A BARNSLEY hairdresser who emigrated to Australia during the pandemic has written a book about her 40 years as a stylist.
Lizzi Mac was born Elizabeth McVey in Brisbane, Australia in 1968 with her family emigrating to England in 1973 where she was raised in Wombwell from the age of four.
She attended Our Lady and St Joseph’s Junior School and then St Pius X Catholic School in Wath.
“I was born in Brisbane to an English mum and Irish dad,” she said.
“They were ‘ten pound Poms’ who had the skills required for the marketing drive to populate and build Australia’s communities of that era. “Dad was a crane driver and mum was a nurse.
“My hairdressing career began at the age of 16 with the Dimensions youth training scheme.
“I was assigned to Cottage Salon in Hoyland for my training, and six months later I secured a three-year apprenticeship at Silhouette Health and Hair studio in Hoyland.
“At 23, I entered into a salon partnership, Sophisticutz, also in Hoyland.
“After five years, I left the partnership and began mobile hairdressing, which took me to many postcodes around Barnsley. I’ve also lived in a few, including Silkstone, Cawthorne, Hoyland Common and Mapplewell.
“I emigrated to Australia with my two teen daughters in 2020 during the height of Covid - being an Australian citizen and having the passport made it a smooth move and an opportunity too good to miss.
“We loved the idea of warmer weather and an outdoor lifestyle, the new adventure into city living with beaches a short drive away.
“We have family here in Australia and remain connected to Barnsley as we have family and friends there - and of course, my lovely clients who I keep in touch with.
“With social media bridging the gap, it has made it easier now we are here in Australia.
“It may be the other side of the world, but to me, it’s just one day away on a flight.”
Lizzi wrote the book - Hair Traffic Control - to mark a very personal milestone her 40th anniversary in hairdressing.
“This year marks my 40th anniversary in hairdressing a milestone I’m both proud of and slightly amazed by.
“Over the years, I’ve gathered plenty of stories, and I realised it was time to do something with them.
“When I started looking at what other hairdressers were writing, I noticed no one was quite doing what I had in mind.
“I wanted to create something fun and uplifting, something people could easily relate to a book you could pick up and enjoy at your own pace, like a light holiday read.
“It felt like the right time to sit down, reflect and wrap up four decades’ worth of hair, humour, and a few head-scratching moments into one true-to-life account.
“The book is designed to entertain a backstage pass to the hairdressing world whether you’re someone who’s ever had a haircut, or given one.
“But above all, I wanted humour to shine through - the world has had a rough few years and I hoped to give readers a sense of balance and normalcy through laughter.
“I think I enjoyed writing about my parents the most they still amuse me to this day and are always just a thought away.”
Lizzi is hoping hairdressers will see themselves in the pages, and she also made sure to give the barbers a well-deserved shout-out.
“The evolution of barbering in recent years has been nothing short of impressive.”
The book’s off to a flying start, available in both paperback and ebook, and steadily being picked up by more platforms as the months roll on.
“What’s especially exciting is the feedback I’m over the moon with the reviews coming in. Five stars and kind words, many from men (surprisingly high numbers, actually).
“As a girl who grew up in the ‘80s and went to Live Aid, I think the throwback references spark something nostalgic in them. There’s something special about revisiting a shared culture with a twist of hairspray and hindsight.
“The cover was brought to life by a talented young Aussie illustrator, who took my inspo pics and turned them into something that absolutely popped. In fact, I reckon the back cover could double as a brilliant T-shirt design just saying.
“And speaking of surprises, I’ve just done my first book signing& in Canada of all places. Indigo now stocks me in both formats, and I’m still pinching myself.
“To anyone thinking about writing a book, I say: do it. Whether it ends up on a shelf or just shared with your family, the process is cathartic, creative, and a real joy. You never know where your story might take you or who it might resonate with.”
Lizzi’s book is available from a number of platforms including Amazon.
Where do you read your Chronicle? Are you a former Barnsley resident who now lives abroad? We’d love to hear about your journey whether it’s a love story, a work mission or even a return to your original roots. Drop us an email: jh@barnsley-chronicle.co.uk.
