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.

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!

Marinello donated the proceeds from all student salon and spa services performed on January 16th throughout its 41 campuses. Students, staff and faculty took to the internet to get the word out through the use of Twitter, Facebook and email campaigns. As a result almost 1,500 guests got pampered in support of this worthy cause. All the money raised will be donated to the American Red Cross.

Is your cosmetology school raising funds for Haiti earthquake relief or other charitable causes in your community? Please share!