Having a public social media account can be a scary thing at times, especially when gaining a following also means you're likely to expose yourself to vicious trolls who will stop at nothing to bring down your self-confidence.
But Naomi Clarke, 30, has insisted she doesn't let the negativity she receives bother her, because it's outweighed by the huge amount of positive comments she receives for her super-bouncy blonde locks - which have people referring to her as the "real-life Rapunzel".
The mum-of-one, from Manchester, receives thousands of comments on her TikTok, @naomi.bouncy.blows, and her Instagram, @naomibouncyblows where she shares her haircare tips, including her own routine for achieving her magnificent 'princess hair' - and what to avoid saying to hairdressers.
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Naomi says she shampoos her hair twice and applies a treatment to the ends, which she often leaves overnight or for 15 minutes if she's in a rush. She then rinses her hair and conditions the ends before styling.
The mum also revealed the biggest mistake people make with their hair is overwashing, as this can actually cause your hair to get greasy quicker.
She said: "The more you wash, the more you style and apply heat and products, in turn causing more damage!
"If you want to create the ultimate curly blow dry, pin curls are your best friend! They create more bounce and longer-lasting curls for all hair types."
"There are also things you should never say to your hairdresser. I’ve had someone say to me you only like how you cut your own hair, that you wash your hair every day, that you want to go ashy blonde when your hair is black, and that you don’t use heat protection why drying or styling your hair.
"These are the big nos!”
If this weren't enough, Naomi has also revealed the product she loves most as a hairdresser, explaining: "In my opinion, some of the best products out there include Moroccan oil. They do one for finer hair and one for thicker so it can accommodate all hair types!
"Also, Loreal Deep Repair. The key to growth and thickness is health. The healthier your hair the more you can achieve."
While most of the messages the mum receives online are from people who are in love with her gorgeous tresses and tips, Naomi admits she has also had to deal with cruel trolls who criticise her 'wrinkles' and think she wears hair extensions.
Addressing the negativity in one TikTok video, she said: "My approach to inappropriate comments is to laugh them off. Over the years, I have been trolled a lot.
"So these comments about ageism I am really not bothered about. Literally, a 30-year-old woman can have wrinkles and I am a mum. Do you know how hard it is to be a mum? The stress, tiredness, I'm surprised I don’t have more wrinkles! I’m not offended by my forehead.
"I squint my forehead, I’m very expressive, I’m a hairdresser, I don't stop talking. It doesn't bother me. I can't believe how many people online it is offensive. But also, you should be asking yourself the question, why does my forehead offend you so much? I’m fine with my face so why aren’t you!"
Naomi - who is mum to two-year-old Sullivan - has been taking care of her hair since she began working in the hair industry at just 15, and began posting videos on social media during lockdown after she felt her mental health deteriorating.
She explained: "I have worked in the hair industry since I was 15. I had to find financial support at a young age so I worked numerous jobs and hours to build and save just to live.
"But when lockdown hit, it was just after I’d had Sullivan and salons were closed and I felt my mental health deteriorate. So I took to social media to make myself feel better.
"I started to grow my Instagram again after I was hacked and lost everything. Then I shared a video on TikTok of when I cut my own hair and it blew up!"
In May 2020, the hairdresser took the plunge and used her savings along with financial help from her granddad to set up her dream salon, Sul Hair, in Prestwich.
She started with one staff member and within six months, she had a team of nine.
"I am beyond lucky and so proud of what I’ve achieved for my son," she adds.
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