We all remember the scene in Little Women when Jo sells her hair because the family needs money. While they all cry together over her lost locks, they’re all consoled by the much needed hard cash its gotten them.
But this is not just the stuff of fiction. Scientists have decoded DNA and cloned sheep, but still can’t cure baldness! As a result wigs, hair extensions, and hair pieces have never been so popular. If you’re willing to get a snip, you can make a pretty mint from those luscious tresses.
Start Growing and Grooming
First you’ll have to start growing and grooming before you can start trimming. Most companies will want hair that has absolutely no chemical treatments so your hair can’t be coloured, permed, highlighted or tinted. You’ll also need plentyof it – at least six inches.
Hair must be clean, healthy and shiny. Cigarette smoke or traces of drugs taken will linger in your hair long after it’s washed.
Remember wig makers are hair experts, if they detect damaged hair they’ll toss it, and you’ll be sporting a crop without getting any cash.
Unusual natural hair colours are in for a treat, as they command the highest prices. The healthier your hair is in the more you can get for it.
Before you go for any snipping make sure to contact a wig seller and find out how much your hair type will earn you. This way, you can see whether it’s really worth chopping it all off.
Some tips for keeping your locks healthy:
- Regular trims will keep broken and split ends away (trimming every 6-8 weeks is best, but remember not too much!)
- Remember healthy body = healthy hair. Make sure to get your calcium and protein for strong hair
- Wash out all product from your hair at night, there are loads of chemicals in them that dry out your hair.
- Give up your hair dryers, curling irons or flattening irons, hairspray and other styling products now! These dry hair out and cause hair breakage and split ends.
- Instead of blow drying, towel dry
- Braid your hair overnight and in the morning you’ll have lovely waves without any of the damage curling irons will cause.
- Though you might be tempted, don’t brush your hair more than twice daily and use a high quality vent brush when you do.
- Oils like rosemary oil, cedar wood oil, juniper berry oil, and lavender oil will help lock-in your hair’s moisture. At night apply the oil, braid your hair and you’ll be moisturising your hair. This way it won’t be breaking while you sleep.
- Go au natural – Beer and egg whites make excellent hair conditioners.
Start Marketing
Market your new product online. Hop on Gumtree and you’ll find lots of ads from wigmakers willing to pay your asking price for your hair. If you’re going to post an ad on advertising your hair you’ll need to include:
- Clear, accurate pictures (mostly of length)
- Include a description of hair length, colour, quality, ethnic type of hair
- Contact details
Keep it simple, there are already wigmakers advertising for hair on Gumtree, so you don’t need to waste too much time on writing your own ones. Responding to ads can be just as effective.
Remember – wigmakers aren’t the only ones looking for hair. Market yourself in places that others haven’t yet thought of like hairstylists who work with extensions. Hair colleges will also need human hair supplies too. (Even high quality paint brushes are made with human hair).
Go through your Yellow Pages and look up your local hair colleges, and hair salons. Make some calls and find out what they’re willing to pay for your hair. Remember that your advert details apply here too. People want to know the condition, length, colour, quality, and ethnic type of your hair. It may take some time to research but the pay off could be big.
How much can you expect to make?
Bloomsbury Wigs will pay up to £100 for your hair. They’ll even cut it off on the spot for you. Before you picture some mad scientist coming at you with clippers – they just cut off your ponytail.
The main hair buyer in the UK, Banbury Postiche (Wigs UK) pays £3 per ounce if your hair is 6-12″ long and £5 per ounce if it is more than 12″ long.
Get on Gumtree where several wigmakers are looking to buy hair and are open to negotiations. Some are even willing to buy children’s hair, so you can even score some cash from your kids’ hair too.
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Got any other good ways to make a bit on the side? Share your experiences on the MoneyTalk Forum.
Email This Post
My hair is 60 sm long. And it’s very thick and heavy. My head is tired to wear it. How much in reality I can earn?
I would really like to sell 13in. of my shiny, wavy, honeybrown, untreated hair. If anyone is interested, and lives in the Minneapolis area please E-mail me. We can either get together, or I could E-mail some pics. You won’t be disapointed.
I have 20-23 inch dark brown hair want to sell. I am a 29 years old chinese. My hair is thick,straight, well-care and no colour treatment. If anyone interest to buy my hair or want to see the pic of my hair, please comment below and i’ll get in touch
hello
how long is your hair in cm???
and how much do you want to sell?
I’m chinese, male, and have grown my hair quite long, mainly around 5 inches but around the back it is 6/7 inches. my hair is black and very straight. do you think their is any value in this?
illnessdefined85@googlemail.com
I have hair down past my bottom. I am 52 years old and I am just getting tired of it. its getting to much forme to handle.
Yes, I am a smoker.. my hair is very thick. I am starting to get grey. and yes I have dyed it twice in my life time. so I do not know if it is even worth anythijng. will someone help me out.. I need the money so bad.. I have rent to pay and am on SSI as I am termally ill… can soneone please advice me.. Thank you.. ooooh my hair is dirty blonde
Cody do get in touch with Banbury Postiche. Tell them about your hair and see what they say. It sounds like you might as well sell it if it’s that long. All the best, Jasmine
hey can you help me to sell my hair? im from philippines.
Hi, I was wanted to know if you know anything about earning money by taking part in medical trials. And if you know and good/trusted websites. Preferrably in Birmingham/West Midlands area please.
20 in. + Natural,unprocessed med.blonde with highlights.Thick,straight well-cared, for placed in bun or ponytail. WILL SHAVE ! Have to sell for health issues : ( BEST OFFER ! (480) 694 – 3072
Contact me if near Minneapolis and want to sell your hair. Jimbob761130(at)hotmail.com.
i would like to sell my hair and i like to know how, i never sell my hair before, and this is my first time,
If you are near Minneapolis, contact me to sellyour hair. jimbob761130@hotmail.com
my hair is natural ringlets 8-12 inches long i want to sell any offers to shave? james-leete@live.com
I don’t know exactly but why not give Banbury Postiche a call and ask them. It’s a good idea to do it for charity – you could let your local paper know too as they would probably be interested. That way you could get some publicity for it and make more cash.
My hair is 25 inch long from my shoulder. It’s dark brown. I haven’t dyed or used any chemicals. I used to love long hair but now it’s quite troublesome as I don’t get much time to care for it. I want to cut my hair but not waste it. Do any of u know how much money would I get If i have a cut? coz i am organizing a charity event.
I have 8-9 inches to spare if thats any good? I used to be very blond but now it’s a mix of dark and light brown with blond streaks. Has never been dyed or had fancy straitners and whatnot on it. I tend to towel dry my hair and that is it.
Haha! I’m in serious need of a haircut. I don’t feel like going to my local because they waste more time chatting than cutting. Anyone else get that with their local? Haha.
I don’t suppose that anyof them would like to buy my beard…