Hair advice for the stars

Up? Down? Just like Dr. Phil, we tell it like it is!

Most Hollywood starlets are surrounded by an entourage who gush over them 24/7 but sometimes all they really want to know is the hard truth: Does my hair look better up or down? We're here to tell them. Click through the gallery to see if you agree with our brutally honest advice.



Jennifer Aniston

She made "The Rachel" famous the world over and each time Aniston emerges from the hair salon it becomes headline news. The power of her tresses isn't lost on the actress, who refuses to step out without a perfect blowout. On those rare occasions when she dares to wear it up, we're sorry, but we're just not feelin' it.

Jessica Alba

Like many busy moms, the actress has been wearing her hair up more and more over the past few years, not only on the playground but on red carpets too. While she certainly has the features to pull off the look, we'd like to see more of her long-lost hair.

Jennifer Lopez

When you're as gorgeous as Jennifer Lopez, you don't really need anyone's beauty advice, but we're dishing it out anyway. While she certainly makes a striking impression with both looks, you just can't ignore the elegance when she wears her hair off her face.

Jessica Simpson

The blond beauty is one of the few Hollywood stars who looks better au natural, and that includes those lazy days when only a pony tail will do. On the other hand, it does seem a bit of a waste not to show off those luscious locks of hers, which are the envy of women everywhere. Decisions! Decisions!

Nicole Kidman

The Aussie actress - and her unforgettable hair - made quite the impression on North Americans after she appeared opposite Tom Cruise in "Far and Away." Her long, curly red hair is arguably the star's best feature, which is why there's no question which style we prefer.

Charlize Theron

The actress could go bald and she'd still be a beauty, but if she were to come to us for advice on which looks best, we'd take a moment to revive ourselves and then promptly tell her to lose the updo.

Taylor Swift

We love the country cutie's trademark ringlets, even though she's probably spent hours cursing them as people born with curly hair tend to do. While we know Swift needs a break from them every now and then, we say bring 'em on!

Olivia Wilde

Luckily, the in-demand actress looks pretty flippin' hot with her hair up because there's no time for bonding with your blow dryer when you have this many movies on the go. Plus, we're not feeling the bang situation and her hair may even drag her face down a little.

Katy Perry

When it comes to the songstress' beautiful black hair (which may also be pink or blue depending on the hour), we're hot when it's down and cold when it's up. Sure, she's pretty lovely either way, but there's a softer look about Mrs. Russell Brand when it's down.

Kim Kardashian

The reality TV starlet has many famous features, but for the purposes of this exercise we'll be sticking to her face, which can be best appreciated with her hair pulled back. No doubt Kardashian feels the same way because she wore it up for her wedding.

Before They Were Famous

Oh sure, they’re household names now. But everyone has to pay their dues.

Before They Were Famous
 Check out the surprising first roles of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, and watch videos of others before they struck it big.

Ben Affleck
Long before he was an Oscar winner for this film, a pre-teen Ben starred in the educational series “Voyage of the Mimi” in 1984. (Watch clips.) He recently directed and starred in this critically acclaimed film.

Jennifer Aniston
Before she was a favorite on this TV show or known for her high-profile romance with this A-list star, Jennifer starred in the critical bomb “Leprechaun” (watch clips). That was two years before she became a household name.

Jennifer Lopez
When she was just Jenny From the Block, before she was an international star, Jennifer made her debut with a small role in “My Little Girl” (see the trailer). She also was a Fly Girl on "In Living Color" with another familiar face.

Tom Cruise
The high-profile star played a small role in 1981’s “Endless Love” (watch clips), which starred this well-known actress, whom he famously criticized many years later.

Sylvester Stallone
Sly’s first role won’t go down as a cinematic achievement. “The Party at Kitty and Stud’s” was re-released after the actor’s star rose dramatically with this film. Upon re-release, it was called “The Italian Stallion.” (See the trailer.)

Keira Knightley
Blink and you’ll miss her, or you’ll think she’s Natalie Portman in her non-speaking role in this film. She was hired specifically for her resemblance to Portman. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in 2005 for this film.

Tom Hanks
Even two-time Oscar winners for Best Actor had to start somewhere. Tom starred on this TV series at the same time the made-for-TV movie “Mazes & Monsters” was released. (Watch clips.)

Angelina Jolie
Her first role was in a film with her father called “Lookin’ to Get Out” (watch clips) when she was 6 years old, and her first major role came in “Cyborg 2” at age 17. (Watch clips.) Check out her other films.

Naomi Watts
Known for her dramatic roles in acclaimed films like “21 Grams” and “Mulholland Drive,” it’s a surprise that one of her first roles was in this horror flick, based on a book by Stephen King.

Denzel Washington
This Oscar winner started out humbly enough, in a 1977 TV movie called “Wilma” (about this real person). Just nine years later, he won his first Academy Award for a role in this film.

John Travolta
Before “Saturday Night Fever” and “Grease,” Travolta’s movie debut came in the laughably bad “The Devil’s Rain.” (Watch clips.) It’s nice to know there’s life after a film where most of the cast is melted by Satan. (You can’t make this up!)

Evangeline Lilly
When she was cast as the female lead in this popular TV series, most wondered where she came from. We have the answer. She made her debut in this advertisement. Really.

Hilary Swank
This Oscar winner got her start with a single line of dialogue in the original “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” movie. (Watch clips.) She also put her role on this TV series far, far behind her.

Brad Pitt
A lot of people consider this film Brad’s big debut. But no, it was the 1989 film “Cutting Class.” (Watch clips.) This low-budget slasher flick was the world’s first glimpse of the future Mr. Jolie.