“I only wash my hair with eggs”

Danish national Sigurd Larsen studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen before he became an independent architect and product designer. Larsen lives in the Kreuzberg district of Berlin.

Mr Larsen, you have lived in Berlin since 2008. How has men’s style changed in that time? 

Berliners have always been well-dressed. They are much more eccentric than the men in Copenhagen. In the noughties, everything was very informal, whereas these days it’s all about having a classic look. This is also evident in the beard culture. Ten years ago no-one was wearing an imperial moustache. They were considered old-fashioned. Nowadays they are mainstream. I think it’s great to observe what people are wearing. I find the expressive aspect of Berlin very important. Actually I would like to live in a city where everyone walks round like Lady Gaga. I think people are far too reserved.

These days men enjoy being fashion and style-conscious. What about beauty issues?

It is still mostly women who buy care products for their men. That says a lot! Most men simply don’t feel masculine perusing the aisles of the large perfume chains, surrounded by shelves full of women’s scents and heavily made-up sales-girls. So for them, men’s concept stores are a blessing. 

Do you discuss grooming topics with your friends?

A little, but it wouldn’t be a problem for me. I love discovering new things. For example, I recently found facial oil from a New York manufacturer. This makes me very happy, because it keeps me feeling fresh all day. 

Does ageing bother you?

Anti-wrinkle creams?

Or grey hair? Or changes to your body?

My beard is going grey. 

And – do you pull out the grey hairs?

No, I am proud of them. I think grey hair is great. But it is actually quite a big thing. As is the enormous amount of work necessary for a man to be over 30 years old and keep a flat stomach! Take me, for example: I go jogging, cycling, swimming several times a week. 

Do you have any grooming rituals?

I don’t feel good without moisturiser. My skin dries out quickly. And I think it’s very important to smell good. I have lots of different fragrances. If you are wearing a new fragrance, you get the feeling that the day is going to be different. Interestingly, I soon feel well dressed if I smell good. 

How do you style your hair?

My hair is easy going. I don’t need to do much to it. I let it do its own thing. However, since the age of 19 I have only ever washed it with eggs.

Excuse me?

Yes, with eggs and oil. It works like shampoo. It takes all the grease out. I have a kind of
hippie aunt in Copenhagen, an artist. She recommended it to me. But the eggs must have a zero on them, and then I know that they’re from free range hens. 

Can you remember your first shave?

Of course. I was 13 and I used my father’s shaving kit. It was easy. I had watched him hundreds of times. For a whole year I didn’t want to talk to my parents about it. It was that embarrassing period, when as a teenager you get a little bit of growth – it looks so silly! You try to shave without your parents noticing. I wanted to avoid the comments: Now you’re becoming a man, heeheehee …

Do you ever go to classic barber shops?

I went to one in Turkey once, but otherwise I have always shaved myself. I find the whole hair culture from the Mediterranean and the Arab region very interesting. You go to the barber’s, drink a coffee, have a chat, and at the same time you get your beard trimmed nicely. Now, that’s a great luxury!

This interview has first been published in the printed edition of 30 Grad in spring 2016.