TUSH: Larisa, you were raised in a very strict home. How did you first discover beauty and what drew you to it?
Larisa: I’m originally from Kiev, Ukraine. My family won the visa lottery when I was six and we moved to America, which completely changed my life, especially in light of the war today. I grew up in a strict religious household, my dad is a Russian Pentecostal pastor and I wasn’t allowed to do “girly” or artistic things. As I got older, I gravitated toward the opposite of what I was raised to be.
Where did the desire to become a hair artist come from and was there a moment when you realized hair was your language?
Larisa: I’ve always gravitated toward art and doing hair. I taught myself to french braid at five. Choosing an artistic career was obvious, even without my parents’ approval. Still, it’s important to live for yourself. I knew I’d be unhappy if I listened to anyone else.
How did your journey in the industry begin, and how did it evolve into the career you have today?
Larisa: When I was 17, I told my parents I wanted to be a hair artist. They were totally against it, especially my dad. He said I could either stay, go to college, and get a “real job,” or move out. So I moved out and pursued my passion. I struggled at first, but Instagram helped my work take off and I was booked years in advance. I started doing shows and educating, kind of thrown to the wolves. Fifteen years later, I’ve traveled, toured, educated, and worked countless shows – it’s wild to see my journey.
Did you ever doubt that it was the right path for you, since you went against your parents’ wishes?
Larisa: No. Even at my lowest, I never doubted it. I remember renting a room for $150 a month and asking if I could split it because I couldn’t afford it. Even then, I knew I was set for greatness – I felt it in my gut. There was no other option. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do this, but also prove it to others. People looked down on hairdressers, like I wasn’t educated or it wasn’t a real profession.
Your work with hair is considered an art form, especially your color techniques. What fascinates you most about experimenting with color and texture?
Larisa: It’s interesting you say texture because I teach and talk about that a lot. Hair is a fabric, and you can create endless forms of color and texture. My inspiration comes from the world. I love traveling, seeing new places, and getting inspired by nature, plants, walls, and buildings, in all their textures and colors. My biggest passion is transformation. There’s nothing like having a vision and turning it into a piece of art in just a few hours.
How do you approach a new look? Do you plan everything, or do you let the hair guide you?
Larisa: It depends on the person, what complements their skin tone and face shape and what fits their lifestyle. If I’m working behind the chair, I think about the long term, not just the moment. For a photo shoot, it’s different. Then I can be more artistic and edgy.
Is there a project or a look you’re particularly proud of because it perfectly expresses your creative vision?
Larisa: One of the coolest moments was in Amsterdam a few years ago. I had to choose an old-school artist and recreate their work as watercolor-inspired hair. Seeing that inspiration come to life on a real head was incredible. The colors and the watercolor effect were beautiful, and it even became a magazine cover. It was really special.
Color is central to your signature style. How did you find that passion?
Larisa: Beauty schools don’t teach hair in a way that fits modern times. Their methods are outdated and overcomplicated. When I started teaching, my goal was to simplify, focus on placement, achieve results by doing less, and still create beautiful art. Less is more. Dimension and depth are beautiful. It’s not something I learned formally; it developed over time.
One goal I’ve set for my forties is to open a school. Many leave beauty school with a license but no confidence in clients, consultations, toner formulation, or basic technique.
You already teach, mentor, and lead. What values or lessons do you hope young stylists take from your journey?
Larisa: Aside from the art, the biggest thing is that authenticity always wins. If you try to copy others, your work won’t stand out and you’ll always feel like you’re chasing something. You either live it and breathe it or you don’t. Authenticity separates artists whose work speaks for itself from those just following trends.
Are there other areas in the beauty industry you’d like to explore beyond hair?
Larisa: I’m open to everything. Right now my focus is education, building a business, maybe a school, but I’m open to anything artistic. If I weren’t a hairdresser, I’d go into interior design. I love interior design and fashion. Will I pursue it? I don’t know, but I’m always open to what comes my way.
You built your own salon in Los Angeles and are now expanding to Amsterdam. What was the journey like, and what do you hope to achieve with the new location?
Larisa: I’m excited to be inspired by a new clientele and environment. I love my clients in L.A., many of whom have been with me for over a decade, but I’m ready for a fresh start. One surprise is that you don’t need a license in Amsterdam. I feel my salon will stand out because I have experience and am licensed. The way we work is a bit different, and I’m excited to make the space my own. I don’t want strict goals; I just want to let it flow and see what happens.
You often tour with your husband Sebastian from Palaye Royale. How do you balance your career with life on the road?
Larisa: The great thing about what I do is that I control my schedule. My husband and I follow the “two-week rule” – we never go more than two weeks without seeing each other. I’ll fly out to him for about a week. I get overstimulated on tour and can’t be away from work too long, but it’s the perfect balance. It feels like a little vacation, then I return to work. We’ve been together over seven years, and we’re still so in love because we give each other space for our own passions. That makes a strong relationship.
If you could try a completely new creative project tomorrow, what would it be?
Larisa: I don’t have a specific project in mind, but I would love to create freely with new artists I meet: hairdressers, fashion designers, makeup artists. Just creating art for the sake of creating.
If you could sit with your 17-year-old self, the girl who left home to become Larisa Love, what would you tell her?
Larisa: Keep going. Authenticity will always win, and people will love you for who you are. Never try to be someone else. Life only gets better every single day.
TALENT: Larisa Love
EDITOR: Mavie Sellere
FOTOS: Larisa Love
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