Oh hair. How you cause me so many woes. No two days are the same. I wake up and you look so fine! Ignorantly in my confused morning state - which is a somewhat similar feeling being quite drunk - I have a shower and let the steam get it all frizzy. Within 15 minutes from being awake, as I slowly start genuinely waking up, I have lost control of you. Nothing a beanie won’t hide, I guess?

Then the sun comes out. My head starts to prickle a bit. There is a light intensity. I am talking to a co-worked and a trickle of sweat rolls down from the beanie, between my eyes, down the curvature of my nose and slides from the curl of my lips, right into my mouth. My co-workers eye’s widen but they say nothing. We both know exactly what just happened but neither of us acknowledge the horror. If only I had control of the beast that is my hair.

From the earliest moments in time dating all the way back to Egypt hair has played a significant role in social constructs and self-analysis . G Robins stated in her writing - Hair and the Construction of Identity - That hair can carry erotic, religious and magical significance, by the way it is worn it often entities opinion on gender, age and social status.

Melvin Royce is the ELEVEN Australia Education Ambassador. He honed his skills in Melbourne Australia and now finds himself a key ambassador and teacher for the Australian hair product brand - Eleven.

I first met Melvin whilst lying on the pristine blue beach of Protaras, Cyprus. I was there meeting distant relatives for the first time. My sister and myself had spent the last three nights at dinners and lunches, shaking hands with Uncles and Aunties (most of whose name was Nick in some variation). We were kissing babies and listening to stories, even though we didn’t really understand what was going on. It was really a beautiful time.

Someone approached us, their shadow blocking out the sun, as we basked in the temperate Middle Eastern climate. ‘Well if it isn’t my cousins.’ I had never seen this guy before but instantly enjoyed his company. ‘My name is Nicos - he said introducing himself. We expressed pleasantries. Would you mind if I took you to some of my favourite beach spots around Cyprus? We obviously agreed. I just need to finish a meeting first.’ I looked him up and down. He was wearing board shorts, no shoes and a singlet. He walked over and sat next to two seriously sauve looking gentlemen as they sipped on cocktails with squiggly straws for half an hour. They both came over to us. He introduced us to Melvin. A confident and approachable character who seemed to have the perfect combination of ‘Not giving a fuck’ mixed with a genuinely caring nature. Another instantly likeable character.

We jumped in Nicos car and explored rock jumps, and private beaches. He was our tour guide and it felt like he had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Somehow - I am still a bit vague on ‘how’ - we ended up at a foam party in a club drinking Coronas and watching munted English tourists, try to pick up girls on the beach whilst also battling their ultimate Achilles heal - Sunburn. It was a really memorable day that will stick with me for a long time to come. I got in touch with Melvin recently and we had a chat about what he does and how he views the current world of hair!

BYO: How are you Melvin? How is Copenhagen treating you?

Melvin: Copenhagen is such a colourful, lively city. The Danes surely know how to build a city with so much love for Design, fashion, food and lifestyle no wonder it’s the happiest place on earth!

BYO: Can you give us some background into how you got into Hairdressing? What is it about the world that is enticing to you?

Melvin: I started back home in New Zealand at the age of 16. Working at the front desk answering phone calls and washing hair. It wasn’t until I went to fashion school and really started loving the idea of doing hairdressing, after doing a photoshoot for one of the students cause’ they thought I was an actual hairdresser. I remember the only thing I could do was a ponytail. But I did and that's when the obsession started. Then I moved to Melbourne, Australia and that's when things really kicked off. I assisted and worked at a top salon in Melbourne and worked my ass off. I knew I didn't want to be a hairdresser that was just at the salon day and day out. The best thing about our industry is there are so many avenues that you can go into to create an incredible career.

Then in 2014 Eleven Australia and Leesa Smith (Global Education Director for ELEVEN Australia) asked me to come on board and become an educator for them. educating other hairdressers on the brand but also on how to create beautiful haircuts and styles that clients want. I would work 4 days a week in the salon and 2 days at Eleven Australia. I still found time to have a social life! i have no idea how i did that hahaha. Now im the European Education Ambassador I had to leave my life behind in Melbourne and move to Copenhagen. I've been living here for a year and I absolutely love it.

BYO: How do you find the travel and being on the road so much?

Melvin: I love it!! I get to see so many interesting places every week, I get to experience such beautiful cultures and food! But most of all I get to hang out with so many talented people in our field of hairdressing. Although it can be super exhausting not just on your body. But also mentally. I live out of a suitcase and sometimes I’m only home for 13 hours and will have to fly out again. But I wouldn’t want it any other way!

BYO: Hair shapes one’s identity quite significantly. It can cause a lot of people - a lot of stress. Would you have any advice to give to people in order to feel more confident in their look?

Melvin: Find a stylist that understands your needs and understands your lifestyle. your lifestyle plays a big part in what we can offer you when it comes to your hair and how much you are willing to invest in your hair. Its all about trust! once you find that stylist, you need to trust what they say when it comes to your hair. Cause they know best. the more trust you have in your stylist the more confident you will be in the look they create for you!

BYO: The world of Hairstyling is really growing more and more each day. And unless a bald epidemic takes over the world, I can only see it getting more and more prominent. Gone are the days of men only going to Barbers. What changes have you noticed in the world of Hair since you have been apart of it.

Melvin: Social Media! This is one of the biggest game-changer in our industry it allows the stylist to grow a business quicker. It allows them to showcase their work and reach a wider range of people. But it also brings other hairdressers together from different parts of the world and builds an incredible community.

BYO: Anyone can pull off any look. Do you agree or disagree?

Melvin: Hmmmm this is a tough one! Hair is all about individual style. Which means every hair is different, not one is identical. which means one hairstyle can look incredible on some faces and on other faces not so much. So this is where the trust in your stylist comes to play they know what will work for your face shape or your hair texture. SO TRUST THEM!!!!

BYO: I have spoken to a few hairdressers who have said that they are essentially psychologist for some people who just unload information on them. I know you are more of a teacher these days - but have you heard any wild tales from the swivel chair?

Melvin: Well, I am sworn to secrecy when it comes to my client's information. But it is true hairdressers are a special breed of individuals who care and really look after our clients.