Role
Hair Stylist
A film Hair Stylist creates and maintains approved hairstyles for performers, including cutting, setting, dressing, texture work, period styling, facial hair support, wigs or pieces within their scope, and continuity. They protect hair health, sanitation, performer comfort, and camera readiness through every take.
Production styling must be repeatable out of shooting order and durable through costume changes, movement, weather, hats, stunts, and long days.
The artist must work competently across relevant hair textures and avoid services outside their license, training, or production authorization.
Responsibilities
- Prepare and style assigned performers according to approved designs.
- Maintain exact continuity of shape, texture, part, pins, pieces, and movement.
- Perform set checks, touch-ups, resets, and changes efficiently.
- Record products, formulas, tools, timing, and continuity photographs.
- Clean and disinfect tools and protect performer hair, scalp, privacy, and comfort.
Tools
- Cutting, combing, setting, thermal, and texture tools
- Professional hair products and sanitation supplies
- Wigs, pieces, pins, nets, and adhesives within scope
- Continuity camera, charts, and set touch-up kit
Documents
- Hair continuity photos
- Product and formula notes
- Wig or piece log
- Daily cast schedule
Skills
- Hair styling
- Texture knowledge
- Continuity
- Sanitation
- Performer communication
- Fast set maintenance
Career path
- Stylists combine professional education and licensing where required with salon, theater, editorial, wig, and supervised production experience.
Work environment
- Work involves early calls, close performer contact, heated tools, products, set touch-ups, travel, and changing weather.
Pre-production responsibilities
- Support tests, fittings, product checks, wig preparation, and continuity documentation.
Production responsibilities
- Style, maintain, reset, document, and wrap assigned looks.
Post-production responsibilities
- Clean and inventory tools and preserve pickup continuity and formulas.
Common questions
Can a production Hair Stylist cut or color an actor’s hair?
Only with performer and production approval and the training and license required by the jurisdiction.
What does a Hair Stylist do day to day?
Day to day, Hair Stylist work commonly includes Prepare and style assigned performers according to approved designs., Maintain exact continuity of shape, texture, part, pins, pieces, and movement., and Perform set checks, touch-ups, resets, and changes efficiently.. The exact balance changes with the production schedule, crew size, and the point at which the role joins the project.
What skills matter most for a Hair Stylist?
The most useful skills are Hair styling, Texture knowledge, Continuity, Sanitation, and Performer communication. Together, they help the role make dependable decisions, communicate a clear handoff, and respond to notes or changing conditions.
Which tools and documents does a Hair Stylist use?
Common tools include Cutting, combing, setting, thermal, and texture tools, Professional hair products and sanitation supplies, Wigs, pieces, pins, nets, and adhesives within scope, and Continuity camera, charts, and set touch-up kit. The role also relies on Hair continuity photos, Product and formula notes, Wig or piece log, and Daily cast schedule so decisions, approvals, continuity, and delivery requirements remain traceable.
How does someone build experience for a Hair Stylist?
Stylists combine professional education and licensing where required with salon, theater, editorial, wig, and supervised production experience.
How does a Hair Stylist vary by production?
The scope changes with format, budget, location, crew structure, and the production's technical method. Work involves early calls, close performer contact, heated tools, products, set touch-ups, travel, and changing weather.
Union and local practice notes
- Hair services commonly require jurisdiction-specific professional licensing in addition to any union requirements.
Related entries
Sources
- Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild craft overview — IATSE Local 706
- Motion picture industry craft groups — Contract Services
- Costume Designer definitions and duties — Costume Designers Guild, IATSE Local 892