Winnie Harlow Knows the Power Of a Hair Transformation

The model wants to turn the spotlight on salon professionals.

Winnie Harlow Knows the Power Of a Hair Transformation

Winnie Harlow is a pro at serving looks on and off the runway. And that always includes flawless hair, whether it's thigh-grazing honey blonde curls or a jet-black pixie.

Earlier this year, the Jamaican-Canadian model was announced as the new Global Ambassador for Paul Mitchell which isn't surprising considering her deep connection to hairstyling. "I grew up in the salon, so hair has always been something that's really important to me," says Harlow.

For the brand's “XO Your Pro” campaign, Harlow partnered up with celebrity stylist and long-time collaborator Cesar DeLeon Ramirez to highlight the unique bond that develops at the salon. Hairstylists pour their love and expertise into making their clients not only look good but feel amazing which is why celebrating their work is essential.

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For the latest installment of Big Beauty Questions, Harlow talks about her experience growing up in a salon, the best hair advice she's received and the three products she makes sure to pack when traveling for work or play.

Glamour: The “XO Your Pro” campaign is all about celebrating that special bond that develops between a hairstylist and their client. Why was participating in this project important to you?

Winnie Harlow: My mom is a hairdresser and I loved seeing seeing how the bond she created with her clients would grow after each transformation over the years. And now, I get to experience that myself, creating new looks and expressing myself, and I wanted to share not only show love for all the salon professionals out there but encourage other to do the same.

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What's the best hair advice you've ever been given?

My mom used to do my hair when I was younger and she would always deep condition it regardless of the style. So definitely making sure to apply a treatment often.

Are there any products that you've been loving when it comes to your deep conditioning treatment?

I think my favorite product that Paul Mitchell has that I love to use for styling while getting that deep conditioning feel, is the serum. Especially when I'm switching my hair up a lot, I like to use it to tame frizz. And it's literally everyone's fave – I've given a bunch of gift packages to my friends and family and that is the one that everyone raves about and keeps asking me to re-up.

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So now that things have been opening back up a bit more traveling is presumably picking up I'm curious if you could only bring three products with you for like your next work trip or maybe a vacation. Which would they be and why?

Definitely SPF, a good lip balm and the Paul Mitchell serum, for sure. Because I feel like no matter what I do with my hair, it will make it look good. If I wear it silky straight it prevents fly aways, and if I wear it curly it adds shine and keeps frizz out.

What is your favorite way to take a moment for yourself?

Getting a deep tissue massage.

If there was one thing that you could change about beauty perceptions what would it be?

I think the most important thing that I would like to change is education around curly hair. Because it's not really that it's harder to manage, it's just a different education. Throughout my career, I've dealt with so many different hairdressers. And it got to the point sometimes where I just felt like I would have to prep my hair before or do things to make sure that whoever was there, if they didn't have that education, I could help them out.

I'm grateful enough to now be in the position to utilize people who have the knowledge and the tools to do it because obviously I'm not a hairdresser. And I think a lot of the time, because people don't have the knowledge to deal with curly hair and that feeds into the narrative that it is hard to manage, difficult, you know? That maybe we can't have certain styles that someone who has a straighter hair texture can. But as long as you know how to do it, while maintaining the health of the hair, it's possible.