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New Zealand Salon Business of the Year 2025

Meet The Team

Meet the artists behind the [c]hair.

Our team brings together technical education, creativity and genuine care so every guest feels understood, looked after and confident in their hair journey.

The Following standard

A team built on education, detail and trust.

Behind every beautiful result is a team that cares deeply about consultation, technique and the long-term health of your hair. Our culture is collaborative, highly trained and centred around creating the right plan for every guest.

Consultation

We listen first.

Every appointment starts with understanding your lifestyle, hair history and what you want your hair to feel like day to day.

Education

Always refining.

Our team is constantly training, sharing knowledge and sharpening their craft across colour, cutting, styling and extensions.

Care

Beautiful, but considered.

We care about the result you leave with and how your hair feels weeks and months after your appointment.

Our stylists

Find your person.

Desiree Franks

Desiree Franks

Front of House

Des loves creating a vibrant, warm and comfortable environment for clients to take time out and enjoy being pampered. From scheduling appointments to product questions or simply making the perfect coffee, she ensures every visit feels seamless, relaxed and beautifully looked after.

Guest experience Appointments Salon flow
Sandi Larkin

Sandi Larkin

Owner • Master Stylist

Originally from South Africa, Sandi is the founder of The Following Hair Co. and a leading voice in the hair industry. A Redken Certified Design Artist and Colourist with over a decade of experience, she has worked with global brands including GHD, styled for fashion weeks, and earned multiple awards for her craft.

Widely recognised for her expertise in hair extensions, Sandi is the New Zealand Regional Educator for Great Lengths. Alongside transforming her clients’ hair, she trains and mentors stylists across the country, earning deep respect within the industry and a loyal salon following.

Now in her seventh year of salon ownership, she has grown The Following Hair Co. into one of New Zealand’s most highly regarded salons. She also founded EVRYDAY, bringing that same level of care and expertise into women’s homes, empowering them to maintain healthy, beautiful hair between appointments.

Extensions Luxury colour Transformations
Kayla Driver

Kayla Driver

Manager • Master Stylist

With nearly a decade of experience behind the chair, Kayla is a true master of her craft. Originally from Houston, Texas, she brings a refined creative vision to her role as Master Stylist and Salon Manager at The Following Hair Co. Her work spans New Zealand Fashion Week and major advertising campaigns, building a reputation grounded in precision, creativity and genuine connection.

Recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading Great Lengths Keratin Bond Extensions specialists, Kayla is known for transformative, seamless results. Alongside her work with clients, she plays a hands on role mentoring the team, refining extension techniques and maintaining the salon’s exceptional standard.

Her expertise spans modern colour transformations, dimensional blondes and precision cutting, with a reputation for creating results that feel effortless, elevated and completely personalised.

Extensions Dimensional blondes Colour transformations
Katie Owen

Katie Owen

Master Stylist

With over 18 years of experience, Katie is a true artist behind the chair, known for her ability to create colour that feels both elevated and effortlessly wearable. As a Master Stylist at The Following Hair Co., she is passionate about helping each client discover a look that feels like the best version of themselves.

Colour transformation is at the heart of her work, from soft, sun kissed balayage to bold, statement shades. Every appointment begins with a thoughtful consultation, where she takes the time to understand your vision, lifestyle and skin tone to create a result that feels completely personalised.

She also specialises in Great Lengths keratin bond extensions, using gentle techniques to add length, volume and movement while maintaining the health of your natural hair. With a strong focus on continued education, Katie regularly attends industry masterclasses to refine her craft and stay ahead of evolving trends.

Extensions Fashion colours Reds/coppers
Brittanee Foliaki

Brittanee Foliaki

Master Stylist

Originally from Utah, Brittanee moved to New Zealand in 2021, bringing with her over 14 years of experience and a deep passion for colour. A former certified Redken specialist and platform artist for Hattori Hanzo Shears, she has built her career on precision, education and consistently delivering beautiful, wearable results.

Known for her lived in blondes and seamless colour corrections, Brittanee creates effortless, low maintenance hair that grows out beautifully. Her signature finish is a soft, textured blonde styled in relaxed, beachy waves.

She prides herself on truly listening to her clients, taking the time to understand your vision so you leave feeling confident, aligned and excited about your hair. And expect a little photoshoot moment at the end, because your hair deserves it.

Extensions Lived in blondes Colour corrections
Zoe Jury

Zoe Jury

Senior Stylist

With over five years of experience in the hair industry, Zoe brings a strong focus on extensions and modern blonde work. Previously managing a busy extension focused salon, she has developed a refined approach to creating seamless, natural looking results.

As a Great Lengths Certified stylist, Zoe specialises in keratin bond extensions and lived in blondes, designing each result to suit your individual style and day to day lifestyle. Whether you are looking for added length, fullness or a complete transformation, her work is tailored, considered and effortlessly wearable.

