There aren't many people who can pull off a one-word name -- especially a name that's so often mispronounced. But in the hairstyling world, Oribe (or-bay) does it well. His name first started appearing in the 1980s, and he is often credited with putting runway hair on the map. Basically, no one cared about the hair in fashion shows -- until Oribe's hair masterpiece at a 1992 Chanel presentation.
Oribe's signature style is big hair, which made the period of flat, sleek hair in the '90s especially challenging for him. He made a comeback, however, with the help of Jennifer Lopez -- and the bouffant he gave her for the 2002 Oscars. "I do have a signature -- it's always a little exaggerated," says Oribe. "In my salons, there's a luster to the hair, a sexuality, and a fullness -- most people think I just do big hair, but it's touchable and glamorous."
Oribe has a salon in Miami and an eponymous line of high-end products.
Photo 6/9
Garren
Cost of a haircut: $700+
Another one-name stylist, Garren is known for daring, rule-breaking cuts. In the '70s, he straightened Farrah Fawcett's winged "Charlie's Angels" hair, and in 2008 he gave Victoria Beckham her headline-grabbing pixie. A haircut with Garren is less about technique and more about developing a trademark look.
While Garren's roster of celebrity clients is extensive, he also makes time at his New York City salon to see regular women. (Well, "regular" Manhattanites who can afford his $700 cuts!) His signature product line is available at his salon.
Photo 7/9
Frédéric Fekkai
Cost of a haircut: $600+
It isn't easy to get an appointment with Frédéric Fekkai -- and it's not because he's busy snipping celebrities' hair. He spends most of his time running a beauty mecca that includes eight salons across the country -- and even one in the Caribbean -- plus a product line that's available in 40 countries.
However, Fekkai does still have a signature style. A cut from him would most likely involve long, bouncy, healthy-looking hair without a ton of layers. (He believes one-length hair is more elegant.) His philosophy is focused around cuts that flatter a woman's face shape -- not trends.
Photo 8/9
José Eber
Cost of a haircut: $500
Beverly Hills-based José Eber is as well known for his own long hair (topped with a cowboy hat) as he is for the haircuts he's created over the years (he famously worked with Elizabeth Taylor). Since opening his first salon in 1980 and penning two beauty books, Eber has remained a trusted hair expert.
In 2011, Eber opened a new salon, which is an experience in it's own right. The design is elaborate and unusual with 3D mirrors and photographic wallpaper. And services range from blowouts to Botox (there are med-spa treatment rooms within the salon).
Photo 9/9
Chris McMillan
Cost of a haircut: $600
Chris McMillan is best known as Jennifer Aniston's hairstylist and the creator of "The Rachel" cut that every woman in America asked for in 1995. And we think that's reason enough to include him on this list. McMillan has also given Aniston every trend-setting cut she's worn since -- from her long bob to face-framing layers. Today, he's still a fan of soft, blended layers over harsh edges. When he's not busy tending to Aniston's hair, McMillan runs two salons in Los Angeles.
There's something about a great haircut that makes you look -- and feel -- like a newer, better version of yourself. What woman hasn't walked into a salon feeling less than cute and walked out thinking she could be in one of those Pantene shampoo commercials?
And while any great hairstylist can give you this kind of transformation, in our beauty fantasies, these life-changing cuts would happen at the hands of top hairstylists -- the same ones who make celebrities look fantastic on the red carpet and the rich look beautiful at their Park Avenue and Beverly Hills cocktail parties.
We've spent a fair amount of time researching (OK, daydreaming) to come up with our bucket list of the top hairstylists every woman should try to snag an appointment with before they die. The criteria? These stylists are iconic -- many of them are as famous as their clients -- and a visit to one of their salons is an experience. Each of them also have big personalities and intriguing stories, which probably have a lot to do with their success.
Now, we know that a $500 haircut isn't feasible for most people. And to make you feel (a little) better, many of these stylists are booked solid with clients like Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Biel, anyway. But we wanted to indulge our superstar stylist fantasy nonetheless. Plus, even if you can't snag an appointment with one of these icons, you can still check out their product lines, make an appointment with a junior stylist at one of their salons, or ask your own stylist to give you a haircut like one that these hair icons are known for.
Of course this list is by no means exhaustive -- there are dozens of other top hairstylists out there whose chairs we'd love to hop into. There's also a new generation of rising stars in the hair industry -- and odds are they'll soon become the next posse of superstar stylists. But for now, we want to introduce you to these eight. Which hairstylist would you want to cut your hair?
