Ilham is a good friend of Amayzine. She won the well-deserved Hairstylist of The Year Award. Duh, if you do the hair of Doutzen, Miss Campbell, and Queen Máxima, just to name a few. Ilham is constantly on the road, so does she ever celebrate the weekend in a relaxed way?

I’m talking to you while you’re going from one shoot location to another. What a hectic life!

Haha yes. I really work a lot, this is a very busy period for me. I just got back from Peru, where I did a job for Max Mara. And at the moment, we have been shooting a Calvin Klein campaign for three days. During this shoot, we are going for ‘easy’ and ‘undone’ hair. The funny thing is that you still spend a long time on it. Especially with men, it’s a challenge to give them natural-looking hair, while it’s actually very styled.

Do you know that THANK GOD IT’S FRIDAY feeling?

I indeed lost that real feeling a long time ago. Everything goes at lightning speed for me. But then suddenly it’s the weekend and I try to keep my Sunday really free for fun things or to really relax.

HOW DO YOU KICK OFF YOUR WEEKEND ON FRIDAY? DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS?

I’m still busy with the shoot, but I do have fun things planned for this weekend. On Sunday, there are the Coiffure Awards, the hairdressing gala of the year. I have judged for this. After that, I have quality time with my best friend Rachel. We’re going to make Amsterdam unsafe!

Is your hair very different on the weekend than during the week?

Yes, especially when I work I don’t wear makeup and have my hair in a simple bun. Then it’s not about me. But when it’s the weekend and I go out, I bring out my curly hair. I spend about twenty minutes on that. I prefer to let Rachel run her hands through my hair as a finishing touch.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE HOTSPOTS TO GO TO ON THE WEEKEND?

I’m not really into fixed places, so I always check where it’s fun at that moment. I always find Izakaya in Amsterdam good. That’s where I start, and how the evening goes from there, I leave open. I love spontaneity, so I don’t plan too much ahead. But once I’m on the dance floor, I can’t get off. Dancing and good music give me a great energy boost. I don’t need alcohol for that. I’m usually also the one who turns off the lights.

IF YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT TIME AND MONEY, WHAT WOULD YOUR IDEAL WEEKEND BE?

Then I would get on a plane to Ibiza on Friday. You have really relaxed clubs and the food is fantastic. On Monday, we go back. By the way, I do this regularly, weekend trips with my girlfriends. Wonderful!

DO YOU SET AN ALARM ON MONDAY AND IF SO, FOR WHAT?

On Monday, my alarm goes off at half past six because I have to get back to work. But what exactly do I have planned this Monday? Phew, I don’t even know that off the top of my head. Definitely something. Luckily, I have someone who keeps an eye on my agenda because, as you can see, that is needed, haha.