Going p!nk for Breast Cancer Awareness

October is breast cancer awareness month. This, I am sure, isn't news to anyone. There are many ways to get involved, from great campaigns like Feel Your Boobies to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. There is apparel sold in support of finding a cure, those "I love boobies" bracelets that are sold everywhere (mine is tied to my purse), and even packaged food in support of the cure. I got my Jane's Krazy Mixed Up Salt pink package, to support breast cancer research, at A&P tonight.


I was very excited to see that a local hair salon, Lounge Hair Studio, is offering pink feather extensions for $25 a piece, and donating $5 of that money to the Susan G. Komen foundation. I liked the idea so much, but as I thought about scheduling an appointment, and spending $25 on the extension (that can fall out) when only $5 will actually be going to cancer research, the idea fell flat. I chose, instead, to dye my hair myself, an idea I got from a very young, cool checkout girl at King's in Boonton, who did her hair herself (and told me the brand, and tips for doing it), then I donated $50, the money I might have spent on two feather extensions to my friend, Tray, who is walking in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (click here to donate to Tray).


The hair dye was about $10, and I only used a tiny bit of it, so I still have enough to do about 20 streaks (want some? call me!). The kit, Splat Pink Fetish hair dye bought at Walgreen's in Denville, came with a color stripping process, for people with dark hair, which I didn't need to use. The color itself stays in your hair for 10 minutes if you want it to last for three to four weeks, or 30 minutes if you'd like it to last for a few months. I left it in for 10 minutes, so that it will just last through the month of October. 

Me getting my pink on, in my pink, white and black bathroom. How fitting.

The only difficult part about this dye job was deciding what part of my hair to streak pink. I didn't want it too obvious, or too hidden. I looked at my hair while it was down, up, in a ponytail, etc. before I decided on a strand. It looked very bright going on (don't expect it to be bright when it's finished, FYI).  Ten minutes later, during a commercial break in the RHONJ season finale (love those Manzos), I hopped in the shower and washed it out. So easy.


I blew it dry and look, here's the final result.

Pleasantly pink, to show my support for breast cancer awareness and research.

If you'd like to have feather extensions put in your hair, go for it. Lounge Hair Studio is a community supportive, local hair salon that donates often to charities both in and out of town. But if you'd rather give 100% of the money to a foundation, please help my friend Tray raise her goal of $2,000 (she is walking on October 16th in Long Island for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, for the American Cancer Society) by clicking here and making a donation, then go buy yourself a $10 box of dye and DIY.

Splat in Pink Fetish, available at drugstores for about $10. Pink skull soap (princess pirate) by Basin.

Without turning this post into a PSA, I have to mention that it's so important to do monthly breast checks, and go see your gynecologist annually for a check-up. Model Amber Valletta, who I interviewed years ago on breast cancer awareness (her mother and grandmother both battled and beat breast cancer) said she suggests going to the gyno every year right around your birthday, because then it's easy to remember when you are due for another check-up. 


Not sure how to do a self-exam? Click here for the how-to.