How to become a celebrity hair stylist: the ultimate guide

A celebrity hair stylist, also known as a celebrity hairdresser, is a hair professional who specialises in providing hair care and styling services to celebrities, public figures and entertainers. Their role is to create and maintain the desired hair look for their high-profile clients, ensuring they look their best for public appearances, red carpet events, film and television shoots and everyday life.

Many celebrity hair stylists have a loyal clientele, and their work can greatly influence trends in the beauty and fashion industries. They may also become celebrities in their own right, particularly if they work with highly visible and influential clients. Success in this field requires not only technical skill but also the ability to understand and meet the unique styling needs and preferences of their celebrity clients.

Want to become a celebrity hair stylist? Here’s everything you need to know about the role and how to move towards it if this is your career goal.

What does a celebrity hair stylist do?

Let’s start by breaking down what a celebrity hair stylist does, so you can set your intentions and decide on the skills and experience you need. Here are some of the key aspects of a celebrity hair stylist’s role:

• Hair cutting and styling
• Hair colour and treatments
• Extensions and wigs
• Hair care and maintenance
• On-set and on-location services

You’ll also be expected to work collaboratively with other beauty professionals so networking and being easy to work with is really important. Flexibility, adaptability and problem-solving are some key skills that’ll take you far in any role, but they’re essential as a celebrity hair stylist too. Celebrity hair stylists often need to maintain a high level of discretion and respect the privacy of their clients, as they may have insight into personal and professional matters.

What skills do you need as a celebrity hair stylist?

We’ve already touched on some of the skills you need above, but there’s a real mix of skills that you need in the hairdressing industry. Becoming a successful celebrity hair stylist requires a combination of technical skills, creative talent and interpersonal abilities—and it can be a pretty competitive industry.

Here are the key skills you need in this profession:

• hair styling techniques
• colour expertise
• hair care and maintenance
• extension and wigs (application and styling)
• adaptability
• creativity
• communication
• attention to detail
• time management
• professionalism
• networking
• flexibility
• confidentiality

You’ll also need business skills (especially if you’re self-employed, which is usually the case as a celebrity hair stylist) and a commitment to continuously learning. The industry is constantly evolving, so staying updated on the latest trends, techniques and products is essential for career growth.

Becoming a celebrity hair stylist is a competitive field, but with the right combination of skills, dedication and networking, you can establish a successful career working with high-profile clients in the entertainment industry.

How much does a celebrity hair stylist earn?

The earnings of a celebrity hair stylist can vary significantly depending on:

• level of experience
• the location where they work
• their reputation
• the specific clients they have

Here's a breakdown of the potential income range for celebrity hair stylists.

The most successful and renowned celebrity hair stylists who work with A-list celebrities can earn really high incomes. Some of them may charge hourly rates of hundreds or even thousands of pounds. Their annual earnings can easily reach the seven-figure range, especially if they are in high demand and have a long list of celebrity clients.

It's important to note that location plays a significant role in a celebrity hair stylist's earnings. Stylists in major entertainment hubs like Los Angeles, New York or London may have more opportunities to work with celebrities and therefore command higher rates compared to those in smaller markets.

Additionally, a celebrity hair stylist's income can be unpredictable. It often depends on the availability of high-profile clients and the number of projects they are involved in during a given year. Some celebrity hair stylists also supplement their income by offering services to non-celebrity clients, working on editorial shoots, or collaborating with brands and fashion designers. Some also create their own brands, especially if they become a celebrity in their own right.

How famous celebrity stylists got started

Sometimes the best way to find out how to become a celebrity stylist is to look at the career paths of celebrity stylists and how they made their start in the industry. Many of these have their own salons or ranges as well as their celebrity clients—you might just recognise a few of these names!

Frederic Fekkai

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Frederic Fekkai is a renowned celebrity hair stylist and founder of the luxury hair care brand Fekkai. He he’s known for his work with A-list celebrities and high-fashion shoots as well as his range of hair care products.

Fekkai’s career began in Paris, where he trained under some of the top hairstylists. He moved to New York in the late 1980s and quickly gained recognition for his talents. His first salon, Frederic Fekkai, opened in 1989 and became a go-to destination for celebrities. His signature approach to hair styling and his salon's upscale reputation catapulted him to stardom.

Chris McMillan

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A post shared by Chris McMillan (@mrchrismcmillan)

Chris McMillan is a celebrity hair stylist known for creating Jennifer Aniston's iconic "Rachel" haircut during her Friends days.

McMillan began his career as a hairstylist in Los Angeles and built a reputation for his laid-back, beachy hair looks. His collaboration with Jennifer Aniston on the "Rachel" haircut brought him widespread attention. Since then, he has continued to work with A-list clients and is the owner of Chris McMillan, The Salon, in Beverly Hills.

