Secrets of a hollywood session stylist
Published
05th Feb 2008
by sophieh
Hollywood's favourite hairstylist Tara Smith's mum and grandmother both ran a hair salon so it was only natural that she should follow in their footsteps.
After training as a make-up artist to enable her to achieve the complete look, she started assisting on films such as The Three Musketeers (working with the Brat Pack – Kiefer Sutherland and Charlie Sheen) and Hackers (as assistant hair and make-up artist to Johnny Lee Miller and Angelina Jolie) and was taken to the States after working with actress Sherilyn Fenn on Darkness Falls.
These days Tara's work consists of everything from commercials to films to magazine shoots to red-carpet hair; and regular clients include Demi Moore, Anna Friel and Marisa Tomei so she's got plenty of good advice for people hoping to take her career path.What are the best and worst things about session styling?
Best: You can go to amazing, exotic places and meet incredible people – not just the clients but the local people.
Worst: The unsociable hours, and the working conditions can be difficult – freezing cold if you’re shooting outside in New York in winter for example, or hot and humid in Louisiana.
How has the session scene changed over the years?
To work on the really good stuff you have to be a talented hairdresser and have the right personality – you can’t behave like a prima donna.
The profession has changed because, creatively, people look to the hairdresser for an opinion and advice. Session hairdressers definitely have more of a contribution in making a shot work, whether for a film, an advertisement, or a photo shoot.
What advice would you give someone wanting to join the session styling scene?
- Have determination, keep practising, and remember that you never stop learning.
- Have integrity and manners.
- Start testing with a local photographer as soon as possible.
- Get in touch with hair and make-up agencies who represent hairdressers, say you want to get into session hairdressing, and ask if you can assist one of their existing hairdressers. It may be a step down the ladder and you may only be passing pins at the start, but it’s the only way to get a break. A session hairdresser for editorial doesn’t get paid a lot, so don’t expect much (if anything) for assisting. Alternatively, build a portfolio and take it to the agencies.
- Be really good at dressing hair. It’s advantageous if you do your homework with wigs and go on a wigmaking course.
- Be ready to work unsociable hours. You could be shooting in blistering heat or freezing cold weather which affects the hair, so have some tricks up your sleeve to make sure the hair still looks sexy and glam.
What influences and drives you?
Pop art, culture, architecture and the pursuit of becoming a better person. To be challenged in the form of personal relationships and work – I like to be around people who challenge and inspire me. More specifically, when cutting hair, I aim to discover the perfect style for the person and the occasion; a good cut is imperative to me.
What is your life philosophy?
To have honesty and integrity, to never give up, and to practise what you preach.
What are your current projects?
Developing an organic/eco friendly product line, including the packaging; shooting for the Clothes Show; getting ready for the awards season in LA – I do hair for the Emmys, Oscars, Spirit (independent film awards) and loads more. And, who knows what the next phone call will bring!
What are the five key items in your kit bag you couldn’t do without?
- Vaseline
- Dental floss
- Emu Oil
- Water My own brand serum – currently in development.
- People with compassion and respect
- Fashion
- Colour (anything from a piece of fabric to watching the sun rise and set)
- Books and movies
- Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai and other people who do incredible things to stretch the boundaries; you should look outside of the box for inspiration.