Pantene Beautiful Lengths Donation – Alternate title: Eeeek! I chopped my hair!

Remember back in January when I laid out my goals for this year?  One of them was to donate my hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths.

Well, today was the day.

Pantene Beautiful Lengths

Hotter than hot temperatures are only weeks away, and I have been wearing my long hair up more than down lately.  I knew it was time.  Even though I was ready, I was still nervous because I was trusting the big cut to a brand new stylist.
Pantene Beautiful Lengths

Side note: isn’t my photographer the cutest?
Pantene Beautiful Lengths

And here it is…
Pantene Beautiful Lengths
Pantene Beautiful Lengths

I’m not sure if I will keep the curly look or straighten it…what do you think?
Pantene Beautiful Lengths

Meanwhile, I have 2 ponytails (yes my hair is that thick) ready to go into a wig for a woman with cancer.  That definitely makes it worth it!

 

Have you ever donated your hair?  

Do you like the short curly look or should I try it straight too?

 

 

  • Kimberly @christlikemommy April 5, 2012 at 6:37 pm

    Alysa! I love it!! That style totally suits you!! Go girl!

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:06 pm

      Thank you Kimberly!!

  • Janel April 5, 2012 at 6:37 pm

    You look fabulous! And you’re helping someone else look fabulous too – love it!

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:07 pm

      Thanks Janel!

  • Angel April 5, 2012 at 6:38 pm

    AHHHHH! I love it!! You look SO beautiful! Also, I would consider your photographer to be a big nerd.

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:07 pm

      Haha, he laughed at that 🙂

  • ash April 5, 2012 at 6:40 pm

    I LOVE IT! I did love your long hair too, its sooo gorgeous, but worth so much more on the head of someone without any!! Love ya!

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:08 pm

      Thanks Ash! I loved the long hair too for a while…then it was too much.

  • tj April 5, 2012 at 6:42 pm

    I love it! 🙂 you look beautiful! 🙂

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:08 pm

      Thank you so much!

  • Carlene @ Carlene's Figments April 5, 2012 at 6:42 pm

    You look beautiful! I love the new look AND the cause it went towards.

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:08 pm

      Thank you Carlene 🙂

  • @AndreaEmilien April 5, 2012 at 6:46 pm

    Oh it is adorable!!! I did donate my hair once. It was wonderful to be able to do that.

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:09 pm

      Andrea, that’s great! I have done it once before too. Definitely a cool thing to do if you can.

  • Shelah Phillipsen April 5, 2012 at 6:51 pm

    Your shorter do is gorgeous! Love the ponies on your hubby, so cute! I like it curly since I have curly hair too but at least you have the option to wear it straight also.

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:09 pm

      Thanks Shelah. I have actually been wearing it straight more because it’s easier to style and it lasts for a couple days.

  • Naomi April 5, 2012 at 7:09 pm

    Love it! You’ve inspired me to look at chopping my hair off and mailing it in. Love your look curly but would be quick and easy to straighten too. Good work!

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:10 pm

      Naomi, if you donate your hair let me know, I would love to see it!

  • Susie B. April 5, 2012 at 7:19 pm

    Beautiful woman! I like it curly!

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:10 pm

      Thanks Susie!

  • hannah singer April 5, 2012 at 7:54 pm

    Cutie! LOVE your look…amd your sweet heart. xo

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:10 pm

      Thanks Hannah 🙂

  • Vicky April 5, 2012 at 8:10 pm

    I am cracking up reading this post. Because I have a hair appt on Saturday to chop my hair off. And donate it to Pantene. And I’m going to a new stylist. And I’ve been wearing it up for weeks because it’s gotten to long and the weather here in TX is already too hot for long hair on the neck. {I am, however, missing the cute photographer… wonder what my chances are of finding one of those before Saturday…ha!}

    I’m a bit scared because I’ve never had my hair that short. And I have curly hair, so who knows what it will do once it’s short! Your pictures comforted me because it doesn’t look quite a short as I was envisioning (yet it looks like it barely hits the top of your neck, which is where mine will have to be to donate) and it’s a SUPER cute style.

    I think I’m going to take my computer with me on Saturday so I can show the stylist your pictures and see if she can do something similar.

    Thanks for sharing! You’ve bolstered my courage!

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:11 pm

      Vicky did you do it??? Crazy timing!

      • Vicky April 11, 2012 at 4:20 pm

        Yep, chopped it off! Shorter than I’ve EVER had it. And I LOVE it… sooo easy! I may never go back to looooong hair again 🙂

  • Anne Nielsen April 5, 2012 at 8:32 pm

    Alysa- I will never ever forget trying to put your hair in a ponytail one time during grade school and I was blown away by how thick it was and how my little hand could barely wrap around it. The woman who gets your wig will look gorgeous! What a wonderful thing you have done.

    I love the short look and I know you will prefer less effort drying it. As for curly or straight, I am envious of your curl so you have to keep it curly!

    Oh and Jeff’s pic with your hair as a toupee is hilarious!

    🙂 Anne

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:12 pm

      Anne that is hilarious! I’m sure you were doing my hair because I was totally inept at doing it myself.

  • Kandice April 5, 2012 at 8:34 pm

    Way to go!…. BONUS!! that the short hair looks way cute!

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:12 pm

      Thanks Kan 🙂

  • Tia Edwards April 5, 2012 at 9:26 pm

    Love it! Looks like you are ready for the summer 🙂

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:12 pm

      Yes, totally ready! Thanks Tia 🙂

  • Angela DeSoto April 5, 2012 at 10:37 pm

    Super fun and cute! I like how you can pull off both long and short looks. This will be a fun style to have for summer. And good for you for donating it!

