British Hairdresser of the Year Efi Davies has highlighted the challenges and rewards faced by mothers in the hairdressing industry. Several prominent figures, including Sacha Mascolo-Tarbuck, Jordanna Cobella, Charlotte Mensah, Lan Nguyen-Grealis, and Nicola Clarke, shared their experiences. Their insights reveal a sector where ambition and family life are often presented as conflicting forces, yet these women have successfully navigated both.
Sacha Mascolo-Tarbuck, CEO of TONI&GUY and LABEL.M, became a mother in her early thirties. She found motherhood enriched her career, attributing strong family support and personal growth in leadership qualities to raising her three children. Her advice centres on embracing both work and family, ensuring balance prevents guilt.
Jordanna Cobella, owner of Cobella Salon, welcomed her first child in August 2024, the same year she was nominated for British Hairdresser of the Year. Cobella advocates for taking adequate maternity leave, regretting her own short initial break. She plans to be stricter with her time for a second baby, emphasising the importance of this period for both mother and child. Cobella also notes the industry's inadequate support for working mothers, prompting her to implement better policies in her own salon.
Charlotte Mensah, a salon owner and diversity champion, became a mother at 22. She built her career by working from home initially, prioritising balance and avoiding compromise on either motherhood or work. Mensah advises valuing health and loved ones above all, urging mothers to protect their boundaries and give themselves grace.
Freelance make-up artist Lan Nguyen-Grealis found out she was pregnant in 2013 while on tour. She continued working until giving birth, later having a second child five years on. Nguyen-Grealis highlights the lack of paid leave and the high cost of childcare as significant hurdles for freelancers. She recalls a time when women concealed pregnancies for fear of career repercussions, a stark contrast to today's conversations.
Nicola Clarke, a celebrity colourist with her own salon, became a mother after establishing her career. She credits exceptional family support and understanding employers, like John Frieda, for enabling her to travel for work with her children. Clarke experienced traditional maternity pay from her salon and chose her editorial work, returning to the salon after six months but travelling with clients sooner.
The collective advice for other mothers centres on proactive boundary setting, seeking help, and self-compassion. These experiences show that while challenges persist, particularly regarding industry support and freelance instability, personal resilience and strategic planning can foster fulfilling careers alongside family life.
