Christy Carnes of Illusions Hair Studio in Newberry likes her work and the uplift she can give customers with a new ‘do.

“I love to see the change,“ says Carnes. “When customers come in, I can just envision what I think will look best on them,“ she says.

But in October when her grandmother was diagnosed with lymphoma after a long illness and lost her hair, Carnes took a different stylistic approach that will eventually help many more than just her grandmother—and hopefully give a lift in more ways than one.

“I think one of the hardest parts for her was losing her hair,“ says Carnes, “and I think one of the hardest parts for me was, being in the hair industry, was wanting to make her feel good.“

Carnes remembered making a wig back in salon school, and told her grandmother she would make her one. But later, after talking with other Illusion stylists, Carnes decided to extend that aid to others going through chemotherapy.

“I said, ‘I just kind of want to give back.’ I feel like this whole town has supported the salon and everyone has continued to come in and played a major role in my business succeeding,“ says Carnes.

So this Saturday, all six Illusions stylists will work extended shop hours and donate all proceeds to the American Cancer Society’s Look Good...Feel Better program. The program teaches female patients beauty techniques to use while coping with the physical changes cancer treatment brings.

“We called a shop meeting and everybody was really all for it. I was really surprised that all my girls were excited about giving up their money,“ she says. “We’re going to call it ‘The Clip for the Cure.’“

Carnes contacted the American Cancer Society Newberry representative, Janie Smith, who will be at Illusions Saturday with brochures about the Look Good...Feel Better program.

Sometimes, a full six-woman styling crew can pull in up to $2,100 on a Friday, says Carnes.

The event caps Illusions’ first year in business, and Carnes says that in addition to helping those with cancer, the event is one big thank you to the community after some tough personal years.

The Newberry native moved to Columbia with her young son seven years ago after a house fire left them with no more than “just a few things“ from the Red Cross of Newberry.

Carnes then attended hair school in Columbia, and soon after lost her maternal grandmother.

After hair school, she returned to Newberry and opened Illusions on Jan. 19 of last year.

The same week of the shop’s grand opening, Carnes’ family was subject to a home invasion where her sister, who has special needs, was bound and beaten.

“Coming here and being with family, and trying to make it through all these long hard roads we’ve been through, and to see my salon actually last a year has been an amazing part of my life,“ says Carnes.

Carnes says on opening day, a woman brought her a dozen roses, saying she knew Carnes’ family and that it was a blessing to see her success.

“I had tears in my eyes,“ said Carnes. “It was awesome being part of a community and a small town like that and everybody that supports you.“

Doors will be open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday for Illusions’ Clip for the Cure, where all proceeds go to Look Good...Feel Better. Illusions Hair Studio is across from Wal-Mart near the new Subway on Main Street.

Call 276-7916 for more information.