Celebrity Hairstylist Chris Appleton's Favorite Hair Products
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The Expert Edit features interviews with specialists about the products they swear by in their chosen field. For the latest installment, we spoke to celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton about his favorite hair care products.
Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton has been the reason for several of the internet's viral hair trends. From the iconic "wet hair look," often seen on Kim Kardashian, to Jennifer Lopez's perfectly voluminous blowout, you've probably seen Appleton's work on major red carpets.
"From a young age, I was captivated by how a great hairstyle could boost someone's confidence and completely change their appearance."
But before he became the go-to hairstylist for A-listers like Dua Lipa and Sofía Vergara and a Lifestyle Contributor for the "The Drew Barrymore Show," he was just passionate about the transformative power of hair. "From a young age, I was captivated by how a great hairstyle could boost someone's confidence and completely change their appearance. It was like an art form to me, a way to express creativity and make people feel their best. That passion drove me to pursue a career in hairstyling," he tells PS. Appleton feels fulfilled seeing the joy and confidence in his clients. "It's about more than just changing someone's hair; it's about helping them see themselves in a new light."
He often shares styling tips and hacks on his TikTok so followers can achieve his iconic styles at home, but when we chatted with him, we took the opportunity to dive even deeper. Ahead, Appleton gives us top hair tips and even debunks popular hair myths. A common misconception he wants to address is that washing your hair every day is bad. "The truth is, it depends on your hair type and lifestyle. For some, daily washing is necessary, especially if you have an active lifestyle or oily hair," he says, recommending using gentle, sulfate-free products that won't strip your hair of its natural oils.
Appleton also shared hacks for keeping hair healthy during the summer. "Use a leave-in conditioner or a hydrating hair mask once a week to maintain moisture. When you're at the pool or beach, rinse your hair with fresh water before swimming to prevent it from soaking up too much chlorine or saltwater. I always recommend protective hairstyles, like braids or a bun, to minimize damage and reduce frizz caused by humidity." He also notes that the hair and scalp can be susceptible to sun damage and that it's imperative to use a UV protectant spray.
For general haircare tips, Appleton recommends getting regular trims and deep conditioning treatments, investing in high-quality products that suit your hair type and needs, and keeping a heat protectant on hand. "My haircare philosophy is that healthy hair starts from within, so maintaining a balanced diet and staying hydrated are key," he says. "Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly those that promote hair health like biotin, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids, is crucial. Regular exercise boosts circulation, which helps in delivering essential nutrients to your scalp." He also notes the importance of managing stress and getting enough sleep — both impact overall health, which affects hair quality.
Ahead, he shares some of his favorite hair products with us, including his go-to hair tool, hair oil, and more.
Experts Featured in This Article
Chris Appleton is a celebrity hairstylist, a contributor to the "Today" show and a Lifestyle Contributor for "The Drew Barrymore Show."
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Best Shampoo and Conditioner According to Chris Appleton
Color Wow Color Security Shampoo and Conditioner Duo Set ($38, originally $43)
"My absolute favorite shampoo and conditioner is the Color Wow Color Security Shampoo and Conditioner Duo Set," Appleton says. "The shampoo is 100 percent clean and is proven to prevent color fade for up to 20 washes, and the conditioner offers three layers of heat protection, which is unheard of." It has a hydrating formula ideal for those with fine to normal hair types.
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Best Hair Mask According to Chris Appleton
Color Wow Money Mask Deep Hydrating & Strengthening Hair Treatment ($45)
"I love this because anyone can use it. In just three minutes, you'll have rich, glossy, hydrated hair no matter your hair type," he says. This editor-backed hair mask is deeply hydrating and delivers a glossy shine. It's formulated with Mediterranean-derived marine actives to help strengthen the strands for a silky look and feel. Read more in our in-depth review of the Color Wow Money Mask.
