Stranger Things Hair Magic: How Imperfection Creates On-Screen Wonder

If you’ve been missing Stranger Things since Season 5 ended, you’re not alone. The show’s decade-long journey gifted us with unforgettable friendships, a heartwarming coming-of-age story, and a generous dose of ’80s nostalgia. From Kate Bush tunes to flamboyant prom outfits and electric blue eyeshadow, the series has left an indelible mark on pop culture.

The Mastermind Behind the Hair Magic

Sarah Hindsgaul, the hair designer responsible for the vintage looks of the beloved cast, has been a core part of creating that world. From Millie Bobby Brown’s buzzcut in Season 1 to Sadie Sink’s Merida-inspired teased tresses in the series finale, Sarah’s work has been instrumental in bringing the characters to life.

A Peek Behind the Curtain

Earlier this year, Sarah gave fans an exclusive peek into life on set, sharing TikTok clips that revealed the inner workings of her trailer. These clips spanned early footage of wig tests to self-filmed videos detailing her meticulous design process.

The Collaborative Process

Sarah’s process begins with the scripts, which she receives well in advance. She starts by texting the actors to ensure she’s on the right track with their character’s hair. This collaborative approach extends to the show’s creators, the Duffer brothers, the costume department, and the makeup team.

“I’ll tweak [hair] colours for makeup. Sometimes there’s something like a blue eyeshadow that has to go on, or I might just take the fringe and pop in a tiny bit of highlight to bring out the makeup. It is such a dance, and nobody is more important than anybody else. It only looks right if we’re all on the same page,” Sarah explains.

The Art of Imperfection

One of the key elements of Sarah’s work is ensuring that the characters’ hair never slips into parody. “You always have to be a little bit careful. It has to be a soft reference because you have to work with what people look like and actually have on their head, so it looks believable,” she notes.

For Sarah, the goal is not to make the characters look pretty but to ensure their hair reflects their journey and emotions. Nancy’s hair, in particular, sparked widespread chatter online, with Natalie Dyer’s character growing out of her preppy half-up-half-down school-girl locks in favor of frizz.

“At the end of the day, we want honesty from the actors,” Sarah notes candidly. “They have a look at themselves in their trailer for maybe half an hour to see what works for them. Sometimes I feel like they can be a little bit scared. I encourage them to touch the hair and say, ‘It’s you.’”

Inspiration from the ’80s

Sarah draws inspiration from various ’80s references, such as Stephen Spielberg’s E.T. for Will Byers’ bowl cut and Sigourney Weaver’s bouffant in Alien for Nancy Wheeler’s curls. Her most sentimental source of inspiration is The Goonies, a cult classic that she watched countless times growing up.

“The Goonies was huge for me because growing up, that was one of the only tapes that I owned, so I probably watched it about 500 times. When I see images from Season 1, I laugh because those teenagers are as close as I could come to the feeling of the film,” Sarah shares.

The Challenge of Realism

Ensuring the characters’ hair looks realistic and fits their personalities is a significant challenge. Sarah emphasizes the importance of making the hair believable and not forcing a style that doesn’t suit the character.

“If it doesn’t make you uncomfortable that Will has the worst bowl cut you have ever seen, then there’s obviously something wrong with you,” Sarah jokes, highlighting the need for authenticity in her designs.

For more insights into the world of Stranger Things, you can visit the official Netflix website.