Stranger Things Hairstylist Sarah Hindsgaul Steps Into Haircare

When a television series becomes a global phenomenon, it’s rarely just the plot that lodges in our collective memory. In the case of Netflix’s Stranger Things, the hair has become as iconic as the Demogorgon itself. Now, the show’s lead hair designer Sarah Hindsgaul is channelling that influence into a new chapter: launching her own hair-care brand. Her move reflects a wider shift in the beauty industry, where behind-the-scenes creatives are stepping into the spotlight as founders and tastemakers, reshaping how we think about professional haircare both in Hollywood and at home in the UK.

From Hawkins High to Haircare Founder

Sarah Hindsgaul’s work on Stranger Things has helped define the look and feel of an entire era revival. From Steve Harrington’s high-volume 80s mane to Eleven’s evolving cuts, the series showed how character development can be told through hair as much as wardrobe or dialogue. Now, Hindsgaul joins a small but growing cohort of on-set hair professionals turning that narrative power into consumer brands.

According to coverage from Business of Fashion, Hindsgaul will be one of the first Hollywood on-set hair designers to front a full hair-care line. While details of the formulas and distribution are still emerging, the significance lies in who is leading the brand: a stylist who has logged thousands of hours creating camera-ready looks under pressure, rather than a celebrity name licensing their image.

For UK consumers increasingly interested in authenticity and pro-level performance, that distinction matters. Many stylists and salon educators emphasise that the best haircare tends to be informed by real technical challenges — humidity on set, continuity between takes, intense lighting — rather than just marketing concepts. A line developed by someone who navigates these pressures daily may bring that problem-solving mindset into everyday routines.

Why On-Set Stylists Are Becoming Beauty Founders

Hindsgaul’s brand arrives at a time when many film and TV hairstylists and make-up artists are seeking opportunities beyond the soundstage. The entertainment industry is unpredictable, and even highly sought-after creatives often juggle long hours, short contracts and the constant search for the next job. Building a brand offers a more stable, scalable way to use their skills and reputation.

In recent years we’ve seen a broader pattern across beauty and haircare:

• Behind-the-scenes credibility: Consumers are increasingly responsive to expertise over pure celebrity. On-set pros bring a track record of solving real hair issues for diverse casts, often under difficult conditions.
• Social media visibility: Hairstylists once confined to the credits now have platforms where their process, not just the finished look, is visible. That visibility creates demand for products designed the way they actually work.
• Shift towards ‘pro-grade’ at home: UK shoppers, especially Gen Z and millennials, are more willing to experiment with salon-inspired routines in their bathrooms — from heat-styling techniques to more nuanced product layering.

For many stylists, brand-building is less about overnight success and more about long-term creative control. Rather than simply endorsing a formula, they can influence texture, fragrance, performance and how products interact with heat tools or extensions — the kind of details that matter on set and in salons.

What This Means for UK Hair Trends and Consumers

Although Hindsgaul’s work is rooted in American storytelling, the influence of Stranger Things has been global. UK salons have already seen waves of requests for 80s-inspired fringes, brushed-out curls, bowl cuts and shaggy layers reminiscent of the show’s characters. A hair-care line directed by the stylist behind those looks could further cement retro styling — and the products that support it — in mainstream routines.

For UK consumers, the rise of stylist-led lines may mean:

• More focused product design: On-set stylists generally need products that work quickly, layer well and withstand long shooting days. If these priorities carry through, we may see more multitasking formulas that minimise build-up and play nicely with hot tools.
• Attention to hair health under stress: While journalists and dermatologists alike caution against over-claiming, many professionals highlight the importance of protective styling, heat management and conditioning when hair is styled repeatedly. A line born on set may emphasise resilience and recovery, not just hold and shine.
• Diverse styling options: Shows like Stranger Things include a broad cast, which means stylists must understand different hair textures and densities. That experience can encourage brands to think beyond one ‘default’ hair type.

In practical terms, UK readers won’t need to overhaul their entire routine when this line becomes more widely available. A realistic first step, if you’re intrigued by on-set expertise, is to look at how any new product is intended to be layered – cleanser, conditioner, leave-in, styling, finishing – and compare that to your current set-up before swapping anything out.

On-Set Techniques That Translate to Your Routine

While we wait to see which specific products Hindsgaul will introduce, the principles that guide on-set hair design can already be applied at home. Many UK stylists draw inspiration from film and television techniques, adapting them to suit everyday wear and our famously changeable weather.

