Locks of Love

I love the makeover show "What Not to Wear"! Not only is it filmed in NYC, but I randomly saw one of the fashion experts, Clinton, in the village one evening. The fashion experts offer great styling advice for all types of body shapes and the hair and make-up transformations are applicable to everyday situations and lifestyles. Unfortunately, after agreeing to accept the makeover challenge some contestants' reluctances emerge.

The most disappointing part of an episode is when a contestant's shallowness becomes exposed
once in the presence of hairstylist, Nick Arrojo. They beg, plead, and cry for him not to cut their shoulder length or longer hair. On the last episode I watched, the complaining contestant told Nick that he could do anything to her hair, except cut it. Another contestant asked what he was thinking and when he said that he wanted to cut her snarly, shoulder length hair to her collar bone she told him that it would be too short and that she would not be able to deal with the difference. After honoring her request he politely reminded her that hair is not a permanent staple and can grow back. Go Nick!

The attachment that women have to their hair is not a new phenomena. Women spend large amounts of money and time on their hair grooming practices. Women of all races and ethnicities seem to strive for the European perception of beautiful hair: straight and long. Some women have been able to break out of those confines and appreciate their natural hair pattern of wavy, curly, or kinky. However, they are still subjected to society's perceptions of hair that is not straight and long.

There are children, men, and women that suffer from long-term medical hair loss due to medical conditions such as alopecia areata and cancer. Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces for financially disadvantaged children suffering from medical hair loss. This service restores their self-esteem and confidence while enabling them to face their hopes and dreams.

Next time, a "What Not to Wear" dysfunctional style victim whines about cutting their hair, Nick Arrojo should inform them of other's who are not so fortunate and the opportunity to help a worthy cause.