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Saturday, July 19, 2008

When A Good Cause Gives Me The Push I Need



This is Me. This is the ME that most people in my life have known for nearly 20 years. I have had roughly the exact same hairstyle since I was a sophomore in High School. My hair is naturally curly, which unlike most folks with curly hair, I love. My hair has always been something I have been rather proud of. By in large it is the one feature I can usually count on people noticing and commenting on. My entire life, I have left it unaltered, all natural.



Over the years, my hair has changed bit by bit. Especially after giving birth to Sugar Bear, I noticed a texture change and a darkening of color. I also found that over the years, I tended to get as lazy as ever, and simply just pulled my hair back into a low pony or a high bun. Oh a whole, I rarely take the time to actually style my hair. I shower at night, pull it all up in a bun, and upon awakening I'll just throw the sides up in a barrette and go.



Since last September, I have been very dissatisfied with my hair. I wanted something different, but change makes me anxious, so I found every reason to just wait....and do nothing. NOTHING!

A few months later, Lis Garrett posted about her intention to donate her hair to Locks of Love along with her daughter sometime this year. She encouraged her readers to consider it as well.
I had been interesting in this particular organization for several years but hadn't seriously considered it based on the fact that my hair was layered. You need at least 10 inches to donate, and my shorted layer was no where near that in the past.
Taking Lis' suggestion, I looked into the process a bit more. Here is a snippet from their website:

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.


Sometime in May, I made the decision to donate my hair. Given my change induced anxiety, it took me another month and a half to make the appointment. In June, Lis made the cut, and started a Flickr Group called Bloggers for Locks of Love. The excitement started to build and I am thrilled to be a part of this great project.

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Tuesday I took the plunge. Not only did I cut my hair shorter than it has been since I was 13 years old, I had it highlighted for the first time in my life. WOW! Talk about change. What do you think?

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One of my biggest worries revolved around the fact that I despise having hair falling in my face. I wanted to be sure that I would be able to pull it up out of my face whenever I wanted. I am so pleased with this hairstyle because I can easily put the sides up as well.

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It appears that I may still be able to get ready in 5-10 minutes also. A few squirts of water, some curling cream, and I'm ready to go. WOO HOO! Why did I wait so long?
I guess sometimes....I just need a shove.

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42 Live It or Love It:

Megan Cobb said...

That is DARLING. I didn't think it'd be possible for you and Sugar Bear to look more alike but there you have it. You two could be twins now! Loving the color and the cut - you seriously look even younger and more radiant than before AND what a wonderful cause you benefitted with your generosity. I think you are pefect!

Mary Ann said...

Oh. My. Gosh! You look amazing! I always thought your hair was beautiful but I must say your new cut looks great! You never looked old before but now looking at each picture your new cut definitely makes you look younger. Wow!

Julie - On the Dot Creations said...

Fabulous . . . simply fabulous! I love the length and the color. Good for you!

Anonymous said...

It's a fabulous doo, Corey, and a really good thing you did donating your hair... how cool. I bet you are already used to it and stopped feeling half nekkid and missing something ;-D

You really look terrific!

Lindy said...

OMG YOU LOOK FANTASTIC!! and yes I did just scream that. When I scrolled down and saw the photo of you with short hair I let out a yelp (scared my parents dog) and got a bit teary you look THAT amazing. I also think it took about 15 years off! What does SugarDaddy(sorry blanking on his name and this one made me giggle) think??

Autumn said...

OMG.. you look FAB. U. LUS! I am so so proud of you. I love the highlights. Your hair has always been so gorgeous and this just brings that out. What a wonderful gift to give someone.
Hugs! Oh and read your email and then respond to my question. Pretty please!

The Johnson Family said...

WOW Corey!!! Too stinkin cute, I bout came outa my seat :) I love it, way to take a chance and be a proud contributor to a great cause. Love Bridgett

Carolyn said...

WOW!!!!!!! I love love love your new hair cut. You look beautiful. And to do it for such a wonderful cause is an amazing thing. Talk about a win-win situation. You look amazing and some sweet child will get his/her new hair.

Congratulations Corey, you've done an amazing thing.

Michelle said...

I've loved your curly hair before (I hate my absolutely straight hair!), but wow what a difference! I love all the body the shortness brings out; the highlights are wonderful too! I agree with others - it does make you look even younger too. What a great cause you donated too. I need to do something with my hair, but I'm always afraid of doing anything too drastic and I end up with the same old style too!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous! Love the new 'do', Corey -- super, super cute!

Anonymous said...

I think it looks great! Less weight gives the curl more bounce if you will.

Anonymous said...

Corey,
I'm so proud of you! You look awesome! I can't wait to see it in person...see you back at work. -Heather :)

Heidi said...

Cute! Wow!
*Heidi*

The Mom Jen said...

Before and after, gorgeous!! I really like the new cut and color!

Kristi said...

OMG you look FANTASTIC!!!! I LOVE it!!!! XOXO

holly said...

okay the ONLY ONLY ONLY reason i am not crying is the after is so beautiful.

i was reading this going "please don't say she cut her hair. please don't say she cut her hair!" and rocking back and forth like a nervous nut.

then you did it. and my heart went SQUISH!! and then i looked again and thought "wait. beautiful! now that's just not fair."

corey, it isn't fair. it's not right to be gorgeous BEFORE AND AFTER. i demand you stop looking so great all the time.

