Kirby (2:30)

Yeah. And I mean, you guys are so important. These women, your girls cannot live without you.

Chris Appleton (2:36)

They look pretty good, honestly. Sometimes I tell them, I'm like, you look great with nothing on. Yeah, well, actually not the. No clothes, but just as it. Well, yeah.

Kirby (2:44)

I mean, honestly, everything.

Chris Appleton (2:46)

No, but, you know, sometimes like, no makeup, no hair. It's actually nice because, like, not everyone gets to see them like that. And it's actually quite nice because you're creating something, you're telling a story every time you get ready. Whether, you know, it's like pop star or movie star or, you know, like, it might be for a campaign where they need to look, you know, very girl next door. You know, every time you're getting someone ready, you're telling a story. It's just so fun to be part of that storytelling process.

Kirby (3:09)

For sure. But I mean, you're like minimizing your talent, sir. Like, we did this Bulgari campaign together and it was like we had like an hour and we were live streaming it, right? And Chris did like four. Four different looks on me in this hour, and I was just like, so stunned. And every look was so different. And you were able to do it. Like, I just. You're extremely talented. So. Yes, we are also very happy you're being recognized.

Chris Appleton (3:33)

No, that was a great. That was a great one to do. I think that's probably one of the things that a lot of people don't recognize about the job or don't realize is that it really is like a fast paced, moving industry and you really gotta stay ahead or else you're gonna get left behind. Cause it's always changing. And now, like, trends used to be around for such a long time. You know, in the 60s, it was like the bouffant. In the 80s, it was like the brand Pam. The 90s, it was like the Jennifer Anderson haircut. Now it's like everything changes daily, you know, like hourly. Because we are so stimulated by social media. Like, people never used to be. So I think as humans, we're just so simulated now. We're constantly. If we don't know something, we Google it. AI everything. Everyone's telling us everything. There's so much information. And I think, you know, people are constant. Well, I want bangs and I want to get rid of them the next day. And, you know, I want short hair, but I don't Want to keep short hair. You know, I want to be blonde. I want it white blonde. I don't want my hair to break off. Like, you know, people are now, like, know they can have a piece of the action. Whereas for such a long time, there was this big sort of separation between celebrity and, you know, everyday men and women, because that's just the way it was. And now it's like, oh, okay, well, you don't look like, you know, Beyonce, but if you do this with your hair, this is how you can get that type. You know, people know that there is the not. Not the in between person. But, you know, I guess someone like me that will be like, okay, well, you don't look like J. Lo, but this is how we do our hair. And everyone's like, oh, when you break it down, it seems relatively easy.

Sarah (4:51)

Yeah, it's democratized.

Chris Appleton (4:52)

I think the sort of space between, like, celebrity and, you know, like I say, everyday men and women has come closer now. And I think that's great, you know, because I don't believe in that superior thing. I think it's great to be able to share, and it's great to have idols and people to look up to. But I always think it's even more rewarding when you feel like you can, you know, have a piece of it or touch it slightly or, you know, like, oh, I love the way they dress and this is how or the way they do the hair, you know, So I think that's the power of social media, and I love that. I think it's great. It made the world a smaller place, and I think it made people feel there's two sides to it. Of course I know there's always another side to it, and I'm not, you know, saying there isn't, but, you know, from the positive side, there's a lot to be taken from.

Kirby (5:33)

Yeah, definitely. Okay, Chris, we have to ask you, what is on your face? Your gorgeous, sexiest, glam alive face or, like, you know, what products are you obsessed with right now? It can be for your hair too.

Chris Appleton (5:44)

Okay, so for my face, I'm pretty. As a British man, I didn't grow up around sun. You know, if you live in England, it's pretty much gray and rainy most days of the year. So I wasn't really educated about the importance of skincare. And moving to L. A. I quite quickly realized the damaging effects of the sun. So my skincare routine has been pretty consistent. I use the TNS Advanced repair serum from Skinmedica. It's great. It Plumps up the skin, gets rid of fine lines and wrinkles. And I find it evens out the skin tone. And that's kind of just been my go to. I think it's very popular with a lot of people, moisturizer wise. I love La Mer. I know there's always this debate about it.

Sarah (6:22)

Love La Mer.

Chris Appleton (6:23)

The cream. The cream is easier to apply than the thicker one. What's the thicker one?

Sarah (6:26)

Oh, oh, so you mean the moisturizing cream versus the creme de la Mer? Yeah, the one you have to warm it up in your hands.

Chris Appleton (6:32)

Yeah. No, I like the other one where you just dip your finger and slap it on. I honestly pretty low key. I do all the steps, but I'm not like a 12 step person. I actually really love Charlotte. Tilbury's got this spray. I don't remember what it's called. It's like a toning spray. And it just smells so nice. Smells like you sprayed something great on your face. But it's like a toner and evens out the skin tone again. And then. Oh, she has an elixir like a lip balm, which is a new thing for me. But I don't know why my lips just get dry lately.

Sarah (6:57)

I know.

Chris Appleton (6:58)

Talking.

Sarah (6:58)

Yeah.

Chris Appleton (7:01)

Yeah. Which is so I like. I like it when you use a product that's like not overly fragrance, but when you're using it, it feels like a luxurious thing.

Sarah (7:09)

Sensorial.

Kirby (7:10)

Speaking our language.

Chris Appleton (7:11)

Yeah, it just feels special. So no, I was lucky enough to work with. We did the big makeover on Dr. Barrymore on the show and she sent me all her products. And I was, you know, skeptical at first because I get sent a lot of stuff, but I actually really liked it. I think it's great.

Sarah (7:25)

Her skincare is really good.

Chris Appleton (7:26)

The skincare is.

Sarah (7:27)

We love Charlotte. She's our doll. We love her. Her magic cream is really beautiful too.

Chris Appleton (7:33)

And then hair wise, I was blonde and obviously I've recently kind of gone back darker just because I like to change it up.

Kirby (7:38)

Is this your natural hair color?

Sarah (7:39)

Yeah.

