The Expert Edit features interviews with specialists about the products they swear by in their chosen field. For this installment, we spoke with Jen Atkin — the entrepreneur, celebrity hairstylist, and author who has worked with stars like the Kardashians, Hailey Bieber, and Jennifer Lopez, and the founder of the haircare brands Mane and OUAI and the blog Mane Addicts.She shares her top makeup and hair recommendations ahead.
With OUAI [1], Mane Addicts, and now Mane, hair stylist Jen Atkin [2] is proving to be one of the beauty industry's most prolific entrepreneurs. Hailed by "The New York Times [3]" as "the most influential hair stylist in the world," Atkin is the genius behind the coif of A-list celebrities like the Kardashian/Jenners, Hailey Bieber, and Jennifer Lopez. Today, she's channeling that same mix of hair expertise and business savvy into building brands that feel as iconic as the looks she creates.
Her latest launch Mane [4] was born in the middle of the pandemic, when Atkin was craving a little joy. "I was sick of being scared and sad," she says. "I was buying vintage Barbies, tapping into that happiness from before you had bills to pay, that innocence and rawness of youth." That sensibility now drives everything from her fragrance choices to her packaging, including a new hand-drawn logo designed by her 13-year-old goddaughter, who serves as the brand's "Chief Doodle Officer."
Though her days of being behind the chair full-time are fewer, Atkin is still deeply tapped into beauty culture — testing products on herself, sharing them with her famous inner circle, and swapping favorites with friends like makeup artist and founder of m.ph [5], Mary Phillips [6] and Rhode [7] founder Hailey Bieber [8]. "We all try each other's testers...we get to all really be a part of the hard work that goes into it."
From hair oils that double as pool-day protection to a lip tint she won't leave home without, Atkin's product bag is filled with must-have beauty staples. Below, she shares the eight products she can't live without.
Jen Atkin’s Everyday Lip Essential
Rhode Lemontini Peptide Lip Tint [9] ($20)
Atkin doesn't carry much makeup day-to-day, but she always makes room for this cult-favorite lip tint [10] from Rhode. "I really just have the Lemontini peptide lip tint in my bag at all times," she says. The hydrating formula doubles as a shimmery sheer color and a lip treatment, which makes it perfect for everyday.
Jen Atkin’s Go-To Hair Styling Tool
Mane It's Giving Body Large Hot Thermal Round Brush [11] ($118)
Atkin swears by her brand's hot thermal round brush for smoothing, shine, and long-lasting styles. "Our hot round brush was something that all of my clients and friends were going nuts over," she says. "A year and a half later, we sell one every eight minutes. . . Nothing is going to work like ceramic heat to really manipulate the hair, make it smooth, and make it last throughout, like different types of weather."
Jen Atkin’s Ride-or-Die Dry Shampoo
OUAI Super Dry Invisible Dry Shampoo [12] ($30)
Dry shampoo isn't just for greasy roots, according to Atkin. She uses it as a preventative step to extend styles and protect against sweat or humidity. "I always use dry shampoo no matter what, even if your hair is not greasy or oily," she explains. "It always just helps to make sure if you're dancing or if you're gonna go to a workout, your hair is gonna stay clean...it kind of gets ahead of the problem."
Jen Atkin’s Favorite Drugstore Find
Paul Mitchell Stay Strong Hairspray [13] ($25)
One drugstore favorite Atkin loves is Paul Mitchell's Stay Strong hairspray, a go-to for both her celebrity clients and her own day-to-day use.
Jen Atkin’s Must-Have Hair Oil
Mane Shiny Dancer Hydrating Hair Oil [14] ($32)
For pool days, slicked-back buns, or just everyday shine, Atkin relies on her brand's hero oil. "Our hair oil is really great for slicking your hair and protecting it like from the heat," she explains. It's her secret weapon for hair that looks polished while staying healthy.
Jen Atkin’s Favorite Contour Palette
m.ph by Mary Phillips Underpainting Face Highlight and Contour Palette [15] ($64)
As Hailey Bieber's go-to makeup artist and Atkin's close friend, Mary Phillips has long been the one showing her the magic of underpainting. Atkin has been using Phillips's technique, and her underpainting face highlight and contour palette for years, and now she's thrilled that it's finally coming to Sephora. "I've been using it for three years. She's been teaching me her techniques...now get to take it on the road with me!"
Jen Atkin’s Secret for Going From Day to Night
Mane Dry Texture & Hair Volume Spray [16] ($26)
When she needs instant volume or body, Atkin says nothing works quite like her brand's dry texture & hair volume spray. "Our dry texturizer from Mane is really amazing for adding quick volume and body," she says. "It's perfect for going from daytime to night."
Olivia Tauber [17] is a freelance writer based in New York, pursuing her Master's in Journalism at NYU. She's the contributing assistant beauty editor at PopSugar and contributor to New York Magazine's The Cut, Interview, Bustle, SELF, and HuffPost. Her career began in corporate publicity at Showtime, followed by production for "The Pivot," an Emmy-nominated series.