Streaking. What comes to mind? Well, you might want to change what you think about streaking because it has a whole new meaning.

No longer is streaking running naked through a public place. It’s not even adding dyed or highlighted streaks to your hair. This month, it’s about lining your hair with trendy colored tinsel to show your support for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Streaking with hair tinsel allows you to do what you normally do to your hair, including washing, drying and flat ironing up to 400 degrees. It just adds a subtle, colorful flair and pizzazz – not to mention it speaks volumes about you supporting a charity close to your heart.

The organization “Streak for Cancer” recently changed its name to “Streak for a Cause,” so they could raise awareness and funds for even more charities of choice, though in October they will focus on the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Salons who wish to participate can visit www.streakforcancer.org to register their stylists. If you would like to schedule an appointment to have your hair streaked with tinsel to support Streak for a Cause, visit www.streakforcancer.org and click “Register to Get Streaked.” 100% of all pre-paid proceeds ($15 for 12 streaks) will go directly to Streaks for a Cause.

For the eighth consecutive year, the nationwide network of Paul Mitchell beauty schools will spend the months of February through April raising money for charitable organizations. In 2010, the schools raised an all-time high of $1.2 million, bringing their seven-year total to over $4.6 million.

This year they plan to raise $1.5 million for seven organizations: Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation, Food 4 Africa, Fran Drescher’s Cancer Schmancer Foundation, and newcomers Morris Animal Foundation, represented by Betty White, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

“We’re so excited to welcome Betty White and Dolly Parton this year, and we’re thrilled to welcome Leeza Gibbons, Donny and Marie Osmond, and Fran Drescher back again,” said Paul Mitchell Schools Dean and Cofounder Winn Claybaugh. “All of these incredible superstar celebrities will play an active role in motivating and encouraging our 12,000 future professionals as they take part in thousands of grassroots ‘FUNraisers,’ from cut-a-thons and car washes to fashion shows and charity balls. They’ve also joined an elite group of wonderful celebrities who’ve supported us in the past, including Larry King and Vidal Sassoon.”

Leeza Gibbons, whose Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation has been a supported charity since the FUNraising campaign began, says, “If I could start all over, I swear I would sign up to be a student at the Paul Mitchell Schools. These future professionals prove over and over again that they are committed to using their talents and passion for the greater good, and they really know how to spread the love!”

Returning to the campaign for the second year, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals founders Donny and Marie Osmond said, “In our family, we were raised to believe we all have a responsibility to give back and help others. We feel like we’ve found an extended family in Paul Mitchell Schools. From last year’s generous donation (twice the amount they originally promised) to the way they’ve reached out locally to the 170-plus Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals with their love, service, and passion, Paul Mitchell Schools have shown that giving back is not just about raising money.”

Ok, remember our “How Your Hair Can Save the World” article from about a year ago? Now is your chance to be a superhero and do your part to save the world.

Eliot Kamenitz / The Times-Picayune

Surely most of you have heard about the massive BP Gulf Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico near Louisiana. Thanks to this massive blunder, state and federal authorities are all taking huge steps to protect the sensitive ecosystems and wildlife in the Gulf from the millions of gallons of crude oil spilling from a sunken rig.

There are several leaks in the sunken rig, and the cleanup efforts have encountered numerous setbacks. Oil could be gushing into the Gulf of Mexico for many more days, or even at worst-case scenario, for many more months. But there is one huge way you can help.

If your beauty school or beauty salon offers haircut services, or you or someone you know works for a dog groomer, SAVE THOSE HAIR CLIPPINGS! The hair clippings can be stuffed into the booms to absorb oil, or woven into hair absorption mats to help soak up the gushing crude oil in the Gulf of Mexico.

It is fast, cheap and easy to donate hair clippings to the clean up the Gulf Oil Spill – so your hair and your clients’ hair can save the world. Hairstylists, cosmetologists and beauty school students alike can band together to help clean up the BP Gulf Oil Spill now!