Specialist responsible for creating and maintaining hairstyles, wigs, and hairpieces on set throughout production.
Technical Details
Professional film hair stylists use specialized tools such as Babyliss curling irons with precise temperature control (80-210°C), Dyson Supersonic hairdryers with 1600 watts of power and ionic technology, and clip-in extensions made of real hair (Remy quality). Wigs are crafted on a lace front base, featuring individually knotted hairlines with 150-200 hairs per square centimeter. Hairpieces are attached using medical adhesive (Pros-Aide) or double-sided tape (3M-1522), which can withstand tensile forces up to 15 Newtons.
History & Development
In 1915, Max Factor first introduced hair products specifically developed for film that wouldn't run under hot studio lights. In 1930, the permanent wave revolutionized the film business, as more complex hairstyles could last over several shooting days. In 1960, synthetic wigs made from Kanekalon fibers became established, and in 1980, heat-friendly fibers were introduced, capable of withstanding styling temperatures up to 180°C. Since 2010, 3D-printed hairpieces and digital color matching have enabled millimeter-accurate reconstructions of historical hairstyles.
Practical Application in Film
For "Marie Antoinette" (2006), hairstylist Didier Lavergne created 150 hand-knotted wigs from Mongolian horsehair. On "Mad Max: Fury Road" (2015), Lesley Vanderwalt developed washable hairstyles for 120 shooting days in the desert. The workflow includes script breakdown (identifying hair continuity), camera tests at different color temperatures (3200K/5600K), and touch-ups every 45-60 minutes during filming.
Comparison & Alternatives
The hair stylist differs from the make-up artist through specialization in hair design, while prosthetic artists are responsible for hair applications in special effects. Hair designers conceptualize looks during pre-production, while the set hair stylist handles daily execution. In low-budget productions, the make-up artist often handles both areas, while in large productions, up to eight hair stylists may work concurrently on a set.