HAIR HIGHLIGHTS: MADDIE GRACE JEPSON

photo credit: Anna Galiffent for the LOXX

Maddie Grace Jepson has a face you have definitely seen on Tik Tok. A content creator and actress, her career has gone from strength to strength with a recent role in Nicola Coughlan's TV series ‘big mood’ and the announcement of Maddie’s own show ‘Maddie Grace Jepson - Live’ (which sold out in 48 hours, I’d like to add). Whether it's filming content or walking down the red carpet, Maddie’s hair is important to her. We sat down with her to discuss haircare secrets and the importance of finding the right hair stylist.

“I don’t want to have to put heat on my hair every day or be on holiday stuck in the bathroom sweating my tits off because I have to dry it.”

  On what her hair means to her…

“Hair to me is really important. If I don’t have anything else on, so no make-up, no fake tan, no skin care—if my hair looks slay, then that is really all I need. I could have everything I just said on, but if my hair isn’t looking right, then I really feel it and the whole look doesn’t come together. I can touch my make-up up if I need to but if my hair looks bad I can’t change that easily, it really is the make or break for me. Everyone loves my hair and I realised that it is super important to me which is why I take such good care of it. It has 100% become part of my brand and my profile. When I’m on Tik Tok without a scrap of make up on but my hair is done not only do I feel great but I see everyone's comments complimenting my hair and it just reminds me that taking care of my hair seriously has worked.”

On where she gets her hair done…

 “I have two very important people. My hairdresser is called Andrew Thomas (@hairbyandrewthomas). He does my colour which at the moment is Redken and my extensions which are bonds by great lengths. Andrew is absolutely incredible at extensions, it's his specialty. I’ve been seeing him for a year, he just knows everything. There is such a flow in the way he does everything and I think its important your stylist makes it personal each time so it doesn’t become the same robotic service every time—little tweaks here and there or knowing when I just need a colour refresh and not the whole full work means a lot and goes a long way. He really is an expert.

 Chad Maxwell (creator of the LOXX @chadmaxwellhair) is my hair stylist. We’ve worked together for 2 and a half years now after meeting through Instagram, I just remember thinking ‘fucking hell, I’ve lucked out here’ the first time we worked together. He knows me inside out by now; even if we do hair that isn’t quite right we are both on the same page and something is tweaked. Then its perfect and for me, that is super important when you are working with someone. If I’m going to an event it really needs to be perfect, It sets up my inner confidence for wherever I am headed too. He always gets it right without me even needing to think about it.”

photo credit: Anna Gallifent for the LOXX

On her hair journey…

 “My first big hair change was dying my hair copper. That was when I remember feeling grown up going to the salon and having something that completely changed things up. I absolutely loved it, but my god, it was such a nightmare to get out once I wanted a change. I decided to lighten it slowly to get rid of the copper, but this definitely compromised the health of my hair causing it to become more dry and damaged. That was ultimately when I decided to get tape in hair extensions. I had my hair styled for a premier, and Chad put clip-in extensions in. My hair felt so thin and damaged at that time and suddenly I had full, healthy hair. We talked there and then about how this could become a more permanent feeling with the help of extensions. The first set of tape in extensions I had applied featured a darker root and this started my journey into going darker. Each time I went a bit darker I thought ‘why did it take me so long to go back to this?’. Now my hair is pretty dark and not too dissimilar to my natural colour. It looks like a totally different head of hair and my priorities are that I want glossy, healthy, thick, long hair.”

 “My natural hair is also completely different two years on. I’ve invested in great hair products and taken the time to protect it. I think extensions have actually helped my natural hair to heal, it's so much healthier. The incredible thing about the great lengths extensions is that they have a wave to them like my natural hair, meaning I can leave it to dry naturally. I don’t want to have to put heat on my hair every day or be on holiday stuck in the bathroom sweating my tits off because I have to dry it. It's good to be able to have the option to be natural or blow-dry it. Growing hair and being on a journey can be such a jarring process, but I feel like extensions have hidden that bit and I haven’t had to go through that awkward stage of it growing out or having to go super short to get rid of the damaged ends. I’ve almost forgotten about it while it all happened. There is no shame in getting extensions to help your hair grow, and once my hair is at a good length I’ll see what happens next but at the moment I’ve got about 200 bonds in my head, I absolutely love having the volume.”

 On her hair icons…

 “My biggest hair icon is Beyoncè. I think my thing is pop icons. Christina Aguleria is definitely up there—I just love big hair. I think the people that I see as hair icons use hair as part of their brand. I look at all of them and the first thing I notice is their hair. Kim Kardashian, I have to admit is always great at giving looks but I’m also aware of her hair being extensions or wigs and that is important to understand and point out. Very few people have absolutely incredible, thick, shiny hair naturally. Im also really into Bella Hadid. She’s a good example of someone who’s team clearly knows her. They know her face, her brand, and how she dresses and every hair looks always compliment that.”

photo credit: Anna Gallifent for the LOXX

On hair products…

 I always use a leave in conditioner and anti-frizz cream. At the moment I’m using OAUI, and I’m a big fan. Im not a huge hair product girly but as long as I am getting hydration, protection, and shine then I’m happy. I also like texture spray. The ‘hair by Sam Mcknight’ one smells absolutely incredible, and I also know Chad uses the Oribe one on me. Both of those are a super fine mist but it gives me that instant texture and volume that my hair needs if it's feeling a bit flat without it becoming stiff or feeling crunchy. I’ll come across products I don’t get on with. It really depends on your hair type and texture. Overall, I’ve actively made a change to use ‘good products’. I like to use sulphate, paraben, and silicone free shampoo and my hair has thrived since I made that change. It was during lockdown that I did that curly girl method and realised how much silicone was coating and effecting my curls, so I’ve noticed a huge difference on my natural hair since I cut that out. I think we all have to be wary of ingredients in our haircare and just make sure what we are using is right for us.

 Everyone's hair is important to them in one way or another, and this is why the LOXX is important. I can share what works for my hair or the fact I have bonded extensions and people can try things out on themselves. I think a lot of people don’t understand their hair texture, and they don’t understand their hair type and how to properly work with it; I certainly didn’t for a long time. People need to talk about how to work with your hair or the simple little things that can give you amazing results. Im still definitely on my hair journey, but being able to chat with other people about theirs and learn from them is how I’ve got to this point so far.

Maddie’s featured products:

Oribe dry texturizing spray

Ouai leave in conditioner

Ouai anti-frizz crème

Ouai St. Barts hair & body mist

@hairbyandrewthomas

@chadmaxwellhair