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Best Leave-in According to Chris Appleton
Color Wow Money Mist Leave-In Conditioner ($29)
"This leave-in conditioner instantly detangles, reduces breakage, de-frizzes, and moisturizes. It does all of this without weighing the hair down," Appleton says. The Money Mist Leave-In Conditioner is a hydrating heat protectant that's formulated with a baolized amino acid complex, amaranthus extract, and baobab extract to help strengthen the hair and add a silky shine finish. It has a continuous mist bottle that ensures even distribution of product throughout your hair. See it in action in our review of the Color Wow Money Mist Leave In Conditioner.
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Best Hair Oil According to Chris Appleton
Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil ($46)
"The Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil is absolutely amazing for smoothing texture and repairing dry, damaged hair," he says. "It's my go-to oil for hydrating, taming frizz, and adding incredible shine." The hair oil has a lightweight feel and is suitable for all hair types. It's formulated with Mirsalehi honey derived from the Gisou Bee Garden in The Netherlands, coconut oil, and almond oil.
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Best Hair Tool According to Chris Appleton
Shark Beauty SmoothStyle Heated Comb & Blow Dryer Brush ($100)
"I recommend the Shark SmoothStyle Heated Comb & Blow Dryer Brush for smoothing and styling the hair with no frizz and minimal damage," Appleton says. This hair tool combines the benefits of a traditional blow dryer brush with the smoothing effects of a heated comb for a voluminous yet sleek blowout. You can use the blow dryer brush mode on wet and dry hair, while the heated comb mode is ideal for styling and touch-ups.
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Best Hair Product For Diminishing Frizz According to Chris Appleton
Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray ($28)
"Color Wow Dream Coat is the one product I use on 99.9 percent of my clients because there is just nothing else like it," Appleton says. "Whether I'm prepping hair for a certain look and want to have the glossiest, shiniest foundation, or I want a frizz-fighter that I know will withstand even the craziest humidity, I'm reaching for Dream Coat every time."
This is one of the products that Appleton uses to create his iconic "glass hair" look. It has a proprietary anti-humidity complex that helps the hair actively repel water, while chamomilla extract and glycerin help protect color and add moisture and shine to the hair.
"You spray it liberally on every section of your hair, blow dry with tension, and the result is insanely shiny glass hair that lasts for days," he says. Check out our Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray review and see why it's worth the hype — especially in humid climates.
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Best Texturizing Product According to Chris Appleton
House of Skuff Skuff Glu ($49)
"I love House of Skuff Skuff Glu for myself. I like a lot of texture in my hair and still want to be able to move it around without it being sticky or tacky," he says. It's a cream-based pomade that promises a strong hold and can be easily restyled with a spritz of water.
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Best Hair Product For Curls According to Chris Appleton
Color Wow Curl Wow Shook Mix & Fix Bundling Spray ($38)
"I love the Curl Wow Shook Mix + Fix Bundling Spray because it combines powerful hydrating oils with breakthrough curl-bundling ingredients that leave curls bouncy, defined, and feeling like literally nothing is on the hair," he says. The bi-phase formula is ideal for those with normal to thicker hair types. It's formulated with hydrating oils like jojoba, grape seed, passion flower, and rice bran, as well as hemi-squalane, which helps with frizz reduction.
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Best Hair Product For Volume According to Chris Appleton
Color Wow Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer ($26)
"This gives massive volume to the hair without drying it out. Most volumizers are loaded with alcohol and/or salts which really compromises the hair," he says. Ideal for those with finer hair types, this volumizing foam helps visibly thicken your hair with a proprietary polymer complex and bamboo extract. All you need is two to three pumps on damp hair from the top to the ends. See the voluminous results for yourself in our Color Wow Xtra Large Bombshell Volumize review.
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Anvita Reddy is an assistant editor for PS Shopping. She has a passion for products and is an avid reviewer of everything including furniture, mattresses, home gadgets, cookware, tech, and more. Having dealt with acne as a teenager and into adulthood, her expertise lies in beauty. She has tried and tested plenty of skin care, makeup, hair care, and countless other beauty products.