"She was always on television or in the newspaper.
"It was 'the' salon."
A highlight of her career was blow waving international singing sensation Cilla Black's hair.
"It was very exciting."
Lesley remembers hairdressers in the salon had to be fashion conscious and keep up-to-date with the latest styles.
"We always had to have full make-up on and our clothes had to be out there and very modern."
During her early years as a hairdresser, she did one afternoon a week for five years in Wellington's first polytechnic for hairdressers at the top of Adelaide Rd, where she was a foundation student along with 10 others.
Work in other salons followed, including Capri, in Paraparaumu, Just Haircraft, in Otaki, The New Image, in Paraparaumu, The Strand, in Otaki, and lastly Chairs, in Otaki.
She says hairstyles haven't changed over the years.
"They just have different names.
"It goes around in circles, a bit like fashion, really."
Lesley, who has had a number of firsts, seconds and thirds in hairdressing competitions, has loved the challenge of hairdressing as well as the many people she has met.
"Some of my clients I have been doing for 35 years.
"I love seeing them come in, going out happy with what they've got, and seeing them come back.
"It's just like one happy family.
"I've loved every moment and I still love it.
"I've never got up and thought 'I hate hairdressing'."
Lesley's last day hairdressing will be July 24.
