along an extra ponytail that she's been saving to donate to a good cause.  It takes eight ponytails in all to make a wig.  "I'll be a nurse and in the future I want to work as an oncology nurse and I'll see girls all of the time who will lose their hair because of cancer so this is just another way that I can help," Punam says.

Her support system, Kristie, who walked in with hair down her back, chopped about 9" and left with a clean, yet still long style, was in a similar situation.  Her aunt is a breast cancer survivor and she too, will soon be a nurse.  "Talking to Danilo and learning about where the hair goes and thinking about my aunt convinced me to do it," she says.  "When I work with cancer therapy patients, I'll be proud to say that I donated my hair.  I feel really good about it and I love my style."

If you are looking for inspiration for your new haircut, the September issue of Seventeen includes a special feature on National Donate Your Hair Day, which has a variety of cute cuts and styling options for those planning to donate.

As a thank you to those who donate, Pantene Beautiful Lengths is running a special promotion at Walmart offering donors a rebate of up to $30 in the form of a VISA gift card by mail to cover the cost of their salon haircut. Beginning September 3, 2013, donors can access the rebate by following three easy steps: 1) Request a donation kit from http://gotobeautifullengths.com/2) Visit any salon and cut a minimum of 8 inches of hair – remember to follow the guidelines for hair donation! 3) Head to your nearest Walmart to purchase any Pantene product to style your new ‘do, then mail in your salon receipt, your Walmart receipt, and most importantly, your ponytail using the pre-paid envelope in the donation kit. Here are complete terms and conditions.

For more information about National Donate Your Hair Day or the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program visit www.beautifullengths.com.

*This is a sponsored post, but all of my thoughts and actions are true.