Hollywood Hair Guru Jen Atkin Takes Paris

“I’m just here taking care of my girls,” says Jen Atkin from her Paris penthouse. In this case, “my girls” means Karlie Kloss, Gigi Hadid, Lily Aldridge, and—as of Saturday night, when her plane touches down—Kendall Jenner. But it could also refer to Cara Delevingne, Katy Perry, Jessica Alba, or the entire Kardashian clan, all of whom count Atkin as their hair guru. If that’s not enough overachievement, Atkin is also the founder of Mane Addicts, a digital hair platform, and her own line of products called Ouia. (She believes in multitasking, I later learn… but not really sleep.)

How does Atkin keep KimYe’s secrets? And what’s up with the disappearing bangs on all of her most famous “girls”? We grabbed the Utah native to find out.

There have been a lot of loose, beachy waves on the catwalks this season. How do you feel about your signature hairstyle becoming a runway trend?

I don’t think I started that! [Laughing.] I mean, that’s an amazing perspective, but really, runway inspires celebrity, and celebrities inspire runway. It goes back and forth. I’ve always been more inspired by what happens on the runways than anything else when it comes to hair, and I think it’s because I used to assist the masters on their teams backstage. That’s how I learned, by watching these incredible artists flourish. And to watch them survive through this social media age and still be the crème de la crème is a big testament to their talent.

What’s the first big beauty lesson you learned backstage?

It was the era of the super-perfect ponytail. I remember when I did my first season with Guido [Palau] and he taught me the three steps to a perfect sleek ponytail. Seeing that happen right in front of me was a real epiphany—this is how hair can become something else.

What’s the first big beauty lesson you ever taught yourself?

Oh, I was the queen of making little tiny braids in my hair, taking a flat iron and clamping it over them, and the unwinding them to make disco hair. It was a little bit Donatella Versace and a little bit Donna Summer.

If you aren’t working, what would you be doing?

I like to work. In fact, I love my work so much that hobbies to me are like, “Why would I do anything else?” Honestly, my only hobby is watching Real Housewives.

What?!

I can’t help it. I’m obsessed with them. I was giving a speech at the Dyson presentation [about their new blow dryer]. Just before I had to go onstage, I looked at the crowd and there was Jacqueline [Laurita] from the New Jersey Housewives. I got so nervous. I almost couldn’t speak. Afterwards, she told me she follows me on Snapchat. Do you know how major that is? She made my whole life.

Whose hair is the best right now?

That’s such a good question. Gigi [Hadid]’s hair is pretty incredible. Kylie Jenner actually has some of the best hair I’ve ever worked with. Kylie has the strongest, prettiest, really, really good hair.

You work with some of the most famous women in the world—and you hear a lot about their lives.

Oh, absolutely. Hairstylists are surrogate therapists.

What’s your tip for keeping secrets?

For me, it’s understanding that we’re all humans, we’re all emotional beings, and we all have our own battles that nobody else knows anything about, you know? It’s having sympathy for others…. What’s funny is, I’m an over-sharer. Maybe ten minutes of my day are private. But there are things only I know. And understanding that all of us have some part of our days that are private, that’s key.

What about when fans approach you?

I’m pseudo famous, I’m not famous-famous! And French people are a lot more respectful. They’re great.

But you do have some hardcore fans!

I love it. I love when people Snapchat and Instagram me. I love the conversation. I just want to encourage young people out there to go for their dreams. Here I am in Paris having a party for my hair line. I’m from a small town in Utah. This is not “normal.” So I want people to ask me questions about that. I always answer Snapchat questions because I want people to know that I’m listening.

My Google News Alert says you’re giving fake bangs to your squad. What’s up with that?

Those bangs are clip-ins! I’m obsessed with a fake bang. It’s the best of both worlds. And it’s temporary. You don’t know how many of my clients call me begging for bangs. I put in a bang clip, and tell them to call me. They’re over the look in two days!

Yahoo Style is live from Paris Fashion Week! Keep it here for your front-row view of the best looks and buzziest moments.