We all know that social media has transformed the beauty industry in a million ways, making education accessible, new brands flourish, and artists cultivate careers far beyond where their feet are.
Celebrity hairstylist Jerrod Roberts, who has styled for Troye Sivan, Role Model, and Joaquin Phoenix, to name a few, knows firsthand about this whirlwind of a change through his 20 plus years in the industry. Though he believes social media is a crucial part of growth, he also believes that a strong dependency on it may lead to unintended consequences.
“I think we aesthetically have gotten into a place where everyone [has] started to look the same,” Roberts said. “Everyone has the same face. Everyone puts in the same extensions. It’s the same wave on everyone.”
Roberts doesn’t believe the issue is social media itself; it’s when everyone looks for inspiration in identical places. He affirms that social media, such as Instagram, is highly useful, connecting him with brands, clients, and opportunities that may have been logistically unreachable otherwise.
Simultaneously, he believes many artists have become unnecessarily reliant upon online content.
“I think we fall into a trap of thinking that we need to do what everybody else is doing to be relevant,” he said.
Roberts primarily aims to draw insight from physical media, such as fashion photography, magazines, films, and decades of beauty history. On the contrary, many stylists find inspiration through Instagram posts, which are used as the primary reference for photo shoots and editorial work.
“I cannot tell you how many times I’ve shown up on set for a photo shoot, and the reference images for the shoot are an Instagram image within the last year,” he said, which reinforces his concern that the industry is recycling the same ideas and lacking novelty.
The Value of Having a Point of View
Rather than chasing the endless pursuit of relevancy, Roberts instead encourages stylists to develop their own muses and sense of perspective.
“I think a point of view will always separate you from everybody else,” he said.
Within his own work, the biggest priority he cultivates is intentional creativity; he focuses on making his clients feel confident, while also ensuring their looks remain timeless for years to come.
“I don’t want somebody to look back at something I did ten years ago and be like, ‘That was so 2015,’” he said.
Through all of Roberts’ hair endeavors, he aims to perfect the fundamentals of styling to the best of his abilities.
Beyond the Algorithm
As Robert pondered what he would like to see more of in the industry, he did not point to a hair color or trend, but instead to the most timeless value of all: individuality.
“I want to see more people express themselves through their haircut and less uniformity,” he said.
As trends continue to cycle at a rapid pace, Roberts stands true to the belief that originality does not come from following the algorithm, but instead from cultivating a mindset that is uniquely one’s own.
Dive into the full conversation with Jared Roberts on Volume Up by The Tease to hear more about celebrity styling, finding your creative voice, and why having a point of view matters more than following trends.