Chris Appleton (7:40)

I mean, the ends are lighter from the old blonde. But it's funny, like, you know, when I'm. People are really opinionated, like, why have you got dark hair? You know, because I want to. Like, it's funny and I get it. Look, I'm all for it when you created like a brand. And I think part of my brand was the blonde hair and is the blonde hair. And I'll still go back to it. But you know, if you think about anyone, I don't know, like if you describe JLo like one of the things you'd probably go to is that kind of like goldeny color that she always has. Lady Gaga, platinum blonde, you know, you know, Chapel, she has that red. When people have sort of got associated with that and they buy into that brand, then when it changes, they don't make it confused sometimes. Do you know what I mean? So I think it's always fun to change up your look, but I do believe in branding and, you know, it definitely it works. But regarding hair, I use the kale cocktail from color. Wow. Because my. It kind of is a little bit weaker from I guess, the bleach, you know, and that's amazing. It strengthens the hair by 50% as soon as you put it on. And then obviously the color. Wow. Color security shampoo. Just healthy hair, healthy scalp. And then I have my money hair mask, which I'm. I love. I use that all the time because it doesn't weigh the hair down.

Sarah (8:47)

Have you tried it on to. I haven't tried it, but you turned me on to color.

Chris Appleton (8:49)

Wow.

Sarah (8:50)

I'm obsessed with the dream coat.

Kirby (8:51)

Like so good.

Sarah (8:53)

And then that kind of was my entry point into the brand.

Chris Appleton (8:56)

I think it is for a lot of people. Yeah, that or the money mask. Have you tried the money mask? No, I wanted to. It really is amazing.

Kirby (9:01)

Just like an overnight.

Chris Appleton (9:03)

No, I mean, I think one of the.

Kirby (9:04)

Or not overnight. Sorry. But like after shower or in shower.

Chris Appleton (9:07)

In shower. I wanted it to be fast. I feel like traditionally with a lot of masks, it's like a 20 minute ritual that most people just don't do. You know, you have the idea of doing it and that one self care Sunday you have, you know, but then life gets in the way and reminds you that, you know, it's not a spa day today.

Sarah (9:22)

Yeah.

Chris Appleton (9:23)

Time to get on with life. So what I love about it is it's instant. You don't need to leave it on for like 30 seconds. But it's a balance of both moisture and protein, so it strengthens and hydrates. But the molecules, we made them really, really small, so they penetrate very fast. But it's also super light. So when you blow your hair, it's not like weighed down or heavy. Hair has lots of vibrancy and bounce. I just wanted to give the hair some love. It's actually, I think it's one of the most. I think it might be the most popular product from quite a while alongside Dreamcoat. I think they kind of switch, but it really is universally a Great mask, which I think says a lot about it, because masks, a lot of people have problems with, like, you know, sometimes people find if the hair's fine, it weighs it down, or they're scared of masks. And if people have got really thick, dry hair, that's not enough. So I love that it universally works for everyone.

Kirby (10:05)

I like the name.

Chris Appleton (10:06)

Yeah. Money.

Kirby (10:07)

Yeah, Money.

Chris Appleton (10:08)

Money.

Sarah (10:08)

Okay. So, Chris, I read up about you. I read a profile of yours, and it says that you were inspired by your mom to hair, and then you got your first job in the hair salon at 13. I saw an interview you did where you said you had your first mortgage at 19.

Chris Appleton (10:24)

Yeah.

Sarah (10:25)

So it seems like you grew up quickly.

Chris Appleton (10:27)

Yeah, I did. You know, it's really interesting. I'm working on something right now which is gonna help a lot of people, but I've been sort of reflective of the years. And it's so funny. There's so much you just forget about, you know? And looking back, I posted this thing the other week where I was on a TV show in the uk and I won it. I won this TV show. It was a little bit like the Bake off. The Great. Yeah, I saw that.

Kirby (10:50)

It was so cute.

Chris Appleton (10:50)

It was cute, right? I was like, oh, my God, I remember him. Just a different person back then. Even my voice was different. Like, it was so much more British. It's definitely softened. Anyway, watching some of the build and reflecting on the build, it's been a lot. And it's interesting because a lot of people say to me, now they'll stop me and say, oh, you. Chris helped him. Like, you're incredible. I love what you do or, you know, and it's so funny that people will recognize you in the street, but no one really sees the grind and how long it takes to become, you know, successful. And I'm still doing what I always did, which was just. I try. And I started with my mom. That's true. And, you know, I realized at a very young age, you have. I had the ability to make people look good by, you know, creating, but then also feel good, which was very magical for me because I was like, wow, this is. It's like a superpower, getting to make people feel good. It's. It universally is, like. It just works, and it's priceless. And I think so many people go through their daily lives unrecognized people. They don't know who they are. They're not always seen, you know, and they're very much sort of living the life they were taught to have. As a child. And I think realizing that, you know, that doesn't have to define you. And you can evolve both in a physical form, you know, and in an emotional form, I think is really powerful. So I think trying to bring that out in people is. Has worked really well because it is a 360 thing. You're not just doing people's hair. It's a whole, you know, universal approach to, you know, helping people to realize that they can break through boundaries and barriers that we quite often put up ourselves.

Sarah (12:18)

Yeah.

Chris Appleton (12:18)

You know, like, oh, I can't do that. And it's like, well, why can't you? And it's like, well, I guess I've just always been told I can't, or I just believed I couldn't. You know, when you actually give people, you know, the key to sort of opening that door up, it's kind of interesting how things can evolve.

Sarah (12:31)

Right. I ask you this question because I'm curious if you're satiated by the success you've had.

Chris Appleton (12:36)

Yeah.

Sarah (12:37)

And also if you look back and wish that you had been a kid for a little bit, bit longer than you. I mean, starting a job at 13.

Chris Appleton (12:45)

Yeah.

Sarah (12:46)

It kind of impedes in just being a kid mentality.

