Mary-Kate and Ashley’s Hair Stylist on the Secrets to Their Waves

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Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have solidified their status as style icons, but their signature wavy hairstyles are legendary in their own right. Their effortless yet sophisticated waves, however, are the product of years of refinement, as revealed by their longtime hairstylist, Mark Townsend.

Townsend, who shared insights on the “Gloss Angeles” podcast, recounted the evolution of the sisters’ hair routines over two decades, having worked with the Olsen twins since they were 16.

“Initially, meticulous blowouts and ironwork were essential,” he explained. “It used to be a fight of who sat in my chair first. He went on to explain that the process involved a clampless iron technique, amplified by “tons of dry shampoo” on the roots and salt spray to make the ends piecy.

As the Olsens embraced a more natural aesthetic, it became less about heavy product and more about that effortless wind-blown texture that the blonde-haired twins are known for today.

“[They] started getting into air-drying, then the fight always became about who would have to come to me first, because they wanted to air dry as much as possible,” Townsend remembered.

Mary-Kate and Ashely Olsen's Hairstylist on The Individual Secrets To Each of Their Signature Waves — Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen on the J. Mendel front row at New York Fashion Week in 2012. Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

A prime example is the Met Gala look Ashley, now 38, wore in 2013: a dreamy vintage Dior gown that seemed to float down the red carpet. “It was insane,” Townsend remembered. “It was completely handmade. Women spent hundreds of hours encrusting every jewel onto this gown.”

For her part, Ashley was just as determined to preserve the couture’s intricate handiwork and forbid the use of a blow dryer or anything else of that nature. “[She] put in a request: ‘I don’t want to use heat, I don’t want to use tools,’” the stylist recounted.

“I wouldn’t say she was purposely going against the theme,” Townsend said with a wink. “But the theme was very much about the machine-age.” The approach paid off, as he achieved a simple yet striking style that complemented her flowing dress — an ironic outcome given her “no hair tools” policy.

“I set her hair with clips and let it air-dry, and it turned out so perfect,” he gushed. “We had a reference: Jesus.” Indeed, her glam was nothing short of heavenly.

While Mary-Kate and Ashley’s fashion choices often overlap, with a shared love for oversized clothing, neutrals, and layers, they also have distinct styles — and hair textures, for that matter.

“They have such different hair; I approach it completely differently, ” he explained. “I use product for each one. Ashley’s hair is much curlier and much darker, but Mary-Kate’s is a little bit more coarse.” This individualized approach underscores the tailored nature of their signature waves.

The philosophy also encapsulates the sisters’ enduring impact on the fashion and beauty industry with The Row, which is named after Savile Row’s one-of-a-kind tailored garments. The Olsen twins eschew the common practice of tying their brand closely to their personal identities.

“They don’t follow trends — they are usually setting them — so they do what works best for them, what looks best on them and it’s the same with their hair,” Townsend said in a 2013 interview with People. “They have such amazing style; it is so inspiring. And it’s so personal.” Perhaps that’s why it’s also so aspirational.

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