One of the effects of becoming famous is the expectation to always look fabulous. A picture may be snapped at any moment, either by the paparazzi or a fan, which will quickly be published in the tabloids or turn viral on social media. To ensure they always look picture-perfect, celebrities only visit stylists they trust. This can be difficult when their career takes them all over the world. To overcome this problem, many celebrities have started flying in their trusted stylists to ensure that they will always look their best, whether on the red carpet or during a quick trip to the market.
Not Confined to a Single Location
Looking good for the camera
Although some celebrities have always gone to great lengths to ensure they have the perfect look, the trend to fly in stylists is becoming more and more common even for those who have not yet achieved A-list status. Those who feel the need to always have perfect hair no longer have to chance getting a bad cut by an unfamiliar stylist when they are on location for filming, touring, doing press, or simply on holiday. For the stylists, this provides the opportunity to leave the confines of working in a single location and travel around the world, typically on the dime of their client.
Not Just Celebrities
Celebrities have the money, need, and opportunity to fly out their stylists to their location, whether around the country or the world. However, they are not the only ones taking advantage of this trend. According to a recent article on Allure.com, many of the rich and famous in Dubai, including the royalty, have started flying in specialty stylists from the top salons in Los Angeles to work for a few days in different salons around the city, such as Jet Set Salon and Belle Femme Salon. All expenses are paid for the stylists, including their flights, the accommodations, and even meals at many of the top restaurants in the city.
Using pictures as inspiration for the perfect look
During the few days these famous stylists are in residence, they are expected to work long hours, squeezing in as many appointments as possible. Clients will come from all over the city to take advantage of the opportunity to have their hair cut by one of the famous American stylists. The stylists work on many of the country’s celebrities, royals, and other elites. Sometimes, the stylists will even be invited to work with private clients in their own home.
Social Media and Style
The practice of flying in stylists demonstrates how important style is in the modern world, especially with the power of social media to create celebrities or to publicly shame. Celebrity gossip is now controlled by the masses, no longer controlled by a celebrity and his or her staff. According to Guardian writer Aleks Krotoski, … [T]he web works outside the consent of the business. The audience is in charge, armed with smartphone and a Wi-Fi connection.”
Anyone can become famous in today’s world thanks to social media
Whether it is the threat of the numerous negative comments that will be posted on social media after a bad picture goes viral or simply the desire to look great, style and beauty has more significance than in the past for the daily life of celebrities and the elite. Social media, especially sites like Instagram, also provides a medium for the people who wish to become famous to post photos and build a following. People around the globe can also learn about and follow the top stylists on social media, which inspires them to want to hire them for the perfect cut.
Although this trend may have begun by the rich and famous, the situation in Dubai demonstrates how it may just spread to people who may not fall under the category of celebrity. As long as you have enough money, you may just be able to see the top stylists in the world without leaving your home city.