It’s All About the Hair
“A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life.” — Coco Chanel
Keeping that quote in mind, from one of the most talented and extraordinary designers and figures in the fashion industry, I must admit—my life has changed a lot, but not always as drastically as my hair has.
My hair journey began when I was 12 years old with my best friend at the time. She was allowed to buy a hair toner from the supermarket, and I bought one for myself too, thinking I would call my mother from her house later to ask if I was allowed to use it.
The color I chose was a soft red.
I called my mother when we arrived at my friend’s house, and she said that if it wasn’t a permanent color but just a semi-permanent one, I would be allowed to dye my hair.
And that is how it all started.
I naturally had dark, ashy blonde hair with a slight hint of ginger.
So when I used the color, my hair turned almost completely red. When I looked in the mirror, I was in awe—not because I thought I looked great. I wasn’t even sure what I thought—but I was amazed at how little it took to feel completely different just by changing your hair color.
Since then, I don’t think I’ve ever had my natural hair color again.
And believe me when I say—I’ve had it all.
Short pixie cuts in different colors (white, brown, red, ginger)
Extensions (long blonde, long black, long brown, long pink)
Different types of bangs in every color
I’ve literally done it all.
This year, I’ve been married for 10 years, and my husband can almost always predict what hairstyle I’ll have next. He says I have a full rotating cycle of what comes after each style—but I don’t believe him, even though I have to admit he’s been right many times.
Currently, I’m wearing a short pixie cut in a reddish, gingery tone.
If you ask my husband, he’ll say that next on the list will be blonde again—and that I’ll let it grow long enough to put in extensions. (For bonding extensions, you need a certain length on the top layer; otherwise, you would see the bonds.)
I’ve been to almost every hair salon in Munich, and the one where I’m always satisfied is Thomas Kemper Friseure.
I’ve been a client there since I was a baby—my mom was a client when she had me and used to bring me along to her appointments.
Thomas Kemper himself is the only person I trust to cut my hair when it’s this short because, believe it or not, cutting a woman’s short haircut is entirely different from cutting a man’s short haircut.
Another wonderful human there is a stylist named Lara at Thomas Kemper Friseure. She says herself that half her education was done on my hair—and she has literally done every color you can think of on me.
She knows me very well and can also predict which color will come next—so she always tells me to be aware of what’s coming so she can prepare the right base for the next color.
https://www.thomas-kemper.com/
The same goes for creating the perfect shade of blonde—honestly, you have no idea how much can go wrong when trying to achieve the perfect blonde.
I think the best blonde I ever had was done by a hairdresser named Nadine at a salon in a small village near Munich called Grünwald. The salon is called Belhair.
She was one of the only ones who managed to achieve that very clean, Scandinavian-looking white blonde that I absolutely love.
And the owner, Angela, is very lovely - you will have a great time there.
But if you bleach your hair that frequently like I did, at some point it will become too damaged.
That’s why I end up cutting it short again when I’ve overdone the color and my hair is so damaged that it has to be cut.
When I studied in London, my favorite hairdresser was Hershesons. I saw a Vogue editor going there—and I mean, if a Vogue editor, the ultimate source for luxury and trends, goes there, it must be great.
And they were!
Honestly, the feeling of a great new color or cut just makes it so much fun.
Of course, I didn’t like all my styles equally, but I love that I have these pictures of the different styles to reminisce over once I’m gray and old.
What do you think will be the next style? Any suggestions?
Lots of love,
Alisa