If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission.
Celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton — awarded at the WWD Style Awards last year — can now add one more feather to his cap. As of January 20, his new memoir is out in the world, and you can purchase the book’s hardcover version on Amazon for under $30 (it’s also available in Kindle and audiobook form).
‘Your Roots Don’t Define You: Transform Your Life. Create Your Comeback’ by Chris Appleton
Price upon publish date of this article: $0.99, $14.99, $27.90
The Leicester, England, native got his start in the beauty industry at the age of 13. “I learned everything I could about hair. I got a color degree, I did every course education program, and I was constantly looking outside of the box. I was up and down London just trying to learn different things,” the 42-year-old told WWD for an earlier story.
Related Articles
This hard work paid off in full. Soon, he was partnering with Jennifer Lopez stateside, followed by Christina Aguilera during her “The Voice” days, the Kardashians, Ariana Grande, Adele, Dua Lipa, and no shortage of other Hollywood starlets (with drop-dead gorgeous manes, due in no small part to Appleton’s mastery).
A viral sensation on TikTok and Instagram, Appleton is now shedding the layers and revealing the man behind the blow dryer in his first-ever literary project. “Your Roots Don’t Define You” takes fans of his craftsmanship on a journey through the hair maestro’s struggles and triumphs with being his most authentic self, including experiencing bullying as a child, coming out around 2009, and going through a public-facing divorce from actor Lukas Gage in 2023. Inside the book’s 320 pages, Appleton ultimately opens up and embraces his truth, warts and all — no small achievement.
Having gone through a series of phoenix-like transformations, Appleton is more than qualified to dole out life advice, which he does engagingly and charmingly in the just-arrived title. “In this book, you’ll learn the formula to becoming unapologetically YOU, how to stop letting your past define you, the secret connection between style and self-wort, how to silence your inner critic, the real reason confidence isn’t about luck or looks, and how to detox from relationships that drain you,” he promises in the product’s Amazon description.
The lessons are informed not only by Appleton’s biography but also the trials and successes of his A-list clientele. You’ll find a foreword by none other than Kris Jenner here, who shares that “Appleton hands you the tools, the stories, and the truth to help you rewrite your narrative.”
Clearly, he also has a heaven-sent ability to perfect every type of ‘do under the sun to red carpet–ready levels, with the “glass hair” look being a specialty. (Those interested in replicating it from home would be wise to shop his collaboration products with Color Wow, including the bestselling Money Masque.) According to Drew Barrymore, “you can never have a bad hair day when you are with Chris, both inside and out.”
See what all the hype’s about for yourself and invest in Appleton’s debut work. Whether you’ve been a devotee of his magic ever since Jennifer Lopez’s 2020 Super Bowl halftime show performance or can’t get enough of his recent videos with Martha Stewart, one thing’s for certain: This book will help you learn more about the beauty legend and yourself, making it essential reading for 2026.
Sign up for WWD Shop‘s newsletter to get the scoop on the best in beauty and style with in-depth reviews of exciting new releases and buyer’s guides to find the products you need to try ASAP.
‘Your Roots Don’t Define You: Transform Your Life. Create Your Comeback’ by Chris Appleton
Price upon publish date of this article: $0.99, $14.99, $27.90
Color Wow x Chris Appleton Mini Money Masque Deep Hydrating & Strengthening Hair Treatment
Price upon publish date of this article: $45
Why Trust WWD
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Author
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on new book releases in the beauty and fashion categories.