Inside the large hairstyling package Halley Brisker introduced with him to create Lily James' slick Met Gala hair

• Lily James attended the 2023 Met Gala on Monday sporting a slick bun and sharp bangs.
• Her coiffure was the work of her longtime good friend and hairstylist Halley Brisker.
• Forward of the occasion, Brisker walked Insider by means of his huge package and go-to merchandise.
  

When movie star hairstylist Halley Brisker traveled to New York Metropolis for the 2023 Met Gala, he got here ready.

The “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Magnificence” occasion was Brisker’s second time styling hair for the fashion-filled fundraiser. He first labored with Nicola Coughlan for her Met Gala debut in 2022 and joined Lily James — his longtime good friend and consumer — this 12 months.

However earlier than the gala, Insider met with Brisker on the Ned Nomad Lodge in New York Metropolis to undergo his huge hairstyling package.

He shared his go-to merchandise, mentioned the instruments he brings as backups, and defined why he packs lots of of hair merchandise for occasions just like the Met Gala.

What movie star hairstylist Halley Brisker introduced with him to NYC

“I am very organized, as you’ll be able to see,” Brisker stated as he opened a large journey tote stuffed with smaller luggage of hair provides. “Individuals are like, ‘What the hell?’ I’ve three of every thing.”

Nonetheless, Brisker was fast to notice: “This is not all of it.”

His hairstyling package, as he instructed Insider, incorporates lots of of things. If he counted each bobby pin, hair tie, and styling piece, he estimates the full can be someplace over 500. 

“I’ve seen some individuals with kits the place, after they open it, it is only a plastic bag of some hair merchandise and some combs. That is how they work, you recognize?” he stated. “I simply must have this degree of group to really feel like I can create.”

For this particular journey, Brisker knew he’d possible fashion James’ hair in a slick bun and micro bangs. So he packed his favourite Olaplex merchandise, Nice Lengths hair extensions, and leather-based flower items from Lelet NY.

However he additionally introduced additional provides in case there was a last-minute change of plans.

“For one thing like this, I really put together as much as 5 potential seems upfront,” he stated. “So if there’s any modifications to course on the day, we’re not scratching our heads and saying, ‘What ought to we do?'”

These additional instruments embrace claw clips, different-colored hair items, equipment from France and Japan, stuffing for sky-high updos, and multiples of his go-to electrical instruments.

“Issues blow up!” he stated with amusing. “It is occurred to me.”

Brisker instructed Insider there are some occasions the place he really solely wants a couple of styling merchandise and a comb.

However as he defined, his package is extra than simply provides — it is a reflection of his profession.

“This can be a assortment of 20 years of stuff. That is how lengthy I have been doing hair,” he stated. “The ins and outs are consistently evolving — like, you are clearly replenishing merchandise on a regular basis. However then there’s little equipment and combs and issues that I’ve had for that complete time on this package.”