Instagram’s dream hair girl, Amber Fillerup, shares her secrets for real-life Rapunzel hair

“Slowly people started noticing the unique styles I was creating, through word of mouth I guess, and began then sharing them on Pinterest. From there people started asking for tutorials, so I would create tutorials on my laptop in my poorly lit college apartment! I have always loved hair and doing fun hairstyles, and I don’t think that will ever change!”

The written blog grew naturally into a YouTube channel, and then Instagram to follow, which Amber says is now her favourite platform.

“But I love that my blog is a journal of my last 8 years of life. I love to go look at old posts of family memories.”

68 dreamy braids and braid hairstyles, from modern twists to butterfly locs

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...and then a badass boss lady

It’s the influencer dream to launch a brand that encompasses their passion, and something that was a natural and authentic extension for Amber.

“I had always wanted to create a line of hair extensions because I wear them every day and was always frustrated with the existing companies I was purchasing from”, she says. “I wanted to do things differently and produce unprecedented products that would drive innovation and change for the industry.”

“We launched Barefoot Blonde Hair in 2016, but I originally had the idea way back in 2011. Each year I got more serious about bringing that idea to life, and in 2014 we (her and husband David) started actively pursuing it.”

Now with four different extension lines for all hair colours, accessories and more, Barefoot Blonde Hair is still going from strength to strength, with one main goal in mind: “I would love for us to make hair extensions easier and less intimidating for everyone.”

“Most people assume hair extensions are high maintenance and time consuming, but we are coming out with products that eliminate this theory altogether. We love our Fill-Ins and our newest collection, the BFB Up, because both take little to no time to insert, they are easier than ever to blend, and they make such a difference.”

Amber modelling the BFB Up.

“I have worn our BFB Up every day this week! It is one weft that is as thick as four wefts, so instead of having to stack four different wefts for thickness, it already does the stacking for you. I love to throw it in my hair to achieve a quick, long braid or an extra full messy bun. It is always my go-to when I don’t feel like doing my hair and need a quick style.”

The secret to Amber’s amazing hairstyles

You guessed it, extensions.

The additional volume and length from faux hair is why each style looks so full and fabulous. “I also like to do my styles a bit messier and less-perfect looking.”

As for hair care, Amber says she’s a big fan of the Moroccanoil Restorative Mask (£32.85) and also ones from Kerastase.

“I love to put a deep conditioning mask on my hair with a shower cap overtop and apply some heat from a blow dryer to let the treatment soak in. Then I rinse with cool water.”

For creating curls, her current favourite tool is the BaByliss 1 Inch Iron (£20). “I love how smooth it is, which makes it easy for the iron to glide as you do beachy curls.”

And while Blake Lively and Gisele Bündchen are her hair icons, Amber (if she had the guts) she would love to try red hair. As for the one style she believes everyone should know how to do, her answer is a fishtail braid.

“They are actually so easy since it is just the two strands crossing over. It just looks so pretty as a big long fishtail, a half up, or an accent braid.”

5 fast questions

How can you tell is a pair of hair extensions are ‘good quality’?

• They should be thick from top to bottom! There will always be natural thinning towards the bottom but even then, it should still have a good amount. You would be surprised how many hair extension wefts get way too thin at the bottom.

• They also need to be made of 100% human remy hair. They last longer and look more natural.

• Lastly, seamless wefts make such a difference! Not only do they lay flatter to the head, but they make each weft more comfortable to wear all day.

Top tips for caring for hair extensions?

• No heat, or using low/medium heat.

• Be extra gentle when brushing and detangling them.

• Don’t blow dry.

• Wash them in the evening so you have time to air dry them overnight.

What camera do you use to take your photos?
We use our Canon 5d Mark iv!

Current favourite holiday destination in Europe?
Annecy, France and Amalfi Coast!

Advice for bloggers out there trying to make their mark?
I have a few blog posts that list all of my tips, but my main one is just to do and talk about what you’re passionate about. Offer something that no one else is or offer it in a new way!

Want more hair inspo? Check out these amazing updos...