My last day of long hair// Anticipation
It's Thursday the 5th of March, the day before my big charity hair cut in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and The Little Princess Trust.
I'm currently sat here writing this post practically torturing myself with anticipation, and all my hair thrown up into a messy bun. Not really making the most of it, I know., as many people in my situation would be curling, straightening and doing all sorts to their hair. But then again, I won't be able to tie up my hair for a good while now.
I've had long hair for as long as I can remember. Apart from, of course, pretending to be a hair dresser when I was six and trying to cut myself a chic fringe, like most kids do, which ended up with me looking like some kind of turnip. I've had hair disasters whilst being a teenager, too. I wanted a nice, choppy cut when I was in year 8 at secondary school, so mum booked me into a swanky hair dressers, expecting them to do a good job but, despite our high expectations, they turned me into a 14 year old boy with a massive curtain across his face. Not a good look.
There's been some futile but frustrating annoyances with my hair, too. It's been overly knotty because of how thick it is, I've had brushes stuck in it and messy buns that make me look like an onion rather than pretty and relaxed.
Despite how annoyed I get with my hair, I know there's people out there who wish they could have long, thick hair like mine. They wish they could experience these little annoyances and efforts of maintaining hair. Because they are in a position where they've had to lose their own, whether it be through alopecia or cancer.
As well as my aunt's battle with cancer and having to lose her hair because of chemotherapy, these thoughts are what inspired me to donate my hair to the Little Princess Trust, a charity which turns donated hair into wigs for little girls and boys who have had to lose their hair because of chemotherapy, a cancer treatment which can lead to the inevitable loss of hair.
I've had lots of people coming up to me and asking if I'm going to regret my decision, because I've been so fortunate with my hair. My answer? No. Because in the grand scheme of things, I only need my hair to look good, so I can feel good about myself. But these children who are losing their hair deserve another go at feeling beautiful. As well as suffering physically from cancer, patients suffer mentally as well, because they begin to look less and less like themselves. This can have a massive impact on their self esteem, and many cancer patients begin to develop symptoms of depression because of their side effects, worrying about their future and also their appearance.
We overlook confidence and abuse it's power. People endlessly worry about their own appearance without realizing there's people far worse off and just want to feel beautiful despite what they're going through. This is why I made my decision, because low self esteem is a side affect of cancer which can be solved.
I'm not doing this to look good. It would be ideal if the new style of hair I'm getting because of this choice suits me.But this isn't for me. I'm doing it to give another little girl or boy the chance to have self confidence, which can help them be mentally strong in their fight against cancer. On the other hand, I want to feel good for what I've done and show people that anyone can do this decision, some people need confidence more than others and we can feel good about ourselves whilst making those in need feel amazing.
The style I am going for tomorrow looks a little something like this..
It will be a little shorter than this, as I'm donating 8 inches of hair and this girls hair isn't far off mid-length.
I've been told to dye it, too. But I'm just keeping it simple. I don't want to draw too much attention to myself!
The process of donating my hair is quick and simple, absolutely anyone can do it!
Short hair often looks good with a pale complexion and dark lips, along with a bit of contouring.
It is going to be a very emotional process, regarding what the family has been through but I know for a fact some good will come out of it.
I'd like to give a massive hug to everyone who has donated to this amazing cause and sponsored me. Without you, none of this would have worked. Also, to Mamma (Tom's nan) who distributed letters and raised £180 of donations, all from the residents of her village.
Vincent Martin, an old friend and colleague of Julia, also hosted a bake sale and raised £90 which he then very generously forwarded to my 'just giving' page.
It's never too late to sponsor, as this is something I will be doing for years to come. Please donate to my Just Giving and support two amazing charities, all with an aim to destroy cancer and boost the morale of cancer fighters and survivors:https://www.justgiving.com/Grace-Marshman
There will be photos online of the process and some professionally taken shots by Tom and a lovely class mate of mine, Lee Simpson. Both extremely talented and reliable if you want a beautiful portrait!
Again- thank you so much to everyone who has donated! Love to you all and stay safe xo
I'm currently sat here writing this post practically torturing myself with anticipation, and all my hair thrown up into a messy bun. Not really making the most of it, I know., as many people in my situation would be curling, straightening and doing all sorts to their hair. But then again, I won't be able to tie up my hair for a good while now.
I've had long hair for as long as I can remember. Apart from, of course, pretending to be a hair dresser when I was six and trying to cut myself a chic fringe, like most kids do, which ended up with me looking like some kind of turnip. I've had hair disasters whilst being a teenager, too. I wanted a nice, choppy cut when I was in year 8 at secondary school, so mum booked me into a swanky hair dressers, expecting them to do a good job but, despite our high expectations, they turned me into a 14 year old boy with a massive curtain across his face. Not a good look.
 |
| Two recently-taken portraits by Chloe Day My last 'long hair' portrait |
There's been some futile but frustrating annoyances with my hair, too. It's been overly knotty because of how thick it is, I've had brushes stuck in it and messy buns that make me look like an onion rather than pretty and relaxed.
