By Rita Skomrova – Fashion & Advertising Hairstylist, Barcelona
In productions, hair plays an important role in shaping mood, identity, and how an image is perceived. On set, hair interacts with styling, makeup, lighting, and camera work, becoming part of the visual story. A hairstylist’s role is not just creative but also practical – helping the team work efficiently and keeping the shoot on schedule.
Integrating Hair into the Creative Process
Understanding the broader context – the brand, the message, the tone, and the practical needs of the shoot – allows hairstyling to support the story without creating delays or conflicts. Early conversations with the team, or simply observing how a concept develops, help hairstyles complement wardrobe, makeup, and lighting while remaining practical and achievable on set.
Engaging hairstylists early, even briefly, can prevent last-minute changes and ensure visual continuity across the shoot.
Adapting on Set
Time constraints, multiple looks, wardrobe changes, and long shooting days all influence how hair performs. A skilled hairstylist balances creativity with practicality:
Maintain visual consistency across all frames
Adjust quickly as ideas or schedules change
Ensure clarity under different lighting and camera angles
Having a hairstylist who is flexible and responsive reduces the need for reshoots, helps keep the day on schedule, and ensures consistent visual quality.
Hair as a Production Tool
When approached with awareness of both the creative concept and production flow, hair becomes a stabilizing element. It can:
Support storytelling and reinforce the concept
Create cohesion across multiple frames and outfits
Complement the work of the entire team, reducing friction
A hairstylist who understands production realities contributes to smoother workflows, predictable outcomes, and less stress on set.
Reflection
Hairstyling on set is less about perfection and more about collaboration, observation, and adaptability. By integrating hair into the flow of a shoot and communicating effectively with the team, hair can enhance the story, support the creative vision, and help the production run efficiently.
Involving hairstyling in discussions, respecting its practical constraints, and allowing flexibility in execution improves the final result, saves time, and strengthens team coordination.