Clean, curated, and built like a machine. Here is what a Hollywood hairstylist really packs.
At our recent Women of Today beauty event, celebrity hairstylist Luly James opened up her personal hair kit and showed us the tools and products behind her red carpet and on set looks. Luly has styled hair for major film projects, including a movie with Charlize Theron, and her kit changes to fit each job. For everyday work it stays the same: clean, efficient, curated, and chic. She compared it to a finely tuned motorcycle, where every part has a purpose and nothing extra comes along for the ride. Guests saw how a professional hairstylist organizes everything she needs, from hot tools and brushes to styling products and clips, so she can create a unique look for every client.
What stood out most was how simple Luly keeps her system. Her kit is split into dedicated bags for hot tools, styling tools, and products, plus a few extras that make life on set easier. Her favorite brands include Cult+King, Milbon, Virtue Labs, Ibiza Hair, Hot Tools, Session Kit and YS Park. Whether you are a working stylist or just want to improve your at home hair routine, her approach to an organized, intuitive and functional kit is easy to borrow. Here is everything she showed us.
The Philosophy Behind the Kit
When we asked Luly what’s in her kit, she described it in a few words: organized, intuitive, accessible, seamless, functional, curated, easy and chic. Like a high performance motorcycle, every piece is chosen for a reason and works together with the rest.
In her own words: “This kit has had many different versions. If I have a long term job like a movie with Charlize Theron for example, this kit reflects the needs of such a project. Typically it looks like you see it here: clean, efficient, curated, and chic. Everything I need to create unique looks for each canvas I get to touch.”
Bag 1: Hot Tools
Luly keeps all her heat tools together in one bag so she can grab the right one fast.
- Curling irons and flat irons in various sizes and shapes
Bag 2: Styling Tools
This bag holds the basics she reaches for on every client.
- Scissors
- Combs
- Brushes
- Extension glues
- Elastics
- Pins
Bag 3: Products
Her product bag covers everything from prep to finish to repair.
- Empty water bottle (for misting and dampening hair)
- Dry shampoo
- Mousses
- Pomades
- Setting sprays
- Volumizers
- Root covers
- Creams
- Oils
- Healers
- Repairers
You don’t need a bag of everything to get professional results. Luly’s kit shows that a smaller, well organized collection of tools and products you actually use will take you further than a crowded vanity. Start by sorting what you own into hot tools, styling tools and products, keep only what earns its place, and build from there.
Enjoy!
