Mariana Palacios, also known as @interdimensionalife, is a freelance hairstylist whose loud editorial voice is so recognisable that even her more commercial works are easily identified as hers. While it is her emo teen background that takes an interest in chains, technicolour hair pieces and metal ring accessories, it’s a touch of a maximalist tendency that sees her reaching for rhinestones, flowers, plexiglass and any other odd items she can get her hands on: “My friends and I like to go to ‘las pacas’, giant areas in the streets full of clothes and random objects on sale, where we go to try to find treasures.” Based in Mexico City, Palacios and her friends ran a space until recently with hair, tattoo, boutique and studio services – sadly their joint studio space had to close down this year, but not before their collaborative creative output cemented their position in the alternative beauty world. We speak with Palacios about racoon tails, pubic mohawks, and stressful situations on set.

You previously mentioned that you studied fashion design, would you say your background in fashion affects the way you approach hair? Totally, at university I learned to observe, to analyse dimensions, to sew (I often sew things into my hairstyles), to understand trends, to conceptualise… All of this knowledge affected my style and creative process as a hairstylist.

When did you decide you wanted to work with hair? How did you get your start in the industry? It was super random, 3 years ago I was working in a studio doing some hairstyling appointments, but I didn’t have a concrete plan for my life. One day a stylist called me (as en emergency) to ask me if I could do the hair for the cover of a magazine because the hairstylist didn’t come to the shoot. I took the opportunity and decided to use some metal rings that I had among my things, and I improvised. Everyone loved the hairstyle and more people started calling me… 6 months later it was clear that it was more than a hobby from my childhood, and that it’s the only thing I want to do forever.

Recently we’ve seen a lot of 90s/ early 00s hairstyles come back like cute, girly accessories, super chunky highlights and more. What are your favourite and least favourite hair trends of all time? I’m a big fan of raccoon tails, the striped hair that many of us had when we were emos 12-13 years ago. Regarding colour, I like money piece hair and chunky highlights <3 especially in fantasy colours. I also like all hair from the 60s, the hair was so incredibly diverse, from clean and perfect bouffants, to super artsy styles. My least favourite hairstyle is the traditional wet look. I like it if it takes a different direction or experiments with shapes, but if it just goes straight down the back, I think it’s boring. 

What or who inspires you? Arts and crafts have inspired me all my life. Different techniques, colours, textures, materials. My friends inspire me, seeing all the creative processes of a photographer, of a stylist, makeup artist, fashion designer, nail artists, etc. They take me to other worlds. Hairstylists from México, from Japan, from all over the world inspire me also. And recently I discovered that the absolute coolest hairstyles come from cartoons and anime series. 100%.

How would you describe your hairstyling style? My style is artistic, creative, and funny. 

What have been some of your most memorable projects and why? One of my most memorable projects was AMOR ENTRE CUCAS, a project with Sanchez Kane and Dorian Ulises Lopez, where I created 50 different hairstyles on pubic hair for an exhibition at Palais de Tokyo. The exhibition was on display for 3 months, and the whole project was very funny and a big challenge. 

The most memorably stressful situation I ever had was the cover shoot of a very commercial magazine from here. The model in this case was a singer, she didn’t let me finish any of the hairstyles, and destroyed whatever I did. This went on for 4 hours. I was so shocked, frustrated and angry, but I didn’t want to give up. It was the first and only time something like this happened to me. Fortunately the editors stood by my side and helped me calm down the singer so I could do something neutral that worked for everyone. Looking back it’s funny and horrible at the same time haha.

Since Sanrat studio closed, where you do your projects and shoots now instead? As I work as an independent artist I currently do my appointments at my clients’ places. All the shoots, videos, etc. have different locations, so I go wherever the shoot is going to happen. When I have to prepare special pieces, I go downtown to get materials and work in my house. I don’t have a daily routine – there are weeks in which I work full time and others where I work one day per week. I can work for just 4 hours and finish, or I can work 17 to 21 hours for a commercial or video. Since Covid we are only operating at 50% capacity, and we have to get tested before any medium to large production. It has changed a lot, but I’m happy we can work now! 

Ideally, in ten years time, what do you see yourself doing? I see myself working with music artists, designing their hairstyles for big video productions and performances. I also want to collaborate with other artists of different disciplines, both from my country and other countries that I can travel to. I’d like to have a private salon with my friends (hair, makeup and nails), where we focus only on artistry, and nothing commercial. I also see myself spending days working on big decorative art hair pieces, and having an exhibition and holding workshops to share what I do.