We'll come out and say it: Sam McKnight (of Hair by Sam McKnight) is no ordinary hairstylist.
With a career spanning four decades, including countless magazine covers, runways and shoots, the stylist to the stars has created hair looks for everyone. You think we’re joking, but no, really: Madonna, Cate Blanchett, Gigi and Bella Hadid, Joan Smalls, Naomi Campbell, Winnie Harlow, Emilia Clarke and Priyanka Chopra-Jonas are just a *tiny* sprinkling of his celebrity clientele. Not to mention that Sam was also Princess Diana’s personal hair stylist for seven years... So he’s kind of hair care royalty.
Renowned for his signature ‘Cool Girl’ aesthetic (think: effortless, tousled tresses, made famous by Kate Moss), this famed entrepreneur has bottled all his expert know-how into his brand, Hair By Sam McKnight. Not only that, but his dedication to strong, healthy hair is clear to see, with the addition of microbiome-friendly formulas that care for your scalp and hair.
So, if you’re wondering how you can create the ‘Cool Girl’ look yourself at home, what Sam’s personal favourite product is or what hairstyle is trending in 2024, you’ve come to the right place. We were lucky enough to sit down with the superstar stylist himself to answer all of your burning questions.
Cult Beauty:You're renowned for creating hair looks that everyone wants. What hair look does everyone want in 2024?
Sam McKnight: There are a few looks that aren’t going to be disappearing anytime soon! The Cool Girl look is all about effortless texture and movement, with a lustrous finish. The Sleek and Snatched involves high-definition shine and glossy lengths to help achieve ‘glass hair’ and the Supermodel Volume delivers serious bounce and easily movable partings to enhance face-framing tendrils... Think: big blowouts and heatless waves.
CB: Which product(s) should a Cult Beauty customer start with from Hair by Sam McKnight?
SM: You can’t go wrong with a can of my Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mistor my multitasking Happy Endings Nourishing Balm.
CB: How can a Cult Beauty customer create your signature Cool Girl style?
SM: It depends on your natural hair texture. If you have straight hair, adding a little wave with a hair curler is a great place to start. Use a medium curling tong and wave hair in different directions for an effortless feel. Spray each section with the Modern Hairspray Multi-Task Styling Mist before heat styling for long lasting hold. Follow by spritzing the Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mist through lengths and into roots for texture and volume in seconds.
For wavy or fluffy textures, a couple of pumps of the Happy Endings Nourishing Balm will instantly define texture and tame flyaways. Then apply a few mists of the Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mist for that effortlessly undone finish.
Style curly and coily hair with Cool Curls Refresh & Revive Mist, which defines texture and protects from flyaways for 24 hours.
CB: Do you have a favourite product that you use the most?
SM: It would have to be my Modern Hairspray Multi-Task Styling Mist, I use it for so many things... from heat protection, to long lasting hold, to create texture or make sleek chignons or ponytails that then brush out with ease. It’s my desert island product and you can always find one in my back pocket when I’m on set or backstage.
CB:What was important to you to include when it came to creating Hair by Sam McKnight?
SM: I want to change the way we think and feel about hair, creating easy-to-use products that make an instant impact and enable anyone to get the most out of their hair.
CB: What's your biggest life lesson from your career?
SM: It’s not about you! It’s a collaboration between everyone on the job, whether it's a runway show, a campaign or an editorial shoot. And the same applies to all aspects of life — it’s always about the team and collaboration.
CB: How do you see the hair industry evolving in the future?
SM: It’s constantly evolving, and at an incredible speed too, with the instant nature of social media and viral trends. It will be interesting to see how AI grows within the industry...
CB: What's next for Hair by Sam McKnight?
SM: Oh, we have so much planned. I can’t give anything away yet, but I promise you will be the first to know!
THE NOW
Sam might be staying schtum on what’s to come at Hair by Sam McKnight, but he had plenty to tell us about his latest venture: microbiome scalp care.
CB: What is the scalp microbiome?
SM: Your scalp microbiome is like your gut microbiome. It’s a community of micro-organisms such as bacteria and fungi that can be found on your scalp.
CB: Why did you want to create microbiome-friendly hair care?
SM: The scalp microbiome is vital for keeping your scalp and hair healthy. If the balance of microorganisms gets disrupted, and one type of bacteria overpowers the rest, your microbiome and hair health can be compromised. It can lead to sensitivity as well as inhibit healthy hair growth, leading to brittle, weak strands.
CB: Why did you choose Swedish company KIND TO BIOME for their mark of approval?
SM: It’s world renowned as the gold standard — it was the clear choice.
CB: What did the testing process involve?
SM: The products are tested by Kind to Biome in vitro in four phases to check a product’s impact on the skin’s natural microflora, the influence on the skin’s pathogenic microflora and the influence on the skin’s microbial biodiversity.
CB: Will the whole Hair by Sam McKnight collection become microbiome-friendly?
SM: Microbiome friendly is key for products that are applied to your scalp. We will always endeavour to create microbiome friendly cleansers as we know the importance of a healthy scalp for your hair.
So, there you have it: you’re now ready to turn heads with the latest and greatest hair care knowledge on the market. Now excuse us, we’re just off to create the ‘Cool Girl’ look...
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