Hairstylist Tommy Buckett never works alone. At his post at NYC's über-hip Marie Robinson Salon, Buckett stocks an oversize drawer with an arsenal of the best stylers—drugstore favorites included. "Anyone can have great hair," Buckett says. "A good cut is an important foundation, but products will transform the cut into a style once the client leaves my chair." He also has an eye for cool; he shaved the head of ELLE's own style director, Kate Lanphear, months before Rihanna took the look mainstream. After only eight years in the hair business, Buckett is a celebrity favorite—his handiwork can be seen on his Hollywood clients such as Rachel McAdams, Ashley Olsen, and Sienna Miller. He's behind Brooklyn Decker's envy-inducing hair in the ELLE Make Better DVD series, too. Here, he shares his A-list tips.
What styles are your celeb clients into right now?
A lot of them are young, and they want hair that is fun—it's no longer about coiffed updos and perfect finger waves. I'm doing more messy buns, ponytails, and choppy bobs for the red carpet.
Do you think these fresher looks are easier to re-create at home?
Definitely. They would be great for a night out and don't require a lot of styling skills. Product is key: Don't be afraid to use too much—I layer dry shampoo and volumizing hairspray to create fullness and texture before pulling hair back into a loose bun
or ponytail.
Are products always necessary? What if someone is a product-phobe?
You don't need a lot, but you should put product in the hair after it is dry—that's what really helps achieve a finished look. Whether you want a shiny, polished cuticle, chunkier, piecey ends, or soft curls, you get that by putting the styling product on after the hair is dry. For polish, try a light leave-in conditioner; I use salt spray on dry hair to add texture, and finishing waves with curl cream will prevent frizz.
What other misconceptions do your clients have when it comes to styling?
People still abuse heat. Heat's not that bad for your hair if used appropriately, but I see so many women in the salon doing their own blow-dries, and they turn the flatiron or curling iron on as hot as it can go, scorching their hair. You don't need the tool to be on the highest setting; it only takes a little bit of heat to smooth the cuticle and eliminate frizz. It's also important to be realistic about your hair type. People often come in and say, "Oh, that volumizing spray won't work on me; I have really thick hair," and in fact they actually have a very normal hair type. Use your stylist as a resource, have him or her assess your texture, and ask for recommendations. When your cut and product regimen work together, your hair will look its best.
What was your favorite part about collaborating on the ELLE Make Better DVDs?
The series is really aligned with my personal philosophy: working with what you already have. It's not about thinking you have to look like a celebrity; it's realistic. I tried to give tips and style hair in a way that was helpful for the viewer—very few people have a full hair and makeup team at their disposal, so why create a look that requires that?
The shoots were often very long. How did you keep Brooklyn's hair looking good the entire time?
I used a little curl cream on her hair when it was wet and a little serum on the ends so it was supersmooth. Then I blow-dried the hair with a round brush, adding a little root lifter for height. After it was dry, I used a shine spray and brushed it out with a Mason Pearson, and between takes brushed it to maintain the shine. It was loose and pretty, definitely something you could re-create at home. If you don't feel comfortable with a round brush, try hot rollers to smooth the hair.
