Comedian to lose her locks for big cause

Jaquie Brown thinks everyone has a connection to cancer in some way or other.

Jaquie Brown will think of her parents when her head is shaved for charity.

Comedian Jaquie Brown's famous short hair is about to get shorter, when she shaves it next week to raise finds for the Cancer Society.

The Jaquie Brown Diaries star is getting the chop on August 11, and aims to raise $5000 in the process. She's well on her way - less than two weeks after signing up for the challenge she's raised more than $1700.

And though she said her hair was a huge part of her identity ("I have a massive forehead"), it's for a cause that is close to her heart.

"I lost my dad to cancer when I was in my 20s and my mum is a breast cancer survivor," she said. "I think everyone in New Zealand has a connection to cancer in one way or another, unfortunately. I'm hoping by doing this, cancer will know I'm not to be messed with and will avoid me."

This is the first time Brown, who is also an ambassador for the Breast Cancer Cure Research Trust, has shaved her hair.

"I've had dreadlocks and went bottle-blonde for about 12 hours, hated it and dyed it back, but not shaved all the way over.

"I'm drawn to the idea of a clean slate, of removing all your beauty trappings and seeing what's left," she said. She probably won't like the way she will look with shaved hair, "but that's actually the point".

"I'm prepared to hate how I look, and feel emotionally exposed.

"I think as women we use hair and makeup to showcase our individuality, to express ourselves and to feel beautiful. The idea of not having any hair is strange but also exciting - think how much quicker I'll be able to get ready in the morning."

The shaving of Brown's head will be aired on Monday on TV One's Seven Sharp. Her decision to go "tennis ball" is part of a month-long Cancer Society campaign, called Choose Your Challenge, in the lead-up to Daffodil Day on August 29.

To sign up, click here.

For the Herald's full health coverage, go here.