Kiwi mum's life makeover FROM PRI SON TO BEAUTY PA RLOUR!

After four stints in jail, Jasmine changed her world for her girl

- Cloe Willetts

When Hawke’s Bay mum Jasmine Tangohau walked into prison eight years ago for the fourth time, she made a life-changing decision. Newly pregnant with her daughter Armanii-Jewel, Jasmine vowed to never return. Instead, she wanted a clean slate so she could follow her dream of opening a salon and be the best mum she could.

Now the proud Māori beauty entrepreneur is a qualified senior hairdresser, eyelash technician and certified lash educator.

Since founding Lash Academy in Hastings early last year, Jasmine has trained around 30 students with similar backstories to her, while passing on her business knowledge.

“I love inspiring and empowering women,” enthuses the solo mum, 35, whose seven-year-old is her pride and joy. “My biggest passion is making people feel good.”

But Jasmine’s journey to becoming a lash guru was anything but perfect. After experiencing trauma as a little girl, including witnessing domestic violence and suffering sexual abuse, she fell into depression in her teenage years and that led to substance abuse.

By 14, Jasmine was heavily drinking and following her fi fth arrest for drink driving at 21, she spent three months in Christchurch Women’s Prison.

Six months after being released, Jasmine sadly lost her beloved brother to suicide and went off the rails again, returning to jail at 23.