Great hair gives you confidence. Which is why we’re in Byron Bay asking Courtney Adamo to share her secret hair tips with us. Five kids later, and her hair is in better condition than ever before...
For the past 12 weeks, Adamo has been using Aveda’s new invati advanced 3-step system. “A few months ago I started surfing quite a lot, so now that I am in the ocean three or four times a week, I’m washing my hair more often. I’ve started using the invati advanced system from Aveda, which is great because it doesn’t over-cleanse my hair or leave a heavy residue at the roots. My hair feels healthy and clean, with a lightness that makes it appear thicker and fuller.” The breakthrough system – think of it as anti-ageing for your hair – features an exfoliating shampoo and thickening conditioner but it’s the scalp revitalizer that will really change your locks. It instantly thickens to help lift hair at the root; invigorates the scalp when massaged in; and penetrates to help support hair’s natural keratin. The result? It’ll reduce hair loss by an incredible 53%* when applied daily (when it debuted back in 2012, it needed to be applied twice). As a mother of five, Adamo is familiar with post-partum hair loss, something we all suffer from in varying degrees (between 40 to 50 percent of women will experience post-partum hair loss and while it does come back, it comes back thinner and finer). Why does it happen? During pregnancy, estrogen levels rise which means our hair is more lustrous and thicker. After the baby is born, the consequent decline in estrogen levels and the rise of the stress hormone cortisol causes hair to move from the anagen growth cycle to the telogen shedding phase. In keeping with Aveda’s commitment to delivering high performance, natural-derived products that are kinder to the planet, invati advanced is 98% naturally derived. The range is formulated with Aveda’s innovative blend of tangerine peel and Japanese knotweed and also certified organic amla, which instantly thickens to help lift the hair at the root. “I’ve used the Aveda hair products for as long as I can remember! My mum used to have them in her shower when I was little, so I’ve always felt connected to this brand even before I focused on the natural properties,” says Adamo. We couldn’t wait to find out more about her hair care regime, why great hair makes you feel more confident and what’s in store for the Adamo family in 2018…
“ I’ve used the Aveda hair products for as long as I can remember! My mum used to have them in her shower when I was little, so I’ve always felt connected to this brand even before I focused on the natural properties ”
Courtney applying Aveda invati advanced scalp revitalizer ($94) to her part line
How does your hair change after you give birth?
I do notice that my hair starts to fall out around month two or three and that lasts for a few months. Using this product has helped to give it that body it had when I was pregnant. It’s a great range for mothers who are dealing with hair loss or that overall flat feeling in your hair, which you can get after you’ve had a baby. It’s a wonderful range for all mums in general.
Does thick, healthy hair make you feel more confident?
Hair is one of those funny features that always seems to be something people focus on, and it can often be a case of the grass appearing greener on the other side! People with curly hair always want straight hair and those with straight hair always want curly. I do think that healthy hair makes people feel more confident.
How important is natural hair care to you?
The more natural the product, the better it is for our bodies and for the environment, and that is hugely important to me and my family. We use natural cleaning products in our home, we try to eat organic and natural foods wherever possible, and we try to buy organic cotton clothing and bedding when we can. It only makes sense that the products we use on our bodies would be natural too.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I’d tell myself not to worry about what people thought of me, to do what I wanted to do (not what was wanted of me), and to be comfortable in my own skin. The thing is, I’m not sure this advice is easily imparted to anyone. You have to live and learn and love and lose to get to a point where you can be totally comfortable being yourself. I feel like I’ve only just gotten the hang of it.
Were all your pregnancies similar?
My pregnancies were all similar—so much so I couldn’t make any predictions about the baby’s gender or temperament or other traits. They all felt the same. I’m lucky that, apart from morning sickness in the first trimester, I really enjoyed being pregnant. I love the intimacy of carrying a baby; I love the physical and emotional changes that come with being pregnant, the excitement of bringing a new baby into the world, the anticipation. It’s just so magical!
