Holistic hair stylist and salon founder Danielle Garner tells us how a more holistic approach to beauty is the key to unlocking a healthier and more balanced life from the inside out
You opened your own salon Wildflower eight years ago now which is incredible, but did you first become passionate about hair?
Hair has genuinely been in my bones from when I was a very small child. I was always playing with my dolls’ hair, experimenting with different styles on my cousins, and I actually started a makeshift salon in my bedroom when I was just 12 years old. I’ve been completely obsessed with the craft ever since. What I love most about hairdressing is the unique dynamic it creates for your life as a creative – it’s this beautiful, ever-evolving art form that changes and grows depending on my current interests, the seasons, new techniques I’m learning, or even just the energy of the clients I’m working with. No two days are ever the same, and there’s always something new to discover about hair, whether that’s a cutting technique, color formulation, or understanding how different life stages affect our hair health.
You mentioned that the Wildflower Way is about being free from conformity, what is it that inspires you to think outside the box?
I genuinely believe that in all walks of life – whether you’re a creative, working in accounting, or running a business, there’s always something that hasn’t been fully explored or thought about yet. We don’t have to be bound by the rules of what has always been done and can give ourselves permission to pursue eye-opening ventures that could potentially lead entire industries down different, more meaningful paths. For me currently, that’s taking a completely holistic approach to hair care – looking after your hair from the inside out rather than just focusing on what products we put on the surface. I’m fascinated by the connection between our internal health, our hormones, our stress levels, our nutrition, and how all of that manifests in the quality and health of our hair. It’s not just about the latest color trend or cut – it’s about understanding the whole person and their unique journey.
You recently held a beautiful retreat in Powerscourt Springs Hotel. Why was it important for you to bring together a community like this?
There’s something truly magical about being able to celebrate and uplift your community in such an intimate, meaningful way. For us, it was about giving back and creating an impactful moment that people will remember not just from our brand, but as a turning point in their relationship with their hair and their overall wellness. We wanted to move beyond the traditional salon experience and create something deeper – a space where women could connect, learn, and feel genuinely supported in their hair journey. The retreat allowed us to bring together like-minded people who are interested in this holistic approach, and watching the connections form between the participants was incredible. We honestly feel like this is only the beginning of what we want to achieve with community-building initiatives like this.
This retreat was based predominantly on nourishing yourself from the inside out. For this, you brought along the wonderful Clodagh Thomas to discuss nutritional and hormonal health. Why was it important for you to have her there to discuss this topic?
I’ve personally been really struggling with understanding nutrition and the complex depths of how our hormonal changes and dietary requirements so deeply affect our hair quality. Over the years, I’ve had literally hundreds of clients in my chair who are going through some sort of hormonal transition – whether that’s getting their first period, starting or coming off the pill, navigating a fertility journey, experiencing pregnancy and postpartum changes, or going through perimenopause and menopause. These are all absolutely huge factors that directly impact not just how our hair looks, but its strength, growth patterns, and overall health. When we remain oblivious to these connections, I feel like we’re missing out on the next crucial stage of hair growth and maintenance, and it can actually impact our hair in quite negative ways long-term. Having Clodagh there was about bringing light to these often-overlooked connections and giving women the power and knowledge to understand their own bodies and hair cycles better. Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to our health.
Similarly, Shakira was on hand to teach about an Ayurvedic way of living. What is this and why is it good for our hair?
Ayurvedic practices are centered around traditional Indian methodology that’s been refined over thousands of years. The approach is primarily based around optimizing digestion and effective management of stress – two things that might not seem obviously connected to hair health, but absolutely are. I felt like having Shakira there as a facilitator was the perfect fit because she could share practical, actionable tips for how we can better manage our stress levels and understand how chronic stress directly impacts our hair health and can contribute to hair loss. Stress affects our hormone production, our sleep quality, our digestion – all of which show up in our hair. Shakira was absolutely amazing at breaking down these ancient practices into modern, accessible ways that busy women can actually implement in their daily lives.
What is the thing you wish more people knew about the correlation between a grounding life and healthier hair?
I think if we could all get better at truly understanding our nervous system, our digestive system, and our overall health by simply pausing and really checking in with ourselves – rather than getting so caught up in the ever-growing hustle culture that dominates our society – we would start to realize that absolutely everything in our bodies is interconnected. Sometimes our hair health can actually be an early warning sign pointing to deeper health issues that we might not have noticed otherwise. Whether that’s being chronically overworked or overwhelmed, developing thyroid issues, experiencing significant hormonal changes, or simply not getting the correct nutritional support our bodies need – our hair really can be like a gateway to understanding what’s happening internally. But the only way we can tune into these signals and respond appropriately is by giving ourselves the space and time to ground, to slow down, and to listen to what our bodies are trying to tell us. That’s why the retreat format worked so well – it gave everyone permission to pause and focus on themselves in a way that our busy lives rarely allow.
Lastly, do you have a favourite hair care product that you are loving at the moment?
Redken is used predominantly throughout Wildflower, particularly their toning products, because they help us achieve those seamless blends whether we’re transitioning clients from their natural color to something lighter, or perfecting that exact shade for our blonde clients to give them the most polished, professional finish possible. My absolute favorite has to be Shades EQ – it’s this incredible pH balancing technology that helps deliver the most vibrant and glossy finish to any coloring service. What I love most about it is that it also has a bonder built into the formula that adds extra strength to the hair while we’re toning, so you’re not just getting beautiful color, you’re actually improving the integrity of your hair at the same time.
