Jen Atkin on Consistency, Confidence, and the Routine That Keeps It All Together

Jen Atkin is, simply put, a wearer of many hats. Among other things, she’s a celebrity hairstylist, the founder of haircare brands Ouai and Mane, an ambassador for hair extension brand Bellami, and a mom to two young kids. But how does she make it all work? It’s in part due to sticking to her very thought-out schedule. “I’m still kind of living in a Covid schedule, I guess,” says Atkin. “I’m very routined and regimented.” But it’s also thanks to her immense ability to hustle: She started her career working at renowned celebrity stylist Chris McMillan’s salon, which is where she met jewelry designer Lorraine Schwartz and what eventually led her to the Kardashians. “I got asked to go and do a blowout at [Lorraine’s] hotel,” says Atkin. “And that’s how I met Kim. It was in her suite one Oscar weekend.” Working with the Kardashians was one of the biggest career-changing moments for her, and it’s just gotten better from there.

It wasn’t just luck and good timing: Over the years Atkin has put in serious work to become a household name in the beauty industry. It takes an unwavering work ethic and vision to build and launch two brands, but also immense patience. “It’s really fun when something works,” says Atkin. “Right now Ouai’s having a moment with our Bond Repair Balm. But there are a lot of times that it doesn’t work—you think something’s going to be a hit, and it’s not. So you just have to stay consistent no matter what.”

In the latest installment of Doing the Work, Glamour chatted with the founder, stylist, and Bellami ambassador to discuss the importance of confidence while building a business, what hair trends are exciting her right now, how moving to the Pacific Northwest has changed her perspective on work and parenting, and more.

Glamour: What does your typical morning routine look like?

I get the dogs out, I get the kids dressed—we’re at the point where I throw the kids’ clothes over the railing and they can dress themselves. Go get coffee, drop the kids off. My husband and I take turns. I try to do a workout and then I’m in my chair ready to Zoom, usually by around 10 a.m. We’re a well oiled machine. The kids do the same thing every day and I kind of love it.

What are some trends in the hair space that are exciting you lately?

I feel like everyone’s talking about this big wave of K-beauty coming, and it’s all skin care–oriented. So really caring for your scalp and really treating your hair like you do your skin. I think people care more about ingredients and long-term results. And I also think, instead of just having random products, everyone now is learning the best routine for them and for their health, which is exciting to see. I think extensions kind of fit into that conversation too. I might be a little biased, but my For You Page was blowing up with the Bellami Halo event, and I feel like it fits right into that streamlined routine that people are having because [the extensions are] just so easy to use and don’t feel complicated.

The POV around makeup and skin care right now feels very low-maintenance and “you, but better.” What does that look like in the hair space?

People seem to be working with their natural texture a bit more, which is interesting. And clients have complained, as they get older, about losing hair, which makes you feel totally different. I’m really grateful that there’s scalp care, and thank God for TikTok and all the information that we’re sharing. But that’s another reason why I think the Bellami Halo is so amazing, because when you’re feeling insecure and you need that fullness and movement that you’re missing really quickly, it really is such a great no-commitment and non-damaging addition to your hair. It helps you feel confident, and your hair is such a big part of your identity. With extensions, it’s not about only doing dramatic length or dramatic updos with it—it’s really about just feeling good and feeling like yourself.