TASWM: Marty Harper

Soft Services

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It’s “Hollywood’s biggest night.”

While the celebs are walking the red carpet and collecting their awards, we’ll be watching—adoring, and likely critiquing—from our couches at home. As beauty obsessives, we have a profound interest in the behind-the-scenes heroes responsible for bringing all the magic to life. One of them? Marty Harper: Soft Services customer and trusted hairstylist of the likes of Halsey, Michelle Yeoh, Camila Cabello, and more.

Keep reading for how he prioritizes self-care during the frenzy of awards season and some insider industry tips.

My name is Marty Harper and I’m a hair stylist based across NY and Los Angeles. I've been working in beauty for 25 years and was raised by 3 generations of beauty insiders.

Though hair has been my focus professionally for over two decades, I started my career in makeup and have always had a love for skin. Hair was where I found my comfort growing up, though I have learned hair and skin live in immense tandem with one another. You really have to take care of both of them in the same respects: nutrients, hydration and care.

I remember one French hairstylist I used to assist loved to use body lotions in hair which confused me at first, but he said it's a better way to hydrate the hair and add a bit of weight. Plus if they sweat and the product gets onto their skin, you know it isn’t going to be irritated.

From that day onward, I've used lotion in my hair (Kiehl’s Creme de Corps is my go-to for this).

The last few years, I've been in an intentional conversation with my body. I have been focused on bringing my weight down and increasing mobility and flexibility.

During awards season especially, I never truly know what I'm walking into as schedules shift and I'm working with multiple clients.

On Oscars day, I tend to start early with clients that are attending the ceremony, and then work with clients that are attending the Vanity Fair party and other functions afterwards.

It's a fast moving day and I really rely on my team to help create a seamless experience for everyone involved.

I usually get in a good workout at Dogpound in the morning just to get the endorphins pumping and to get into my body.

I prioritize eating whole foods and supplementing my diet with nutrients and vitamins (Thorne, Broc Shot). During awards season, I typically add Arrae Calm and Cymbiotika Golden Mind to my routine. I feel like these two give me superpowers and ease while working.

In my journey of weight loss I'm constantly working on increasing my skin’s elasticity. I go really hard with layering hydrating properties and find myself reaching for several winners.

Kosas
$22

Osea
$32

Soft Services
$26

Soft Services
$30

Nécessaire
$58

Soft Services
$40

True Botanicals
$52

Kate McLeod
$38

I begin my process by focusing on making sure the skin is cleansed.

Kosas’ Good Body Skin AHA is a favorite but I also love

Osea’s Undaria Algae Body Wash. Post-shower, I have found that the

Soft Services Clearing Mist has been the most tremendous for regulating breakouts, especially with a highly active lifestyle. I use this approximately 3 times a week. I alternate using

Soft Services’ Smoothing Solution and

Necessaire’s Body Vitamin C on days I’m not using Clearing Mist. I like to alternate these three as I feel they work well in harmony with one another. My daily must for moisture is

Soft Services’ Carea Cream—this milky permeating creme is an immense foundation for skin. I remember my first time feeling the texture and was a bit skeptical, but the way this gets deep into the skin is beyond. It is the product I reach for every season. I love to layer either a heavier cream or an oil over it. I gravitate towards the

True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil or

Kate McLeod Recovery Stone (her line is so magical) for this.

My biggest way to unwind is going on a hike with my pup. We spend a lot of time giving away energy to others, so it’s important to harvest and hone in on self. I just try to take a beat to gather myself… that's if I'm not needing to jaunt off to the next location. I have clients during this awards season, then have to catch the red eye for a campaign in NY the following day, and then to Paris for the shows… so I will be taking moments of pause in the lounge.

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^BONUS: As a hairstylist, do you have any tips or best practices you tell clients to prevent body acne from styling products?

MARTY:

—I really encourage my clients to find products with good ingredients and remind them that keeping the skin and hair washed and clean are important to sustaining the body and having great hair health.
—If you’re using a lot of styling products, don’t let them overly build up in your hair.
—Change your pillowcases twice a week. Try to find a pillowcase with the safest fibers (silk and satin).
—Get a Jolie shower head. Make sure your drinking water is filtered.

These are the easiest ways to keep life looking good.

Follow Marty on IG to see who he styles tonight.