Hairstylist to the stars Chris Appleton shares his beauty must-haves with Holly O’Neill.
The hair rules I always follow are to protect the hair with heat protectant, never skip shine spray, and keep the ends trimmed.
My three current obsessions are glossy hair, a cold brew, and watching old music videos for inspiration. I also find inspiration in fashion archives, street style, and people watching.
The most reflective moment in the day for me is the early morning before the world gets noisy. The first thing I do every morning is drink water – hydration starts straight away. My morning routine is skincare, a workout, coffee, then I’m ready to create. I would really like to try cold plunging every morning – I’ve done it a few times and the buzz you get after is insane.
Three products I always have in my beauty routine are Color Wow Color Security Shampoo, €26, which keeps hair clean and safe for colour and chemically treated strands. Next is Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, €30, which is a heat protectant that fights frizz and gives the signature glass-like shine, and Color Wow Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray, €32.95, a finishing spray for lightweight, glossy, red-carpet-ready hair.
To me, being healthy means feeling good in your body, being consistent with movement, and fueling yourself with the right things.
Before I go to bed, I’ll do my skincare and set my intentions for the next day. A product that’s always on my nightstand is the Shark CryoGlow Mask, €349.95, I love this cooling mask as a nightly ritual to combat redness, puffiness, and fine lines.
The beauty appointment I never miss is a professional colour refresh and gloss to keep hair looking healthy and luminous.
The first beauty product I ever bought was a can of strong-hold hairspray – I was obsessed with getting that perfect finish from a young age.
The worst beauty mistake I ever made was over-bleaching my own hair as a teenager – it taught me the importance of hair health.
My best lazy hair hack is a sleek bun with lots of gel – it’s chic, fast, and makes you look instantly polished.
The best part of my day is seeing a client’s reaction when they feel transformed. The most challenging part of my day is juggling travel, shoots and staying grounded.
The first thing I put on my skin in the morning is a cleanser, specifically the SkinMedica Facial Cleanser, €39.45, and I love iS Clinical Cleansing Complex, €56.
My one desert island beauty essential is Color Wow Dream Coat, €30, it keeps hair smooth, frizz-free, and glossy no matter the weather.
My all time favourite eye cream is La Mer The Eye Concentrate, €230 and I love Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream, €280.
The last beauty-related thing I do before bed is take a bath to relax and recenter myself after a long day.
My go-to lip product is Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, €24.
My all time favourite brow product is Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze, €27.95.
The best beauty advice I ever received was that shiny, healthy hair is the ultimate accessory.
My weird beauty hack is using a silk pillowcase – it keeps hair sleek and skin crease-free overnight.
My lifelong beauty love is big, glamorous hair – think volume, shine, and movement.
The hair tool everyone should try is Shark FlexStyle, €359.95.
My signature scent is Nasomatto Black Afgano Parfum Spray, 30ml, €130 and I love Tom Ford Oud Wood, 30ml, €257.
The last beauty item I bought was a really luxe body oil – I’m obsessed with skin that glows as much as hair does, and I love Augustinus Bader Body Cream, €180.
I can’t go to work without my Mason Pearson brush, €237.45 — it’s old school but always gives the best finish.
The first perfume I loved was Davidoff Cool Water, 75ml, €58 – it was iconic at the time and made me feel polished.
I never travel without Color Wow Dream Coat, €30, and a good round brush – I can’t style without them.
My 3 hair favourites are Color Wow Money Masque, €46, a great blow dryer and a flat iron.
My daily self-care checklist routine includes a workout, skincare, hydration, and checking in with myself mentally. Something I always make time for is definitely a workout – even when I travel, I fit it in. I feel most beautiful when I’ve just had a good workout. The self-care tool I use every day is a jade roller – it wakes my face up.
I switch off from work by cooking at home and putting my phone down. After a long work week, I destress by working out hard, hanging out with my dog Dash and family.
The one person, place or thing guaranteed to give me joy is my kids, Kitty Blu and Billy.
I’m so excited to be in Ireland on March 22, 2026, for NBLive.
Your Roots Don’t Define You by Chris Appleton, €24, is out now.
This article originally appeared in the Winter issue of IMAGE, on sale now.
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