International Women's Day: Hair 'mechanic' is changing lives

Rebecca Banham has been nominated as a finalist in the Remi Cachet Hair Extensionist of the Year awards – the Oscars for hair stylists.

"It’s the icing on the cake,” says Rebecca, who has been in hairdressing for 20 years and is also making a name for herself teaching her craft as the ‘Hair Mechanic’.

However, she says her work is more than just making her clients look their best selves.

"It’s a life-changing experience,” she says. “Hearing my clients’ stories of survival and how they have fought back against hair loss and taken control is so inspiring.

"One lady had suffered with cancer on her face and had been left with the devastation of radiotherapy as well as having her ear removed.

"I fitted her with a ‘topper’ (which is not a wig but a natural-looking hair enhancer) and now she is getting so many compliments.

"I feel so privileged to hear these stories and to have been able to help clients make their lives happy and complete.

"Being named as a finalist in the Remi Cachet Hair Extensionist of the Year awards is the pinnacle of my career.

"I can’t wait to go to the ball in June and rub shoulders with the best in the industry.”

Client Ruth Hurren, 55, was enjoying some bubbles with her partner for her anniversary and birthday when Lincolnshire World caught up with her.

She was one of Rebecca’s first customers to be fitted with a ‘topper’ to disguise the female pattern baldness that she suffers.

"The condition is hereditary and I never got used to the thought when I spoke to people they were looking at my thin hair,” said Ruth of Tattershall.

"I went for a consultation with my partner and he said I couldn’t stop smiling when she fitted it.

"This was the hair I should have been born with and I was beaming. My partner loved me anyway but it mattered to me.

"He was pleased to see me so happy. The best thing is colleagues are no longer obsessed with my hair, except to say it looks amazing.”

Rebecca’s salon is in Hundleby and you can find her pn Facebook at Hair extensions & hair loss by Rebecca Banham.