The Only Thing I Have in Common with Kim Kardashian (and the Kimye Wedding)

by Danielle Pergament

Getty Images
Getty Images


I've never met Kim Kardashian; never met Kanye. I don't follow them on Twitter and or watch them on TV. I don't even have a strong opinion about either of them (except that Kim seems like she has an extraordinarily dewy complexion). But a little while ago, I found that Kim and I have one very important thing in common: Chris McMillan did my hair for my wedding.

I've actually known Chris longer than I've known my husband (thank you, Allure, for both of those introductions), and the minute I knew I was getting married, Chris was my first phone call. It's not just that he's arguably the most talented hairdresser on the planet; it's that Chris is about the nicest person you could ever meet. Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Aniston, Julianne Moore, and Gwyneth Paltrow all hire Chris for awards shows and big deal events, not only because he's going to make them look beautiful, but because he's fun and generous and easygoing and just when you think you might throw up, he makes you laugh.

See more: Find the Best Haircut for Your Face Shape

Joanna Goddard
Joanna Goddard


When I asked him if he'd come to my wedding, he didn't hesitate. Then I told him I'd be getting married in Italy‒oh wait! I have two things in common with Kim!‒and he booked his ticket. We spent a week eating pasta and sitting by the pool with friends, while Chris offered haircuts to anyone who wanted one (many did).

The day of the wedding, he gave me one suggestion: Don't wash your hair. And no swimming. But sweat and sunscreen in my hair‒that was fine by him. In fact, he likes using sunscreen as a styling product. A few hours before the wedding, Chris took me into my room for a trial run, and when I say he pulled my hair into the perfect messy knot in under three minutes, I'm not exaggerating. As I stood in front of the mirror in my bathing suit, hours before the wedding, I knew my hair would never look better (in my entire life). "It's perfect, don't touch it," I told him. Our under three minutes trial-run hair became my wedding day hair.

See more: Celebrity Hairstyles That Will Make You Look 10 Years Younger

But once I was all dressed and ready to walk down the aisle (Chris also did my makeup‒he's a man of many talents), he looked at my hair and wasn't satisfied. He ran out and five minutes later came back with a bouquet of daisies that he started cutting up. To this day I have no idea where he found them (the garden was full rosemary, lavender, lots of flowers, but no daisies). Next thing I knew, he was shoving them into the side of my head‒and a minute later, the best hair I've ever had got better. Meanwhile, my soon-to-be-husband ran over to ask Chris which shoes he should wear. The photographer asked for Chris' help styling the flower girl. Then Chris took out his trimming shears and cut the hem of my slip since it wasn't falling right. I'm telling you: The guy has great instincts and impeccable taste‒and not just about hair.

Meanwhile, I was nervous, shaking, and the wine wasn't helping as much as it was supposed to. A hundred and twenty Americans had flown over an ocean and were now outside waiting for me. And after everyone left the room, it was just me and Chris. I had a momentary panic. Maybe I cried. Chris told me to pull myself together so we could please go eat something. Then he walked me out the door.

So Kim, I don't know you. But I can promise you, that if it rains and you spill wine on your dress and the cake kind of sucks, roll with it. If Chris is there, you're in very good hands.

More from Allure:
The 15 Best New Bridal Hairstyles
The Naked Truth: Celebrities Go Nude for Allure
34 Hair Ideas for 2014
50 Beauty Products to Try Before You Die