If we had to name the most famous (or coveted) head of hair on the planet, it’d probably be Jennifer Aniston‘s.
Not only was ‘The Rachel’ infamous after Jen‘s time on Friends, but her strands have only gone from strength to strength since then.
What you may not know, however, is that Jen’s hair isn’t always perfect polished; she experiences frizz and flyaways just like us mere mortals. In fact, the star recently took to Instagram to share a selfie of her “humidity” hair.
So what does it take to get that perfectly tousled ‘do? Her longtime friend and hair stylist Chris McMillan (AKA the man behind ‘The Rachel’ itself) spilled some of her secrets to Vogue and we were all ears…
Shampoo
Aniston switches between two shampoo options: the Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo ($54 from Oz Hair & Beauty) and the Drunk Elephant Cocomino Glossing Shampoo (not available in Australia). FYI, if you’re not a ‘rinse and repeat’ type of person, McMillan advises you try and become one ASAP. In his book, nothing beats a “really good” double cleanse.
Conditioner
“We don’t just condition the ends,” McMillan shared. “A lot of people worry it’ll make the hair flat, but it doesn’t! Would you moisturise just your jawline or forehead? No! You’re going to moisturise your entire face. Conditioner is moisturiser for your hair. You should be doing the same thing to your hair as you do for your skin.”
Jen’s favourite formulas? Either the conditioner counterpart to her Drunk Elephant shampoo go-to (AKA the Cocomino Marula Cream Conditioner; not available in Australia), or the Canale Soften Conditioner (not available in Australia). No matter which one, however, she works it through before rinsing with a wide-tooth comb.
Treatments
McMillan says Jen likes to make productive work of a hydrating hair mask session, usually opting to get her nails done and watch 60 Minutes while the treatment works its magic. Genius TBH. The word on the street is that she’s also partial to an in-salon keratin treatment to smooth frizz and boost shine.
She’s a big fan of a scalp scrub, too: “We do it once a month, beauty school style,” he says. Makes sense – build-up and glossy hair (which Jen most certainly has) aren’t often mates. His recommendation? The one from Drunk Elephant (which checks out, considering he helped create the hair line). FYI, the Drunk Elephant T.L.C Happi Scalp Scrub may not be available down under, but we also rate the Sukin Naturals Natural Balance Scalp Scrub ($20 from Priceline) and the GROW Longer Stronger Stimulating Scalp Scrub ($16.99 from Priceline) if you’re after options under $20.
Trims
“A big part of Jennifer’s beauty routine, whether it’s her hair, skin, or her body [is consistency]. She’s consistent about trims, she’s consistent about getting highlights, she’s consistent about facials. She takes care of herself. She gets her hair cut every four weeks, even if it’s just a baby trim.”
Styling
Jen is the queen of the undone, beachy curl, and that’s no accident. “She doesn’t like a manufactured curl,” McMillan confirmed. “It always looks like you can touch it, it’s not sprayed into place.”
What he does rely on, however, is a texturising pomade: Murray’s Original Pomade ($14.54 from Amazon Australia), to be exact.
“My hairstylist Chris McMillan drops off all kinds of products for me to test,” Jen told US Weekly in 2023.
“This is a new favourite,” she shared, referencing the frizz-smoothing Unite 7 Seconds Leave In Detangler ($35.50 from Oz Hair & Beauty).
“I can just let my hair air-dry, and it will eliminate any frizz,” she explained.
Main image credit: @jenniferaniston
What other celebs do you look to for hair inspo? What are your top hair care tips?
I love the Living Proof No Frizz range 🙂
I’ve always conditioned all of my hair. I have extremely thick hair.
I condition my hair and scalp and find this works best for me
Always a good idea to look after your hair – it’s always visible
I don’t mind using a conditioner to do my roots if it’s a very natural one that is made to do my roots as well. Otherwise I just use conditioner on my lengths and ends.
Thanks for the tips. I condition all over my hair and luckily have thick hair.
I don’t agree with the conditioner comment. I cannot stand oily roots.
I didn’t realise that Drunk Elephant had a hair care range.
Thats true also, plus she must have and army of hairstylists doing her hair.
Yep glam squad!!
Love Jenn!!! She always look stunning!!!
some great brands here
I suspect her consistency in looking after herself is an important part of how she looks – and that’s a good thing.
Pomade? I never thought of using that – something to check out.
I’ve never tried a pomade either!
I now use hair masks regularly: I usually brush them through the night before washing my hair or on a lazy day at home. I plait my hair to sleep, then shampoo out in the morning. I love Olaplex.
I double wash, but with my oily hair, I’d have to wash it every day if I didn’t, so it ends up saving me time.
I put conditioner just through my midlength & ends, then shower my body while it sits in my hair. I rinse the conditioner out last. That saves me a bit of time.
Totally agree, I would never think to get my hair trimmed every four weeks but I better it would be looking a ton better than it does now if I was that consistent with it
I love the name Drunk Elephant. I’d try it for the name alone.
Murray’s hair dressing pomade, would love to try it out. I often have flyaways because of baby hair and maybe that product would help.
some great product recommendations.
that is really frequent! I am not sure I could build that into my life.
do you do this everyday?
hehe it is very creative.
Jennifer Anniston has gorgeous hair , love these recommendations and I’m hoping for a Mecca gift card for Mothers Day so Drunk Elephant is on top of my list!
Same here!! It sounds like a fruit.
Some of these are just a tad expensive for me
Ok that makes sense.
After I do the first shampoo, my hair feels so coarse and almost like straw so I don’t imagine shampooing twice…
Oh no, not daily. I shampoo about every 3 days (4 with dry shampoo): I use a mask once a week.
I try to get away with washing only every 3 or 4 days. Depending whats happening in my life. Dont use a mask
It would be so nice to get a haircut or trim every four weeks! I love the feeling of freshly cut ends, but I’m lucky to make it to the hairdresser every 6 months.
Her hair is so nice. But I guess she’s probably not the one washing it so of course it would look great everyday if your hair stylist does all the work… I wish!
I haven’t heard of some of these brands
I really like leave in conditioner on my hair.
I’m oily, so I don’t think it would work for me. 🙁
Mine is as well. Unfortunately
Mostly it’s something they use at barber shops on guys. Makes me think of a 1950s quiff. But my hair is pretty dry so maybe it would work for me. Worth a try.
yes sounds interesting
I’ve always used conditioner throughout my hair and not just on the ends, but my hair is dry.
i do too and massage into my scalp
she does have great hair
Would love more hair but you got to be happy with what you are given.
She has gorgeous hair, consistency is key
Of course Jennifer has to make sure her hair looks great. It is her crowning glory to fame.
Love Jen.
Not a fan of Living Proof at all!
Her hair looks amazing, always did .
She is forever young and such a lovely smile
I condition shaft and ends. Never anywhere else or it ruins my hair. Each to their own.
I used to be quite loyal to hair care brands but now I like to try different brands and products to see what is out there to suit my hair.
The pomade sounds rather interesting
She does have great hair!
A nice pre shampoo or masque after shampooing is wonderful
I love Jen’s hair and everything she does makes sense.
I’ve heard of some of these brands but not all. I really should pay more attention to my hair.