The big chop! Little Princess Trust

Humpday Hero is going to be a Wednesday post dedicated to recognising a person, organisation or object that has brought me a little bit of joy throughout the week!

Anyone who has ever managed to get their pesky hands on my childhood photos will know that until the age of 14, I, rather unwillingly, rocked a disastrously-layered 'bob' and full fringe much like that of Suzi Quatro's circa 1974 *confused Milliennials hurriedly google 'Happy Days'.* After somehow managing to duck out of a few family haircuts, my long, blonde hair seemed to become part of my identity. I loved having long hair; there's something about the endless style opportunities, instant femininity and frankly a curtain to hide behind if I'd had a heavy one the night before that made me grow so attached to it. That is until your carpet is 83% fur balls, you can't put your bag on your shoulder without tangling your locks into a confused mass of chaos, and more often than not, find yourself shoving your barnet in a ponytail because you simply can't be faffed. It was time for the chop.

The Little Princess Trust is a charity that provides 'real hair wigs free of charge to children and young people up to the age of 24 that have sadly lost their own hair due to cancer treatment and other illnesses.' If your chopped hair is a natural colour, 17cm+ and in a good condition, it really couldn't be easier to donate it and even the Duchess of Cambridge herself contributes. Get it cut, pop it in a padded envelope and head to your local post office, furry parcel in hand. Time and time again I'd go to my hairdresser and get a 'trim' and I'm so glad I finally took the plunge and went the whole hog. Not only does my head feel lighter, my annual £25,000 budget for hairbands has been eliminated and I've bid farewell to conditioning my hair in 7 different sections. A new, balder me has been born and I got to change the life of a total stranger in a far more profound way than I have my own. That feels pretty damn great.

Now, whilst London is expensive to the point you find yourself wondering what the concept of money even is anymore, you can be pretty savvy when it comes to freebies. Thanks to a recommendation, I posted on a Facebook group called 'Hair and Beauty Models London' asking if anyone was free to manage my mane. OBVIOUSLY, I was instantly inundated with modelling opportunities, but once all the necessary signing of runway contracts had (definitely not) taken place, I responded to a message from a guy offering a free cut at 'The Rush Studio' in Covent Garden which conveniently happened to be 20 minute walk from where I was enjoying a coffee.

Sitting down in the chair, the guy training the students wasted no time in hacking off my ponytail with a great deal of pleasure before I had a chance to change my mind. Chelsea - the calming presence of someone who clearly knew what she was doing - swiftly took over, shampooed my now shoulder-length hairdo and snipped away until she was satisfied with her work. I was so impressed with her attention to detail, her reassurance and ultimately, the finished product. She styled it with a little 'flat wave' (check me out!) and was just as chuffed as I was when the whole thing came together. And if that wasn't enough to send me out of there smiling, the whole thing was entirely free!

Sometimes it takes a little shift in your week to push you into doing the things you've been putting off for a while. I've had a weird month of May and I've got a good feeling that the fresh hair will make way for an opportunity-filled June.

If you're considering donating your hair, check out the Little Princess Trust website for that final bit of inspiration. I loved my hair but I hope it can be put to far better use somewhere else!

http://www.littleprincesses.org.uk/

Send your hair here:

Little Princess Trust Broadway House 32-35 Broad St Hereford HR4 9AR