This episode was sponsored by Wella Professional and Covet Labs by Covet & Mane
Watching the Stranger Things finale in theaters was emotional for Head of Hair Design, Sarah Hindsgaul, even after knowing the ending for years. The experience was a mix of saying goodbye to a story that had been carefully built over time and to a body of work shaped by immense effort. Throughout the series, Hindsgaul’s approach remained consistent. The work was never about individual expression, but about serving the story and staying true to the characters already written on the page.
A Peek Into the Hair of Your Favorite Characters
Hindsgaul gives us a peek into some of the biggest hair moments of the Stranger Things series finale. Explore a few below, but tune into this episode to dive even deeper into the stories behind the hair.
Eleven’s hair journey in Season 5 reflects a balance of strength and vulnerability. Her early hair flyaways emphasize her humanity and physical effort, grounding her in her training against Vecna. Later, the slicked-back look subtly references her past, echoing control and intensity. And by the epilogue, her hair softens to a longer, freer, and more romantic angle, aiming for a touch of traditional beauty. It reflects a desire for femininity defined on her own terms.
Holly Wheeler’s look was built around contrast. As the show moves into darker, more surreal spaces, her hair remains polished and “done,” standing apart from the grit surrounding her. With visual nods to Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz, Holly carries a fairytale quality that becomes increasingly uneasy. Her clean appearance, placed next to Max Mayfield, creates tension of two opposing energies that feel mismatched, but are visually connected.
Robin’s transformation is quieter but just as intentional. Her earlier bob reflected her nervous energy and constant motion, while the epilogue introduces a softer, way more natural look. Longer hair, worn simply and air-dried, reflects her recently-discovered comfort level. She isn’t someone who spends much time on her appearance, but the shift signals growth in self-acceptance with her identity.
Karen and Nancy Wheeler came to Hindsgaul with the same visual reference photograph for the epilogue, underscoring that mother-daughter influence. Nancy steps into her authority, while Karen begins to reassess her own life and potential. Inspired by late ’80s and early ’90s styling, Karen’s and Nancy’s hair becomes more controlled and restrained, while Nancy has a little more movement and ease.
Steve “The Hair” Harrington’s hair arc mirrors the closing of his character’s journey. After years of carefully constructed volume and texture, Season 5 allows his look to loosen to be stringier, greasier, and less managed. By the epilogue, he returns to his cleaner, more grounded version of his earlier style, bringing his visual story full circle.
The Heart of it All
At the center of this decade-long story were the kids and teens, whose movement and growth carried the emotional weight of the series. Their hair played a part in telling that story, thanks to Hindsgaul. In her opinion, being able to sit with those final moments during the epilogue, rather than rushing past them, made the ending feel complete. As Stranger Things comes to a close and Hindsgaul Hair officially launches, the finale stands as both a conclusion and a transition. With one chapter ending, and another beginning.
Hindsgaul Hair is her new Scandinavian-inspired line, built for movement, clean ingredients, and the philosophy that you can always add, but you can’t take away. Taking into account what she learned works best for actors on set, Hindsgaul long awaited line officially launched last week. We dive into what products are included and the ingredients in the full episode.
If you are a Stranger Things fan or simply a fan of storytelling, Hindsgaul’s newest episode on Volume Up by The Tease is a must-listen.
