Huang Liyong, a zanhua headdress tradition inheritor in Xunpu village, Quanzhou, poses with two women to demonstrate the distinctive Xunpu headdress. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"It takes about at least 10 minutes to put together a simple flower headdress the traditional way, using a variety of tools and layers of different flowers," Huang says.

To cater to rising public interest, she has introduced many simplified versions of the headdress suitable for different hairstyles.

Her cause reached new heights six years ago when she began sharing Xunpu headdresses on social media site Xiaohongshu.

"I was surprised that a few people found me through the platform, and they shared their headdresses on their accounts, which brought me more customers," she says.

She has since become something of a celebrity, and had the opportunity to do the hair of actress Zhao Liying at the beginning of last year."It was like opening a door to success," Huang says.

Many visitors have come to the village asking for her help, while stage crews and professional stylists have sought to work with her.