Brittney Hardaker started to lose her hair due to alopecia when she was 12. Forming friendships and relationships was hard, and she was bullied to the point where she had to move secondary school five times.
It wasn’t until she met Rebecca Morgan-Brennan of Morgan’s Hair and Beauty in Lower Bridge Street, Chester, that she was able to get a real hair wig and begin building her self-esteem.
‘I got in touch with Brittney after she posted on a Facebook group to say she was struggling to find a good wig,' said Rebecca. 'She’d moved areas because of the bullying she’d suffered and couldn’t get help through the NHS. At that point, she was of the age where she could have some support through the Little Princess Trust, so we helped with that and then got her back on the NHS list in this area.’
Since then, Rebecca has worked with Brittney, , who lives in Abergele, and made her an ambassador for Morgan’s Hair Loss Solutions.,
‘I was a hairdresser and I moved into this field after helping my friend when she was having chemotherapy,' said Rebecca. 'The wig she was given was so bad I remember her saying she didn’t know if she should put it on her head or put a lead on it and walk it like a dog.
'Sadly, we lost my friend, and in her memory, I started helping people with wigs. There’s such a big need and I’m not sure others realise the difficulties.
‘For example, with Brittney, she can now take her son swimming because she’s not afraid to wear a wig in the water anymore.’
Brittney's confidence has grown since becoming an ambassador for Morgan's but she had concerns about trying on clothes and going to a beauty salon, so Rebecca asked some of the businesses she collaborates with regularly in Chester to help.
Brittney, aged 26, said: 'Having a salon treatment where you have to lie down very close to someone, knowing they can tell you are wearing a wig is difficult, and when it comes to buying clothes, I usually order online. Going into a changing room is hot and awkward when you're wearing a wig and the clothes you're trying it are knocking it.'
As part of the build-up to a photoshoot to highlight the problems wig wearers face, Brittney had her eyebrows styled and make-up done at Brow HQ in Bridge Street and then visited Chester Boutique just across the road.
Dawn Robinson, owner of Chester Boutique said: 'We helped Brittney choose a dress, leisure suit and jumper from a brand called Soyaconcept. She felt so comfortable in the leisure suit and dress and loved the shape of the jumper. We added a faux fur/faux suede full-length, reversible coat from Danish supplier, K-Design.'
Leisa Roberts, founder of Brow HQ in Chester said: 'It was such a pleasure to meet Brittney and we are so glad she felt safe in our environment and grateful to her for trusting us. We are passionate about our crafts and delivering happiness to our clients, so we are thrilled to partner with Morgan’s.
'It was always my vision to have a team that would build women’s confidence while they are going through cancer or alopecia.'
Brittney added: 'I was made to feel I wasn't any different to someone who had their own hair. It was a very good experience.
'It's nice to feel as though I can help other people in my situation through projects like this one, sharing my story and being confident.'
Rebecca said: 'A huge goal of Morgan's is to make hair loss services more readily available and accessible to individuals who need them. We hoped by showing the issues Brittney and so many others face and highlighting possible solutions we could help hair loss sufferers and wig wearers within all of our businesses.'
morganshairandbeauty.co.uk
brow-hq.com
chesterboutique.com
