Since appearing on US television in 1992 as the wife of a controversial presidential candidate wearing a velvet headband the 65-year-old has been both celebrated and shamed for giving a voice to the voiceless – supermarket hair accessories.

Even though she made light of “lifelong hair struggles” in her 2003 memoir Living History, Clinton’s hair has spent most of 2012 in the spotlight thanks to a style-conscious staffer’s slip of the tongue which gave birth to “Scrunchiegate” and spawned numerous websites dedicated to the tresses of America’s most powerful woman including Texts From Hillary and Hillary Clinton Hair Salon.

“Some of us are looking to ban the scrunchies,” the official told Elle magazine in April.

“She has to look camera ready. She said the reason she grew her hair long was that it’s easier. She has options.”

Following the most recent style scuttlebutt Clinton, who appears to be a fan of butterfly clips, hair slides and the occasional wire bandeau, dismissed she has concerns about her coiffure.

“If I want to wear my hair back I’m pulling my hair back. You know at some point it’s just not something that deserves a lot of time and attention,” she told CNN.

For her recent Australian tour however she decided her locks were worth the “time and attention” so employed a Perth hairstylist for his skills with a barrel brush for a no fuss blow wave complete with a trademark headband.

Maurice Meade technical director Daniel Hemsley was recruited by the US Embassy to make Mrs Clinton camera ready for AUSMIN and the rest of her tour that spanned three days and two cities.

“Hillary was incredibly relaxed about her hair. She told me I was the expert and I was to style as I pleased,” Mr Hemsley told Fairfax Media about what he is now calling a career highlight.

“It was just a one off appointment. She did stipulate that she wanted it to last several days, because obviously she was moving onto Adelaide, so I was a bit under pressure to make sure that the hair lasted for her.

“She was brilliant, really put me at ease straight away, she was just really easy to talk to and very down to earth so that anxiety that you have beforehand was settled quite quickly.”

The hairdresser is no stranger to celebrities and their crowning glory. Mr Hemsley has previously worked with Def Leppard, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Harry Connick, Jr and Golden Girls star Bea Arthur before her death in 2009.

Praise for Clinton’s Aussie style was wide spread especially from the man who’s had a close up of Miranda Kerr and Portia de Rossi’s not so split ends, salon owner and creative director Brad Ngata.

“Hillary Clinton’s schedule would be exhaustive so I think this styling suits her work life though. The overall look of her hair is professional and teamed with her choice in clothes it works well together. Impeccable, chic accessories really elevate very simple hairstyling and should be embraced,” he said.

The L’Oreal Professional ambassador took some issue with her ponytail but was otherwise pleased with her polished look.

“The position of her ponytail should be a little higher or at the nape of her neck, as I feel where it was worn really dragged her profile,” he said.

He added that healthy hair and “understated hair accessories” are on trend for summer.

Hair elastics covered in fabric, according to Ngata and hairstylists all around the country, are never going to be stylish.

“Scrunchies? No! Never!”