Meet Nanna Hede – who represents a new era in hairdressing.

Nanna Hede has spent the past 15 years leaving her mark on the Danish hair industry. She began her career at Weitling Coiffure in Kolding, continued at Dennis Knudsen in Copenhagen, and later ran her own salon in Østerbro. Today, she is the founder of Frisør Nanna Hede in Bredballe – a salon with a clear vision: here, only fragrance-free and Asthma Allergy-friendly products are used.

Early in her career, Nanna experienced first-hand how asthma and allergies could make daily life in the salon challenging. Instead of letting it define her, she turned it into her strength – creating a safe and mindful space for herself and for clients seeking an alternative to the traditional salon experience.

Nanna represents a new era in the world of hairdressing – one where professional performance and high quality go hand in hand with care for health and well-being. She leads by example, showing that the salon of the future can be both allergy-friendly and fragrance-free.

We spoke with Nanna about what it means to work exclusively with fragrance-free products, how it has transformed her everyday life – and what beauty truly means to her.

1. As tradition has it, our first question is — what does beauty mean to you?
To me, beauty is when we dare to be ourselves – when imperfection is allowed to win.

For me, beauty always begins within. When we feel good in ourselves – physically and mentally – it radiates outward.

Beauty isn’t something we put on top, but something we get to highlight when we have the courage to be authentic and stand by what we feel. That’s why it makes sense for me to work with products and routines that don’t make noise, but support balance.

When the body is in harmony, when the skin feels calm, and when we can breathe freely – we also gain more space to be present, to feel ourselves, and to connect with others.

2. When did you first begin to experience asthma and allergies, and how did it affect your daily life as a hairdresser?
It wasn’t until after I completed my training as a hairdresser – when colour treatments became a bigger part of my work – that I truly felt how my body reacted. My allergies became more pronounced, and especially my airways were affected.

Like so many others, I brushed it off at first. I was busy, and I thought it was just a phase. But in reality, it was a work life out of balance.

During pollen seasons, things got worse – headaches, burning eyes, itching skin, and a general feeling of unease in my body. It took time before I truly started listening to the signals.

3. How have your challenges with asthma and allergies changed the way you work as a hairdresser and choose your products?
The first six years of my career, I worked in salons where the big, classic brands were the norm.

When I later became self-employed, I quickly began to explore new paths. I wanted to work more gently – both for my own health and for my clients. But it wasn’t simple.

I tested fragrance-free and alternative colour systems but found that the results didn’t live up to what I wanted. So, I began to consciously limit my colour services.

Along the way, I also became a mother and went through two difficult pregnancies, during which I couldn’t work much. It was a period of deep reflection – how could I return to a profession that often involved products I couldn’t tolerate?

That’s why discovering Meishai was such an immense relief – both professionally and personally.

The products bring balance. I feel it tangibly in my body. My skin is calm, and I no longer experience the same respiratory issues. It’s as if my body finally gets to be part of it – rather than constantly defending itself.

4. What has it given you – professionally and personally – to work exclusively with fragrance-free and Asthma Allergy-friendly products?
By choosing only products that are Asthma Allergy-friendly – both in my work and in my everyday life – I’ve found a deeper sense of peace and a belief that less truly is more. Hair should be allowed to simply be hair. Without all the extras.

That feeling is something I had never experienced before I tried Meishai.

Being able to breathe freely – without the narrowing sensation in my nose from perfume, and without my senses being overstimulated – it’s something I didn’t even realise I was missing until I experienced it.

It’s a quiet but powerful change. It creates a rare sense of calm, both in my body and in the space around me.

5. How do your clients react when they experience a salon without perfume and with a focus on allergy-friendly products?
My clients often tell me they feel an instant sense of calm when they walk in. There’s a peace in the air – no overwhelming scents – and they notice that the products soothe rather than stimulate. They find them genuinely pleasant and effortless to use.

6. And finally – which Meishai product is your personal favourite, and why?
Without a doubt, my personal favourite is the Meishai Shampoo.

I’ve never experienced anything like it. It cleanses exactly as the hair needs – without overdoing it – and it soothes my scalp, which has stayed in perfect balance since I began using it more than a year ago.

It’s hard to explain, but the hair simply feels like… hair. Not coated, not styled into submission – just healthy, clean, and calm.

I use it on all my clients in the salon, and it feels so right to offer one product – without compromise.

I’m genuinely passionate about every single Meishai product. Each one plays a meaningful role in my daily work. They make a difference without taking up too much space.
And that is exactly how I want my craft to feel.

Explore more about Nanna at frisornannahede.dk