Very few people can claim a busier week than Tracey Cunningham had leading up to this year’s Academy Awards. The legendary colorist, whose chair has hosted some of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces, managed to work with 20 clients in just five days. From last-minute hotel touch-ups for Emma Stone to early-morning sessions with Kris Jenner, her schedule was a marathon of hair transformations, coffee rituals, and the occasional stolen moment of calm.

Here’s a glimpse inside her week.

Wednesday, February 26 – The Warm-Up

Tracey’s week began not with a gentle sunrise but with the buzz of her alarm. She allowed herself a slightly later start—7AM—after a late-night house call at Nicole Richie’s. By 9, her assistants were gathered, and with an Erewhon smoothie and espresso shot in hand, the team was off to Montecito to see Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Highlights, lowlights, a refreshed base—every detail mattered.

Lunch almost happened at Bettina, but a closed sign redirected her to Merci, where red lentil soup and an iced matcha powered her through the afternoon. Between stops, she squeezed in her routine: Omi hair growth peptides, which she swears have made her own hair fuller and stronger.

The day ended at Jennifer Lopez’s home, where Cunningham brightened J.Lo’s signature honey-dark locks with balayage highlights and Olaplex treatments. By 10PM, Tracey was home and fast asleep. With a 4AM alarm looming, scrolling was out of the question.

Thursday, February 27 – Dawn with Kris Jenner

A salt bath and a collagen-boosting coffee marked Tracey’s pre-dawn ritual. By 6AM, she was in Calabasas, mixing Schwarzkopf formulas for Kris Jenner’s base and ends, finishing with a blowout.

From there, it was straight into a full day at her salon, punctuated only by an Erewhon pitstop. Ashley Tisdale, Maria Bakalova, Amy Poehler, Shiri Appleby, and Becki Newton all sat in her chair that day. Each client’s needs were different: from subtle smudges and moisture masks to full highlight sessions and Oscar-ready blondes.

Lunch? A simple but perfect tuna sandwich from Leora. Dinner? A celebratory gathering honoring a longevity doctor at Chez Mia. By then, she had colored hair for five stars and still had enough energy to raise a glass.

Friday, February 28 – A Marathon of Stars

On Friday, Tracey allowed herself another “sleep-in” until 7AM. Coffee first, of course—this time her Hiker vanilla blend with MCT oil and Omi peptides. Breakfast went cold as her chair quickly filled with clients.

Zoey Deutch stopped in for a fresh shade, Kyle MacLachlan needed rugged touch-ups for Fallout’s second season, and Lindsay Lohan opted for soft highlights and root smudging. Sophie Thatcher left with a bold auburn transformation before heading to a facial, and Melanie Griffith refreshed her iconic blonde. Costume designer Mona May also stopped by—her work on Clueless is soon headed to the West End as a musical.

By the time Tracey got home, she treated her own hair with Olaplex, braided it, and sank into a long soak. Self-care, she insists, is as important for her as it is for her clients.

Saturday, March 1 – A Hotel Room Touch-Up

Saturday was quieter. After feeding her cats and getting in a workout, Tracey and her assistant made their way to Emma Stone’s hotel room. With Schwarzkopf Igora Vibrance and Olaplex in hand, she ensured the actress’s color was flawless before her Oscar night glam team took over.

That evening, Tracey allowed herself a break. A friend’s birthday party in Santa Monica ended early after an unfortunate broken toe, leaving her to cozy up at home and rewatch The White Lotus. For someone accustomed to constant motion, a night in front of the TV felt like its own luxury.

Sunday, March 2 – The Calm Before the Oscars

By Sunday, the sprint was almost over. Tracey began her morning with Maya Rudolph, then slipped in a workout before heading home to prepare for the Academy Awards. Like millions watching, she tuned in for the gowns, the speeches, and the spectacle—knowing her own work was woven into the night’s glamour.

It wasn’t a grand finale but a gentle exhale after days of intensity. A good Sunday, simple and satisfying.

Behind the Chair, Behind the Scenes

Tracey Cunningham’s week wasn’t just about foils and toners—it was about rhythm, rituals, and relationships. Coffee was her constant companion, Erewhon her second office, and Olaplex her trusty co-star. In the span of five days, she balanced red-carpet pressure with quiet rituals like salt baths, supplements, and feeding her cats.

Her clients—ranging from Hollywood legends to rising stars—trusted her not just to color their hair but to prepare them for defining moments. For Tracey, it’s never about rushing; it’s about care. Whether she’s painting highlights at dawn or blending a subtle smudge before the Oscars, she treats every strand with patience and precision.

As the credits rolled on Oscars night, Tracey Cunningham’s work was already on display across the stage and red carpet. But behind the scenes, her week was a story of discipline, artistry, and the rituals that keep her grounded in the chaos of Hollywood.