Jen Atkin Tells Arielle Lorre Why Being ‘High-Maintenance’ Is the Secret to Effortless Hair

When it comes to beauty advice, there are two types of people: those who believe in doing the absolute most, and those who roll out of bed and hope for the best. But if you ask celebrity hairstylist and entrepreneur Jen Atkin, the hair hacks sweet spot is actually somewhere in between. On Well with Arielle Lorre, Atkin explains how investing a little more effort up front with the right tools and techniques can make your routine far easier in the long run.

Atkin has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood and built an empire of her own as the founder of OUAI and Mane, cofounder of Highlight Artists, an author, and global brand ambassador for BELLAMI Hair. But despite her impressive resume, she keeps her perspective lighthearted and accessible.

Why hair hacks matter

Everyone loves a shortcut that works, and for Atkin, hair hacks are about working smarter, not harder. She points out that modern styling tools are designed to give women more control over their hair with less time. “My hot round brush that we came out with at Mane is flying off the shelf because the purpose of it was to give you kind of the power of manipulating your hair and doing it quickly,” she says.

Instead of spending an hour every morning wrestling with hair that won’t cooperate, Atkin suggests strategic investments—like extensions or multi-use tools—that deliver lasting results without constant upkeep.

Extensions as the ultimate hair hack

One of the biggest misconceptions about extensions is that they’re only for celebrities or special occasions. Atkin explains that while clip-ins can be a great entry point, tape-ins often provide the most natural, easy-to-manage result. “They lay flatter. You don’t even feel like they’re on your head,” she says, adding that modern options are seamless enough to blend into everyday life.

Extensions are great for simplifying your routine, not just extending your mane. “It’s the ultimate ‘high maintenance to be low maintenance,’ which I love. Give me all the things that I only have to do once, and then I don’t have to think about it for months,” Atkin says.

Breaking free from hair myths

Of course, no conversation about hair would be complete without addressing the myths that keep people stuck in style ruts. One common belief is that face shape determines what kind of haircut you “should” have. Atkin pushes back on that idea and explains that hair should be about lifestyle, not rules. “I just wish that people would experiment more,” she muses. “I think everyone’s scared to. I think hairstylists, too. I feel like we need to be a little bit more aggressive and really encourage your client to try a different look.”

The real beauty of hair hacks

Atkin’s approach is about more than looking polished. She encourages women to see hair as a way to express themselves, without the pressure to do everything perfectly every morning. “If you’re scared or your hair is fried, you can put in [temporary] color and get the color that you really want without even touching your actual hair,” she says.

That kind of flexibility makes it clear why Atkin is one of the most trusted voices in beauty. 

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