Jen Atkin

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A post shared by Founder/CCO/Hairstylist (@jenatkinhair)

Jen Atkin is a celebrity hairstylist recognised for her work with celebrities like the Kardashian-Jenner family and Hailey Bieber. She has since built her own hair care brand, OUAI, and has become a social media influencer too.

Jen's journey began with hairstyling classes and assisting established stylists. She then started her own blog, "Mane Addicts", which gained popularity. Her big break came when she began working with the Kardashian-Jenner family and her innovative hairstyles got plenty of attention. 

Larry Sims

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A post shared by Larry Sims (@larryjarahsims)

Larry Sims is a celebrity hairstylist known for his work with stars like Gabrielle Union and Zendaya.

Larry started his career in the hairstyling industry by working in salons and assisting established stylists. He later began working with celebrities and became known for creating glam hair looks. His journey to success involved building strong relationships with his clients and continuously honing his skills.

Chris Appleton

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A post shared by Chris Appleton (@chrisappleton1)

Chris Appleton is a British celebrity hairstylist who gained prominence for his work with numerous high-profile clients, including Kim Kardashian. 

Chris Appleton got his start in the hair industry by working at a salon. He honed his skills and built his reputation as a talented hairstylist, eventually becoming known for his expertise in creating glamorous and innovative hairstyles. Chris Appleton became widely recognized as Kim Kardashian's hairstylist due to his ability to create stunning and transformative hairstyles for her. 

How you can become a celebrity hair stylist

Becoming a celebrity hair stylist is a rewarding and challenging career path that requires a combination of passion, talent, education and networking. Not every path to becoming a celebrity stylist is totally linear, but there are some steps you can take to put you in the right place at the right time.

By following these steps, staying focused and committing to your development, you can pave your way into celebrity hair styling. Remember, success in this field comes to those who are not only talented but also determined to shine—it won’t always be glam, but there are definitely lots of opportunities for exciting career highlights.

Finding celebrity clients as a hairstylist can be challenging, but with persistence, networking, and a strong portfolio, you can increase your chances of attracting high-profile clients. Here are some strategies and places where you can potentially find celebrity clients:

• Salon work: start by working at a reputable salon in a major city or entertainment hub like Los Angeles, New York, or London. Celebrities often visit upscale salons for their hair care needs.
• Assistant work: consider working as an assistant to an established celebrity hairstylist. Assisting can provide you with valuable experience and connections in the industry, though the pay isn’t always great.
• Networking events: attend industry events, fashion shows and beauty expos. These events offer opportunities to meet celebrities, their agents and industry professionals.
• Modelling agencies: contact modelling agencies and offer your hairstyling services for their models' photo shoots and runway shows. Many models eventually become celebrities.
• Photographers and makeup artists: collaborate with photographers and makeup artists who work in the fashion and entertainment industry. They often have connections to celebrities and can recommend your services.
• Publicists and managers: build relationships with publicists and talent managers who represent celebrities. They may recommend you to their clients for events and projects.
• Social media and online presence: maintain a strong online presence on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Showcase your work, create engaging content and use relevant hashtags to attract attention from potential clients.
• Building your portfolio: continuously update your portfolio with your best work. High-quality images of your previous clients' hair styling can help demonstrate your skills to potential celebrity clients.
• Celebrity stylist agencies: some agencies specialise in representing celebrity stylists. You can inquire about representation, which can lead to connections with celebrities.
• Word of mouth: provide exceptional service to your existing clients and encourage them to refer you to their celebrity contacts. Celebrities talk to one another, so by providing amazing service you’ll see your business grow.
• Local media and press: connect with local media outlets and offer to provide expert commentary or hairstyling tips. This can increase your visibility and credibility.
• Industry awards and competitions: participate in hairstyling competitions and strive to win awards, which can boost your reputation and attract celebrity attention.

Remember that building a clientele of celebrity clients can take time, so patience and persistence are essential. Building a reputation for professionalism, discretion and exceptional hairstyling skills is crucial to establishing trust within the industry and among potential clients. Work on these areas and then position yourself in circles that are going to find you those lucrative celebrity clients.

Specialist hairdressers insurance through Ripe

If you’re a freelance or mobile hairstylist, you may want to consider specialist hairdressers insurance to protect yourself against the worst-case scenarios.

Insurance arranged by Ripe includes up to £10m of Public and Products Liability cover, and up to £5m Treatment Risk cover as standard, so you’re protected against third-party claims for injury or property damage.

Find out more about how we can help here, or get an instant online quote today.