Getting to Know the Glam Squad: Hairstylist Jenny Cho

Find out about the women behind Jennifer Lawrence and Amanda Seyfried's stunning looks

By Cinya Burton Apr 08, 2014 7:00 PMTags
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You have definitely seen Jenny Cho's work. Why are we confident in this fact? Because she creates ‘dos for the biggest names in Hollywood like Amanda Seyfried, Carey Mulligan and Claire Danes.Plus, she is also the mastermind behind all of those amazing creations we've seen on Jennifer Lawrence in the last year or so.

But that's just her recent resume. Jenny had been taming tresses for quite some time before she became a top celebrity hairstylist. Here's what she had to share about her journey:

How long have you been a hairstylist?
I've been a stylist for 21 years. 

Where did you get your start?
I started my career at the Vidal Sassoon Academy as an instructor in Los Angeles and then moved to New York to continue my career as a hairstylist. Sassoon taught me everything I know about the art of hair cutting. They had many incredible mentors who I am so thankful for. But while living in NYC, I was exposed to a whole new world of fashion and editorial hair styling. A world I had not yet been familiar with. I became excited to expand my craft in this direction. It took me a few years to get the hang of it!  

What was your big break?
My biggest break was after being in NY, I made the decision to move back to LA to be closer to my family. Someone along the way told me about hair and makeup agencies for freelance artists. I took my book that only had five pages of my editorial photos and walked into an agency called Profile. I asked the receptionist to just hold on to my book hoping that someone would notice it.  And then, believe it or not, on my way home, I got a phone call from an agent at Profile and he said one of their hairstylist's assistants couldn't make it to the shoot the next day and asked if I could assist Ken Paves on a Vogue shoot! Ken took me under his wing and I became his personal hair assistant. One of his clients, Ashlee Simpson, and I got really close and we toured the world together for her album. That was my very big break and the one that I am always grateful for and will cherish forever. 

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What are a few of your favorite red carpet looks that you've created?
Amanda Seyfried for the 2013 Vanity Fair Oscar party
Jennifer Lawrence for the Hunger Games: Catching Fire premiere in London
Emilia Clarke for Game Of Thrones Season 4 premiere in NYC

What was a near-fiasco that you've had to deal with?
The most stressful situation—besides dealing with the unpredictable LA traffic!—was that I once took my hair kit home to clean it and reorganize it. The next day I showed up for work and realized I had forgotten my kit! Yes, that happened! It was awful. I ran to the nearest drugstore to buy everything and anything hair related! I now check my trunk every day before I leave for work. 

What items are always in your kit?
Suave Professionals Touchable Finish Lightweight Hold Hairspray
Harry Josh Pro Tools Flat Iron
Suave Professionals Moroccan Infusion Weightless Dry Shampoo
Hot Tools 2-inch Curling Iron
Suave Professionals Natural Infusion All Day Body Leave -In Foam with Seaweed
Ibiza Ex Series Large Round Brush

Getty Images/AP

What new item are you currently obsessed with?
I'm currently obsessed with the Mansur Gavriel bucket bag.

What is your favorite drugstore buy? And what about your fave high-end splurge?
My favorite drugstore buy is a Hanes sweatshirt. My favorite high-end splurge is Celine triangle heel mules. 

What's the best thank you gift you've ever recieved?
I have received many amazing thank you gifts from all of my clients. Every single one of them is very special and I'm so grateful to have such generous and incredibly kind clients who shower me with so much love.    

Who have you been working with the longest?
My longest working client would be Amanda Seyfried, who I've been with since 2008. 

To see more of Jenny's work (like the above styles on Lawrence, Amber Heard and Seyfried) visit her Instagram.