Chris Appleton (12:49)

Totally. I was always so focused to do well. Like, I think I was kind of quite bullied at school because I did hair. I think people thought it was weird that I did hair and had a job. I only worked on the Saturdays. But, you know, like, I didn't sort of want to be different, you know. So I guess when you do get bullied, it definitely motivated me to sort of prove people wrong, you know. And I was also dyslexic. School, which I don't think it's spoken about enough. Dyslexia is like. It was really tough when I was a kid because I just felt stupid. I didn't know what the guy. What the teacher would be going on about. You know, if you stand in front of a board and they'd say, memorize this and write it down. It just didn't mean anything. Now I realize if I speak about something and if I discuss something, I can do it with flying colors. But dyslexia is just a different way of learning, and it wasn't recognized when I was a kid. So I think also because I sort of was told I wasn't good enough or I was stupid, I was really determined when I found something I was good at, which was hair, to be the best at it. Because I was like, okay, I'll show Everyone. I'm not stupid, you know, and obviously now there's so much more visibility. I don't know if there's enough visibility. But different people learn in different ways, and that's kind of more understood now. Whereas when I was a kid, you know, it was. You were put in a. You know, it was. You learned this way, like you put into a box. And if you didn't, you were stupid or lazy. And that's why I don't like boxes.

Sarah (14:08)

Yeah.

Chris Appleton (14:09)

Because I always fight outside of them.

Sarah (14:12)

By your success, what do you mean? Do you feel like you have. I just don't know what else you could possibly be besides launching your own products.

Chris Appleton (14:21)

Oh, my God. I have so much planned. I just think I've always evolved and I think it's really important to, you know, if you're a tree, you have the base, but then you grow branches. And I think it's. I mean, I've never. My biggest fear is just to sit still in one place and not evolve. I just think it's really important. And my career's evolved so much, you know, from being in a salon to sort of doing fashion week and editorial and magazines and photo shoots. And then that kind of led to celebrity. And then that led me to me moving to the US and then doing celebrity and then building a clientele and then, you know, you're doing it full best, but then evolving into becoming an entrepreneur and, you know, making a business out of it and making sure you have a future. You know, I'm 40 now, so like, you got to make sure you have, you know, a future in the day. You know, I have two kids that I, you know, want to inspire and, you know, have something for them. So I think evolving is really, really important. And I like that. I like, I like, you know, I feel like now I'm in a place where I want to give back to more people. Like, I started doing wigs when I was like 21 in the salon because these women that I knew really well, strong, confident women, came in and they lost their hair to cancer. And they were like rabbits in headlights. They'd, like, lost their identity. It was so crazy to see these, like, just very established, strong powered women just be lost. And they say to me they'd rather lose their breasts than their hair, you know, And I was like, God, like, it's so. It really confirmed for me everything I did. Hair is your identity. It's such an important part of, you know, the way you look and feel and how you can express yourself. And so I used to work on wigs then just to make them more natural and make them. Because back then we have something in the UK called nhs. You'd get like a wig from the NHS which is just like the hospital and they would like thick and this was very wiggy. You know, it was always that wig word. You know, everyone was always afraid of the wig word. Whereas now obviously, you know, seamless and you, you can't tell and it's evolved a lot. But back then I was like plucking the hairline and adding a root and trying to do things. And I remember, you know, doing these wigs for these women and they'd walk out feeling like they could kind of get through the day better. Like, you know, people didn't know they were sick. That was one of the biggest things they, they struggled with because not only were they going through something internally, everyone could see that they were sick, you know, and I think that's what, you know, was really difficult. So I think I don't feel like I've even begun. I'm so excited for some of the stuff we've got coming up. It's going to be just tell a whole different journey. And I also want to inspire other people. Like I've done so much with my career that so many people don't know about. All the times I've been told no and had doors shut in my face. And I want to help other people that have aspirations and you know, feel stuck and feel like, you know, they're stuck with the cards that we're giving in life. Because if I believed that I'd still be in Leicester in northern England, I don't know what I'd be doing, but I wouldn't be here, you know, And I think sometimes people, it's inspiring to share some of those lessons, you know.

Sarah (17:18)

Well, okay, so that leads me to my next question, which is what was your biggest rejection and what did you learn from it?

Chris Appleton (17:24)

Oh God, I've had some, I mean, so many rejections. And that's what I mean. It's interesting when someone thinks you're successful because, you know, you have a handful of successes but boundfuls of rejections and bad experiences. I remember when I was sort of building my way, I was still traveling from Leicester to London. It was like a two hour train journey. And I kept sort of doing editorial or fashion, you know, stories for magazines. You won't get paid, but I joined an agency and I always dreamt of doing the COVID of Vogue. That was always my goal, you know. I was like, I can. You know, I'd love to do that, because that's like, you know, the peak. And I remember the agency laughed at me, and they were like, you know, you'll never do Vogue. You're just a salon hair stylist. And they booked me on a job to do, I feel like a commercial for, like, flip flops. And they basically just sort of told me to stay in my lane. And I remember thinking, like, I've got to leave here. They don't see the vision. If they don't see the vision, then let's just move on. And, you know, I've done. You've done endless covers. Yeah, I mean, I did. I did two of the most famous women of American on the COVID of American Vogue in the same year. You know what I mean? I remember that was a moment where I was like, wow. I remember when I was told that I would never do this.

Kirby (18:31)

Send them a copy in the mail. And like, I know.

Chris Appleton (18:34)

I hope. I hope they see it. I wonder if they.

Kirby (18:37)

I think they were sure they saw.

Chris Appleton (18:39)

It, but it's sad when people squash other people's dreams, you know? Like, again, I think people just love to put people in boxes and keep them in their lane. And, you know, I think there's so much for people to see and do.

Kirby (18:50)

Especially people who are supposed to be on your side.

Chris Appleton (18:52)

Yeah, I know, but quite often they're not. And I just think people don't change that much. So if that's kind of what you're getting, that's the message you're getting, it's probably not gonna work for you. You know what I mean? I didn't. I was like, I can't be fighting against you guys. I'm already fighting against my own boundaries. I put up. Do you know what I mean? So, yeah, I think I'm glad I had that fight. And it probably is from being bullied at school and, you know, kind of thinking, all right, I'm not just gonna give in to this. I'm going to push against it. I think I've always kind of kept that. So see, if aside of. I guess having that experience makes you push back sometimes.

