By Amy Reast
A woman who began losing her hair aged 19 launched a wig company to give people their confidence back.
Kimberly Di Benedetto, 34, began noticing her hair thinning in her teens and was diagnosed with female pattern hair loss.
Her confidence plummeted and she tried everything to get her hair to grow back – including laser therapy, vitamins, scalp injections and creams.
When none worked she looked into hair pieces and toppers and says they changed her life.
After connecting with others experiencing hair loss, Kimberly launched Lusta Hair – a brand selling realistic, natural human hair wigs and hair pieces.
The business, based in Adelaide, South Australia, sees products – starting at £1k – flying off the shelves.
But Kimberly says she’s driven by raising awareness for women’s hair loss and seeing the look on people’s faces when they first see their new locks.
The business owner said: “By the time I noticed my hair loss it was 50 per cent gone.
“When you’re 19 you’re supposed to be starting your life, not worrying about hair loss.”
Kimberly launched Lusta six years ago – originally for hair toppers.
This expanded into wigs when colleague, Holly Faller, 33, joined the team, because she has alopecia.
Their hair pieces and wigs, hand-made with human hair, can be worn to swim and do sports, so that the wearers don’t feel conscious.
Kimberly said: “When I began losing hair, I remember hyper-fixating.
“If I was invited somewhere I’d have to style it in a certain way, and I felt uncomfortable staying over at friends houses and going on dates.
“Once I found a solution I could finally stop stressing about my hair and it became fun.
“With the hair toppers, I went out with my friends more, felt more confident at work and I became myself again.”
Most of their clients receive their hair products in the post – but some pop in to visit the team to have their hair applied in person.
Most recently they have launched ‘Wigs For Kids’ – an initiative giving free wigs to children experiencing hair loss due to alopecia or cancer treatments.
Having experienced hair loss, Kimberly does her job to allow others to feel the relief she felt when she found a solution that could bring back her self-confidence.
She added: “When I discovered hair toppers and learnt how to use them, I felt like myself again.
“It’s not easy to start a business but I know how good it feels to find hair that makes you feel good.”
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