Every day is pretty exciting when you’re a Hollywood hairdresser, like Joico Celebrity Artist, Jill Buck, of LA’s Nine Zero One Salon. But no days are quite as thrilling as the ones in which she donates time to the BeYOUtiful Foundation – a charitable organization dedicated to bringing beauty, confidence, and hope to women of all ages defying the odds against cancer. Today, Jill invites you to hear about this special mission – and learn how you can help deliver the gift of joi, too.
The Back Story
The BeYOUtiful Foundation is non-profit organization committed to connecting salons and stylists with local survivors, providing online education (cutting, styling, making and utilizing wigs, and dealing with chemo hair); and being there every step of the way, from diagnosis to remission and beyond. Dedicated to helping women of all ages, in all stages of life — little girls, young ladies, supermoms, and businesswomen — the BeYOUtiful Foundation provides a place to laugh, a place to cry, and, most importantly, a place to feel beautiful.
For Jill Buck, who participates in events on a weekly basis, the mission is as important and heartfelt as the work she has perfected behind the chair. “I get so much joy being able to use my skills to help others. I thought for a long time I wanted to be a doctor; and the idea that doing hair has brought me close to patients in need has come full circle in a sense.”
How It Works
Whether you’re a salon owner, a hairstylist, or simply a “beauty civilian” who really wants to help other women going through the challenges of a cancer fight, the BeYOUtiful Foundation provides an exciting, multi-pronged program for charitable giving.
BeYOUtiful Day
Create a salon fundraising event for your local cancer charity. If you’re a salon owner, rally your staff, encouraging them to donate their time, love, and resources to benefit your local cancer community. How? By hosting an in-salon event that provides free cuts to all cancer patients and survivors; as well as to anyone who donates ten inches or more of their own hair to the BeYOUtiful Foundation. A flat rate is established for the rest of your clientele, and 100% of these contributions are donated to the cause.
“These event days are like a full day of hustle and bustle in the salon, but in a party environment,” explains Jill. “We have music, food, raffles, giveaways, and merchandise…all of which goes on while we do back-to-back haircuts. It’s one on my favorite days of the year!” If you’re interesting in hosting, the Foundation’s ready to help, by providing support, info, and even a BeYOUtiful Day box filled with goodies and swag to ensure a great event. Not in the biz? Reach out to your hairstylist and make them aware of this philanthropic opportunity – and consider donating your own long hair in the process.
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BeYOUtiful Hair
Donate hair for wig creation. Encouraging clients to contribute hair after a major chop helps make this vibrant wig program possible. “We accept any texture hair (8” inches and longer); and the hair can be color treated, too,” explains Jill. “Our main focus is to bring wigs to those who need them most due to losing their hair from chemotherapy. When a client sits in my chair ready for a change, or just simply has the heart to donate, we take things slowly. I book a little extra time and walk them through the options to cutting eight or more inches off. Carefully sectioning the hair dry with small rubber bands allows me to keep control when making such a big change.”
The endeavor comes full circle, as Jill works closely with UCLA Children’s Hospital, where she visits young patients and helps them to get the wig of their dreams. How do these exciting hospital days play out? “I work mostly in scrubs and visit each child in their rooms to chat and talk about everything…from their favorite toys to their favorite hair,” she enthuses. “Once they are ready, I shave their heads and measure for a wig.” Within in 4 – 6 weeks, Jill returns, delivering the wig and showing the child how to wear it.
