Derbyshire hair salon owner rallies stylists for makeover and photoshoot for butterfly-skin charity members
‘It was a team effort, everyone supporting one another and then seeing the members see their own end shots was just beautiful.’
A Derbyshire hair salon owner rallied stylists from around the country for a makeover event to support people living with a rare skin condition.
Tracey Ann Smith, proprietor of French and Ivi in Belper, was so moved by a television programme on epidermolysis bullosa (EB) in which the skin blisters, is fragile to touch and painful that she wanted to do something to make sufferers feel better.
She put the call out for stylists to back the butterfly-skin charity DEBRA‘s first ’Style and Shine' makeover event, with members invited to come and have their hair and makeup done before taking part in a photoshoot.
Gemma Gorton of Gemma Louise Hair, based in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, said: “My daughter has a hidden disability, so this charity meant so much to me to recognise hidden disabilities more. It is also really important that we give back.”
Twenty hairstylists were paired with individual members ahead of the shoot to build a relationship, understand the specific EB condition and how they would like their hair on the day. This achieved hairstyles the members never thought they could have, from updo’s to hair extensions to braids.
Sixteen members plus their 20 family members joined the day, hosted at West Mill Collective in Rochdale.
Makeup artists and a clothes stylist were on hand to help personalise their looks and bring out their personality for the camera. Mood Haircare gifted products for the day and for the members to take away with them.
Tracey Ann Smith said: “Seeing everyone’s happy faces at the end of the day is what it is all about. From the members lighting up in the chair, to their makeup giving them that extra boost of confidence before getting in front of the camera. It was a team effort, everyone supporting one another and then seeing the members see their own end shots was just beautiful.”
Katie Welsby of DEBRA membership services said: ““In the lead-up to Style & Smile, it was wonderful to see just how much this event meant to our members from the excitement and anticipation surrounding it. However, nothing prepared me for the impact it would have on the day itself. It was both emotional and inspiring to watch members step so far outside of their comfort zone and embrace the photoshoot experience with such confidence.
“What made the day even more special was seeing the EB community and professionals from across the hair and beauty industry come together so seamlessly, creating an atmosphere filled with positivity and celebration.
“EB takes a huge toll on the person and their family living with it. Having such a joyful opportunity for distraction from the pain and grind of daily life meant such a lot to our members and for us at DEBRA, witnessing their enjoyment in such a beautifully glamorous event.
“Thank you to everyone involved.”