Cyrus Veyssi's Backstage Beauty Secrets at & Juliet

·
Listen to this article~4 min

Discover the backstage beauty secrets of & Juliet's wig supervisor Cyrus Veyssi. From wig maintenance tips to career advice, get an inside look at Broadway's glamorous world.

When you think of Broadway, you probably picture dazzling costumes and show-stopping numbers. But what if the real magic happens before the curtain even rises? That's where Cyrus Veyssi comes in. As the beauty and wig supervisor for & Juliet, Veyssi is the mastermind behind the flawless looks that bring the show's characters to life. And his journey? It's full of unexpected twists, big feelings, and a whole lot of hairspray. ### From Salon Chair to Broadway Stage Veyssi didn't start out dreaming of Broadway. He was a hairstylist in Los Angeles, building a clientele and honing his craft. But a chance encounter with a friend who worked on a Broadway show led him to New York. "I packed my bags and never looked back," he says. That leap of faith paid off. Today, he's responsible for maintaining the iconic wigs and hairstyles that define & Juliet's pop-infused aesthetic. ### The Art of Wig Maintenance If you've seen & Juliet, you know the wigs are practically characters themselves. From Juliet's flowing locks to Shakespeare's quirky coif, each piece is a work of art. But keeping them stage-ready is no small feat. Veyssi and his team use a combination of high-quality products and old-school techniques to ensure every strand stays in place. "It's like tending a garden," he explains. "You have to water it, trim it, and give it love every single day." - **Cleaning:** Wigs are washed weekly with gentle shampoo and conditioned to maintain softness. - **Styling:** Each wig is set on a block and styled to match the character's look, often using steam and rollers. - **Repairs:** Tears and tangles are fixed with careful stitching and detangling sprays. - **Storage:** Wigs are stored on custom forms to keep their shape and prevent damage. ### Beauty Tips from the Backstage Pro Veyssi's expertise isn't just for the stage. He's got plenty of wisdom for everyday beauty lovers, too. Here are a few of his top tips: - **Invest in a good brush:** "A quality brush makes all the difference," he says. "It's like the difference between a chef's knife and a butter knife." - **Less is more:** Over-styling can damage hair. Veyssi recommends letting your hair breathe between washes and using heat protectant when you do style. - **Embrace your natural texture:** "Work with what you've got," he advises. "Enhance it rather than fight it." ### Big Feelings and Broadway Dreams For Veyssi, working on & Juliet is more than just a job—it's a dream realized. He's a huge fan of the show's message of empowerment and self-discovery. "The show reminds us that we all deserve a happy ending, whatever that looks like," he says. And his own happy ending? It's still being written, one wig at a time. ### What's Next? Veyssi hopes to continue working on Broadway and maybe even launch his own line of hair care products someday. But for now, he's focused on keeping the magic alive at & Juliet. "Every night, I get to see the audience's faces light up," he says. "That's the real reward." So the next time you're in New York, catch a show at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. And when you see those perfect hairdos, remember: there's a whole lot of heart (and hairspray) behind them.