We’ve all seen a haircut on a celebrity that makes us say “I’d love to have my hair like that!” But, while it may be tempting to go to your hairdresser the next day to request a haircut like the one a celebrity had, you should do a little research about which haircut will actually look good on you. Following trends should be for your benefit, so trying to get a celebrity haircut should only make you look better, and it will—if you follow a few simple rules.

Before you get a new haircut, look at the way your face is shaped so that you can figure out which style would be best for you. For instance, long hair styles work well on just about anyone, but oval or slightly oblong faces are especially complimented by long hair. Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Gwenyth Paltrow, and Kyra Sedgewick have made having long hair popular, and often have highlights in their hair to compliment skin undertones. If you have a round face, you may want to try a shorter style that is more defined may compliment your face best. Stars like Halle Berry and Jada Pinkett-Smith look great in short hair, so pay attention to which stars your face is shaped the most like before making an appointment, so you can tell the stylist exactly what you want.

Keep in mind that your haircut is not going to turn out exactly the way you saw it in a fashion magazine or on TV. You’re looking at celebrity haircuts to get an idea for your next haircut, so don’t expect your stylist to replicate the cut exactly. After all, you do want to maintain your own identity (don’t you?). So, if you’re getting layers (think Jessica Alba, Angelina Jolie) make sure your hair is cut in layers that you can manipulate each day, without leaving the house frustrated. You may also have to change the hair products you use in order to accommodate your new style, so be sure to ask your stylist for product information.

Your celebrity-inspired haircut may look better with a little color added, so check out a few highlight colors to compliment your new style. Blond and brown highlights look good on almost everyone, so you’ll want to ask your stylist which shades would be best for you. To give your stylist a clear idea of what you want, it may be best to bring a picture or two of your favorite celebrity haircut, so you can get as close to the ‘real thing’ as possible.