Jennifer Lopez’s hairstylist, Chris Appleton, shares his simple secrets for healthy hair

Chris Appleton the name synonymous with modern-day celebrity hairdressing, is best known for his moment-defining ‘dos on two of the most recognisable women in the world: Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez. With the hair of the famous and lauded being intrinsically linked to culture, his work inspires many — whether consciously or not. From Kardashian’s XXL lengths to Lopez’s luscious blowouts and the ‘snatched’ ponytails seen on both, the Appleton effect can be felt far and wide.

But the stylist has been in the hair game for a long time, way before the bright lights of LA propelled his work (as well as his own profile) to the front and centre of social media. And his approach to fabulous-looking hair is more holistic than one might presume. “Most people know me for my work on ‘the outside’ however achieving red carpet-worthy hair really comes down to the quality,” he tells BAZAAR. “Beautiful hair starts from within.”

Here — donning his hat as global brand ambassador for Revive Collagen – he shares all he’s learnt about achieving healthy, wealthy-looking locks, from the red carpets to real life.

On what to consider when building a haircare routine
“It’s important to understand your hair type and condition as this will determine which products you should include in your individual haircare routine, and how often you will need to use them. It requires consistency.

“I also think a healthy haircare regimen needs to feel aspirational; invest in something special that makes you feel like you’re indulging in it. It’s got to have a lot of love behind it — that’s the key to solving the problem!”

On how often you should wash your hair
“I get asked this a lot in my job! Honestly, it comes down to whatever is suitable for the person, their hair texture and hair type, because different hair types require different care.

“For example, if you have super-fine hair that’s limp, flat or oily, then it’s best to wash it more frequently — either daily or every other day, as we know a daily wash isn’t always convenient or possible when you’re busy or have children. If you have thicker or drier hair, you can get away with washing it less.”

On the best tools and accessories for healthy hair
“Water filters are ideal for helping prevent hair from discolouring and improving the overall quality of the hair. They also filter toxic minerals out of the water, which are bad for the hair and skin. I’d also recommend using a silk pillowcase which will help to protect the hair, prevent breakage and keep it silky smooth. Those are definitely my top two recommendations.”

On how diet impacts hair health
“Balance is key: eating a well-balanced diet that includes proteins, carbohydrates and good fats to ensure you’re getting all your nutrients always helps with maintaining a healthy head of hair. If you’re nutrient-deficient this can really impact the health of the hair and will always show — just think about how your hair and skin suffers when you’re rundown or ill. What we put inside our bodies is so important and it always shows on the outside, so you should prioritise nourishing yourself from within to get amazing hair that will last.”

On supplementing for healthier hair
“To achieve your best and most healthy hair you must look at it with a 360-degree approach, as topical products will only get you so far. My number one supplement would be collagen, as it is a key building block for hair. It helps to build the keratin (the main hair protein), which supports the health of the hair follicles and scalp, which are vital for achieving and maintaining healthy locks. As you can imagine, when we lose collagen as we age, it can hugely impact our hair, so taking collagen supplements daily will then help to replenish all of that depleted collagen and stimulate hair growth and strength. It’s not an instant fix, as you need to take them daily and consistently to see results, but just a quick shot of collagen per day is a super easy and convenient way to achieve heathy hair while improving long-term hair quality.”

“I recommend Revive Collagen, which is my go-to. The supplements are superior to any others I’ve tried or seen on the market as they contain high doses with up to 10,000mg of liquid marine collagen, which also has higher absorption rates than tablets, powders and gummies. I also love that they include added ingredients including keratin, hyaluronic acid, retinol and vitamins C and D, which all help to further enhance results.”

On what to avoid for healthy hair
“Refrain from overusing heat, over-colouring or over-processing the hair as this will always cause damage and breakage.”

On counteracting damage caused to your hair
“Deep conditioning treatments are a must for revitalising the hair – look for anything that replenishes what has been taken out.

“In-salon, it comes down to having a good stylist who can help guide you on what treatments will work best for your hair.”

 

This article originally appeared on Harper’s BAZAAR UK.