It has been a big year with lots of changes – kindy, high school, Wilkie turning one. how’s everyone settling in?
This past year has definitely been a big one for our family. Our eldest started high school, our fourth started kindergarten, and obviously, we had a baby in our home again, which brought so much joy (and extra work and sleepless nights) to our lives. It was also a year of adjustment as we settled back into ‘real’ life after travelling for so long. It’s definitely been a transition, and some aspects were more difficult than others, but it’s starting to feel a bit easier now that Wilkie is one. That first year of a baby’s life can be hard on your career and on your marriage. I’d like to focus a bit more on both those things in the coming year. The bonus of having a high schooler is that we have an on-demand babysitter. I’m looking forward to more date nights with Michael this year!
Do you still pinch yourself that you’re living here. Did you ever imagine you’d be living in Australia?
Ever since our first trip to Australia eight years ago, I’ve dreamt of living here, and settling here is something I certainly don’t take for granted. I pinch myself every day that we get to live here in this beautiful corner of the world, that we have found such a like-minded community here, and that our kids get to spend so much time outside and in the ocean, which they love.
How does the local community inspire you?
The community here in Byron is so creative and collaborative. There are so many wonderful brands and businesses that are doing such cool things, and everyone is really supportive of each other, which is nice. On a personal level, it’s also a place where there is always a friend happy to help if I need it, and I really feel I’ve found a tribe of women I can rely on for support and friendship. When Wilkie was born, we had food dropped off at our doorstep for weeks!
What’s your approach to interiors – how would you describe your home?
The home we’re in right now is small for a family of seven, with just three bedrooms, but since our kids share beds it works for us. We’re up on a hill in Bangalow, so we look out at palm trees and green rolling hills. It’s a beautiful little spot. Because it’s small, we didn’t have to buy lots of furniture. We just needed a dining table, a sofa and some beds. We’ve kept things really simple, but to add a bit of warmth and life to our house, we added (lots of) plants and baskets and natural textiles.
How do you keep it clean and tidy? Would you say you’re more minimalist?
I’m definitely a minimalist, though having children challenges me in this department. I have to force myself to relax about the clutter that enters the house when you have five kids, at least during the day while the kids are around. In the evenings I tidy the house and clear the clutter. I can’t go to bed unless I know I can wake up to a tidy house!
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, what will make you unwind and relax?
Surfing is so great for this! When I’m out on my board paddling around in the ocean, I’m not thinking about anything else but the waves. It’s the only time in my life I’m not thinking and overthinking! I love doing yoga, and love the physical stretching and relaxing of my body, but nothing switches my mind off like surfing does.
Do you meditate?
No, but surfing must surely be a form of meditation, right?
How often do you do yoga?
I did yoga nearly every day when I was pregnant with Wilkie, but haven’t managed to get back on the yoga bandwagon since he was born last year. Maybe once a week now if I’m lucky!
What’s a typical fashion look for you?
I wear a lot of dresses. I like the way dresses make me feel feminine and flirty, dressed but not fancy. They’re also easy to throw on over a swimsuit!
“ A few months ago I started surfing quite a lot, so now that I am in the ocean three or four times a week, I’m washing my hair more often. I’ve started using the invati advanced system from Aveda, which is great because it doesn’t over-cleanse my hair or leave a heavy residue at the roots. My hair feels healthy and clean, with a lightness that makes it appear thicker and fuller ”
The Adamo family took up surfing when they moved to Byron Bay. Photography Raegan Glazner
What about the kids – what kind of clothes do you love dressing them in?
I like dressing the kids in simple, understated pieces in neutral colours. I love supporting independent brands and boutiques and buying quality pieces I can pass down from one child to the next. The girls also wear a lot of dresses, which are perfect for the climate here in Byron. The boys wear t-shirts and shorts. And if we’re lucky, you might even catch them wearing shoes! *Due to breakage from brushing, after using the Invati Advanced™ system for 12 weeks. Photography: Bridget Wood | In association with Aveda