Meet Sarah

For many people, hair is just hair. But for others, it can be deeply connected to confidence, identity and how they see themselves in the world.

Today, we're honoured to share Sarah's story. Diagnosed with Alopecia Universalis at just 14 years old, Sarah's journey has been one of loss, resilience, self-discovery and ultimately finding her confidence again.

In her own words, this is Sarah's story.

The world of wigs and “pretend hair” was something I never imagined I’d be part of. That all changed in 2009, when I started losing what I felt was my identity… my hair.

I was just starting high school, stepping into my teenage years, when I was dealt a really tough hand - alopecia. Not just the more common forms, but Alopecia Universalis… the kind that takes every single hair follicle on your body.

I lost my hair.

My eyebrows.

My eyelashes.

Even the tiny hairs on my toes. Nothing was left.

I was devastated.

I still remember sitting there as a 14-year-old hearing the doctor say there was no cure and I would most likely lose all my hair. My first thought was, “I’m never going to school again.” I wish I could go back and hug that girl and tell her she’s going to be okay.

Being so young, and a girl in a world that constantly tells you what beauty should look like, really affected my confidence. Everywhere I looked, I saw images of “perfect” hair, and it made me feel like I didn’t belong.

I spent months trying different wigs, ordering anything I could find, just hoping something would look natural and make me feel like myself again. Back then it was so hard - so many of them looked like plastic, like they’d been pulled straight off a Barbie doll.

Over the years I’ve had to learn to love myself again. Some days are still hard, but focusing on what really matters - my family, my life, my purpose - has helped me grow into the person I am today.

I taught myself how to draw on my eyebrows from YouTube tutorials, how to do my makeup, how to apply lashes. I spent thousands of dollars every year on wigs, always chasing that feeling of confidence that never quite came.

Then in 2022, I found Milk & Honey.

And for the first time in a very long time… I felt like me again.

This journey has been painful, emotional and at times incredibly lonely - but it has also made me stronger, more compassionate, and more appreciative of the little things most people take for granted.

If sharing my story helps even one other girl feel less alone, then every part of this journey has been worth it 🤍

- Sarah