Whether on the outskirts on the red carpet making last minute touch-ups on their celebrity clientele, caring for their own tresses at home or meeting their clients in the salon chair, it’s no secret that celebrity hairstylists have access to the best (and worst) products in the biz. And because they’re able to try everything out (almost ad nauseam), they know what works. Here, the top 12 products these four stylists constantly rely on and are never without.
You May Also Like: A Celeb Colorist Who Is Allergic to Hair Dye Gives Tips on How to Deal
A Color Saver
“My clients always appreciate that I have Olaplex N°3 ($28), Olaplex’s retail item, on hand so they can take it home and continue to strengthen their hair in between salon visits. Plus, my Using Olaplex N°1 & Olaplex N°2 is essential to all my hair coloring salon services.”
–Chad Kenyon, celebrity hair colorist
A Serious At-Home Treatment
“After salon visits, clients should always upkeep their color using a great shampoo that cancels out any unwanted warm or brassy tones by using a color balancing shampoo and conditioner and an amazing weekly treatment. My constant go-to has been K-PAK Color Therapy Luster Lock by Joico ($20).”
–Denis De Souza, celebrity colorist
A Brunette Balancer
“My long, brunette hair likes to go super-orange in the sun. Christophe Robin Shade Variation Care Nutrative Mask with Temporary Coloring in Ash Brown ($51) is a super-nourishing conditioner that counteracts the brassiness with the exactly right tone.”
–Nikki Providence, celebrity hairstylist
A Wave Maker
“A surf spray is a must. It gives the hair a little grit and is hard to mess up. My go-to is always the Bumble and bumble Surf Spray ($27).”
–Kylee Heath, celebrity hairstylist
A Product Primer
“The first product that touches my client’s hair after I shampoo and condition is Orlando Pita Play Atmos-Shield Hair Protectant Treatment Spray ($34). It is essentially a base-coat for the hair. Its low pH seals the cuticle giving it BIG SHINE and primes the hair so that every other product works to its maximum potential.”
–Chad Kenyon, celebrity hair colorist
A Blowout Booster
“I’ve been using TriDesign Fashion Styling Mousse ($11) my entire career for a voluminous, shiny blowout with the perfect amount of hold. There’s nothing like a mousse for volume, and I’m addicted to the clean scent.”
–Nikki Providence, celebrity hairstylist
An Easy Color-Lifter
“Kevin Murphy’s new hair coloring line (Color.Me by LoveKevinMurphy) is exquisite! His new Freestyle.Lightener ($24) is one product from that line I depend on daily. Its clay-based formula allows me to fluidly paint natural-looking light into the hair with ease.”
–Chad Kenyon, celebrity hair colorist
A Must-Have Leave-In
“Free Your Mane Define and Shine Curl Cream ($24.50) is a leave in conditioning styling product for curly hair which I also love for braiding hair—it gives me the right amount of hold and moisture so the hair doesn’t slip out of my hands, and acts as a conditioner so the hair is left in a better condition than when I started.”
–Nikki Providence, celebrity hairstylist
A Flexible Hairspray
“I love the Serge Normant Meta Luxe Hair-Spray ($25). It not only smells delish, but it is not too heavy and is very workable!”
–Kylee Heath, celebrity hairstylist
A Luxe Hydrator
“Orlando Pita Play Liquid Crown Multi Oil Concentrate ($30) has quickly become my favorite new oil. I ask all my hair color clients to moisturize their hair each time they moisturize their skin using this luscious oil. I also use this oil to prep the hair before I balayage my clients.”
–Chad Kenyon, celebrity hair colorist