Known for her calm approach and attention to detail, Zoe ensures every client feels comfortable, confident and completely aligned with their result.

Extensions Fashion colours Lived in blondes
Jess Mckechnie

Jess Mckechnie

Senior Stylist

With over 11 years in the hair industry, Jess brings a blend of expertise, creativity and positive energy to every appointment. As a Senior Stylist at The Following Hair Co., she is known for creating beautiful blondes, seamless balayage and transformative colour work that feels both elevated and wearable.

Whether it is a subtle refresh or a complete colour transformation, Jess is passionate about helping clients achieve results that feel aligned with their vision. She takes the time to understand your lifestyle, inspiration and personality, ensuring every look feels completely tailored to you.

Continuously inspired by new trends and techniques, she is dedicated to refining her craft and delivering consistently exceptional results for every client who sits in her chair.

Extensions Blondes Colour transformations
Georgia Smith

Georgia Smith

Senior Stylist

With over 6 years experience in the industry, Georgia, our senior stylist, brings creativity, knowledge and a good time to every hair appointment. She enjoys creating many different hairstyles, colours and transformations. She also loves the art of styling. Ranging from sleek, to bouncy, to messy, she has you covered.

It is the best feeling when you get to empower someone in your chair to make them feel like a better version of themselves with the art you’ve created on their hair. Whether that be a huge transformation, a soft refresh, an in-between session or just a blow dry and style. You bring the vision, she executes the dream.

Blondes Balayage Colour transformations
Trinity Grass

Trinity Grass

Junior Stylist

With a passion for creating polished, effortless hair that enhances each client's natural beauty. She enjoys working with glossy colour and elevated, wearable styling that looks just as good every day as it does leaving the salon.

From bouncy blow waves to soft curls and seamless finishes, Trinity loves creating hair that not only looks beautiful in-salon, but is easy to maintain and wear every day. With her signature red hair and quick wit, she brings a vibrant, confident energy to the salon while maintaining a professional, client-focused approach. 

Her chair is a relaxed, welcoming space where clients can feel comfortable, unwind, and leave feeling confident, refreshed, and completely looked after.

Blondes Cutting Creative colour
Emily Ashurst

Emily Ashurst

Emerging Stylist • Colourist

With a background in education and a passion for creativity, Emily brings a thoughtful, client focused approach to her work as an emerging stylist at The Following Hair Co. She is inspired by the transformative power of hair and the connection between self care and confidence.

As a Kérastase Care Coach, Emily places a strong emphasis on scalp health as the foundation for beautiful, lasting results. She offers a range of services including blow waves, glossing, grey blending, toning and luxury treatments, with a love for creating soft, effortless finishes that feel natural and healthy.

Currently expanding her skills in cutting and advanced colour work, Emily is passionate about continuing to grow her craft. Whether you are after a refresh, tailored hair care advice or a beautifully finished style, she is dedicated to making every client feel seen, supported and confident.

Scalp health Blow waves Lived in colour
Millie Lyons

Millie Lyons

Apprentice

Millie brings energy, warmth and great conversation to every appointment. As an apprentice at The Following Hair Co., she is building her skills while supporting the team and helping create a relaxed, welcoming salon experience.

Known for her friendly nature and love of a good chat, she will happily talk you through everything from movies and celebrities to pets and the perfect coffee, all while making sure you feel comfortable and looked after.

Passionate about learning and growing in the industry, Millie is dedicated to refining her craft and playing a part in every client leaving the salon feeling confident and cared for.

Guest experience Blow waves Salon support
Hannah Letting

Hannah Letting

Apprentice

With over a year and a half of hands-on salon assisting experience and a genuine passion for the industry. She’s known for her warm, friendly nature and is always up for a good chat.

Hannah is dedicated to growing her skills and delivering a beautiful salon experience. Outside of the salon, you’ll likely find Hannah enjoying a hot girl walk, heading out for a run, or spending quality time with friends.

Blow waves Scalp massage Guest experience
The Following Hair Co. founder or team

Leadership

Led with standards, warmth and ambition.

We lead with standards; not only trends, grounding every detail in precision, intention, and care. Excellence is nothing without warmth, which is why we create a space built on trust, where you feel seen and at ease. Our ambition drives us to continually refine our craft, elevate our work, and go beyond what’s expected. This is where luxury meets real connection and your experience feels effortless, never ordinary.

  • Highly trained stylists with ongoing education.
  • Specialists in luxury colour and hair extensions.
  • A guest experience designed to feel clear, personal and elevated.

Ready to book?

Let us match you with the right stylist.

Book online, or contact the salon if you would like help choosing the best person for your hair goals.