A few recurring approaches used by professional hair departments include:

• Building structure in layers: Rather than relying on a single heavy product, stylists often apply lighter layers – a conditioning base, a priming or heat-protective spray, then a styling aid. This can help styles last longer without feeling stiff.
• Respecting hair’s natural direction: On-set teams work with, rather than against, natural growth patterns to maintain continuity between scenes. At home, mapping your natural parting and cowlicks before cutting or heavy styling can make day-to-day styling easier.
• Future-proofing against humidity and lights: Sets can be hot, and UK weather is notoriously humid at the wrong moments. Stylists usually factor in frizz control and light-reflective finish from the outset instead of as an afterthought.
• Preserving the hair and scalp: Many professionals now emphasise regular cleansing to remove product build-up, alongside gentle handling. Trichologists and dermatologists frequently suggest avoiding overly harsh detergents or aggressive brushing, especially on sensitive scalps.

For a realistic starting point, consider one small change borrowed from on-set life: introduce a clear pre-styling step. That might be a heat-protective spray, a lightweight primer or a detangling mist used consistently before any hot tool. Over time, track how your hair behaves when you treat styling as a layered process rather than a single product moment.

The Bigger Picture: Hair Brands Built on Craft, Not Just Celebrity

Sarah Hindsgaul’s move into haircare is part of a broader rebalancing in beauty. For years, many launches have centred on high-profile faces, with less visibility for the craftspeople designing the looks. As more hair department heads, colourists and session stylists step into founder roles, the market could see an uptick in brands grounded in technique and real-world problem-solving.

For UK salons and independent stylists, this evolution offers both inspiration and competition. On one hand, stylist-led brands can validate the depth of expertise that already exists in local salons – most of which have their own signature approaches to blow-dries, colour maintenance or curly cuts. On the other, it may nudge professionals here to think about how they share their knowledge, whether through education, editorial content or, in some cases, niche product development.

Hairporium follows these shifts closely, not to chase every new label, but to understand how innovation at the top of the industry filters down to everyday routines. By keeping an eye on launches from on-set professionals like Hindsgaul, we can better interpret which ideas are worth integrating into future haircare education and which are largely about packaging and story.

For readers, the most practical takeaway is to stay curious but selective. When stylist-fronted brands appear in the UK, read beyond the campaign imagery. Look for signs of genuine professional thinking – clear usage instructions, thoughtful guidance for different hair types, and realistic expectations about what products can and cannot do.

Key Takeaways

• Stranger Things lead hair designer Sarah Hindsgaul is launching a hair-care brand, marking a notable move from on-set work to founder status.
• Her shift reflects a growing trend of Hollywood hair and make-up professionals creating their own lines rather than simply working behind the scenes.
• Stylist-led brands often prioritise performance, layering and resilience – qualities shaped by long filming days and demanding conditions.
• UK consumers can use this moment to rethink their own routines, adopting pro-inspired ideas like layered styling steps and a focus on prevention.
• The smartest next step is to stay informed, read product guidance carefully and adopt new launches slowly, one step at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Sarah Hindsgaul?
Sarah Hindsgaul is the lead hair designer for Netflix’s Stranger Things. She oversees the hairstyles for the show’s cast, creating looks that support character development and the series’ 1980s setting.

What makes her upcoming hair-care brand significant?
Hindsgaul will be one of the first on-set Hollywood hair professionals to front her own hair-care line. That positions her brand within a niche where real behind-the-scenes expertise drives product concepts.

How might this brand differ from celebrity haircare lines?
While full details are still emerging, stylist-founded brands typically originate from technical problem-solving on set or in salons, rather than celebrity image alone. They often focus on practical performance – hold, texture, compatibility with heat tools – as much as aesthetics.

Will the products recreate Stranger Things hairstyles?
The line is unlikely to be limited to exact character looks. Instead, it may draw on the techniques behind those styles – such as volume-building, wave definition or era-inspired finishes – which can be adapted for everyday wear.

What can UK readers do now if they’re interested in stylist-led haircare?
You don’t need to wait for a specific launch to benefit from on-set thinking. Start by refining your routine: use a dedicated pre-styling step, be consistent with heat protection and choose products that work together in layers rather than relying on a single hero formula.

Is this mainly relevant to professionals, or to everyday consumers too?
While the brand’s story is rooted in professional work, the end consumer is usually the everyday user. Many stylists and educators emphasise that simple, repeatable habits – gentle cleansing, careful detangling, measured heat use – matter more than any one ‘pro’ product.

How does Hairporium view stylist-founded brands like this?
Hairporium’s focus is on education and trustworthy guidance. When stylist-led launches arrive, we look at the techniques and thinking they promote, then help readers translate those ideas into realistic, UK-friendly routines.