The One Thing This Hairstylist Wants You To Know About Celebrity Inspo Pics
Nope, a pair of scissors can’t make you look like Kendall Jenner.
I don’t know about you, but if you took a quick peep at my phone’s camera roll, beyond the happy snaps and selfies, you’d find a deluge of #mood pics.
From the outfits I want to buy (or at least the ASOS version of them) to the sun loungers I want to lay on next time I book annual leave, I rarely open Instagram without finding a ‘screenshot and save’ worthy image.
You know what else you’d find? A lot of beauty looks. Like most women, I have ran into my hairdresser (either three days out from my period or after a bad breakup) clutching a picture of a celebrity and begged them to make me look ‘exactly like this.’
I’ve had the Lara Bingle bob. The Zoe Kravitz buzz cut. The Lily Collins fringe. I’ve had it all. But I’ve also had a pretty rational stylist tell me that no, I don’t look like Lara or Zoe or Lily – and a pair of scissors can only do so much.
“Hairdressers don’t want to burst your bubble and far from it,” explains hairstylist and owner of Sydney’s RAW Salon, Anthony Nader.
“But it’s our job to give you the insider secrets to how those Hollywood celebs look so damn paparazzi ready all the time.”
Aside from employing a full time stylist to tend to their strands, a lot of their length and fullness can be credited to wigs and hair pieces.
“I’ve lost count in my 30 year career how many women that have sat in my chair and have pulled out a picture of Beyoncé, Rihanna, Cardi B or Zoe Kravitz and stared me in the eyes point blank and said ‘I want this’ – I mean where do you start?”
Nader does admit, however, that while bringing in images is helpful for your hairdresser to get an idea of the result you’re after, your best bet is to cap it at no more than eight.
“In those eight images show them one or two things that you don’t like about that haircut or colour, too. This just helps more clarity on both sides.”
From there, your stylist will be able to work through the pros and cons of what’s achievable.
“If you’re after a blunt Kim Kardashian bob, is the length at the jaw going to suit your face shape? Maybe not, so this is where the hairdresser needs all that knowledge and experience that they have to give the best outcome for your face shape.”
The time you’ll realistically spend styling it each day, as well as your budget for salon visits are the next two biggest determining factors when considering a celeb inspired chop.
“To maintain a strong haircut shape, you need to get to the salon every four to six weeks. If you have your hair coloured, you’ll also need to maintain your colour by investing in salon prescribed products to keep it looking red carpet ready.”
Nader’s final words of wisdom?
“Just remember though, that your hairdresser isn’t a magician and can’t perform tricks.”
Oooooof, noted.