Hello! My name is Martha Friessen and I am 19 years old. Find me on Instagram @50shadesbalayage.

I grew up and graduated in a small town called Seminole, TX. I was able to enroll into a cosmetology program my sophomore year of high school. I had no idea I wanted to do hair at this time but I just wanted to give it a go! After a few months on the floor, I did my first color on a classmate. It wasn’t a simple root touch up or a solid brown, it was a highlight. I was up for the challenge after watching a YouTube video on foil placement. At this time, we had not covered any color theory, only sanitation and the basics of science. Thank goodness my instructor formulated for me because I had no clue what the difference between 10 and 40 volume was. While I was blow drying her new color, my love for color was born. Her color turned out amazing, or so I thought at the time.

After working behind the chair for 19 months, I’ve learned from trial and error, and from attending many classes across Texas and in Florida. I also became a Mermaid Maker in September and I am loving the hair extension industry. I have grown tremendously in the last year and I am very thankful for all the love and support that I get every day. This is only the beginning and I am excited to see where the hair industry will take me. Thank you for reading! God Bless!