Kirby (19:26)

Okay, let's talk about some of these iconic looks that you've created. Glass hair a la Kim. We've got Ariana Snatched Pony. There's so many that you have created that have created trends, become huge, huge moments, cultural moments in hair. Is there a strategy when you're creating these defining moments, or are you sort of just, like, doing it? Then you're surprised that it becomes such a moment?

Chris Appleton (19:50)

Honestly? No, not at all. Everything just. I've always had this kind of idea when I'm doing hair that, like, if I'm gonna. It started in the salon, actually. So it took me back to. I remember when maybe I charged, like, $100 for a haircut or whatever it was, and the person next to me was charging the same, you know, Cause you have people on the same price scale. I was like, why would a client come to me over the person next to me? What am I? What service offering? That's, like, different or more of an experience. And I remember someone saying to me once, like, they were with someone else, and they were. So they saw the way I was talking to my client and what we were doing and stuff, and she felt really, like, envious and wanted to get an appointment with me. Because a lot of people used to in the salon, to go up to people and be like, okay, you know, what are we doing today? Same as usual. And you just see the people go, yeah, okay. Whereas I'd sit down. I was very inquisitive, like, well, you know, what have you always sort of dreamt of having? Like, is there anyone you have hair inspiration from? You know, a lot of people. Yeah, this person. But, you know, I know I can't do that. And again, I'd be like, well, why? And that. Well, never thought I could. Like, can I. Can I do that? You know, like. And once you start opening this, they might not even pick it up on that day, but eventually they start. Well, you know, I was thinking about what you said, and, you know, it's just human nature that it kind of goes down that route. And I think it's the same with a client I've worked with. I'm like, okay, well, for example, Ariana, when I first started working with her, like, shared her ponytail. She's very much known for that. I was like, how can I add? Like, some. Oh, I was gonna go and do a ponytail. And I think she was doing a hair test because she was looking for someone new at the time. I was like, everyone's gonna go and do a ponytail. So what is. What is it? It's gonna be different. And I remember we had these hair hoops on the top. Remember the hair hoops with the braid? And I think I made the ponytail longer. I mean, it was just longer or something and fuller. And I guess when you show people, you know, what you can do more, I mean, there's two ways they'd either say yes or no, it's fine either way. But it's just in me to sort of want to open things up, say, well, have you ever tried this? And I don't know, I just, like I said, I just don't like putting people in a box. I like to just explore. And that seems to work. I don't know, people seem to like that because like I say, it's never forceful. Sometimes we've spoke about doing stuff and it just didn't work at that time. But you know, it might come up a year later. Oh, remember we were going to try that and that's when they're ready, whatever. It's just the right timing. But you know, the glass hair with Kim, we'd done like the wavy long hair in Miami and then we went to Paris and we did the straight hair. And initially it wasn't a thing. I, I don't think we loved it initially. I think we blow dried the front down more or something, I don't know. And it just kind of became a thing. And then because sometimes change is scary, you know, like, and especially the long glass air, it's quite a, it's quite harsh look. It's very sort of, it's quite a statement. You know, having your hair really flattened down, middle part long. It, it can tend to pull the face so it, you gotta, it's not like an easy, pretty look, you know, Like, I'd say a pretty hairstyle is like, you know, like, like some layers, some bounce. A lot of girls like wavy hair. Yeah, totally.

Sarah (22:41)

You know, she used to have such a volume.

Chris Appleton (22:43)

Exactly. But then if you flatten your hair down and make it really long, you just can feel very like you can almost feel like you're wearing a costume. So I think it just sometimes, sometimes takes a second, you know, and it did. It's just. And then it became the thing for the week and then it became a thing for the year. You know, it just became part of, you know, it just kind of evolved. But. And also the style evolved because I remember when I was doing it, there was these two pieces that kept falling out the front, these short layers. And I kept trying to figure out how I could get rid of them. And then when we braided the underneath and stuff anyway, you know, it's just kind of evolved. But no, I think everything has happened organically. You know, we were going to Paris and we'd done the wavy look and I was like, how can we, you know, evolve this a little bit? And you know, we decided and this was a collaboration to do the long straight. And yeah, it just became a thing.

Sarah (23:24)

And then I feel like she started to embrace Cher and let.

Chris Appleton (23:27)

Yeah, the whole Cher. Well, I remember when we first did it, I was like, you know, it reminds me of Cher. She just looked very like that. I remember it's the first time because initially it wasn't as long. I think it was a little bit shorter. I remember saying, oh, he looks very kind of like, there's something about this, like the way it frames the face. It's very kind of. It's quite iconic. And yeah, Cher came into my mind and that's kind of became, you know, part of it. Kim's already always love Cher as well. So.

Sarah (23:50)

Yes. Okay. So I am a Kimberly Stan wearing skims right now.

Kirby (23:54)

And I'm wearing skin.

Sarah (23:55)

Yeah. Okay. Yeah.

Chris Appleton (23:56)

Oh, great.

Sarah (23:57)

Skimberly. Yeah, we love her. So I want to ask about a certain look that happened this year because I've been so curious ever since it happened. So it was before the Met. She posts this three photo carousel of her with short pink hair, and we have never seen her in that look ever again. Like, literally five days later, she's at the Met with long blonde.

Chris Appleton (24:23)

Yeah.

Sarah (24:24)

Can you tell me anything about that? I'm like, was this for a photo shoot? Where are these images? Like, we never have seen her in that look ever again.

Chris Appleton (24:32)

Do you know what it was? It was actually really spare the moment. We colored the hair blonde, but was wearing wigs because of the Met. Just kind of wait for that moment. You know, that's what we were doing it for, for that, you know, John Galliano outfit. It just worked. So I felt a shame to sort of, you know, just be wearing it. And also when I lighten the hair, we do it in stages. So, you know, initially it's kind of more yellowy. And then you, you know, lighten it again and do the. Do the roots. It's a whole process. And we were covering it with wigs. And I think we were just literally I was there and we were doing. I think we'd been on a photo shoot and then I had this pink wig and we just said, like, oh, let's do the pink hair. Because we'd done pink hair on her before, but never. Sure.

