Ever since I set eyes on the Pocahontas-like locks of my preschool TA, I knew I had to have long hair. It was glossy and braid-able and romantic. Now, everyone knows hair is hair and what you do with it is your business, but I never considered how attached I'd be to mine.

As many of you could see, plenty of celebrities have gone short. Emma Watson and Anne Hathaway totally rocked their short new looks while other women like Hillary Duff and Raven Symone played with color. Everyone knows hair is a very personal, self-expressive choice that we make in order to either make an impression or none at all. With my decision to cut my hair, I realized that not only had my hair grown so long it was heavy to wear, but also, many unfortunate children and adults are unable to grow their own hair due to illness.

Of course, many of you know about Locks of Love and other hair donation institutions, and I know that some good deeds are better left unmentioned than grossly glorified. However, just know that whenever you feel like you have nothing else to give, a little compassion and empathy for someone you may never even meet goes a long way.

xx Ella-Kol