10 best hair and beauty movies to enjoy during the lockdown

10 best hair and beauty movies to enjoy during the lockdown

You’ve already prepared your business for the temporary closure, planned a successful reopening and have spent some solid time educating yourself so that you will be ready to thrive when you get back to business. Now it is time to wind down and relax - it's proven that excessive stress takes a toll on both physical and mental health. This is why you should take a break and do something enjoyable - for example, watch a movie in which the world of hair and beauty becomes an important element of the story. We chose ten classic and newly discovered movies you can dive right into after a long day of planning your big return to the business!

1. Shampoo (1975)

A comedy-drama from the 70s, being a sharp satire of late-1960s sexual and social mores, whose lead character is said to be based on several actual hairdressers. The plot revolves around an extremely attractive hairstylist from Beverly Hills, who dreams of opening his own business. A bittersweet story, full of passion, beautiful women and bangs straight out of the 60s.

2. Grease (1978)

Surveys say that 70% of beauty school students hummed “Beauty school dropout” during their darkest hour of the practice exam, and the remaining 30% should stop lying. “Grease” is an iconic musical about teen love in the 50s - most hair & beauty people know it best from the scene in which the main protagonist's friend, Frenchie, is rather brutally (though beautifully!) made to realise that becoming a beautician is not an easy task. But we have to admit - her pastel pink ‘do was really ahead of her time!

3. Hairspray (original from 1988 and remake from 2007)

The cult classic comedy-drama from the 80s, revolving around self-proclaimed "pleasantly plump" teenager Tracy Turnblad as she pursues stardom as a dancer on a local TV show and rallies against racial segregation. The original (1988) is said to be more satirical, whereas the remake (2007) is said to be much more heartwarming, but both versions are star-studded, full of amazing music and the biggest hair on planet Earth. An absolute must-watch!

4. Steel Magnolias (1989)

One beauty shop in Louisiana, six stories of women trying to cope with the death of their close friend. A touching slice-of-life melodrama with a pinch of humour, with the female protagonists “as delicate as the magnolia flower, and as tough as steel”. Prepare yourself a lot of tissues and call your best friend directly afterwards.

5. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Are you sometimes so overworked that you feel like having your scissors glued to your hands? Tim Burton took the idea literally. “Edward Scissorhands” is a fantasy romance, starring a young Johnny Depp playing an unfinished artificial man who has scissor blades instead of hands and becomes the most desired hairstylist in his local community. Although the introduction sounds ridiculous and the film is full of Burton-style humour, get ready to cry your eyes out at the end.

6. Venus Beauty Institute (1999)

This is the story of a woman who devoted her life to making other people feel beautiful and meets a man who evokes feelings of beauty in her. The movie won the César Award for Best Film, Best Director, Best Writing and Most Promising Actress (Audrey Tautou). A very sensible story, perfect for an evening with wine and chocolates.

7. Blow Dry (2001)

A British Hairdressing Championship hosted in a small English town becomes a culprit for an emotional drama. A charming comedy and amazing opportunity to see Alan Rickman as a hairdressing star!

8. Good Hair (2009)

Produced, starred and narrated by comedian Chris Rock, “Good hair” explores the topic of how women of colour perceive their natural hair, what images are considered “acceptable” and “desirable” for them and what is their relation to African American culture. Chris Rock was supposedly inspired to produce the movie by his three-year-old daughter, Lola, who asked him: "Daddy, how come I don't have good hair?". The topic, although very serious, is explored with a dose of humour.

9. Nappily Ever After (2018)

A romantic comedy with an important message. After a life-changing event and a hair-related incident gone wrong, a seemingly perfect woman starts questioning her life choices. Eventually, Violet, the main protagonist, realises she was living a life restricted by other people’s definitions of beauty and success, and finally breaks free - her hair becoming the symbol of the change.

10. Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker (2020)

Okay, we’ve lied to you just a little bit - there’s one mini-series included in the mix, though we guarantee you will binge-watch the episodes as quickly as if it were a movie. “Self Made” is a drama mini-series based on the biography of Madam C. J. Walker, an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, political and social activist, the first female self-made millionaire in America, who built a haircare empire. Empowering and beautiful.