Sarah (25:16)

Yeah.

Chris Appleton (25:16)

And it was just kind of like we were having fun. We were just kind of being creative.

Sarah (25:19)

That was a wig. That short pink.

Kirby (25:22)

That was a wig. Cover the blonde for the Met Gala.

Chris Appleton (25:25)

Yeah, okay. Okay. Yeah, it was a wig.

Sarah (25:27)

Wow, that is fascinating. Literally, I, like, I thought about this look non stop because because it was.

Chris Appleton (25:34)

Really different for Kim. I loved it.

Sarah (25:35)

It was so different. It felt like the Matrix.

Kirby (25:37)

Yeah.

Chris Appleton (25:38)

Yeah, totally.

Sarah (25:38)

And then we just never saw anything. We saw like some behind the scenes photos and she tagged you. And she tagged. I think Mario was. Or was it. Who was the makeup artist and that? I can't remember, but I remember being.

Chris Appleton (25:48)

Like, I don't think she had makeup on. I think she. I think it was like a face, which I loved. I loved it because not very often has she had super short hair like that. Like, you know, she had no makeup on and she just kind of looked. I don't know, I just felt like she looked very cool. But I will say that's the one thing I love about Kim is she's always down for a look and she'll commit to it fully. And I love that she's versatile, you know, like, she could do the long straight. She can do, you know, platinum blonde with a dark root. She can do a short pink. You know, she'll commit to it. And she is always game for, you know, creating a look and is committed to it, you know, which I love. She's definitely my hair muse, for sure.

Sarah (26:26)

Oh, we can tell. Yeah.

Chris Appleton (26:28)

And she's also, she's a great person. I've learned so much from her. She's been incredibly grateful and generous throughout my career and, you know, but also as a friend, she's just very inspiring. You know, I get to see her as a mom and, you know, she's an incredible mother to her kids and you know, on a schedule, like, she has how she, you know, makes sure she has time to be there. And, you know, it's always just very inspiring to me that she can, you know, manage it all.

Sarah (26:53)

What was the first thing you did with her?

Chris Appleton (26:55)

The first time I did Kim's hair was. We did the short blonde. It was like a short side, part blunt look. It was. Her hair was shorter and she'd not really had the short hair before. And everyone kind of. It was a wig. We're not. No one thought. Everyone thought it was her hair. And I think we were going to do a blonde wig, but we decided to do this kind of very blunt, more futuristic kind of feel. And she. We just kind of vibed since then, you know, and I was like, oh, have you ever tried doing this? Have you tried doing that? And we kind of just, just vibed, you know, we were just up for changing the look and doing something different.

Kirby (27:22)

Let's talk about hair gadgets, specifically your favorite ones that you use.

Chris Appleton (27:28)

Yep.

Kirby (27:29)

There are so many out there. We constantly get asked, like, what is the one that you need to invest in? What actually works? What are your favorite hair tools?

Chris Appleton (27:36)

Oh, well, one of my favorites, and actually I'm just using it all the time at the minute, is the new Shark Flex Fusion. It's incredible because it's a combination of hair styling and heated tools kind of built into one. And I love it because, for example, you can go from wet to dry with one product, you know, and it will dry the hair and smooth it out. But what I also love about it is it's versatile, so it has different attachments. And I think one of the things that I'm always really excited about is giving people, you know, the most value for their money. And I think sometimes things are so expensive. What I love about Shark is they combine. You know, it's like a hair dryer. It's a straightener. You've got a volumizing brush, you've got curling attachments, you've got everything all wrapped in one. You don't have to buy all the different things, which really adds up. So I love it because it's value for money, and it, honestly, for me, is the best on the market. I like something that's powerful and gets the job done, and it does exactly that. Even when I'm doing it at the, you know, level I'm doing it at, it's great. I don't just say, oh, guys, look at this product. I use it, and it's something I really believe in. And it was really exciting to be a part of the process of building it as well.

Sarah (28:40)

Yeah.

Chris Appleton (28:41)

Because, you know, we'd get sent different protocols, and I'm like, well, it needs to do this. It needs to clamp hair like that. It needs to straighten hair in this direction. So, to me, it's really exciting to be a part of just such a. I mean, Shark Beauty has been such a great sort of storytelling and a great collaboration of different worlds of, you know, a world of, you know, more technical people, more corporate people. And I'm like, the creative one, you know? So I feel like the combination between the two is amazing because you get this advanced technology, but then you get all of those sort of special beauty elements that you need to it as well, which make a product, like I said, Phil, feel expensive or luxurious. You know, like, when you're using something, you want to feel like, you know, it's special. So, yeah, it's been a fantastic collaboration, one I'm really proud of, you know, and what I love about it as well as. As big as the company is. It's actually, you know, the heart of a real sort of family experience. And I think you get the best for that because, you know, you're really listening to people's hair care problems, and it's amazing as a team to be able to kind of discuss them and give a solution. And like I said, the value for money is I don't. I don't think there's anything out there that even compares.

Sarah (29:43)

I agree. I was looking at this because I haven't tried it yet. So I was looking into what would separate it from something else that you may buy. And I really think that the flat iron attachment, you can take it from wet to dry with that. I think that is really innovative. Game changer, because especially for people with curly or textured hair, it feels like it's a lot more versatile than maybe something else that's on the market 100%.

Chris Appleton (30:07)

And, you know, like, I'm sort of setting these trends, and one minute, you know, you've got big, bouncy hair, and then the next minute I'm posting poker straight, you know, or next minute I'm doing like a camp hair up or whatever. You know, it's great to be able to have one thing where you go, all right, I'll just change that and put this one on. And I can do that look. And, you know, we'll do the tutorials and stuff so people feel like they can have an element of, you know, knowing what to do, because not everyone does. So it's great that you have that backup as well. But I'm just about products that do what they say they're going to do, offer performance and longevity. And like I said, I think I can hand on half, you know, be really proud to be a part of that. And, you know, just offer people hair care solutions because, you know, that's what a lot of people are looking for. Like, well, how do I get bouncy curls that last? How do I get a bombshell blowout? Well, I want it poker straight today. How do I get it flat without those flyaways? And my hair always frizzes. So I think it's great to be able to push those, you know, beauty requests, but also offer a performance in a product that, like I say, has a multitude of solutions for every girl out there. And I think that's what I love about inclusivity. You know, it's. Everyone feels like they can have a.

