MAMAWEST

“There is such an opportunity for this safe space to become more than just a haircut.”

This is Oskah, or LOVE WEST, our marvellous first-year hair apprentice. After completing their social work degree, they decided to study hairdressing because they wanted a practical caring skill that could combine with their studies. Now, they can use their unique experience, university degree and practical skills to provide a niche but necessary service to our society: gender-affirming hair care.

Australia’s hair industry has a problem. Every year, fewer students are choosing to study hair. Students just like Oskah aren’t presented with the reality that it doesn’t haven’t to be one or the other ~ you can have both if you desire! A practical trade, AND a university degree.

We’ve had enough of the stigma. As Oskah said, our work is so much more than “just a haircut”. We are creative and social leaders, natural carers, clever problem solvers, physical labourers, and so much more in one.

Oskah is doing their little bit to build a more inclusive future ~ and that’s bloody inspiring.

There’s no such thing as “just a hairdresser”.

We want to share some tributes to Todd given at our Glam for Good event last month.

We held Glam for Good three days after the news of Todd passing. Showing up to be of service was unbelievably difficult for us, yet also came as a time of healing, as we got to give and receive the love we needed. Todd would have showed up no matter what, and we led by his example.

In honour of Todd, we have set up a fundraiser to fund a future hair apprentice. Overnight, this incredible community has already given more than $3000 to support it. This fundraiser could support a young person to fulfil their dreams of becoming a hairdresser. The link to this is in our bio if you’d like to support it.

We know how vital education can be to a young person’s life. Thank you so much for all your support at this time.

Being a hairdresser is about so much more than cutting hair. We are of service every day - and even more so as educators.

That’s why we weren’t surprised that so many incredibly talented stylists showed up to be of service at Glam for Good. Unsurprising - but still very humbling.

Thank you to everyone who turned up to give back. Thanks to your generosity and kindness, every attendee left smiling.

Keep your eyes peeled for more events like this. With a community this beautiful, we’d be silly not to.

meet the woman who inspired it all: Randa Beiruti.

Randa is a woman on a mission ~ feed the people of Footscray, get people together, share some love. as is so often the way for volunteers and carers, despite organising free haircuts for those in need every Monday night, Randa has not had the time or capacity to sit for a haircut in more than six years.

this is the reality for people in service that inspired us to host Glam for Good. it’s not just about raising lots of money ~ it’s about saying thank you to the people who show up day in, day out, with no pay, very little help, and often without putting their own mask on first.

At MAMAWEST we believe in contributing to community, and we just wanted to give a little of the love and energy we receive back. Randa ~ you don’t have to wait years for your next cut. you’re welcome back anytime.

if you missed out, don’t worry ~ we’re already talking about the next event 😘

“All I had was a dozen eggs and some chocolates.”

This is exactly what makes community-led events so special. At Glam for Good we hosted everyone from our highest roller clients, to people who hadn’t been able to sit for a haircut in years.

Food insecurity is becoming a day to day issue for most of us regular people in Melbourne. We know just how many of us are doing it tough, especially as the weather gets colder. Having the privilege and opportunity to provide one moment of luxury and relaxation in someone’s week? That makes us rich in our eyes.

Thanks again to everyone who attended and shared their stories. Be brave, show up, and be there for one another. You never know what might happen.

so glam, so bloody good!

when we set our target of $2500, we believed we could exceed it. that didnt stop us from biting our nails in the lead up to the event, asking ‘will anyone come?’

the Saturday night jitters were pointless, because we have the best community in Melbourne. hitting our target by 11am felt completely unreal. it just shows how much love and effort we have when we come together.

Reaching Out is all about love and effort. feeding and caring for the many can sometimes feel thankless - so we wanted to show Randa, the Reaching Out team, and the community of Footscray: we see you, and we’ve got you.

for everyone who came through, cut hair, did nails, made content, made food, and donated - you did that. and hopefully had an amazing time doing it too.

well… we’re still processing just how special last Sunday was.

more than 20 hairdressers from across Australia, the MAMAWEST team, the council of Maribyrnong, Reaching Out in the Inner West, Miss Westie, Miss Jay’s, DJ Kurt Coleman and more than 70 guests showed up, gave their all and got glam at Glam for Good.

we couldn’t be more proud and filled with gratitude for the community we are so lucky to be a part of. this collective of love and joy came at a moment of indescribable hardship for us at MAMAWEST, and although it was difficult for us to be of service in grief, the amount of love and spirit shared was perfectly timed.

for us, the number of smiles, hugs, and incredible services given was a sign enough of success - but raising $9015 for Reaching Out is pretty bloody amazing too!

to everyone that came out - thank you. Thank you thank you THANK YOU!

a salon isn’t a salon without good snacks

just as we’d almost gotten over our almond obsession, Salon Snack Co | Australia’s first salon only snack brand had to send us their new cookie collection. you’d better come try them before Tom Jarvis eats them all