Celebrity Stylist Jen Atkin’s Top Products for Red Carpet Hair at Home

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There’s a reason Jen Atkin is considered the most influential hairstylist of our time. The 45-year-old has worked with clients from the Kardashians and Hailey Bieber to the Hadid sisters and Madonna. He is at the helm of two cult-favorite hair brands worth millions of dollars: Mane and Ouai. We’re no strangers to red carpet hairstyles, having styled Chrissy Teigen, Kaia Gerber, Kris Jenner, and other A-listers at the Grammy Awards, various Met Galas, the Oscars, and every high-profile event in between.

So when WWD asked Atkin what hair trends she thought would dominate the red carpet at the 98th Academy Awards this March, she was quick to respond: [instead being] Real, tangible, and alive. I’ve always been drawn to that type of hair. Because I feel like it really softens intense wardrobe decisions and makes romantic looks feel even more romantic and bohemian. ”

“It reminds me of the early days of my career, when hair didn’t have shellac and wasn’t meant to be perfect,” Atkin adds.

The celebrity stylist launched Ouai in 2016, and the business was so successful that it was acquired by Procter & Gamble six years later. Ouai consistently tops Sephora’s bestseller list, selling one bottle of its hero product, Detox Shampoo, about every 20 seconds. It’s easy to see how passionate people are about premium, nutritious, lean formulas. Building on the buzz surrounding Ouai, Atkin in turn founded hair tool brand Mane in 2023. Catering to the needs of Gen Z people and those with Gen Z sensibilities, Mane’s most praised release remains Mane It’s Giving Body Hot Round Brush, thanks to its affordable price, playful design, and serious TikTok promotion. It’s an editor-scrutinized classic, and it’s also what Bieber uses to ensure covetable volume and elasticity. In fact, the It Girl praised the hair gadget on her Instagram with the caption, “Jen Atkin is saving lives with this mane hair tool.”

All things considered, you’d better believe Atkin has a shopping list for perfecting the very natural, “lived-in” hairstyle that will soon be noticed at the Oscars. According to Atkin, what is the throughline that unites all the “do theres”? Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

“First of all, make sure you stay hydrated.” [your hair] And make sure it’s clean, soft, and has movement,” Atkin shared, detailing how her round brush and Ouai’s go-to items can save the day.

“Our Mane Hot Round Brush has long been a favorite and has people stopping us around town to say, ‘Oh my god, I can do my own hair!’ It saves time and manipulates the cuticle regardless of the external environment or weather,” says Atkin. “At Ouai, we’ve always been known for our detox shampoos and leave-in conditioners.”For the record, they primarily offer both softness and a clean-girl aesthetic.

Another hair suggestion Atkin admitted to the paparazzi? It exfoliates the scalp just like it does your face, providing extra moisture compared to high-performance hair masks. The result is less “dry straw” in your hair and more “tousled, beachy, smooth hair.”

Fittingly, Mane’s Hydration Hug Mega Moisturizing Hair Mask launched on February 24th. The product’s extensive history matches that of its founder. It enhances silkiness, manages breakage and frizz with rice wash water, and locks in moisture thanks to hyaluronic acid without feeling oily or heavy (instead, the texture is reminiscent of whipped butter).

“You can literally see results in minutes,” Atkin told WWD. This is truly the 11th-hour Hail Mary awards show that attendees are looking forward to, geared up and ready to face the cameras.

Hydration hugs aren’t the only element of newness in Atkin’s life these days. She also recently partnered with Capital One Venture X Business to highlight how credit cards can help busy entrepreneurs like herself run their businesses and earn rewards with top-notch travel benefits. “Uncomplicated, premium,” she calls Venture X Business, which is also an apt way to describe Mane and Oai’s beloved lineup.

“I also really appreciate the fact that Capital One views founders as storytellers, problem solvers, and creators,” Atkin reflects. “And I want any travel perks!”

Planning on posing in front of a step-and-repeat soon? No problem. Either way, pretend you’re in the running for an Oscar statuette with Atkin’s award-winning hair care essentials.

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meet the author

Stacia Datskowska Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked as an assistant digital editor at ELLE DECOR, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through the lens of design. Over the past five years, her byline has appeared in USA Today, the Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, the Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Before joining ELLE DECOR, Datskowska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tent pole sale events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from New York University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskowska regularly reports on award season trends across fashion and beauty, and how to achieve them at home.