Feather Hair Extensions for the Cure

October marks breast cancer awareness month, and a local salon is doing its part to donate to the cause.

in Barrington is doing something a little bit different to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. Instead of the traditional cash donation, owner Brittany Cone decided to take a hair trend and turn it into a fundraiser.

For $10, customers can get a pink feather hair extension at Fleur De Lis, with 100 percent of the proceeds being donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

“Feathers are the biggest craze right now everywhere,” Cone said. “I kind of put two and two together and thought, ‘Why won’t we do the pink feathers, because it will be a different spin on it?’ ”

For Cone, breast cancer awareness is something she’s very passionate about. When a regular client recently was diagnosed with the disease, she knew she wanted to do something to help.

“I wanted to help her, and I don’t really have personal money right now,” Cone explained. “I really wanted to be able to donate to the cause on behalf of her name, and show her that we are supportive of her, and it kind of snowballed from there.”

The salon’s effort to raise awareness for breast cancer doesn’t stop with the pink feathers. The entire month of October, the salon staff is also using breast cancer foils for hair color, wearing the color pink as often as possible, and encouraging the community to get involved to support the cause.

“You don’t even have to be a client here, we just want the community to come in and share. Anybody that comes to get a feather, if they come and they have a person special to them that they’d like to be mentioned in our donation, we will do that,” Cone said.

Although it’s only Oct. 7, Cone said the feather hair extensions have been very popular so far. Several customers have come in requesting just one feather, and return for more after realizing how pleased they are with the new look.

Cone stressed that this fundraising event isn’t about gaining new clients or promoting her business. It’s really about raising awareness and donating money to breast cancer research.

“I really want to spread the word that we are doing this for others that are close to us. I hope to raise a lot of awareness and I just hope that a lot of people are aware that we’re doing it for a good cause, but they’re also helping a good cause by coming in.”

Pink feather hair extensions will be offered at $10 until Oct. 31. For more information, call Fleur de Lis at 847-381-1003.