10 MINUTES WITHNatalie Anne

Widely regarded as the leading hair artist, expert and social media educator in Australia, Natalie Anne regularly works with celebrities, models, music artists and social media superstars. Managing her own salon alongside celebrity bookings and global campaigns, Natalie Anne also creates awe-inspiring hair content for her fans and followers.

Crowned “International Hair Influencer of the Year” at the American Influencer Awards, and winner of the “Digital Influencer of the Year” at the AHFA’s, Natalie Anne also holds a Guinness World Record Title, while her huge social media following continues to grow.

With her “na girl” in mind, Natalie has also designed and launched her own haircare line, to bridge the gap between luxury and what is possible at home, maintaining hair health and style sustainability as equal priority!

Sharing her product tips and tricks via video tutorials and live Q&A’s, Natalie Anne’s authentic approach inspires her audience with motivational talks and instructional content, all driven by her genuine desire to educate the industry, her clients and consumers globally.

Hair Biz Editor Louise May caught up with Natalie Anne recently to get a little more up close and personal.

TELL US WHAT YOU DO IN THE INDUSTRY TODAY:

All things HAIR - Styling, Bridal, Education, Product Development, Social Media workshops & in more recent times- filming a doco on reigniting my passion for hair colour

TO HELP US GET TO KNOW YOU A LITTLE MORE, WOULD YOU SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR UPBRINGING?

I grew up in South West Sydney, in a large multicultural family and was surrounded by hard-working entrepreneurs and creatives; they instilled my work ethic from a very young age. I left school at 14, starting my career in hair Toni&Guy My grandmother and stepmother were hairdressers and when visiting my father on weekends, I’d spend a lot of time in the salon.

WHAT ACHIEVEMENT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR LIFE OR CAREER?

My Daughter is my biggest achievement to date. Making a human, trumps any business or career achievement. I am also super proud of growing a well-known brand, salon and haircare line with a great reputation worldwide, from my parents garage to what it is today.

IF YOU WEREN’T DOING WHAT YOU DO NOW, WHAT ALTERNATIVE CAREER WOULD YOU CONSIDER?

I think I would have always ended up in the beauty space. I would love to help find the solutions and products for people with conditions like psoriasis/eczema.

THREE THINGS YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT:

- Watching people around me GROW - Transforming the way women feel about themselves - Cooking... it’s my happy place!

DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL SUNDAY:

Sunday is family day, starting with breakfast on the balcony with my daughter then heading into the city for some retail therapy. Coming home to cook a feast and invite the family over to start the new week properly. Having an early night - with loads of love & full bellies.

WHAT’S ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

Spend a day with Garry Vee. Build a globally renowned beauty/haircare line. Ensure that my family is well looked after and Finally, that I raise my daughter to be a strong, independent, non-judgemental woman who understands that kindness, compassion and empathy should be at the forefront of her decision making in life

CRAZIEST, FUNNIEST, OR MOST UNUSUAL THING/S YOU’VE EVER DONE? WHAT WAS YOUR NICKNAME AS A CHILD AND HOW DID YOU GET IT?

“Aboobs” instead of “Ayoub” (my maiden surname)- because my boobs were massive!!

IF YOU COULD LEAVE THIS INDUSTRY HAVING ACHIEVED JUST ONE THING, WHAT WOULD THAT LEGACY BE?

To inspire as many hairdressers as I can, to know their only limitation on learning is themselves!

WHAT’S SOMETHING INTERESTING OR QUIRKY WE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I’ve worked in nightclubs and touring with international artists, but my love for creating hair would always bring me back to a photoshoot or backstage of a designer runway instead!

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?

My husband just knows how to make me laugh. I can’t explain what he does, but he just does!

WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST FEAR?

I Pee’d myself in front of everyone in a store - please never make me laugh when I’ve had a full day of clients and haven’t had a second to use the bathroom!! Haha!

PETS OR NO PETS & IF SO, WHAT/WHO?

No pets. I absolutely Love animals enough to know I don’t have the time it takes to properly take care of them!

WHAT’S PLAYING ON YOUR SPOTIFY RIGHT NOW? WHAT DOES CONTENTMENT MEAN TO YOU?

I am so incredibly content with my personal choices in life - I would never replace my homelife, husband, or my daughter - it’s like they were made in heaven just FOR ME! Career-wise, I’m always driven to grow, learn, be & do better! I don’t feel like I’m ever truly content with work... and that’s ok. It makes me who I am.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Still - snapping someone’s hair off

YOUR GREATEST INDULGENCE?

Chocolate

AS A STRONG BUSINESSWOMAN YOURSELF, WHAT ADVICE WILL YOU GIVE YOUR DAUGHTER BILLIE AS SHE GROWS UP?

Build her future company with Kindness & Compassion. Equally as important, to SEE people for who they are, without judgment, not expect them to give what you give, but be empathetic to what they are personally capable of & deal with them based on that knowledge.