Kirby (31:12)

Piece of it, which feels good that it is for everyone.

Chris Appleton (31:15)

Yeah, totally. Yeah. There's different attachments for all hair types, but also, if you want to go against your hair type and change it and, you know, just have flexibility, I think that's really important.

Kirby (31:26)

I was telling Kirby I used it.

Chris Appleton (31:28)

Before gorge, before it came.

Kirby (31:30)

Thanks. I was like, oh, my God, am I using this right? Chris is gonna, like, analyze it.

Sarah (31:35)

I know. It's like judging my hair.

Kirby (31:36)

You could do a tutorial.

Chris Appleton (31:38)

That's the one thing everyone says when they see me. Like, are you judging my hair? And I'm like, no. They're like, you're looking at me. I'm like, I don't know. I'm just looking at your face. I don't know. Everyone's like, you look at me. But girls do this funny thing. They're like, you're looking at me. It's a mess. It's a mess. It's half time.

Sarah (31:53)

You're already putting yourself down so that you can't do it.

Chris Appleton (31:55)

Yeah. It's so funny. There's certain things that people do. Like, hair extensions are so fun, because when people have not had hair extensions, they say, you know, they have them in. They're like, you know, I'm just going to have it for a little bit of volume. I don't want any length. I'm just going to have, like, a little bit of volume. You put it in, and it's probably 6 inches longer than their own hair. And they're like, like, I'm gonna keep it. Shall I keep it? Like, we can always cut it later. And then the next time you do it, like, they're like, if it's not touching my ass, I don't want it. You know? Like, I think it's just, like, addictive, you know, they're like, oh, I'm just gonna have some volume.

Sarah (32:23)

And then you want to be modest about it.

Chris Appleton (32:25)

And then you're like, fucking years. They're like, you're already doing it. I could just, like, cut it later. This is so crazy. Let's keep it.

Sarah (32:32)

If it's long, why cut it right now?

Chris Appleton (32:34)

Yeah, like. Or you'll take a little inch off. They're like, why did you cut it so short? You know, it's like, well, I thought we were doing this for volume.

Sarah (32:39)

Yes.

Chris Appleton (32:40)

No.

Kirby (32:41)

No. That's so funny.

Chris Appleton (32:42)

It's always. It's definitely. There's definitely funny stories in the salon experience, you know, relate to.

Kirby (32:47)

But I just wanted to say, when I was using it, the curling attachment is so strong. Like, it's very powerful compared to some Others on market, I'll just say that. But it's really good.

Chris Appleton (32:57)

I mean, I've tried and tested every one. You know, I get sent different products and tools and you know, like I say I'm normal, not I don't work with a lot of brands, but the ones I work with I'm very loyal to. And I also like to put my experience and, you know, I listen to what people want and you know, women tell me regularly about their hair care needs and men too. So it's really important that, you know, we put all of that together and offer a product that people really feel like they can get the best from. And, and again, it's kind of tried and tested by me. I'm in every experience. I need something fast. I need something that works, you know, not something gimmicky that's not gonna, you know, for example, the curl attachment, like it needs to grab the hair, suck it up, curl it, take it out, effortlessly curls that last, you know, the blow dry attachment, you know, effortlessly goes through the hair, gives it that volume. And the straightening tool is such a fantastic, you know, technology that you can go from wet to dry and that's kind of scares a lot of people. But you know, we wouldn't be making a product that would ever damage the hair. So it's great that you can go from wet to dry and have the confidence that you're getting, you know, the optimal protection for your hair.

Sarah (33:55)

And it's all one tool too. You're not having to buy multiple. I love that. Okay, so Chris, what products do people not use enough of? Do you find that your clients or people that you talk to about hair are scared of certain products that they shouldn't be?

Chris Appleton (34:07)

I think a lot of people in my experience are just generally scared of using product. And if you ever see me do a master classic tutorial, I use loads of products and like, I, I think it's just about using the right ones. And if you don't use the right products, then, yeah, well, your hair, your hair will get greasy or way down. Whereas when I'm doing it, actually did this masterclass in Dubai and I had two pieces of hair and I'd curled one just with clean hair and then the other I'd use the style and steroids by color bar, lots of products. And I'd curled it with the Flex fusion curla on both. But if you do one with products and one without, you can see how one really stays bouncy and springs and the other one tends to drop and people like, oh, I do need to use products. But I think sometimes a lot of people have had bad experiences with products where the hair's got sticky or stiff. So I think it's about using the right tools and the right products combined makes the perfect kind of.

Sarah (34:55)

Would you say that's the biggest mistake, that people are misusing their products?

Chris Appleton (34:57)

100. And when people see me do hair, they're always quite surprised about how the tools I use and, you know, how I use them and the products I use and how I kind of build. It's like scaffolding in a way. But then after, when you see the results, like, ah, that's what makes it stay. Oh, you can just put your hair up with one pin because it's got all of the texture and everything in it, you know. So I think it's just a learning curve. And again, it's just something that probably once they put too much product through the hair and the wrong one and they didn't have the right experience, like.

Sarah (35:23)

A childhood experience, like teenage experience, you just went crazy with the hairspray, singed your hair.

Kirby (35:29)

Is there a product that you feel like is underrated or used incorrectly? Like, I love mousse, and I feel like it has such a bad rep. But is there a product that you think people don't use enough of?

Chris Appleton (35:39)

Actually, one of the biggest. So there's this misconception, I think, with Dreamcoat by colorwell, that a lot of people use it and they'll just put. I see them do like a spray on one side and one spray on the other, and then that's it. And I'm like, oh, you guys don't. Because it's like water. It doesn't weigh the hair down at all. But people always think it's going to be sticky or stiff or greasy because it smooths and takes away the frizz. But it's literally, you have to saturate the hair and you have to put loads on to really see the results. Because if you're just spraying the top, all the underneath is not going to get the action. Do you know what I mean? So you have to go from root to tip all the way through. And a lot of people just don't use enough.

