Behold, The Best Hairstylists To Follow on Instagram

As it turns out, the key to curating your Instagram feed to favor the best hair tips and tricks isn't by following celebrities—it's by following their stylists. From awards shows to red carpets, to royal weddings, to New York Fashion Week and beyond, celebrity stylists drive trends year-round—and the first place to spot those trends is often on their social media accounts.

Who, then, are the hairstylists to be following on IG? Our Byrdie editors scoured Instagram for the best hair stylists to follow and came up with 20 stylists whose posts are sure to keep you creative and inspired. From the colorist behind Kim Kardashian's most fabulous looks to Lupita N'yongo's legendary red carpet stylist, discover the 20 best hairstylists to follow on Instagram ahead.

Vernon François

Famous for his work on celebrities such as Lupita Nyong’o, Solange Knowles, Amandla Stenberg, Serena Williams, Iman, Willow Smith, Danai Gurira, Ava DuVernay, Mindy Kaling, Elaine Welteroth, Teyana Taylor, Janaya Khan, Cleo Wade, Melina Matsoukas, Chika and many more, Vernon François' work can be found on the pages of every major magazine. But you need to be following him first to get a behind-the-scenes looks at each show-stopping style. He is the mastermind behind almost all of Lupita Nyong'o's most memorable looks—including her ethereal updo for the 2022 Oscars. His page features expert styling across all hair types and textures.

Outside of the salon, François is the founder of his own haircare line, Vernon François Haircare, which is vegan, clean, and cruelty-free. He also serves as a Redken global consultant and natural haircare educator. As an added bonus, he posts educational videos to his Instagram feed that are super helpful for those with curls and coils.

Kim Kimble

With clients like Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, Oprah, Kerry Washington, Zendaya, Shakira, Mary J. Blige, and Rihanna, Kim Kimble is one of the biggest names in celebrity hairstyling. You'll recognize some of her most iconic looks—like Beyoncé's hair for her Lemonade visual album and the Coachella styles seen in the Homecoming documentary.

If her iconic celebrity styles and natural hair styling tips weren't reason enough to follow her, fans of Euphoria will love the behind-the-scenes shots found in her feed (Kimble is head of the HBO show's hair department). Kimble has also launched an eponymous haircare line that is both effective and affordable.

Chris Appleton

Celebrity hair artist, Global Creative Director for Color Wow, and model signed with IMG models—is there anything Chris Appleton can't do? Appleton's celebrity clientele includes Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Adele, Ariana Grande, Katy Perry, Drew Barrymore, and Dua Lipa. Known for big waves and intensely sleek updos and ponytails, Appleton is responsible for iconic looks such as the inimitable Ariana Grande ponytail and J.Lo's insanely voluminous 2020 Super Bowl hair. He's also well known for his signature "glass hair" look, which has been sought after by many.

Kendall Dorsey

Scrolling Kendall Dorsey's feed, you're likely to see some of the biggest names in music and entertainment—like Nicki Minaj, Saweetie, Solange Knowles, Lizzo, Cardi B, Yara Shahidi, and Alicia Keys to name a few. Dorsey has created some incredible hair masterpieces with wigs, including Nicki Minaj's Met Gala look from 2017 and Lizzo's debut album cover. Meanwhile, his Instagram feed shows his passion for protective styling and scalp health. This is definitely an account to follow if you're looking to embrace your natural curls or are looking for wig-styling tips.

Sky Kim

Sky Kim has over a decade of experience in creating couture runway hairstyles. A member of Byrdie's Beauty & Wellness Review Board, Kim's Instagram feed is filled with whimsical styles that have graced the runways of New York Fashion Week and red carpets. Following Kim is sure to give you the perfect inspiration for novel upgrades to simple styles like the chignon and gravity-defying editorial looks for super special occasions. It's easy to see why her celebrity clientele, including Jessica Darrow and Gigi Hadid, trust her with giving their hair the full glam treatment.

Justine Marjan

Justine Marjan's Instagram works double duty, showcasing both her prowess as a celebrity hairstylist and her own personal hair influencer career. Marjan has made a name for herself working with a large range of celebrities, including Ashley Graham, Dove Cameron, Khloé Kardashian, Tessa Thompson, Jasmine Sanders, Olivia Culpo, Kerry Washington, Hailey Bieber, and even North West (her iconic rainbow birthday braids), to name a few.

Her page includes a bevy of hair education and styling tips. Marjan's feed also contains several posts detailing hair extensions, which can be both informative and eye-opening to see just how much hair is needed to pull off certain celebrity styles.

Ursula Stephen

The stylist behind some of Rihanna's most iconic hairstyles, Ursula Stephen is someone you need to follow on IG ASAP. Scrolling her feed, you'll find a gorgeous mix of editorial and red-carpet looks for her countless entertainment and fashion clientele. Stephen's celebrity clients include Zendaya, Ciara, Naomie Harris, Bebe Rexha, Rita Ora, Mary J. Blige, and Laverne Cox.

Byrdie editors love the fun and whimsy found on Stephen's page and you will too. Featuring both behind-the-scenes looks at some of her celebrity shoots and educational videos from her salon in Brooklyn, this page has something for everyone.

