When you think of a traditional hair salon experience, what comes to mind? A standard trim? A predictable routine?
At Elevate Hair, we thrive on breaking those exact boundaries. True hair education isn’t just about mastering a classic technique; it’s about discovering how to manipulate tools to express an individual’s identity.
Today, we’re taking you inside the mind of Carolina, a phenomenal creative hair artisan originally from Chile, currently living and working out of São Paulo, Brazil. Known in the digital sphere as @malchikmalchikmalchik, her cutting-edge razor designs and vibrant color contrasts are redefining what alternative haircuts look like.
We sat down with Carolina to talk about her inspiration, her journey toward self-reinvention, and how she consistently fights creative burnout behind the chair.
What inspired this look?
Carolina: "My client was relaxed and open to possibilities, and since she already has an alternative look, all we had to do was complement it with an experimental haircut that highlighted her style. The graphic representation of fire and thunder is something that appeals to me, and it’s something I wanted to portray in my own style. So it was a combination of things that turned out really well!"
What was your favorite part of the process?
Carolina: "It was definitely doing the designs with a machine/razor, because it’s a moment where I let myself flow"
What do you want other artists to take from it?
Carolina: "I think every artist has their own vision of things and that’s what makes this field so inspiring. I think you can take inspiration from others and adapt it to your own style. You’ll always have something to contribute to that idea."
When and how did you know you wanted to be a hairdresser?
Carolina: "Every time I went to get my hair cut as a teenager by my favorite hairdresser, I ended up with an extraordinary feeling of lightness and well-being. And I had the idea of wanting to make people feel that same way I did. It happened at a time in my life when I needed to reinvent myself, and that’s when I decided to study to become a hairdresser. That was 7 years ago."
How do you fight artistic complacency and monotony?
Carolina: "It’s difficult to feel inspired every day. But I think my approach is to draw on my own references and tastes from when I was a teenager, as well as more recent ones, and to understand what each person wants. What does that person need to highlight? For me, the client’s opinion is fundamental. I feel very much like a hair artisan. And since each person is different, the possibilities are endless."
Elevate Your Craft Behind the Chair
Carolina's approach highlights a fundamental truth about the hair industry: when you stop treating hair design like a job and start treating it like art, you unlock a universe of endless possibilities. By combining early subculture memories with sharp, technical razor skills, she bridges the gap between raw nostalgia and high-fashion aesthetics.
Are you looking to break out of your creative rut and shake up your daily client routine? Explore the Elevate Hair Shop for the tools, inspiration, and education you need to push past the ordinary and step into your true potential as a hair artisan.
Make sure to follow Carolina's ongoing creative evolutionary journey over on Instagram at @malchikmalchikmalchik.
