To call Lady Gaga a beauty chameleon is an understatement. The Oscar winner and founder of beauty brand Haus Labs has too many iconic beauty looks to count at this point. Hair, for Gaga, is art. Structural styles, Old Hollywood glam updos and waves, and an array of fabulous hair colors - the musician has rocked it all. The person we need to thank for these unbelievable looks is celebrity hairstylist Frederic Aspiras, who has collaborated with Gaga for years, pulling inspiration from various eras, art movements, and his love for culture, music, fashion and art.
One of my favorite looks for Lady Gaga was for the 'A Star is Born' LA premiere, where her elegant and timeless old Hollywood waves were simply stunning. There's no better person to ask about how to take your hair to the next level than Aspiras. Read on to learn his best recommendations for nourishing lackluster ends, how to pick the right wig to transform your look, and the fool-proof hairstyle for when you can't decide what to wear but still want to look fierce.
Scalp care is hair care
You can't take care of your hair if you completely ignore your scalp. Aspiras recommends maintaining a balanced scalp to promote healthy hair growth with a shampoo and conditioner duo, like Sebastian's Penetraitt Shampoo ($20) and Conditioner ($20). This duo contains salicylic acid, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to help clear buildup on the scalp and keep your strands moisturized. Another pro tip: minimize heat styling when you can and use a heat protectant for the times you do reach for hot tools. This will help to keep hair conditioned under intense temperatures and limit hair from drying out and breaking. Also be sure to opt for low-tension styles, like loose buns or heatless curls, that won't put too much strain on the hair and cause breakage.
Wigs deserve regular washing
Remember to wash your wigs regularly, just as you would your natural hair. With lace wigs, wash off the glue after every use with alcohol (though you can use dry shampoo between washes to keep wigs looking fresh). Limit hot tools to help them last longer. In other words, stay on top of wig maintenance!
Choose wigs with grips for stability
Look for wigs with built-in grips or combs to secure them in place. Bonus tip: opt for wigs made with human hair and lace fronts to help them look as natural as possible.
Regular trims support health
To keep hair healthy and prevent breakage, get a trim every six to eight weeks. Regular trims promote healthy hair growth by minimizing breakage. Stick to a schedule to keep your hair looking and feeling its best.
Classic styles never fail
If you're in a pinch for a wedding or night out, a sleek, low bun is a mainstay on the red carpet for a reason. If you want to wear hair down, Old Hollywood glam and voluminous waves are timeless, chic, and suitable for any event. Major trends for fall include low ponytails, a sleek bob, and a slicked-back bun-an elegant blend of modernity and timelessness for everyday wear and special occasions.
Frequency of shampooing and silk as an accessory
It's OK to shampoo daily, a common hair myth Aspiras dispels. Whether to wash daily depends on hair type and lifestyle. Some may need daily washing (fine hair or oily scalps), while others with naturally curly or coily hair or drier scalps may benefit from washing every three to four days. Silk is your hair's best accessory: silk pillowcases, silk scrunchies, and silk hair bonnets reduce friction, minimize frizz, and prevent breakage for all hair types.
If these tips work for Gaga, then we are all for it.
Gaga’s platinum blonde and color maintenance
Lady Gaga’s platinum blonde is her signature, though she may experiment with color, such as a temporary periwinkle-blue. Patti Song, Gaga’s longtime colorist, keeps her hair healthy despite frequent bleaching and heat styling. Song noted that wigs are an excellent option to give the hair a break. For platinum maintenance, Song uses a virgin bleach method to coat the hair in bleach, starting toward the ends and moving up to the roots to prevent banding and uneven color. Touch-ups should occur every five weeks to keep lift even and roots from developing at different speeds. Tone is critical; the target should be a near-white shade, with avoidant beige or murky tones. The process should be efficient-ideally no longer than about 55 minutes in the salon.
Avoid washing or brushing hair a few days before a bleach appointment to reduce stimulation on the scalp. If you are preparing for platinum, talk to a colorist with extensive platinum experience and come prepared with the right questions, like how many times they have taken someone to platinum in one session and whether it was successful.
Color care products mentioned for platinum and color maintenance
To keep Gaga’s brunette or platinum strands fresh in A Star Is Born, Aspiras might shampoo and deep-condition daily and schedule weekly color touch-ups. Notable products include vegan and sulfate-free Celeb Luxury Viral Colorwash ($35) and Color Wow Brass Banned Correct and Perfect Mousse ($24), Olaplex No. 3 ($28) to relink broken bonds, and Joico Blonde Life Brightening Masque ($21) to curb color fade. These choices help maintain brightness between visits.
Elixirs and oils for shine
Aspiras carries a bag of essential oils for hair oils, including coconut oil, olive oil, and lavender essential oil. He mixes them into hair oils such as Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Oil ($38) to nourish strands.
In short, the combination of scalp care, careful color maintenance, and smart styling choices supports Gaga’s striking looks while keeping hair healthy and resilient.
Expert Tips for Maintaining White Blonde Platinum Hair: Tutorial and Product Recommendations
Audrey Noble, a beauty writer, notes Gaga’s ever-evolving style, while Frederic Aspiras continues to push the boundaries with techniques and tools. For those curious about platinum maintenance, there are additional guides and product recommendations that explore how to keep platinum-blonde hair healthy and vibrant.
Key products and tools referenced
- Sebastian Penetraitt Shampoo and Conditioner
- Wet Brushes
- Mason Pearson brushes
- amika The Antidote Silk Wrap Styler
- Joico Blonde Life Brightening Masque
- Celeb Luxury Viral Colorwash
- Color Wow Brass Banned Correct and Perfect Mousse
- Olaplex No. 3
- Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Oil
- Virgin bleach technique for platinum color
Other practical tips include using silk products to minimize damage, prioritizing low-tension hairstyles, and using wig maintenance practices to extend the life of wigs, especially lace fronts and human-hair options.