Meet Charles Baker Strahan—Leighton Meester’s Mane Man

We recently chatted with Leighton Meester, Gossip Girl’s resident Queen B, about her strands on-and off-screen. We also spoke with the man behind her marvelous mane. Below, Herbal Essences celebrity stylist Charles Baker Strahan gives Glam the inside track on Leighton’s lovely, lustrous locks.

1) Which Herbal Essences collection do you find yourself using the most on Leighton’s hair?
I’m a big fan of mixing it up. I’m a big believer in being creative with your styling products and achieve something that’s unique to you. Leighton is so unique and we love to mix it up—from using Tousle Me Softly Spray Gel on a freshly washed base of Hello Hydration or mixing Body Envy Hairspray with Long Term Relationship Leave-in Split End Protector. Switching up products helps give me the results I’m looking for.

2) Is there a certain style you like to do on her?
If I haven’t done it already, you’ll see it eventually! But if I lived in a perfect world, I’d love to crop her hair short—I think she’d be stunning.

3) Any hair advice for girls who want to glossy, gorgeous locks like Leighton’s?
The important thing to remember is that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Make sure that you start in the shower with a properly hydrated base, which is going to help protect your hair from all styling rigors. The newly reformulated collections from Herbal Essences have water-activated silkening ingredients which hydrate the hair. Hydration helps ensure your styling products work better for you and your hair responds better to heat styling, giving you the glossy finish, because it’s hydrated from within. And, make sure that you use styling tools with ceramic or ionic technology to help protect hair and be aware of how much heat you’re using to style.

4) What’s your best hair care tip?
There isn’t any one tip that’s more important than another. I think each hair care tip should work together to create the best look for you. Overall, it’s how best you maintain your hair and that truly does start in the shower. Also be sure to get a regular trim!