I CAN I AM I WILL collection

Louis Byrnes’s empowering campaign I Can I Am I Will sends a powerful message by encouraging people to care for themselves and drill down into what is important to them. The campaign, which we have mentioned before and fully support, has a clear goal: to act as a focus upon a personal journey to happiness and wellness – something we all strive for; and it focuses on the importance of the relationship between the hairdresser and the client- a significant relationship to many people.

A tough journey

As part of his campaign, Louis worked with Hazel Gardner on his latest shoot. In 2007 Hazel was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that went undetected for some time. She was treated at the Royal Marsden Hospital and underwent 18 months of Chemo and Radiotherapy. The treatment Hazel underwent to save her life caused her to lose all of her hair.

Louis produces these shoots for each client to raise awareness, giving them an opportunity to have a voice. Hazel’s message is clear: ”Do not ignore your body, inform yourself on what is happening, give yourself that moment of acceptance and understanding, and understand that your mental health supports the physical recovery. Talk about your journey.”

The look and the technique

Hazel has now fully recovered, with her gorgeous curls fully regrown. To enhance the natural curl in Hazel’s luscious locks, Louis used the L.O.C method. The Liquid Oil Cream Method (L.O.C) is a technique for moisturizing curly hair. It consists of hydrating the hair with water or a water-based product which is your liquid, sealing in the moisture with oil and then applying a curl cream product to close the hair cuticle which prevents moisture loss. The result is a stunning collection and a series of beautiful, full of emotion pictures. Gorgeous!

Here, Louis shares his technique.

L.O.C.

Step one, apply leave in conditioner to moisturize each strand of hair to freshly washed combed hair, the dryer your hair the more it will absorb the product. Step Two, apply a thin layer of natural oil to the hair to help lock in the moisture from the leave in conditioner, the amount of oil needed will vary depending on the porosity of the hair. Step Three, Cream Apply a creamy moisturizer curl enhancer to seal moisture in; this will provide your curls with definition and hold.

To Dry

Dry with a soft air flow and cool temperature when the hair is dry loosen through with a cold blast. Shake and be free. Alternatively leave to dry naturally in the air.

The Twist

Use the L.O.C. method to apply hair products. The twists are best made when the hair is wet and somewhat relaxed from soaking with hot water. Divide the hair into multiple sections, the start by twisting two sections of hair around one another, this can also bed one with one section of hair and a comb. The amount of hair in each section will determine the size of finished twist. As the hair starts to dry it will shrink, creating a tight twist. Allow to dry naturally.

Hazel’s I CAN I AM I WILL message

I Can – do anything which is something I used to struggle with, I always put barriers up or fear before

I Am – Resilient which is something people used to say to me before, but I now have a true identity with that word. I do actually feel really resilient, to help me get where I am today, and I think my mind is the most resilient it has been.

I Will – always endeavor to share my story as I have done today and use everything, I have learned to help other people weather it’s a quick interaction or someone who is going through something. I just think if anything I have learned this about myself and you know how to help people going through similar things, so yeah always be there for people if they want to talk to me.

Hair: Louis Byrne @icaniamiwillbylouisbyrne, Model: Hazel Gardiner @hazelgardinerdesign, Photographer: Liam Bundy@liam_bundy