AAAAND why did you first not check out my website locksofloveforholly.com? i TOTALLY need the hair donation. but, fine, somebody more needy or something can have it.

Michele said...

It looks fantastic. I had hair like yours and naturally curly and little longer... but of course blonde. Took the plunge to cut it and donated it to the Cancer Kids here in British Columbia to make wigs for the kids in Chemo... as my hair was naturally curly and blonde which is ideal for children....
You suit the shorter hair... you look much younger, vibrant and refreshed... wonderful choice for you!! I think you did a wise choice.

I'm sorry I don't come and comment too often as the white and green is very hard to focus on your black back ground with my epilepsy but I do read up on you on my reader... I love ya and wouldn't miss ya for the world!
(Hugs)

Anonymous said...

Absolutely fantastic!!! You look amazing and, please don't take this the wrong way, much younger. I love it!!

all those curls and natural body . . . sigh . . . .

Beth Cotell said...

Love, Love, Love, LOVE it!

It looks wonderful on you!

KatieBug said...

Looks GREAT! :)

Just Jinny said...

It looks GREAT! Seriously, you look like a teenager!

Cynthia said...

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS! Good for you...round of applause over here:)

Unknown said...

Oh wow, you look so much younger!! Well done for cutting, it must;ve taken a lot to make such a drastic change!

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

I don't want to disaparage the look you've had for 20 years but wow! You look fabulous!

Maude Lynn said...

Oh. My. God. Corey, you look absolutely fabulous! Seriously. Stunning.

tommie said...

Corey-I love it! You look absolutely amazing. It looks like it will be easy to do as well. Yeah for you!!

LingoVise Says... said...

SENsationAL!! and Smart too ;)

You're a lucky dawg with all that curl and a Smarter girl to love it. My hair's so straight it's concave. So set on staying straight that it'll Suck a curl out in about 20 minutes.

My hubby has some curl & lots of body... and thankfully my little guy looks like he's taking after him. Lil' SB looks as though she'll get a lot of your luck - which is always a good thing.

What a terrific cause to benefit from your lovely new do!

Irene said...

Love the new "do"!!! Very stylish! I'll bet it feels like a huge weight was literally lifted from your shoulders!

And what a wonderful thing you did!

Anonymous said...

Great cut! I love the highlights too.

Anonymous said...

Looks absolutely fab Corey! My hair is similar to yours (though not quite so think and a bit less curl) and I have always preferred it short. I'm sure you'll really enjoy your new do!

Anonymous said...

Your new haircut is awesome and it does a nice job of bringing out your boobs too. Always a plus! You are beautiful!

david mcmahon said...

Corey - what a sensational look. And you and Sugar look even more alike now.

You're right - sometimes we just need a bit of impetus.

Well done!

Christina said...

Corey! Oh my gosh, you look fantastic! Your long, luscious hair was beautiful, but this new cut suits you so well. So polished and hip, and it looks better suited for a busy mommy, too. You look really confident with it, too! I love it. And even better that you blessed someone else through your donation! My sister has donated to Locks of Love a few times - I don't let mine get loing enough for that!

Anonymous said...

Wow! You look amazing! Locks of Love is such a wonderful thing, having donated a couple times myself. And I agree with everyone else, your new do looks fabulous and definitely took off some years! Hope you are enjoying it!

Anonymous said...

You know I love it! It makes your face that much more stunning, although I think another reader was looking somewhere else!

Jennifer Powell said...

AWESOME, Corey! You look great! My Mom donated her hair also just before she found out she had breast cancer (ironic, eh?) She is very happy that she was able to help others out which came full circle when she had to get a wig for herself. God bless and get out there with your bad, stylish self!!! Jennifer

Bellevelma said...

I LOVE IT! You look beautiful!

Jo Beaufoix said...

Blimey Corey, I know I'm late but I am so excited. You look stunning, and about 18. What a wonderful thing to do. Not only have you given something wonderful to such a good cause, but you look so cute as well. Result.

Cath said...

You look gorgeous! And now I know where Sugar gets her wonderful smile and pretty face from. Her mum. :0)

What a deserving cause, and you are very brave. That must have taken some courage after having those locks for so long. Well done.

Jules said...

Ok, seriously I did not even recognize you in the after pics. You look positively WONDERFUL. The highlights are just the right color, you look so bright and pretty!!!!!!!

You are amazing, and inspirational. I just went and measured my hair to see how far I have to go. My hair grows pretty quickly, and now I really want to donate to Locks of Love!

Thanks for the inspiration. You are beautiful!

CMB said...

GORGEOUS! You look fabulous! I truly LOVE it. Sorry I have been away for so long. Missed you!

Deb said...

Corey - first of all, your hair is gorgeous!! Long, or short... I love the cut - it really brings out your face, and the curls are so much more defined. It looks really cute pulled up on the sides, or just down - what a versatile style you've got! :)

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