Hairstylist Garren, a figure celebrated for transforming the looks of numerous celebrities, has shared insights into some of his most notable celebrity transformations and voiced his current dissatisfaction with prevailing hair trends.
Garren, co-founder of R+Co, has been responsible for iconic hairstyles for stars such as Madonna, Victoria Beckham, and Kim Kardashian. He recalled styling Victoria Beckham's 2008 pixie cut, a pivotal moment for the celebrity as she transitioned into fashion design. "She [said], ‘I got to take the Posh out of me,'" Garren told Page Six Style, describing how he encouraged Beckham to embrace a shorter style. "I styled it, and [when] she was done she was like, ‘Oh my God, I look so good … I look so much younger, and I don’t look so stiff,” he added.
Beckham reportedly stayed in her hotel for nearly four days after the dramatic cut to debut the new look at a Marc Jacobs show. The stylist recounted Jennifer Lopez's reaction upon seeing Beckham, with Lopez remarking, "Garren did your hair."
Garren also spoke about transforming Kim Kardashian for magazine cover shoots, helping her embody figures like Elizabeth Taylor and Jackie Kennedy. His career began with a significant client from an earlier era: Farrah Fawcett. After he gave her a bob for a Studio 54 party in the 1970s, the style garnered newspaper attention, establishing a friendship between the two.
Now, decades into his career, Garren finds himself bored with current hair trends, which he feels have been "on one note" for the past decade. "I’m just so bored with it, so I started doing interviews and saying, ‘Please cut your hair. Whack it off, chop it — do something to it,” he stated.
In addition to his styling philosophy, Garren is addressing hair myths through his R+Co and R+Co Bleu hair care lines. He contends that the common advice to frequently switch shampoos and conditioners is unfounded if the products are of high quality.
He highlighted several R+Co products for specific hair needs: a smoothing product for curly hair that reduces blowout time, an all-purpose styling product that closes the cuticle and offers protection without weighing hair down, a spray designed for humid conditions that allows hair to retain its style, and a volumizing spray that creates separation and fullness when applied to upside-down hair.