That Hair Means Business: Cynthia Welles Talks Thunderbolts Styling

“The past doesn’t go away. So you can either live with it forever... or do something about it.”

That’s what Bucky Barnes says in Thunderbolts, but it’s a sentiment that resonates far beyond the MCU — especially in the real world, where a fresh haircut often marks the beginning of a new chapter. For many women, changing their hair isn’t just about style — it’s about shedding pain, reclaiming power, or stepping boldly into something new.

Few understand that kind of transformation better than Cynthia Welles, the Hollywood hairstylist behind some of the industry’s most iconic looks — including Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s commanding presence as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in Thunderbolts. Whether she’s crafting a villain’s sleek façade or helping real-life women find their next version of themselves, Cynthia’s work proves that hair is never just hair — it’s a statement, a shield, and sometimes, a reset.

Stepping Into the MCU

For Cynthia, getting the call to work on Thunderbolts — and style Julia Louis-Dreyfus — was a career-defining moment.

“Oh my god. Just so excited,” she recalls. “She’s so lovely and wonderful, and she’s a dream to work with.”

What made the experience even more thrilling was the chance to evolve Julia’s character into something more layered.

“It was really kind of exciting to create this, you know, villain that kinda makes you think that she's not a villain,” Cynthia explains. “She was a dream to work with, so it was very exciting.”

Crafting a New Look for Valentina

From the moment Valentina appeared in Black Widow with her signature streaks of purple, her look has commanded attention. But Thunderbolts offered a chance for evolution.

“We had a big glow up this year with her,” Cynthia says. “We’re not gonna do purple anymore. We’re going a different direction.”

That new direction was driven by collaboration.

“She told me she wanted a length, and then we kinda talked about the purple,” Cynthia says of Julia. “She kinda felt like she wanted to maybe evolve out of that and be more sophisticated and glamorous. So we decided — no purple.”

The result? A refined, classic look that matched Valentina’s poised, dangerous charm.

“Her wardrobe was very classic. Her makeup was fantastic by the wonderful Vasilios Tanis. And the hair, it just all complemented each other — keeping her simple and classic and elegant.”

The Challenges of Styling for Superheroes

Designing hair for an action-heavy Marvel film comes with its own set of hurdles — especially when stunts are involved.

“You create a style and you’re like, oh shoot, I forgot that they're gonna do stunts with this look,” Cynthia says. “I hope the stunt person can adapt because a lot of times, it's them trying to hide their face. And when there's hair, it kinda helps that.”

There’s also the element of secrecy. As with many Marvel projects, everything is kept tightly under wraps.

“We work under a secret name. It’s never the correct name,” she reveals. “And the wigmakers are NDA-clad. They sign an NDA just like the rest of us.”

Bringing Wigs to Life

A key part of Cynthia’s job on Thunderbolts was making Julia’s wig look as natural and real as possible.

“It had movement and life,” she says. “It didn’t look like a wig was just sitting on her head.”

The process itself is meticulous and time-consuming.

“I usually have the actress in my chair first, and I do what’s called the head wrap. I compact their hair down as tight as I can, then I send them to makeup, and then they come back over to me,” she explains. “Then I finish it up by laying the wig, pinning it, gluing it... Total time with me is about 45 minutes.”

From Marvel to More

Despite the scale and spectacle of the MCU, Cynthia says that one of the best parts of her job is the human connection.

“I really enjoy working with different people because I'm a people person,” she says. “It’s kind of magical in a way. You're someplace new or someplace that you've been before that you get to reacquaint with. It’s nice when those two things collide.”

When asked if there’s another creative path she might’ve pursued, Cynthia pauses. “Sometimes I think about medicine,” she admits. “But here I am.”Still, after years of heavy wig work, she jokes,

“I just want a little cop show or a rom-com. Simple little hair and maybe ponytails.”

Lessons from a Lifelong Career

Having worked on projects ranging from Bullet Train to Disney Channel classics like Lab Rats, Cynthia has built a career defined by versatility and heart. But it’s the moments of awe that keep her grounded.

“I just worked this last week, and it was literally like, I can't believe I'm doing this with this actor. Pinch me.”

And of course, working with legends like Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Katherine Hahn still gives her goosebumps.

“I grew up watching [Julia]... her comedy and also her dramatic acting is just astounding.”

Advice for Aspiring Stylists

Cynthia’s advice for newcomers? Embrace change and stay flexible.

“The industry is changing... Go into it without a preconceived notion. Learn and have a passion for it, because it is very different than it was.”

Glueing it Down

From the salon chair to the silver screen, Cynthia Welles doesn’t just style hair — she tells stories, shapes characters, and helps bring cinematic icons to life one strand at a time. As the Marvel universe continues to expand, one thing’s certain: wherever transformation is happening, Cynthia’s work won’t be far behind.

xoxo, Anisha Dwarka, Content Director