SPONSORED by Wella Education.
Marylle Koken got started in hair because her mom told her to do something she was good at, and at that point it was shampooing. What began as a practical job in the salon slowly turned into something much deeper. Growing up in the hair industry wasn’t always easy. It was competitive, emotional, and at times overwhelming, but it laid the foundation for who she would become. Once storytelling entered the picture, hair stopped being just a service and became a form of expression.
Koken expresses that very year is a building block, you don’t become an artist overnight. It takes courage to be different, to surround yourself with people who push you, and to enter rooms where you’re not the most experienced person. There are no shortcuts to success. There’s only practice, patience, and persistence.
Failure isn’t a sign to stop, it’s proof that you’re trying. In a generation that’s often afraid to fail, Koken claims it as essential. Falling hard builds resilience and strength. As creatives, emotion is poured into all work, so rejection can feel personal. But not being picked doesn’t mean you’re not good enough, it just means it wasn’t your time yet. Fear will always exist, but if you’re excited about your work, that excitement will carry you through.
Calling All Students
Koken want’s student’s out there to know that if you’re looking to compete in the Sebastian Student Competition, or competitions overall, refine your eye and trust your instincts before submitting your work. It’s never just about the hair. It’s the lighting, the model, the mood, the overall feeling. Sometimes less is more. Sometimes stepping away gives you clarity. In a world of heavy editing and AI, authenticity matters. When something is overworked it can lose connection. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s intention.
At the core of it all is trust. Trust your work, because no one else will if you don’t. Find a mentor who challenges you and tells you the hard truths. Stay focused on what feels aligned, build your niche, and don’t create for approval. This industry is still deeply human. It’s built on touch, creativity, and connection. Your moment will come if you keep showing up for it.
Tune in below to hear more about Marylle’s story and the Sebastian Student Competition! Check out our Instagrams here at @Readthetease and @volumeupbythetease.
