I started my journey in wig-making during lockdown when I couldn’t cut hair in a salon any more. I needed to work.
One day I had one of those lightbulb moments where I realised I could send hair to other people.
I had no ideas about what kind of wigs to do or where to get them from. It took a while but after extensive research and starting a Wig Instagram page account I decided to try Drag Hair as coming from a Toni&Guy background I could really get creative again.
I bought six different coloured wigs and with a little help from YouTube and a day course with Carl Brown Hair I started to get those creative juices flowing.
I worked on each unit then took pics and posted on Instagram.
I posted 1 then 2 then 3 pictures and after I think 5 or 6 I still had no interest.
I had 2 different people suggest cutting a mullet shape. Both of these people separately will tell you that it was their idea but I honestly can’t remember which of them said it first. Anyway I gave it a go late one night at 2am while watching Bates Motel in the background.
I kept chipping away at the hair and each hour that past I still wasn’t happy, finally I fell asleep.
The next morning I woke up feeling fresh. I think a spent a minute or so finishing up before I was finally happy. I still thought to myself “is this drag?”
It was for sure a total exaggeration of what I’d seen before and it was my own version.
Nothing had sold yet but I had this voice in my head that kept saying “if you can just sell one wig then it’s been a success.”
I uploaded the wig and within 30 minutes it sold!
I will never forget that feeling of appreciation and acknowledgment. I still feel that way every time someone wants my work.
I never dreamed that two and a half years later that they would still be selling. Or, that i'd get to work on TV Shows, Music Videos and Theatre Shows.
If it wasn’t for being pushed into a corner and having to think on my toes of how to adapt what I do, I wouldn't be where I am today.
I’m very thankful and very happy to be able to do this for my job. Every day is new and exciting. Who knows what will happen next!