My hair has been pretty much the same my whole life. I’ve never even colored it. It’s super straight and fine, but there’s a lot of it, which means bad things can happen. When I was younger, it was always tangled, probably because I was always moving around and getting rambunctious. My mom and I would get into these hair wars; that’s what we’d call it. I’d have these crazy little knots and she’d spray them with detangler to try and brush them out. I remember the bottle having little sea creatures on it.
Her hair was the opposite, really thick and curly. I wanted what she had, and she wanted what I had. She had been into the Beatles and would iron her hair straight, but I thought her curls were always so chic and cool. One time, when I was about 14, I tried to give myself layers. My dad had haircutting scissors—he cuts his own hair—and I went into the bathroom, took the scissors, and just went for it. It was bad. So bad.
Soon after that, I started modeling, which was how I learned to care for my hair. I’d watch the experts and pick up things. I’m really good with makeup now, but styling my own hair? It’s been a journey. I can’t see the back of my own head! I don’t know what I’m doing! I recently gave my best friend a bob. After the first chop, I was like, “Oh my God, what have I done?” But luckily she wasn’t in front of a mirror, so I just kept going and it looked really good in the end.
And there’s always wigs if things don’t work out. One of the hairstylists I work with, Jennifer Yepez, gave me the best advice: Take care of what you’ve got and use wigs when you need to experiment and get that urge to do something different. I wear them all the time and people don’t realize it. I wore one to the Tony Awards this spring. Every time I do it, people are like, “Oh my God, you cut your hair!” I’m like, “Nope.”
But I still have this deep want—need—to go crazy and get the teenage years out at some point, since I never got to dye my hair green or anything. And I’m always up for a dare. Well, I would be if I didn’t have a hair contract with Kérastase! So, it’s going to look like this for a while.
Shop Emily's Favorite Products
“This serum makes your hair grow, and it really works. It doesn’t make your hair greasy, so you can use it in the morning and it’s not like you put a bunch of oil on your scalp.”
“This exfoliates without drying you out, which I really like.”
“I don’t let my face get sun. I’ll wear a hat, and I tend to use this foundation, which has SPF in it.”
“Some days I put a little hairspray on an eyebrow brush and just brush my brows up. But if I pencil them in, I use this. It’s also great for drawing on faux freckles. If you’re not going in the sun, how else are you going to get them?”
This story appears in the November 2019 issue of Marie Claire
subscribe here (opens in new tab)
RELATED STORY
-
What You Need to Know About Paid Leave Before the MidtermsEarlier this year, a rare opportunity to finally fill the holes in our care infrastructure wasn't taken. But the leader of the new Paid Leave for All PAC is here to tell you it’s not over.
-
Easy Halloween Eye Makeup Ideas That Don’t Require a Costume
From spooky vampire tutorials to the classic cat whiskers.
-
Fall Jackets and Coats for Women in 2022
A comprehensive guide to autumn's outerwear trends.
-
35 Easy Halloween Makeup Ideas for 2022
From spooky vampire tutorials to the classic cat whiskers.
-
The 14 Best Korean Sunscreens in 2022
Once again, K-beauty knows best.
-
The 35 Best Shampoos and Conditioners, According to Marie Claire Editors
Curly hair, fine hair, textured hair—we've got you covered.
-
The 7 Best Drugstore Bronzers Under $20
You'll look you've just returned from Ibiza.
-
The 15 Best Cream Blushes for a Natural Flush
RMS, Rare Beauty, and Tower28 top our list.
-
Castor Oil for Hair: The Pros and Cons, According to Experts
Let's talk using castor oil in your hair—the good, the bad, and the greasy.
-
The 13 Best Waterproof Mascaras of 2022
Feel free to let the tears flow.
-
The 11 Best Collagen Powders in 2022
The fountain of youth in powder form, if you will.
