The "donation haircut after social distancing" may be one of the first beauty trends to happen as a result of COVID-19. Search #hairdonations on Instagram or Twitter and you’ll be flooded with images of people, many of them in salons in masks, proudly showing off their before and after shots, often holding the lobbed off ponytails and braids that will be sent off to charity organizations. The combination of longer times between salon sessions and the desire to do something altruistic while the world struggles under the psychological weight of a pandemic has more folks using this time to grow out, cut, and donate their hair.
The movement even hit Hollywood: Back in May, Jamie-Lynn Sigler gave herself a haircut under the guidance of Salon Nine Zero One’s Riawna Capri, then donated the hair to the charity the hairstylist co-founded, the beYOUtiful Foundation. But the actor is just one face in a sea popping up on social media in a bid to bring a feeling of positivity to this stressful time. And it's welcome news for the charities that are now finding themselves having to make up for lost time to keep up with demand.
When COVID-19 first struck, there was a bit of a lull in the hair donation world. There was uncertainty about the safety of handling potentially virus-contaminated samples, and the organizations that accept those samples had to shut down their offices. But over time, as research suggested porous material like hair isn’t a major carrier of the virus and with salons slowly reopening, donations have started to pick up again — some at a rate above and beyond what they were before the pandemic struck.
This huge surge of donations is necessary to make up for time and resources lost when the hairpiece-making industry paused at the start of the pandemic. Jeffrey Paul, founder of the Ohio-based Wigs for Kids, explains that the process of making a wig takes a minimum of 12 weeks. A pause in production means having to make up both that time and the dip in donations to prevent gaps in recipients acquiring new pieces. But, he says, he sees the potential to make it up and then some, as donations often go up after times of hardship. "After the [Twin] Towers went down [on September 11], we saw a major increase in donations and in ponytails in the months that followed," says Paul. "So this time, there could be a real swell."
In fact, Wigs for Kids has seen a slight increase in the average donations per week compared to the pre-shutdown average donations per week. Similarly, Maggie Varney, founder of Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan, estimates her donations are up by 30 percent. Across the board, members of organizations we spoke to are reporting a feeling of renewed energy, with donors reaching out and tagging them on social media. Long Island, New York-based Hair We Share has gotten so many inquiries during COVID-19, the staff put a special message on its site with instructions on how to donate right now.
For many, the drive to participate comes down to doing something nice while so much of the world is in flux. That’s part of the reason Leticia Ochman of New York, New York has decided to continue growing her hair for a donation cut later in the year. "I'm not a doctor. I have a young daughter at home. I feel like I can't do very much right now to help people," she says. "But this is so easy — all you do is not cut your hair and treat it well for awhile and you can help someone else feel good about themselves."
The idea of being useful was a common theme among donors Allure spoke with. Christina DiPaola of Atlanta, Georgia says that, "With everything going on right now, I wanted to do something good for someone else and help them in any way I can." Ellie Rhodes of San Francisco, California, managed to make it a donation in two ways by turning her hair donation for Wigs for Kids into a fundraiser, collecting donations of over $3,500 for the Trevor Project in support of the occasion of her buzzcut.
Others are taking social distancing as an impetus for transformation. "During all the chaos, I wanted to do something bold for myself," says Esperanza Gutierrez, of Moreno Valley, California. (Gutierrez is a repeat donor who recently visited a salon for another charity cut.)
One possible reason for the bump in interest, explains New York City-based psychiatrist Zlatin Ivanov, is that we're experiencing heightened empathy. "Suddenly it's easy to understand people in crisis and to understand what it is to be in their shoes," he says. Ivanov adds that the urge to go for a dramatic before and after feeds into this need as well. "It's not just the big change in the look they want, it's in their perception of their place on this earth and their attitude towards the crisis, their willingness to feel involved and helpful in our society."
There are a few dos and don'ts to be aware of here. First, do a little research to make sure the charity you’re eyeing accepts the length and condition of your hair — some, like Maggie's Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan, will take as little as seven inches, while others require 10, 12, or even more. All hair textures are welcome but only some organizations, like Hair We Share, will take gray hair. And a good number of charities require hair that’s never been colored, permed, or relaxed, but a few like Locks of Love and Pink Hearts Fund accept dyed donations as long as they're otherwise in good shape. If you don’t meet those qualifications, you have another avenue: Matter of Trust, an organization dedicated to cleaning up oil spills with mats created with hair and fur, will take donations of varying lengths, provided they are placed in a bag directly after they’re cut from the scissors rather than swept up from the floor (which can add debris).
Most of the wig-making charities will accept donations in the mail directly from donors. All require the hair to be tied at least one inch from the top to keep all the individual strands going in the same direction. It’s even better to tie it multiple times down the length. And there’s no need to chop it all off in one section —in fact, you might save some length to work with for your own "after" cut if you use multiple ponytails. Last point: “Please don't send it wet. Hair molds,” says Varney.
If you choose to go with a salon that works directly with a donation center, they may take care of the process from there. Otherwise, once the donation is ready, instructions may vary slightly, but for most charities, it comes down to putting it in a baggie, placing it in a padded envelope for protection, and mailing it off to the charity with your contact info.
Going for a major cut can be liberating, but it can also be cause for anxiety. Taking a little time to get ready for the change can make the experience less stressful. For those going the DIY route, that means reading up on how to successfully give yourself a haircut. If you’re heading to a salon, hairstylist Sierra Kener of Nine Zero One (which, again, is affiliated with beYOUtiful Foundation) has some advice: She recommends gathering inspo pictures for your shorter style and prepping by giving your hair more attention leading up to the donation. That means going as long as you can between washing to keep from stripping your nourishing natural oils and wearing a hat in the sun to protect from UV damage. California-based hairstylist Jen Villarreal, who is herself a COVID-19 hair donor, recommends "putting hair in a braid at night to help with tangles."
Mental prep work can also be a help, according to donors. Ochman points out that your hair will likely end up being shorter than it is immediately after your donation cut. She says to be prepared to lose a little length due to shaping, so you’re not surprised your first time out. Gutierrez also has a trick for getting in a good headspace: “Deciding which outfits I'm going to wear to get my new haircut.”
Even if there’s an adjustment phase, all the people we spoke with who had already completed their donations agreed it was worth it. As beYOUtiful Foundation donor Stacy Hillen of Austin, Texas puts it, "Watching my stylist cut off the ponytail was kind of nerve wracking, but it felt amazing. Plus, summer is a great time for short hair."
Read more about how COVID-19 is affecting our beauty routines:
Why So Many People Are Making Big Hair Changes Right Now
Social Distancing Has Brought About the Golden Age of Press-On Nails
People’s Showering Routines Have Changed Since the COVID-19 Outbreak
Now watch Skai Jackson get ready in 10 minutes:
Follow Allure on Instagram and Twitter, or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty.