Despite how annoyed I get with my hair, I know there's people out there who wish they could have long, thick hair like mine. They wish they could experience these little annoyances and efforts of maintaining hair. Because they are in a position where they've had to lose their own, whether it be through alopecia or cancer.
As well as my aunt's battle with cancer and having to lose her hair because of chemotherapy, these thoughts are what inspired me to donate my hair to the Little Princess Trust, a charity which turns donated hair into wigs for little girls and boys who have had to lose their hair because of chemotherapy, a cancer treatment which can lead to the inevitable loss of hair.
I've had lots of people coming up to me and asking if I'm going to regret my decision, because I've been so fortunate with my hair. My answer? No. Because in the grand scheme of things, I only need my hair to look good, so I can feel good about myself. But these children who are losing their hair deserve another go at feeling beautiful. As well as suffering physically from cancer, patients suffer mentally as well, because they begin to look less and less like themselves. This can have a massive impact on their self esteem, and many cancer patients begin to develop symptoms of depression because of their side effects, worrying about their future and also their appearance.
We overlook confidence and abuse it's power. People endlessly worry about their own appearance without realizing there's people far worse off and just want to feel beautiful despite what they're going through. This is why I made my decision, because low self esteem is a side affect of cancer which can be solved.
 |
| A sentimental selfie to me- After I'd got ready for an evening meal at the Cafe d'amour with Julia, Mum, Jeff, Fin and Merryn. |
I'm not doing this to look good. It would be ideal if the new style of hair I'm getting because of this choice suits me.But this isn't for me. I'm doing it to give another little girl or boy the chance to have self confidence, which can help them be mentally strong in their fight against cancer. On the other hand, I want to feel good for what I've done and show people that anyone can do this decision, some people need confidence more than others and we can feel good about ourselves whilst making those in need feel amazing.
It will be a little shorter than this, as I'm donating 8 inches of hair and this girls hair isn't far off mid-length.
I've been told to dye it, too. But I'm just keeping it simple. I don't want to draw too much attention to myself!
The process of donating my hair is quick and simple, absolutely anyone can do it!
- I will be washing and drying my hair tonight so it is nice and clean for the princess/prince who will be receiving my hair (it can't be donated wet as it will dry in the plait and go all manky and horrible in the post)
- My lovely hairdresser, Honor, will be coming tomorrow at 11.00am. My hair will be put into two plaits with bobbles at the root end and bottom of the plait. Honor will cut from the top of each bobble so the trust can get all 8 inches of my hair.
- I will then go and wash my hair (again) so I can have it styled rather than looking like a little duck with two tufts of hair either side of my head from where the plaits were.
- The plaits will be put into a sealable, clear bag and sent off in the post. The Little Princess trust will send it to a factory to be transformed into a beautiful wig for a little princess or prince.
 |
| Messy bun in summer 2 years ago |
It's all a very easy yet rewarding process and something I will be doing regularly when my hair is long enough to cut and donate. So in the grand scheme of things, I won't really have long hair for a while. It's a gift to someone who needs and wants it more.
I'm also seeing this as a massive confidence test. My auntie was a sassy and beautiful woman and always wanted me to be comfortable in my own skin, so I will be in a similar situation to these children who will be learning to love themselves with a wig, besides going through a horrible illness of course. I will be learning to love myself for doing a good deed and maintaining a new look.
I will be experimenting with my makeup and clothes a lot more too, to discover what really suits me. I really love punk and alternative clothes so I will be shopping at places like PULP and DROPDEAD.CO.
 |
| Pinky-Back combed selfie |
There's also a lot of make-up looks I'm going to try. I'm looking forward to summer because I wear lots of green then, like shorts and cute little dungaree-shorts. These colours enhance my hazel eyes and give me an excuse to have elaborate green eye makeup (those who know me well know that I LOVE experimenting with eye makeup).
Short hair often looks good with a pale complexion and dark lips, along with a bit of contouring.
 |
| Minus the drawn-on eyebrows, I'm keeping these bad boys! |
I'd like to give a massive hug to everyone who has donated to this amazing cause and sponsored me. Without you, none of this would have worked. Also, to Mamma (Tom's nan) who distributed letters and raised £180 of donations, all from the residents of her village.
Vincent Martin, an old friend and colleague of Julia, also hosted a bake sale and raised £90 which he then very generously forwarded to my 'just giving' page.
It's never too late to sponsor, as this is something I will be doing for years to come. Please donate to my Just Giving and support two amazing charities, all with an aim to destroy cancer and boost the morale of cancer fighters and survivors:https://www.justgiving.com/Grace-Marshman
There will be photos online of the process and some professionally taken shots by Tom and a lovely class mate of mine, Lee Simpson. Both extremely talented and reliable if you want a beautiful portrait!
Again- thank you so much to everyone who has donated! Love to you all and stay safe xo
Comments
Post a Comment