Picking the right celebrity hairstyle for your salon client

Don't you love when a client comes in asking for you to match her style to a celebrity's look? You get the color and design perfect, but when the two of you look in the mirror it's obvious that you've fallen short of the goal. How does that happen? It's all about face shape.

Take a good look at that client to determine which of the six major face shape categories she falls into. Then consider what styles look best on that face shape. If the chosen celeb has a style that doesn't flatter her face shape, you'll just be going down the wrong path. Explain this to the client, mention that beauty comes in all shapes and try to get her onboard with a style that better suits her. If she still wants the celebrity's style, at least you tried!

Lucas, a stylist at NYC's Studio A Salon and an educator for Graham Webb's Back to Basics line, explains the six face shapes:

round

The client has the face shape of:

• Catherine Zeta Jones
• Kate Winslet
• Drew Barrymore
• Christina Ricci

These round faces look best in shorter styles. Layer at the top to achieve fullness, and keep the length close to the face. "This style makes the face appear longer," says Lucas, who adds a crucial tip: no center parts! Also, don't go super-short.

oblong/rectangular

The client has the face shape of:

• Sarah Jessica Parker
• Giselle Bundchen
• Ashlee Simpson

Short and medium-length styles look best on these ladies. Add wispy bangs if the client wants them, but make sure you create fullness at the sides to offset the long-face look. Try to talk these clients out of keeping their hair long.

heart-shaped

The client has the face shape of:

• Michelle Pfeiffer
• Jennifer Love Hewitt
• Kate Hudson

A chin-length bob with a side part is perfect, but any medium-length style will look good as long as you avoid height at the crown. Also, stay away from slicked-back styles.

square

The client has the face shape of:

• Sandra Bullock
• Demi Moore
• Gwyneth Paltrow
• Renee Zellwegger

Layers around the face soften this shape, which looks best in short to medium-length hair. Add some height at the crown with an off-center part. Keep bob lengths away from the jaw line; a little above or a little below is fine. Long, straight hair on this face? Not the best idea, despite Miss Paltrow's preference for it.

diamond-shaped

The client has the face shape of:

• Nicole Kidman
• Elizabeth Hurley
• Cate Blanchett

So many styles look good on this face that you can try pretty much anything she has in mind. Choose one that brings attention to her best feature, especially if that's her eyes.

oval

The client has the face shape of:

• Jennifer Aniston
• Cameron Diaz
• Julia Roberts
• Keira Knightley

This shape, too, can handle a lot of looks. If her face is truly a perfect oval, show it off by avoiding heavy bangs and letting the face shine.