Meet The Maltese Hairdresser Making Waves Around The World
For many, a job is just a job. But for Kain Galea, hairdressing became a lifelong passion—one that’s taken him from the heart of Valletta to some of the world’s most creative cities. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Kain’s journey is proof that the right mix of talent, sacrifice and vision can turn a family trade into a global adventure.
At just 14 years old, Kain began helping out at his family’s salon, a business that has been passed down since 1936. What started as weekend shifts soon grew into a full-blown career. “At first, it was a path given to me, not one I chose,” Kain admits. “But everything changed when I discovered the art behind precision cutting. I was obsessed with geometric shapes and dreamt of creating styles I saw in magazines.”
That drive led him to take a leap at 23, when he took out a loan to attend the Sassoon Academy in London, one of the world’s most prestigious hairdressing schools, where he completed a six-month full-time postgraduate Diploma course. “It opened my eyes,” he says. “There’s so much talent in this industry, and I wanted to be a part of that. I also realised I wanted to eventually teach and inspire others.”
After returning to Malta, Kain still felt there was more to learn. So, he made a bold move—relocating to London permanently. Starting as a level 3 stylist in a fast-paced salon, he soon realised he craved more technical training. That’s when he joined Ena Salon in Holborn, known for its world-class cutting education. It came with a financial hit—he dropped from earning £1,500 a month to just £550 as an apprentice, paying £500 in rent—but Kain was all in.
“I saw clients leaving with cuts I’d only seen in magazines. I knew this was the place I needed to be,” he says. Backed by support from his family, Kain spent nearly two years learning from the best, mastering cuts for all hair types and textures.After four years in London, the pandemic brought him back home. He used the time to modernise the family salon and share his knowledge locally, teaching cutting techniques to aspiring stylists in Malta. But the dream didn’t end there. Kain recently completed a one-on-one course for nine days with JB Mazella in France—a big name in precision cutting. And today, he’s in Melbourne, continuing his journey with the same energy he had as a teenager sweeping floors in Valletta.
With stops in London, Marseille, Berlin, Warsaw, Dublin and now Australia, Kain’s story shows just how far a pair of scissors and a passion for creativity can take you.
“My goal is to become a full-time educator and teach internationally. Hairdressing has taken me on an incredible ride, and it still excites me every single day,” he says. “If you’re looking for a career that combines artistic expression, global opportunity, and constant growth—this is it.”
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