Sarah (36:13)

Right.

Chris Appleton (36:14)

So I think it's just underused. People go, oh, because they're scared, they're nervous. There's this fear around products. But like I say, have you ever seen any. Any class that I do. I mean, I couldn't create the hairstyles I create if I just did a Little bit of product. They really helped me build something, you know?

Kirby (36:28)

Yeah.

Sarah (36:29)

Okay, we're gonna hit the rapid fire. I'm adding, I'm gonna add.

Kirby (36:33)

I'm adding one to you.

Sarah (36:34)

Okay, okay, okay, okay. You can add. I'll kick things off.

Chris Appleton (36:37)

Okay.

Sarah (36:38)

What's one thing you would never do to the hair?

Chris Appleton (36:40)

One thing I'd never do. I don't know. I've done everything.

Kirby (36:44)

Okay.

Chris Appleton (36:44)

You'll try anything once, burn it. You know, like, you see these. Oh, that's probably my pet hate. Like, sometimes I see people do like curling curls or they'll do something with curling iron and they just leave it on for ages. I'm like, oh, my God. You are like. People don't realize that hair is a fiber. You've got to like, you're burning it. It's like a silk shirt. Once you burn it, you can't repair it. You know what I mean? Like, you can mask it, but you got to really kind of make sure you look after the hair you've got. And a lot of people get a bit crazy with the heat tools sometimes. That's why I love the Shark range, because it's no damage to the hair. You know, it's just air styling. It's not going to damage the hair and you get the results. So I think, I think the wrong use of hot tools sometimes.

Kirby (37:24)

Who is your dream celebrity or client that you haven't worked with yet? Whose hair have you been like, oh my gosh, I want to touch it.

Chris Appleton (37:33)

Oh, I don't know. I've been so lucky to work with so many people. I've worked with Adele and Ariana and Katie. Who else I work with JLo. I've worked with a lot, but I.

Kirby (37:42)

Don'T know what about like dead or alive.

Chris Appleton (37:44)

You can be also like, oh, oh. I mean, always. I still look now at her hair and. And I'm amazed by how they did it, but Marilyn Monroe, like, if you see her hair, how it was platinum blonde and she always had that beautiful set, but that can look really old fashioned really easily. But she just looked. It makes people look old, really easy. But she just looks so glamorous. I'm always kind of. I always think that would have been nice. I think she'd have been a good time.

Sarah (38:09)

Yeah, I agree. Definitely. I know.

Chris Appleton (38:13)

Especially on the night of the. When she wore the naked dress. She just came out and. Yeah, she just, I don't know, that air of, I don't know, just this. I guess everyone just has that, you know, there's A reason she's Marilyn Monroe. Everyone just looks and I don't know. Yes. Even now, to this day, I think people still find it fascinating.

Sarah (38:29)

Yeah. When you go to her grave site, all the kisses on her.

Chris Appleton (38:33)

Oh, really?

Sarah (38:34)

Yeah. So, like, where she's.

Kirby (38:35)

Where she's at.

Chris Appleton (38:35)

Isn't it really small, though? I think I went many years ago.

Sarah (38:38)

I mean, it's like, kind of like. Yeah, like you pull it. You would pull it out.

Kirby (38:42)

You know, it's like.

Sarah (38:42)

It's like a little block, but there's all these red kiss marks all over it where people will put on red lipstick and go kiss it. I know, it's like. It's really sad, but very sweet as well. Okay, what are the best beauty spots in la, in your opinion, for facials or hair or anything?

Chris Appleton (38:57)

Best beauty spots. Oh, okay. On the. On. On the. On the nose. Let me think. Anyone know all the secrets? All right, Well, I love Dr. Diamond.

Sarah (39:05)

Yes.

Chris Appleton (39:06)

He's amazing for, like, lasers. Also. Who I Love is 7Q spot. They're in Glendale, and they do amazing. There's a really great laser that resurfaces the skin. And I get some facials there. Who else? Oh, there's nothing like a good spray tan. I love a spray tan. We have an event.

Kirby (39:27)

Who does your spray tan?

Chris Appleton (39:28)

Isabelle from Dolce. And her story is so inspiring. Yeah, she's fantastic.

Sarah (39:36)

Incredible.

Chris Appleton (39:37)

Yeah, no, she's. She's amazing. Is always so kind and graceful. And I think has. Has created a great business model as well, which is always really inspiring. Against the odds.

Sarah (39:44)

Saw Dr. Diamond.

Chris Appleton (39:45)

Yeah.

Sarah (39:46)

She got a chin implant.

Chris Appleton (39:47)

Oh, she did.

Sarah (39:48)

Amazing implant. And she got a mini neck lift. And she's been posting about it, and I cannot wait to see her in person and ask her all about it.

Chris Appleton (39:56)

She looks incredible. She looked great before. But, you know, Dr. Diamond's amazing. He's incredibly talented. So, yeah, I mean, a good tan, that's probably my things.

Sarah (40:06)

I did facial and you do your own hair, so.

Chris Appleton (40:09)

My hair? I do my own hair.

Sarah (40:10)

Yeah, you're all good.

Kirby (40:12)

It's all you need. How often should we really be washing our hair?

Chris Appleton (40:15)

Oh, I don't know. What? People love this question. I think when it needs washing, I mean, every few days. But, you know, if you have textured hair and it doesn't get oily, then, you know, people like to leave it for like, a week, and that's okay. Also, I think if you have very oily hair, you're gonna have to wash it more often. You know, I think everyone's hair Type is different. So I think it really just depends on the texture of your hair.

Sarah (40:32)

It depends on your scalp.

Chris Appleton (40:33)

Yeah. Can't give you an in the box answer.

Kirby (40:36)

What about sleeping? Sleeping with wet hair?

