Meet Rikke Gajda

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rikke Gajda.

Hi Rikke, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I always knew I wanted to be a hairstylist since I was very little, and at the age of 14, I started working in a salon next to school. I quickly started training with the up and coming stylists in the salon and at 15, I got my first scissors and was already cutting hair. But I always knew the salon life wasn’t for me, I always wanted something more and different and to be more creative.

So after getting my license and working for a few years in the salon, I decided to move to America to see where it could get me. My license didn’t transfer from Norway so I went back to school. I had never been to America and knew very little other than it was a big country with better opportunities. I looked at the map and chose the school that was closest to Hollywood cause I remembered I had heard that was a cool place. (Lol) I ended up at Paul Mitchell the School in Costa Mesa and I was there for a year. After this, I went home for around a year before I came back and started working in a studio in Las Vegas. We did a lot of photoshoots and had fun projects but it still wasn’t enough for me.

So I moved to LA and started working for Chris Appleton and that’s how I got into celebrity hairstyling and custom made pieces. I’ve always been good at making things and I kind of just fell into make hairpieces one day on set when I quickly needed to make a ponytail. I had never made one and just had to figure it out, and after making that first one I wanted to find way to perfect it and I just started making a lot of them. Now I make ponys and other hairpieces for my own clients but also for other stylists in the industry.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Coming from a different country in general brings a few obstacles along the way. Everything is new, people and culture is new so it’s a lot to adjust to in many ways. It takes time to get your name out there and build trust and a good relationship with people. A lot of sleepless nights and hard work comes with the job and it’s not for everyone, you got to have the passion and love for it. Breaking a way from assisting was a big obstacle because you’re breaking a way from something where people only know you as an assistant and doesn’t know or trust you’re talented enough to take on bigger clients on your own. I knew I had it and that I was ready but it was a transition period that can be challenging where you constantly have to prove yourself.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a celebrity hairstylist, and I specialize in styling and also in making custom made ponytails and hairpieces. I’m known for making ponytails for clients like Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Lilly Collins, Cara Delavigne, Christine Quinn, Pia Mia, Stassie, Tana Mongue among others. I also custom color hair extensions and wigs for Kylie Jenner, Katy Perry, Desi Perkins and more. I’m proud of all of my pieces but it was a big moment for me when both Cara and Lilly wore my hairpieces for the Met Gala, it was right after I started working for myself so it was two big projects for me. But also seeing Kylie with a 50” ponytail on the Ellen show was a big moment. I think we’re all talented in our own ways, we all have something that the other doesn’t and that’s what sets us all apart, but I really care about and love what a do and put as much love into each ponytail and piece I make even if it means I won’t sleep that night.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I think there’s always gonna be a need for beauty so I think our industry will always thrive, but it’s important that we stay on top of trends so we can always bring new and fresh looks to our clients.

Contact Info:

• Email: Rikkigashhair@gmail.com
• Website: www.rikkigash.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/rikkigash?igshid=1sv6mpfwcw52o