A Led Zeppelin reunion concert, a new album with Alison Krauss—Robert Plant is one busy aging rock star. But like his voice, the lead singer’s hair (shown here at the December 10 concert) has made no concession to the passage of time. No thinning, no limpness, barely any gray. How does he do it? A panel of hairstylists and colorists analyzed his eternally glossy ringlets.
Rick Wellman, Color director, Patrick Melville Salon
Two words: double process! It’s well done. He resembles a hairstylist and not a rock star. The base color looks natural, but if he would’ve allowed more of the gray to come through, like in his facial hair, it would suit him more. He should keep up the highlights, but the base could stand to be closer to his natural shade.
Carlos Vega, Creative director, Patrick Melville Salon
His hair hasn’t changed in 25 years, bangs and all. The only difference now is that he’s using more advanced products. He probably used the Kérastase Oléo-Curl, the only product I know of that could tame his frizz. He definitely scrunched the product into his wet hair and dried with a diffuser; no air-drying. If only he used a curling iron—it would have been a lot prettier.
Liam Carey, Senior stylist, Ted Gibson
Robert probably used a firm-hold gel and scrunched to set, with a simple air-dry to achieve that defined, slightly crunchy masculine-rocker-chic look. He is putting Rod Stewart to shame with this do! If he could turn back time, he could do Cher! For a more bouncy, fuller look, he may do the diffuser-scrunch combo.
James Vides, Stylist, Sally Hershberger Downtown
Robert definitely uses a wave- enhanced shampoo and conditioner to relax his curly locks. After washing and carefully towel- drying his hair, he puts in a curl-relaxing cream in order to tame the fly-aways and to create the perfect curls. He takes his diffuser and carefully scrunches every section of hair until the hair is completely dry. For the finishing touch, Robert takes small pieces of hair around his face and curls them with a one-eighth-inch curling iron.
Michael Foster,General manager, Ted Gibson
His hair should obviously be a salt-pepper mix; look at his beard. He has a base color of ash brown, with most likely a foiled highlight. It’s a fabulous rock-star look that says, “I don’t care, I made my mark. I can do what I want!”
Valery Joseph, Salon owner
His curls are a body wave, [with] layers throughout. Hair is blow-dried with a diffuser, so as not to frizz the curl. Then, a small-barreled curling iron is used as needed, but some of Robert’s strands are simply curled around a finger. Finally, a nice curl cream is scrunched throughout for all-tour hold.
Rodolfo Valentin, Stylist and salon owner
Robert Plant definitely has a perm. I call this the mucho-mousse-and-gel look. He used a diffuser; if not, his hair with that perm would look like something out of Lion King. Since he’s known for having long, golden locks for decades, I’d suggest that he try some extensions. He could have a mane of hair like he did in the sixties.