Interview with Celebrity Stylist Camille Friend

Oscar winner Octavia Spencer on the night she received her Oscar, Kerry Washington as Broomhilda Von Schaft on the set of Django Unchained, Emma Stone as Skeeter on the set of The Help, Jennifer Hudson on the set of Dream Girls, are just four of the few people who have been styled by celebrity and film stylist Camille Friend. We caught up with the beautiful and talented Camille a while back and could not wait to share her interview with you all.

If you think back to your favorite character and consider what it must take to bring them to life, you cant help but admire her craft. Camille is a black woman in a very special position, she has worked with the best of the best in film from the somewhat eccentric Quentin Tarantino to Academy award winner Bill Condon. Camille is very well rounded, she is educated and experienced in all aspects of the salon industry having owned a salon herself in Los Angeles California.

My personal take away from this interview is that we should never take the work of the women and men behind the scenes for granted, they are a direct link to everything that film is trying to create for you as you experience it. Ok that is enough of my Jibber Jabber let me allow you to see a snippet of what Camille had to say about her career, hair and all things film.

Camille, we had a chance to look at your extensive resume, and we are too impressed for words, how did you get started in your career as a film and television hair stylist?

I started in music videos and that lead me to film. I am always looking for something new, or old. I like reading, going to museums and do research on random studies.

Our motto is, with health comes length, what tricks do you have for the healthiest hair?

Healthy hair starts from inside of your body, I believe in vitamins*, herbs, a great diet and of course alkaline water.

Camille we follow a ton of our favorite celebs on Instagram, and one of the most popular things we notice are selfies from women showing off healthy natural hair. How easy is it for our busiest Celeb to maintain healthy tresses?

Honestly, I think it is really hard for celebs to keep healthy hair. In my practice I offer conditioning treatments and maintenance for all my clients.

What is the most challenging thing about being a film and TV hair stylist?

I find that traveling and long work hours are the most challenging aspects for me.

What would you say was your top four film sets to work on, where did you have the most fun?

My top four would be Captain America, The Winter Soldier, Ray and The Help. Captain America was the most recent where I really enjoyed the experience. Marvel is an awesome company to work for; they are on the cutting edge in technology and Visual Effect. I learned so much about film making on that level.

What advice would you give to a young woman or man wanting to become a film or TV stylist?

Be well rounded when it comes to the craft of hairdressing learn everything. Learn to cut, color, style, curl, and barber. Know hairdressing inside and out.

What is your hair story, and how has your hair care changed over the years?

I have had every type of style you can imagine. I have been short and long, and all the colors of the rainbow. Right now I am med length with ombre blonde ends.

Your first film was a ‘Thin Line Between Love and Hate” – describe that?

I was very blessed to have the opportunity to do that project. A friend called me to help do Lynne Whitfield’s hair. I learned so much about wig* and hairpieces on that movie.

Please tell us what it was like to work on the set of Django, that movie for many of us was one of the best we have seen in 2013, describe your experience? What was it like to work with Quentin Tarantino?

Django was an amazing experience; it was 8 months of film-making. Quentin Tarantino is the most talented and smart filmmaker, I have ever worked with. He allows you to be an artist and really explore your craft.

We can appreciate that there must be some key differences between working on film and working in a salon, describe one key difference between the two

Film is a group effort; you have the director, studio, actor, wardrobe, makeup and hair to decide on the look of a character. In the salon it is just you and your client…

Creating a ‘look’ for a woman who just wants her hair done say for an event is quite different from creating a look or a character so that we understand who that character is, how do you get prepared for each character, How do you get to that mental space of deciding “ok this is what I want him or her to look like, and this is what I have to do to get there”?

I first start with the script to break down the character. The next step is talking with the director and actor (s) to see what their vision of the character is. When I have to do someone’s hair I like to look at the design and texture of the clothes then incorporate the hair into a “look”. Other things to consider is facial shape, texture of hair and the length of the hair.

What are your favourite products to use on set, do the products vary or do you have your own staples?

I really like using a variety of products and I am always using new things all of the time. However I prefer my products to be weightless in the hair. Right now I am using Ojon, Oribe and Kevin Murphy.

You know us girls love us some Kerry Washington, describe the process behind Broomhilda’s hair in Django Unchained?

Kerry and I collaborated on Broomhilda’s hair. We began the process by looking at fashion and history and tried to merge them together to get her look.

You styled Octavia Spencer for the 2012 Oscars, and she looked absolutely stunning, tell us about that?

I did Octavia’s hair for the Golden Globes and for the Oscars. That was a very special time in my career.

How do you stay grounded?

Prayer, meditation, family and friends…

Your work is a mixture of, skill, creativity, innovation and art; do you agree that it is not enough to just go to Cosmetology school anymore?

Cosmetology school is just the beginning. Hairdressing requires advance training and continual training throughout your career.

Camille what is next for you, can you give us any details on your next project?

Right now I am on Hunger Games: Mockingjay.

Where can we find you online?

Facebook-Camille Friend Style and Twitter-Blackeyevenus/Camille Friend