Welcome to Take the Edge Off, a series that breaks down the beauty and self-care routines of influencers, CEOs, experts, and celebrities. Find out how they unwind and decompress while taking a closer look at the holy-grail essentials they’re currently raving about.
For celebrity hairstylist and colorist Jenna Perry, manifesting a successful career in beauty was always in the cards.
“I pretty much knew as a kid what I wanted to do, which was a blessing,” the expert tells Bazaar. “And so straight after high school, I moved to New York [from Rhode Island] and went to hair school. I’ve been here since 2005 doing hair, and about 10 years ago I started focusing on hair color.” Before shifting to color exclusively, Perry worked a number of odd jobs in the industry, like working as a stylist at a local salon, crafting hair looks for editorial shoots, and hairstyling for weddings. “I kind of just like dipped my toe in every aspect of hair,” she says.
Nowadays, the in-demand colorist counts stars like Chloë Sevigny, Suki Waterhouse, Kendall Jenner, and Bella Hadid as regular clients out of her namesake SoHo and East Village salons. “My career really just took off through social media and word of mouth,” Perry says. “And that’s how I developed this high-profile clientele.”
Ahead, we take a closer look at Perry’s short list of nonnegotiable product favorites and learn her pro tips for destressing as a busy entrepreneur. Keep reading for more of the methods and go-to essentials the hair expert regularly uses to take the edge off.
What are you reading or listening to these days?
Right now, I’m reading this psychology book that someone very, very successful told me about. It’s about neurolinguistic programming, which is basically about how you communicate with others. I just started it since I just got back from London. It’s the first physical book I’m reading, since it’s not a book on tape, which I usually fly through. But it’s this book on your thoughts and how those, your communication, and behaviors are all connected. So that’s nerdy. I’m not that far in yet, but I’m pretty hooked on it.
And then for listening, I love all the beauty podcasts. I’m also into World’s Your Oysta with Paula Sanders. She interviews all these boss ladies that I know, so it’s been really fun to listen to my friends’ stories. That’s always entertaining. Music-wise, I’m a big Lana Del Ray fan and also listen to a lot of hip-hop. I am pretty well-versed when it comes to music. I also love NTS Radio, an app that helps you discover new music, which is great for my salon.
With Paula Sanders
Lust for Life
What are some of your go-to bath or shower products?
I love using all different kinds of shampoos. I get a lot of stuff sent to me. I’m not a huge hair washer because mine is thick, and I can take it a little too far sometimes, so I love the Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo. Dianna Cohen’s Crown Affair the Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner—I just used it and it’s incredible. My boyfriend actually complimented my hair and said it looked good when it was air-drying. For other stuff, I’m pretty simple. I really, really love Agent Nateur’s Holi (Cleanse) Cleansing Face Oil Makeup Remover. I double-cleanse, so Sofie Pavitt also gave me her Clean Clean Cleanser to try, which is great.
Agent Nateur Agent Nateur Holi (Cleanse) Cleansing Face Oil Makeup Remover
Sofie Pavitt Face Clean Clean Cleanser
What beauty or self-care products do you use on a regular basis to help combat Zoom fatigue?
Of course, when you’re on Zoom calls, it’s important to drink a lot of water. I also like to be in a sunny area when I’m on a call and to use a face mist and lip balm [to keep my skin hydrated]. I love Augustinus Bader’s the Lip Balm, which is nice to wear when you’re talking a lot.
Augustinus Bader The Lip Balm
Do you have a favorite hand sanitizer, soap, or cream right now?
I’m a huge hand-soap snob, and everyone who knows me knows it. I don’t skimp out on hand soap. Maybe it’s because I use my hands for work and they’re probably the most important thing, so I like to treat them well. So when it comes to hand soap, the more expensive it is, the better. I’d say brands like Byredo and Diptyque; we have Loewe hand soap at the salon right now. I also carry Chanel’s La Crème Main in my bag everywhere—one in my travel bag, one in my work bag; it’s my favorite. The Sidia Hand Serum is another product I use all the time that I just got put onto recently.
Are you into bold makeup, no makeup, or no-makeup makeup right now?
I feel like I need makeup to correct redness in my skin, but I don’t like to use a lot of makeup. I think the no-makeup makeup look is the best, but I’m a big red-lipstick girl. I’ve been wearing Lady Danger by M.A.C Cosmetics for nearly 17 years. I just use tinted moisturizer, a little bit of blush, red lips, eyeliner, and mascara. I love the Byredo Eyeliner in brown if I’m going for liquid, but I also just got the L’Oréal Paris Infallible eyeliner pencil at the drugstore because I was in need, and it’s really nice.
M.A.C. Cosmetics M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Lady Danger
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner Pencil in Brown Denim
What was the last beauty product you put on today?
The last beauty product I put on today was the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Gel. It’s really good. I’m going for the no-makeup look today.
Do you ever light candles or incense to decompress?
Yes, I love candles and incense so much. Every morning, I burn Palo Santo. I’m a big sage-my-apartment-every-few-days girl. I love this incense called Sacred Ash from this jewelry company Alighieri. I got it in a gift bag one time, and I’m obsessed with it. It just has a very grounding scent. My favorite candle is Le Labo’s Santal 26, and I can’t get enough. And of course Loewe’s Tomato Leaves candle.
Le Labo Santal 26 Classic Candle
What’s the last fitness class you streamed or attended in person?
I did a quick Melissa Wood Health mat Pilates class when I was away in London.
What’s one piece of self-care advice you’d give our readers?
I would say try to wake up early and have some alone time for yourself. I like to wake up and have an hour where I’m not talking to anyone; it’s just me in my thoughts. I feel like a lot of us give our energy to so many things and people, so it’s kind of important to be grounded for an hour in the morning.
