Member Article

Hair extension entrepreneur launches first studio venture

An ambitious hair stylist who found a market for hair extensions has opened her own studio on Aycliffe Business Park.

Newtonian Victoria Cartwright launched Lox of Love 18 months ago, offering a mobile hair extension service to clients across the North-East.

But after winning a deal to become an official stockist of world-renowned, award-winning brand, Halo Hair, she has taken the leap to open her first premises and take on a member of staff.

Tamsin Edwards, a Teesside University graduate has joined Lox of Love as retail and marketing associate.

For Victoria, she’s rekindling ambitions of starting her own company after completing a business degree at Teesside University.

Victoria is a mum-of-three and was a hair stylist for 10 years before taking time out to study - and as part of her course she compiled a business plan for a hair extensions company.

She said: “There are a million and one mobile hair extension firms out there and there’s also a whole heap of horror stories.

“You speak to any female who has extensions and most, if not all, will have had extensions that they’re not happy with.

“Having worn hair extensions for a lot of years, I thought I can do a better job than the bulk of what I’d seen.

“One of my biggest selling points is that I’m a fully-qualified hairdresser. Hair extensions can look hideous if not done properly, and there are a lot of hair extension technicians who’ll go on a one-day course and start off straight away with no experience.

“I make sure we offer excellent after care. Customers get after care kits and guides on how to look after their extensions and they’re always free to come back to us for advice. We also have our own brand of hair extension products.

“We focus on quality, I think that’s why word has spread so quickly about the business. I have built up a client base from all over the North-East, but Aycliffe is on my doorstep and perfectly located.”

Victoria had to apply to Yorkshire-based Halo Hair, which stocks across the world including the US and Australia, to become an official stockist. A Halo is an innovative hair piece that can be applied in minutes to add length and/or volume to most hair styles.

Victoria added: “They looked at our customer feedback and gallery of before-and-after pictures and decided they were happy for our brand to represent theirs.

“Halo Hair has won all sorts of awards for hair and beauty and innovation and is now an international brand.

“Halo Hair is a great alternative to fitted extensions and the quality of the hair is excellent.

“I’ve spent a lot of time researching hair for our fitted extension services. I’m very particular. I only use Russian hair because it’s really good quality.

“We work with our clients to ensure that our hair extensions are as undetectable as possible, blending perfectly with our clients’ own hair to create a natural look.

“We’re also keen to remain at the cutting edge of our industry so we update our techniques regularly. We currently offer a range of micro ring and hot and cold fusion bonding techniques that are kinder to your natural hair than other hair extension methods on the market today.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .