Tastemakers and Trendsetters: Sean James

In Tastemakers and Trendsetters, we talk to inspirational leaders in the world of spa, beauty and wellness. This week we chat with Sean James, FHI Heat Artistic Director and celebrity hairstylist extraordinaire!

How long have you been working as a stylist and what inspired you to get into the industry?

I started my cosmetology license at Jon Le Court in Brisbane, Australia in 1986. I always wanted to be an artist, sculptor or photographer. I studied photography first, but needed to make money. I was 18 and had no support from my family. I had moved out and that was the last time I lived with family.

I wasn’t given any money by my parents and had to make it on my own, so I got a job shampooing hair. That led to an apprenticeship. I actually thought shampooing someone’s dirty head was so disgusting. I remember my stomach turning, but i soon got over it. I was paid after taxes, fees and holiday pay: $115 a week—no tips. I had a side job at the time as a superhero on a children’s TV show, but that’s a whole other story. I stuck with it.

Is there a signature technique that you are known for?

I’m so proud of many of the things that I’ve done over the years: trends I started and watched became popular, and looks that I created were followed.

I changed Matthew Perry’s hair to a choppy haircut and the world followed. I created the look for Dylan and Cole Sprouse and every boy at the time got the same cut, including a kid named Justin Bieber. I created the goofy bangs that Paris Hilton wore in the ‘90s. I’m in her book Confessions of an Heiress. I glued Swarovski crystals in Courtney Love’s hair. I wish I had patented that—it was then available in every beauty salon around the world! I colored it periwinkle, pink, and all kinds of dirty blonde.

I’m best known for Jamie Lee Curtis’ short grey cropped pixie that was inspired by Vidal Sassoon’s cut on Mia Farrow, but I just recently changed it to platinum and it was the most talked about hairstyle on the red carpet. I also colored it red and blonde for Freaky Friday.

I also did a few looks with Paris Hilton which were popular in the ‘90s, and of course Jaime Pressly’s most famous bob, bangs and color. As my agent says, I was big in the ‘90s and 2000s. Most recently, I’ve been working with Chris Hardwick and the cast of The Walking Dead on a show called Talking Dead.

I’ve been nominated three times for my work with Weird Al Yankovic. Christopher Guest is also a long-time client who sometimes brings me on set to work on the characters in some of his movies. And let’s not forget Eugene Levy on Schitt’s Creek. If you haven’t seen it, you are missing out! I also work with Phil Keoghan from The Amazing Race and his new show on National Geographic.

You’ve worked with many celebrities. Do you have a fun celebrity story that you can share with us?

Every day is awesome working with celebrities. It’s the most strange world you could imagine. My close interactions with them are so special, so I’m super protective when it comes to sharing anything about them. What I can say is that I’m so fortunate to work with the most wonderfully considerate and kind people.

I always have a blast working with Coleman Domingo from Fear of the Walking Dead. He’s got a great sense of humor. Robert Kirkman, the creator of The Walking Dead, has masterful stories and such a way of including you that you feel right at home with him. Norman Reedus is also cool and super personable.

I've only had one bad experience, and it was with an actress from Mad Men. I don’t like to talk negatively about people, so I’ll leave it at that.

What are some of your favorite products?

I have many. My first is the complete line by FHI Heat Stylus; my faves are "High Altitude" and "Stay Styled Spray.“ I also love my 1’’ platform flat iron by FHI Heat and my 2000 Platform Nano Dryer FHI Heat. You can use my discount “SEAN20” for a special deal on their site, or if you’re a professional, go into the professional section of the site for 30% off.

I love Mon Shampoing and their essential oil shampoos and conditioners. The perfumed styling mist has the most incredible scent. It’s a head-turner, in a good way! Kerastase is a staple, and my new 100th anniversary Wahl Cordless Clipper is my favorite all-time clipper. I just got the new Chrome Babyliss Shaver, and that is now a must-have at all times.

Who inspires you?

Vidal Sassoon, Vivienne Westwood, Oscar Cullinan, Matthew Preece, Stephen Moody, Kevin Murphy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Hardwick, Phil Keoghan, artists, architects, musicians, poets, my husband, and my dad .

Secret to success?

Write down your goals, dreams, and visions on a vision board. Be specific. Put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward.

Ask for help when you don’t know something. Don’t pretend you do, ask for help. If you are stuck in a rut of depression and you can’t get out, if you have a drug or alcohol problem, more medication is not the answer.

Take time for rest. Don’t spend your money on foolish trends.

Beauty Secrets?

I use La Mer every night with a mix of Nivea.

Wellness tip?

Exercise every day, no matter what. Keep doing it until you get what they call "Smart feet” That’s when you just get up, and all of a sudden you are thinking, “How did I get here?” and you realize your feet just took you for a walk or to the gym. Now if they are taking you to ice cream or fast food, then they still have some learning to do .

Think of what you eat as either fuel or poison. It’s up to you to be smarter than the 10-year-old living inside you asking far all the wrong things. You have to be a parent to your inner child and tell them “No.”

Best advice?

Set your clock 15 minutes ahead and live by that. I call it Jamie Lee Curtis time. She taught that to me when we first met and I am never late.

[Image courtesy of Sean James]

Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning digital content writer/editor. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram: @zillizy