As an inherently nosey person, interviewing celebrity makeup artists and hair stylists is my favourite thing to do because it gives me an opportunity to root through their kits.
Thanks to YouTube and the likes of Mario Dedivanovic, we’re more aware than ever of the tricks and trades of MUAs.
Remember when Kim Kardashian posted that selfie mid-contour and we all felt like we’d seen how a magician correctly guessed our 8 of spades card? Well, unlike makeup, hair has kept that smoke and mirrors façade.
In fact, it wasn’t until I went to a Chris Appleton x Dyson masterclass a few years ago that I realised the majority of Kim Kardashian’s hair styles were most likely either wigs or hair pieces. No wonder I could never recreate them at home…
If Chris’ name sounds familiar it’s because like Mario, he is Kim’s go-to, but for hair instead of makeup. As well as Kim, Chris’s client list includes Jennifer Lopez and Dua Lipa.
Slowly but surely, hairstylists like Chris, Jen Atkin and Andrew Fitzsimons (to name a few) are showing the behind-the-scenes process of their iconic hairstyles and just like makeup, their kits are a treasure trove of high to low-end products and accessories that don’t always make much sense until you see them in action.
In my years as a beauty editor, these are the repeat (sometimes unexpected) products and tools I find hairstylists love, and that will improve your own at-home styling game.
1. L’Oréal Professionnel Techni.Art Pli
Never have I ever been backstage at fashion week and not spotted this white bottle. For the longest time I never even knew what it did, I just knew that hairstylists loved ‘Pli’.
I now see it as essentially a primer for your hair. It’s heat activated and helps your hair to retain its shape and hold, however you style it.
What’s particularly great about it however is that it’s weightless and doesn’t add any crispiness because trust me, hairstylists apply a LOT of this to damp hair before styling.
2. Hair Bunjees
Bobbles, ties, bands, whatever you call them… hairstylists just don’t use them.
For the sky-high pony’s seen on the likes of Ariana Grande and Jennifer Lopez, these hair bunjee cords are relied upon instead.
Chris Appleton loves them because they hold more tension in the hair, and you can wrap them as tight as your fingers will let you.
3. Tail Comb
A tail comb really does elevate your styling routine as it gives you precision.
Whether that be a more precise parting (I’ve heard that the ‘00s zig zag style is making a comeback) or for getting clean sections of hair for half updos, it’s one of the cheapest but most effective accessories you can add to your own kit.
4. Oribe Dry Texturising Spray
At the opposite end of the price spectrum, Oribe’s cult texture spray is by far the most popular with celebrity hairsylists, and who can blame them when it blasts out effortless ‘cool girl’ volume without crispiness.
Worth the extra pennies, if you ask me.
5. Mason Pearson Brush
You’d think it was the hairstylists’ heated tools that cost the most, but I’m pretty sure it’s actually their collection of iconic red and black hairbrushes that are the most valuable items in their kit.
Expensive, yes, but they last a lifetime and have been in production for over 100 years. Hairstylists love them because of the boar/nylon bristle mix, which is great for smoothing hair and brushing out curls for the ultimate S-Wave effect.
6. Color Wow Root Cover Up
Hate to break it to you, but every celebrity hairline is a lie and I remember feeling as stupid as you do now when I also realised this.
Whether it’s to cover thinner, sparser areas of hair or to keep the hairline looking full for an updo, every single hairstylist will use some of this root powder or spray to cheat thicker-looking hair.
7. A toothbrush
Not in case hairstylists have bad breath, but for dressing their clients’ baby hairs, duh.
Just douse the brush with a bit of hairspray and comb them into place or make like Ouai founder Jen Atkin and keep one in your bag with a mini can of hair spray for any emergency touch-ups.
While any toothbrush will do, if you want one specifically for your edges, try Patterns’ Edge Tool, £12.
8. A water mist bottle
Whether it’s for dampening down an unruly fringe or shaping Afro hair, having a water bottle helps you to style your hair (whatever the texture) without overloading with products.
Trust me, even your mum’s home hairdresser wouldn’t be without one of these.
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