How I’ve Grown my Hair

My whole life, I’ve always had long and healthy hair. I could get away with using cheap shampoos from the supermarket and not using any products for protection and it would stay strong. Below is how my hair was before I dyed it and had just started modelling in 2016.

A year into my career, I went blonder. My hair was under constant heat from all the styling tools as I became busier with work. At first, I didn’t notice anything happening to my hair, so I continued with my poor hair routine. The photo below is how my hair was when I first went lighter - I have no extensions in this photo.

I had no knowledge on how this combination of going lighter, constant styling and my poor hair routine would lead to broken ends, a loss in thickness and just weak looking hair. When I look at this photo above, I feel so much regret on not treating my hair properly from the beginning of my career.

In May, 2018, I was booked in to get my hair lightened again for my birthday. A week before this, I bumped into Jaye (The owner and founder of Edwards and CO) coincidentally at the airport. Jaye had one look at my hair and told me he refused to dye it due to it’s poor state. He suggested I get extensions to bring the lightness back into my hair without dying it, and to also get back the long locks I once had. The photo below is how my hair looked when I went into the salon. The front pieces are all broken, it is a lot thinner and it was so short compared to what it once was.

After the appointment, I was sold! I loved my hair so much, I felt like myself again. At first it took a while to get use to the feeling of extensions, but after a few days I didn’t even notice them. Washing them wasn’t too different either; I just had to use more products for all the extra hair on my head. Below is a photo of my hair at the salon when I first got my tapes in.

Jaye introduced me to Olaplex, which I still use religiously at least once a week to reduce breakage. I also use salon quality shampoo and conditioner which makes all the difference. It is really worth spending the extra money on your hair. Learn from me, because I really regret not doing this from the start.

After the first application of extensions by Jaye, Brendon took over my hair. Every six weeks I go back to the Alexandria salon and get my tapes redone. Brendon is the BEST! He always makes sure the extensions look natural, and blend with my own hair.

Every time I go into the salon, Brendon and I are amazed at the health of my hair. My hair is still under heat most days, but deciding to get extensions instead of dying my hair, combined with these high quality products had been the reason for these results. The photo below is from the last time I was in the salon, I have no extensions in, its all my own hair.

I have also found that all my clients love them, and the hair stylists love to work with them. The extensions keep the body in my hair without using as much product, and the tapes can be hidden in most hair styles. The photo below is a recent behind the scenes photo from a shoot.

Another factor that has contributed to the improvement in my hair is that I’ve started taking a zinc supplement. I went and got my blood tests done recently, and was surprised to be told I’m low in zinc. This is apparently more common for vegetarians, which my diet predominantly is. Zinc is key for healthy skin, nails and hair. I have definitely seen a difference since introducing this into my diet. If you find your nails are breaking, your skin looks dull or your hair doesn’t seem to grow, I’d recommend going to get your zinc levels tested to see if a supplement may be what you need.

I am super grateful for the Edwards and Co team for always looking after my hair. Extensions do look great, but they are also an amazing way to look after your hair if you keep care of them. It is important to get them moved up every 6-8 weeks too. If they are left too long, they can really damage your hair, and they also don’t look great when they grow out!