Hair-styling with Madalina Iliev

Hair is a preoccupation for most of women out there, so finding a hair stylist that really knows how to help you take care of it is a must. Madalina Iliev is one of those hair-stylists that put their heart in their work and stand by the fact that the biggest trend ever in hair styling is, and will forever be, healthy hair.

I know Madalina from back when we were in high-school. She’s one of those people that always has a full smile on display, which immediately makes your day brighter after seeing her. She is one bad-ass girl boss, a woman that would make any feminist out there proud.

In the last years I’ve been following her rise in hair-styling and I swear I feel like catching a flight back home only to get pampered in her salon.

I love when I hear stories about people following their dreams and I love it even more when I personally know those people. So here is her story and her tips for having healthy hair.

Tell us a bit more about yourself.

I’m Iliev Madalina and I’ve become a hairdresser eight years ago. Now I’ m a trainer for Matrix Romania and have my own business, a beauty salon Vanity Beauty Atelier in Tulcea.

When did your love for hair styling start?

It wasn’t love at first sight, but after learning and discovering what you can do with hair I’ve started wanting more and more. I was actually an accountant and discovered the art of hair and like a long term relationship you discover more interesting and new styles and techniques.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to do a radical hairstyle change?

A radical hairstyle change is not always something good. If you want to change your hairstyle take it slowly, step by step. Don’t do it all in just one session, you have to establish a relationship with your hairstylist to find out what your personal style is. Like that, we can adapt the hairstyle to your own personal style.

What was the biggest challenge in opening your own business?

To have your own business is very challenging. You have to make new customers and keep them satisfied and in trend.

What is the one thing that everyone should do in taking care of their hair, the most important one?

A beautiful hair is a healthy hair. HAIRCARE. Use the appropriate hair care products for your hair type. So choose carefully or have a hairstylist choose for you.

And cut you split ends. A long hair with split ends is not sexy.

Do you have a golden rule when it comes to new hairstyles for your customers?

Don’t try to change your customer’s style, but adapt the new hairstyle and the trend to their personal style. Because you have to know how to wear it to make it look good.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a hair stylist?

It’s a hard and tough job. You have to make sacrifices to become better every day, but don’t give up cause at the end of the day your customer’s smile makes it all worth it.

What are the biggest hair care dos and don’ts?

Please give your hair at least 20 min a day. Dry your hair correctly. Don’t rub your hair with the towel, tapper it. Use thermal protection. Cut your split ends regularly. Use the right hair care products for your hair type. DO NOT BLEACH your hair at home.

What are the most popular hairstyles at the moment?

Braids, natural wavy hair, short hair, the lob, blond hair, bronze hair, rainbow hair.

What are the best and the toughest parts of your job?

When you are a hairstylist you don’t have holidays, vacation or weekends. But the best part is when you see your customer’s reaction and satisfaction, you don’t need anything else.

Who’s hair would you love to work on?

This is a very hard question because there are so many celebrities that I would love to work on, but if I would have to choose I would pick the challenge and say Nicole Kidman. I love her as an actress, but her hair is a real challenge being a natural redhead. It’s very hard to change a natural redhead’s hair colour.

What are your plans for the future?

I want to open a hairdressing school, to have one more beauty salon and become a better trainer.

We wish Madalina all the luck in accomplishing her dreams and if you can, pass by her salon and let her do her magic.