Chris Appleton (40:39)

No. Just because for anyone that doesn't understand, your hair is the weakest when it's wet. So if you go in bed on it and laying on it and rubbing it, and, you know, it's probably gonna cause breakage, so. And also, I don't know how great it is to get bed with wet hair.

Kirby (40:52)

Yeah, it's not great. Doesn't feel comfortable.

Sarah (40:54)

Oh. I was gonna ask.

Chris Appleton (40:55)

Yeah.

Sarah (40:55)

What is your favorite thing about JLo?

Chris Appleton (40:58)

Oh, my favorite thing about JLo, she's just JLo. You know, I think it was. I remember the first time I worked with her, I was really nervous. I'd got the call from JLo's team. I worked in the UK, and they wanted me to see what my availability was for a show in Vegas. And I moved to America partly because of that, to see if I could do it and be available. I remember the first time I worked with her, I was really nervous, and I was in the trailer. It was for the Ain't your mama music video. And she walked in, and she just was every inch jailer. She had her hair in, like, a wig, wet top knot. She had the big hoops on a white tracksuit, you know, the sneakers. And she just has this air. She could have just walked straight on set. You know, she just has this air of JLo. And I think, you know, I also love that she is down to create a look. She's always kind of committed to that. You know, she likes to storytell with it, which is great. You know, if she's been an actress or a pop star or, you know, whoever it is, you know, it tells a story, and the hair is a big part of that. And, you know, she's, again, like, you know, always incredibly kind and graceful. And, you know, it's just been. It's a really nice relationship to have. It's someone that, you know, has created an empire that she has. And, yeah, it's a big inspiration, for sure.

Kirby (42:14)

I'll never forget the picture of you at the super bowl doing her hair right before she got on.

Chris Appleton (42:20)

Aw. That was one of. That was probably one of the most special career highlights for me. And a lot of people stop me in the streets now and still talk about JLo, Super bowl hair. And it actually went really wrong, though. The whole thing was not an easy process. It all went a bit back to front and inside out as life reminds you sometimes that life is happening, you know, and it's not all going to go well. I remember literally looking up at one point and I was like, why now? There were so many things to fight against. The humidity and the timing and the. Oh, and then my own roadblocks I was putting in my way because just fear of the occasion and how big it was and how much pressure it is. But, you know, 360 came out great and everyone seemed to love it. And it was just such a fantastic experience to be a part of that, standing on that field at halftime. You know, I think six year old Chris as a kid would have been proud because it really was such a overwhelming amount of, you know, people reached out to me that I've never not heard from for years to congratulate me. You don't realize how many people watch that halftime show. It's got a lot of power behind it. Yeah. And obviously her performance was incredible. She is, I've never seen JLO perform, you know, 50%. She always puts in 110%. No matter what the audience or where she is, she is always such an incredible show. She really is a true performer. And, you know, when I saw her performance, I was like, how do I give hair worthy of this performance? She was upside down. Is Adam Flip, you know, and I really wanted to bring the hair alive with it and just move with her. But yeah, it was a really special experience for sure.

Sarah (43:52)

And then lastly, what is something that people don't know about Kim as someone who is closest to her? Yes.

Chris Appleton (43:59)

I think just how, you know, genuine she is. She's very genuine and heartfelt and, you know, I think an incredibly, you know, inspiring person to be around with all the different things she deals with in her life, in her world, from skims, you know, acting, she's a lawyer and just, you know, all of the different.

Kirby (44:19)

People out of jail.

Chris Appleton (44:20)

Totally. She's incredible human, I always say. I think, you know, she just, she's always such an inspiration, but also very kind with it. She's very generous. She's been incredibly supportive of me and my career and the people around her, you know, and one thing I would also say as well with Kim, it's. It doesn't matter how successful she's got or how rich or whatever it is that, you know, people look up to, but no matter who is in the room, she'll always introduce herself. She'll say hello and introduce herself to whoever is. If it's an assistant or just a lighting Guy or. She's always so kind to everyone, and I've never heard anyone in the industry say anything bad about it. You know, they always say, how kind. But, you know, people love to talk shit. It's just sometimes human nature. But, you know, she's always been so incredibly kind to everyone around, and that's also a big inspiration because, you know, sometimes I know how much she's got on, how much stress is going on in the picture. You know, for example, snl, all the lines she had to memorize and the different skits and this and that. And, you know, she'll still take the time, even though sometimes it could probably be easier not to. But she'll recognize everyone in the room, and that goes a long way, I think.

Sarah (45:21)

I agree, I think, to your point about people judging, but then when they meet her, they have nothing bad to say. I feel like people love to judge her, but then you see people that like actors now meeting her and hanging out with her, and they're like, she's great.

Chris Appleton (45:34)

Yeah, totally. And just like, you know, incredibly clever. She's incredibly clever.

Sarah (45:38)

Marketing genius. Chris, thank you so much.

Chris Appleton (45:41)

Thank you for having me, guys. Lovely to talk to you.

Sarah (45:43)

You are a great guest because sometimes it's like pulling teeth, trying to get really good information out of people. And you are just such a natural gift of gab. So we do a podcast, do a podcast, release a book.

Chris Appleton (45:57)

Oh, all the things. Lots of exciting things happening.

Kirby (46:01)

So much more to tell us.

Chris Appleton (46:03)

Totally.

Kirby (46:04)

So thank you for coming on. On. Where can people find you if we're not already following you on social media?

Chris Appleton (46:08)

Yeah. Chris Appleton1 is my handle. I don't know why it's Chris Appleton1. I think someone took Chris Appleton. Know who that is? But, yeah, I mean, you know, Instagram and TikTok is. It's just kind of about trying to help people in different ways and tell a story. I try and use it as a bit of a, you know, kind of storytelling element and. But also I think more on TikTok, more tutorial stuff to try and help people, you know, know, feel like they can have a piece of that. And then I guess Instagram is more of a storytelling, but I try and use social media just to help others as well, you know, whether it's inspiration and like I said, I'm working on something that's going to help a lot of people in a different platform.

Kirby (46:47)

So, yeah, okay, we'll look out for that.

Chris Appleton (46:49)

Thank you, guys. Thank you so much.

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