Chris McMillan

This throwback post is necessary to show just how long Chris McMillan has served as Jennifer Aniston's trusted hairstylist. McMillan created the undeniably iconic "The Rachel" haircut popularized by Anniston on Friends. Since then, McMillan has made a name for himself in Hollywood by working with some of the biggest names, including an impressive roster of celebrity clients that includes Miley Cyrus, Courtney Cox, Michelle Williams, Nicole Kidman, Cameron Diaz, Elle Fanning, Taylor Swift, Anne Hathaway, Reese Witherspoon, Sandra Bullock, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Hayden Panettiere.

What Byrdie editors love about McMillan's feed is how many shots he posts of the haircuts he does. McMillan provides you with ample posts (and angles) to save and show to your stylist later.

Whitney Eaddy

Whitney Eaddy is a celebrity natural hair growth and haircare expert. Her Instagram is both educational and empowering, as Eaddy's posts seek to reverse the narrative society has created regarding Black women and afro hair. Scrolling her feed, it's easy to see why she has amassed a large following by inspiring women to embrace their natural hair texture and regrow hair that may have been damaged by treatments designed to conform Black hair to European beauty standards.

Eaddy frequently works with celebs like SZA to restore and repair their strands with her Juices & Botanics line of products. This account is a must-follow for anyone looking to regrow or repair their hair.

Jawara

Jawara Wauchope is one of the most in-demand hairstylists. Having lived in Jamaica, Brooklyn, and London, Wauchope's vast cultural experiences shape the museum-worthy hair looks he creates. He's worked with the biggest names in Hollywood—like Beyoncé, Solange, Rihanna, and Cardi B (just to name a few). He also serves as i-D's senior beauty editor at large, Farfetch's beauty global collective ambassador, and Dyson's global ambassador.

Adir Abergel

Adir Abergel prepped Reese Witherspoon’s hair for the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and Oscars, and is a master at everything from sleek, retro waves to the perfect braided crown à la Dianna Agron. Oh, and Kristen Stewart counts on him to style her cropped pixie—enough said.

Jen Atkin

Quite possibly the most influential hairstylist on Instagram, Jen Atkin rose to fame as the trusted hairstylist to the Kardashian family. Her list of celebrity clientele is expansive and contains big names like Chrissy Teigen, Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, Jessica Alba, and Hailey Bieber. Her trademark "undone" hairstyles help celebs attain that perfectly-imperfect tousled look. She was the artist behind Hailey Bieber's enviable sleek bridal chignon—a perfect example of the simple elegance Atkin has become famous for.

With over 4 million followers on Instagram, Jen Atkin's feed often contains highlights of her celebrity styles, as well as helpful styling how-to's. In addition to styling, Atkin has also made a name for herself in the hair and beauty space with her beloved hair and bodycare brand OUAI.

Harry Josh

If you enjoy seeing photos of beautiful models and actresses with really, really good hair on your Instagram feed, follow Harry Josh immediately. The hair legend consistently works with the likes of Gisele, Candice, and more (yes, only first names necessary). 

Anh Co Tran

A quick scroll through Anh Co Tran’s Instagram will explain why the mane master trademarked the term “lived-in hair”—no one does the tousled, beachy texture quite like him. If you’re looking for haircut inspiration, look no further than his Instagram, where gorgeous shots of his signature waves are interspersed with awe-inspiring before-and-afters, as well glimpses into his work with clients like Coco Rocha and Anne Hathaway.

Sam McKnight

Sam McKnight has had a legendary career spanning over four decades. He was the longtime stylist of the late Princess Diana and has collaborated with fashion houses such as Chanel. McKnight's contributions to the industry have been widely recognized, being honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Scottish Fashion Awards and Creative Head Awards. In 2017, the iconic hairstylist decided to share his expert styling tricks with the world by launching his haircare brand, Hair by Sam McKnight. 

Riawna Capri

You’d be hard-pressed to find any top hair list without Riawna Capri and her business partner Nikki Lee on it. Capri’s the co-founder of the celeb-favorite Nine Zero One salon in Los Angeles and counts everyone from Selena Gomez to Byrdie contributor Julianne Hough as clients. Also, she launched a beauty site, Beauty Coach, that’ll teach you everything you want to know about hair, makeup, and more.

Mark Townsend

Mark Townsend is perhaps best known as the man who took the Olsens’ textured waves to icon status. Today, he works with their younger sister, Elizabeth, as well as Dakota Johnson, and Kerry Washington.

Lacy Redway

Lacy Redway’s talent for textured and relaxed hair knows no bounds, having prepped the strands of everyone from Selma’s Carmen Ejogo to Zoë Kravitz. But her talents don’t stop there—she also frequently works with the well-tressed Olivia Palermo, and styles editorials for the international covers of magazines like Elle and Marie Claire.

Mara Roszak

If you’ve been admiring Emma Stone’s hair from afar, follow Mara Roszak to get up close and personal. She’s Stone’s go-to for red-carpet events, and also works with Zoe Saldana, Juno Temple, and Lily Collins, to name a few. The girl knows her way around a pair of scissors, trust us.

Ted Gibson

Ted Gibson is a jack-of-all-trades—and a master at all. The hairstylist not only runs his eponymous, in-demand salons, but also frequently leads the hair looks backstage during fashion week, styles clients like Lupita Nyong’o and Idina Menzel, and throws frequent hair seminars (and yes, you’ll see all of this on his Instagram).