NEED TO KNOW
Matt Benns is a celebrity hairstylist whose client list includes Charli xcx and Kim Kardashian
The stylist tells PEOPLE that he looks for inspiration everywhere
“I have albums of references. I take photos of people on the street, photo books, art, sculptures, films, flowers and plants,” Benns shares
For most people, the beginning of the year is a time to reset, stay home and unwind after the hectic nature of the holiday season — but not for celebrity hairstylist Matt Benns, whose year often starts with a bang due to awards season.
Benns’ client list includes Charli xcx, Kim Kardashian, Pamela Anderson and Elliot Page, to name a few. He talks to PEOPLE about a typical day in his life and all the challenges that come with trying to create a timeless yet on-trend look amid busy schedules, changes in weather and more.
To start his day, Benns says that “morning stretches, walking my dog and coffee is a must.”
“A few calls in the morning to navigate the week. If I’m on set or traveling, the day starts much earlier, and it’s a quick espresso at home, straight to the airport and usually from the airport it’s straight to set,” Benns says.
Matt Benns, Charli xcx
Matt Benns
During awards season — which spans from November to March, but typically ramps up in January — Benns is booked and busy. The most “stressful” part, he admits, is having to deal with “the weather.”
“Generally, the red carpet is outdoors, so we are thinking of ways to combat humidity and rain — we know that moisture is generally a hairstylist’s worst enemy,” he shares.
Sometimes, that means having to scrap certain ideas at the last minute and make adjustments to pre-set plans on a whim.
Despite having to fight the moisture, he says, “the whole process is so rewarding.”
“From the inception of ideas to the moment she steps onto the carpet. Watching the reactions, hearing the gasps, and knowing that she feels confident and beautiful. There’s something so ceremonial about doing glam before a red carpet event, ritualistic even,” Benns says.
While trying to think of the perfect look, he says he pulls inspiration from “everywhere.”
“I have albums of references. I take photos of people on the street, photo books, art, sculptures, films, flowers and plants,” Benns shares.
For instance, for Charli xcx’s Golden Globe look, Benns referenced an old Cher music video.
“Her hair was beautifully blown out, a bouncy, beautiful wave. We toned it down ever so slightly, so it felt a little current,” Benns shares.
Like fashion trends, he notes that hairstyles tend to repeat themselves, and right now, “the blowout is back.”
Matt Benns’ materials
Matt Benns
“Healthy hair, shine, movement and bounce. I also see more and more length, really long hair,” he says of current hair trends.
While trying to get red-carpet-ready looks at home, there are a few things he says are musts.
“I can’t stress enough, invest in treatments, smoothing creams and heat protectants. For a really fab blowout, I use a little combo,” Benns shares. “In damp hair, I comb through the Tresemme A-List Collection Smoothing Cream and a pump of the bonding oil, and blow-dry that through for perfected smoothness and an easy blowout.”
Read the original article on People