While it’s okay to look through magazines or websites for hairstyle ideas, the main thing we always tell clients is that we can’t (nor do we want to) make you look like someone else! Every individual has unique features, and that’s what keeps the world interesting.
You can ask for “The Rachel,” a wolf cut, or wispy bangs, but just know that it will look a little different on you than it does on others. A skilled stylist will always customize a cut to bring out your unique features and help you embrace your natural beauty.
“I Want to Look Just Like…”
When some clients walk into our salon, they request a style based on the celebrity who made it famous. But what they don’t consider is that a celebrity’s face shape, hair texture, and even hair color make the cut look different on that person than it will on them; and that having a stylist on hand 24/7 is much different than having none at all. Consider these examples:
The Rachel
For over 20 years, “The Rachel” was one of the most frequently requested hairstyles. The layered bob with side-swept bangs looked incredible on Jennifer Aniston’s heart-shaped face because it softened her angular features, balanced her wider forehead, and drew attention away from her narrow chin. However, clients who asked for this cut weren’t always thrilled with the results. One Allure writer tried it and said her hair was just too thick to pull it off, stating that it poofed up in humid weather and the frizz “couldn’t even be controlled with bobby pins.” She soon found that growing it out into long, wavy locks better suited her hair’s texture.
Even Aniston herself wasn’t actually thrilled about her namesake style. In a 2013 interview, she told Marie Claire, “‘The Rachel’ was … horrible and … high maintenance.” She explained the look “took three brushes” and was “like doing surgery.” Anyone without a professional stylist would no doubt get frustrated with the amount of time and effort it took to fix.
Posh Spice
Victoria Beckham’s inverted bob has re-emerged as a popular cut in 2024. It works well on those with an oval face and high cheekbones like the Spice Girl. It’s also flattering on round faces because the longer locks in front elongate the face. But Beckham’s hair is straight and thin, so the stacked look in the back might look different on someone who has wavy or thick hair since the layers might stick out more.
And unlike a cut that’s even throughout, an angled bob will start to take on a different look (and become a little shaggy) as it grows out. Maintaining a trim schedule every 4-5 weeks will keep the edges smooth and angles sharp. If you’re not prepared for the upkeep, we’ll recommend another option.
Halle Berry
Since she has the perfect oval-shaped face and small features, the queen of pixie cuts has pulled off the short style in just about every shape and form. Berry has gone flawlessly from spiky to smooth, wavy to straight, and bangs slicked back to bangs hanging loosely, so clients often think they can request hair just like hers. But a pixie cut on one person is never the same as it is on someone else.
For example, someone with a round face will need more volume on top to make their face look longer. On a heart-shaped face, side-swept bangs are good for minimizing a wide forehead. A knowledgeable stylist will always deliver a pixie cut that brings balance to facial features and shape — not just a promise to make you look like Catwoman.
Trendy Cuts That Require the Right Stylist
Besides requests to look like celebrities, we also get clients who ask for a new style that’s all the rage. Trust us when we say some of these cuts are great when done right, but some are not for everyone. Don’t be surprised if we try to steer you towards something more classic that you won’t regret in a week.
Wolf Cut
This can be a really feminine, edgy cut, but if you’re not careful, choppy, short layers on top combined with longer layers in the back can easily resemble a mullet. In a wolf cut, there needs to be a gradual transition between the soft, shaggy fringe around the face and the longer layers in back. If the separate areas are too defined, it won’t be what you’re looking for.
Curtain and Birkin Bangs
It’s common for clients to want to switch things up by getting bangs, but they don’t always know which type to ask for. Curtain bangs are separated in the middle and cascade along either side of the face, often stopping mid-cheek. They are great for highlighting cheekbones and making the face look slimmer.
Birkin bangs, on the other hand, have a lighter, wispier look and stop around the eyes and brows. Often when clients want blunt bangs that go all the way across the forehead, we recommend birkin bangs because of their softer, piecey appearance that doesn’t make the face look wider. Both types of bangs can be flattering, but they need to be cut right, and you have to know how to style them to pull them off.
Halo Cut
Thankfully we are past the point of haircuts done by mom, but there’s a new trend that has a modern take on the bowl cut. Featuring full, French bangs paired with collarbone-length hair, this style has a slightly uneven and soft, natural appearance. It’s best on wavy or naturally curly hair, and the key to making it move is to add subtle layers that frame the contours of the face. When done right, it can look really, really good. Otherwise, you might as well head back to mom’s kitchen.
Vakkar Stylists Will Always Give Honest Advice and Customize Your Cut
Celebrity cuts or the newest style trends aren’t always terrible. In fact, a lot of them can be extremely flattering. But we will never promise to deliver a style just because you ask! We will always consult with you about why you like a certain look, how it will look on your unique head of hair, and what it will take to style it every day. Our goal is for you to feel beautiful when you leave our salon and every day until you come back — whether it’s a cut you’re trying for the first time, or one you’ve been wearing for years. To schedule an appointment at Vakkar, contact us today!
