Chris McMillan is a celebrated hairstylist and industry icon, widely recognized for shaping contemporary hair culture and creating some of Hollywood’s most memorable styles. With a career spanning over three decades, he has become the trusted stylist for leading actors, musicians, and cultural figures, known for his artistry, innovation, and signature effortless approach. In addition to his celebrity clientele, McMillan’s work has been featured on countless magazine covers and in editorial spreads worldwide, cementing his reputation as one of the most influential figures in beauty.
I still do the same little tricks I did back then. I remember watching people do hair, turning the head upside down, blow drying it completely dry with just their hands, then bringing it back up. With my mom, I’d use a curling iron and make sure her roots were smooth and dry with my fingers. A little tension was always the key.
The phones didn’t exactly start ringing off the hook, but Christian and his publicists loved the pictures, so they kept calling me back. I went on the True Romance tour with him, and that’s where I met Patricia Arquette. I did her hair and makeup, and when we were in Paris, I gave her a French bob that ended up on the cover of Le Monde. And then her manager just happened to have a new actress on a pilot called Friends. And that was Jennifer Aniston.
Jennifer came into the salon for a haircut. I didn’t know who she was or what a pilot even meant. She had bangs and lots of layers, so I cut everything to her bang length, brought her length up a few inches, and gave her a sleek blowout, kind of like Amber Valletta in a Tom Ford ad. The rest is history.
When I was using, my career was taking off. I was traveling, working on big campaigns, but inside I didn’t feel like I deserved the success. My self-esteem was low even though my work was strong. When I got sober, my career continued, but sobriety kept me grounded and kept my ego in check. You’re only as good as your last job. Sobriety is the most precious thing in my life. It keeps me humble.
I’ve been lucky to be around a lot of successful people, and I’ve learned a lot just by watching how they move through the world. The biggest lesson for me is that gossip is toxic. Every time I’ve fallen into it, it hasn’t ended well. I’m always better off staying away from it.
It started as a conversation, and a long-time relationship with Sephora (from Living Proof and Drunk Elephant) that turned into a contract. I’m so grateful. The hair space is overwhelming, even in my own salon. I wanted to simplify it and create products that feel approachable, that people actually know how to use without feeling lost.
It’s like creating a hand-beaded dress. It really is. I never landed on the first or second or even third sample. Each product went through more than 10 rounds, and the aerosols had over 30. There was a lot of trial and testing. Having the salon as my testing ground meant I could see how everything worked on all types of hair.
Sexy. Easy. Loose and natural. Chic.
The team that got me here. That’s what I’m most proud of. Building something with people I trust and believe in.
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