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:13 pm

      Thanks Angela! I am so excited to have short hair for summer.

  • Stephanie April 5, 2012 at 10:38 pm

    Oh wow! It looks beautiful on you… And what a beautiful thing to do:)

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:13 pm

      Thank you Stephanie 🙂

  • Deanna Segrave-Daly April 6, 2012 at 2:40 am

    Love love the cut – and the curls are gorgeous (coming from someone with thin poker straight hair 🙂 What a wonderful gift you’ve given!

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:14 pm

      Thanks Deanna! I haven’t fixed it curly since the cut, but it’s nice to know I can 🙂

  • Jen April 6, 2012 at 5:09 am

    Hey Alyssa! I love the new haircut, it looks so good on you and such a great cause! I’d do it if I didn’t color my hair (just a bit ;-))

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:14 pm

      Thanks Jen!

  • Elana April 6, 2012 at 7:03 am

    Love the new look! I’m biased toward the curly look, but either would be great. Props to you for making the donation. It’s a wonderful, noble cause.

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:15 pm

      Thank you Elana, it’s nice to be able to do it 🙂

  • Alexa April 6, 2012 at 7:38 am

    That’s AMAZING. Good for you. That is such a selfless and beautiful thing ti do for someone else. 🙂

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:15 pm

      That’s so sweet Alexa, thank you!

  • Toni April 6, 2012 at 8:13 am

    Beautiful Alysa!!

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:16 pm

      Thanks Toni 🙂

  • Cassie April 6, 2012 at 10:20 am

    Hooray for you! You look stunning, as always.

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:16 pm

      Blush

  • Maria April 6, 2012 at 10:32 am

    Super cute!

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:16 pm

      Thank you Maria!

  • JenCoen April 6, 2012 at 11:01 am

    So beautiful! And such a beautiful gesture!

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:16 pm

      Thank you Jen!

  • Jen April 6, 2012 at 11:58 am

    Love the wispy bangs! Great style, great cause! Love it!

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:17 pm

      Thanks Jen, I was a little unsure about the bangs, but I like them so far!

  • Dani April 6, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    Alysa,
    You are super inspirational!!!! I love that you did this and your new cut looks absolutely adorable! I am sure it will be gorgeous straight too!!
    Following your inspiration,
    Dani

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:17 pm

      Thank you Dani!

  • Sarah April 6, 2012 at 1:41 pm

    Alysa,
    You are a special person and I commend you for doing something I have always wanted to do. You look beautiful! Miss you!

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:18 pm

      Thanks Sarah 🙂 Miss you too!

  • janetha April 6, 2012 at 3:11 pm

    I absolutely love it. And you are so generous!

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:18 pm

      Thanks girl, I’m not sure how generous it is (I wanted to chop it anyways) but I am happy to do it!

  • Trish April 7, 2012 at 11:13 am

    It looks beautiful and for a great cause. Happy Easter 🙂

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:19 pm

      Thank you Trish!

  • Robin April 7, 2012 at 2:44 pm

    I love it! (And the hilarious picture of your photographer, as well. For a moment I wondered if he was also the ‘new’ stylist.) I am planning to donate mine any day now, so it was perfect timing. I’m on the opposite end of the spectrum- my hair is super straight and fine, so it would probably take 3 of my ponytails to make one of yours!

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:19 pm

      Robin, do you have any pics of your donation? I would love to see them!

  • Stephanie April 8, 2012 at 10:17 am

    Wow. Huge change. You look younger – and still so pretty.

    Kudos to you for donating your hair for a good cause.

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:19 pm

      Thanks for saying I look younger 🙂 Definitely a plus!

  • Vicarious Chelsea April 8, 2012 at 8:43 pm

    Love it! And, I love that you can wear it curly or straight! I always wished I had options 🙂

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:20 pm

      Thanks Chelsea! I am the worst at hair, so it’s nice to have a couple of things to do with it.

  • Megan @mnmspecial April 9, 2012 at 3:45 pm

    You look amazing! and so much younger and different (in a good way) with the shorter hair. Love it!!

    • inspiredrd April 11, 2012 at 4:20 pm

      Thanks Megan 🙂 I will always take a “younger” compliment!

  • Samantha @ The More I Run April 11, 2012 at 7:59 pm

    LOVE the haircut!!!! Really really cute! Yes, I’ve donated before, too (several years ago). I also went from really long hair to a really short, pixie cut. 🙂

  • TheBigO621 April 15, 2012 at 11:05 am

    When I was in the donating hair circuit — and by that I mean chopping it off and growing it out and chopping it off and growing out …. — the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program wasn’t in existence. But anyway, over a period of several years, I donated a total of 60″ of hair to Locks of Love. Yeah, that’s taller than I am!

    I love the haircut – it is totally great. Being a curly haired girl (crazy curly…), I am all about keeping the curls. Plus, all I have to do is just put in some curl creme or gel spray and let it do it’s thing (it always does it own thing anyway).

    In case you haven’t had the chance to buy some new hair “accessories” – pick up some mini hair clips (little butterfly clips) and just experiment. It takes me 5 minutes to pin up mine in a cute style that looks like it took forever. 🙂

  • Cooking, Leaping, Struggling and Thanking: A look back at 2012 December 31, 2012 at 3:55 pm

    […] April, I chopped off and donated my hair, we celebrated Joe and Leila’s birthdays with some Cowboy Caviar, Joe scored his first soccer […]