Before Kim Kardashian was a reality star and snapped strolling on the beach with Paris Hilton toting matching metallic Louis Vuitton handbags, she was paying the bills working as a stylist.

We're not sure who her clients are, but all celebrities who've been seen wearing an abundance of bandaged Herve Leger dresses and sparkling pumps are probably prime candidates.

Who doesn't? Getting free material is the stuff. Going to fancy parties is where it's at. And being recognized for being able to pick clothing out of a closet, dab on lipstick or put hair into a ponytail? Wowza sign us up!

But getting to that higher level requires a little work and know how. Let's take a look at how to get yourself that stylin' position you've always wanted.

The fashions on American Idol are as fun as the singing, and in some cases far more entertaining. Case in point, please see Sanjaya's many hair "experiments" and then count how many of his songs are on your iPod.

This past season was no exception, and we issued an impassioned plea to Ramiele Malubay to let Mr. Miles, stylist to the stars, help her "up" her fashion game. Imagine our giddy surprise when the actual Mr. Miles dropped us a line to say that the girls were styled by this season by Blair Levin.

We couldn't find much information about Ms. Levin, but she worked on mafia caper/girl power film Wise Girls, starring Mira Sorvino and Mariah Carey. From the trailer (above) it looks like something we'd love to see, and discuss over drinks with her!

Blair, call us next time you're in SF. We're buying if you're willing to dish!

The shiny perfection of a professional blowout is dreamy. We figure that's the best part about being a celeb, having a stylist to do your hair and make up before every appearance. The mystery is why, in the name of St. Joan Rivers On The Red Carpet, do so many of them show up with ratty hair and unflattering makeup?

Stylelist has a post about good hair/bad hair with some doozies. The Olsens are definitely big offenders, but they have nothing on Helena Bonham-Carter. We adore her, but her hair...words fail.

We know everyone can't be Cate Blanchett, but the world would be a better place if more of them tried to. Revisit Helena's many dramatic "appearances" in the gallery.

How many times have you watched Sex and the City and thought, "Boy, I'd love wear clothes like that with as much chutzpah as (insert favorite SATC gal here), but I don't even know where to begin!"? It can be intimidating to go shopping on your own when you're looking for a signature style, whether it's your very own or "borrowed" from your favorite SATC character.

Tobi.com wants to make it a little easier for you to dress with serious style. They offer a personal stylist feature that will give you the guidance you need to dress like Carrie, Miranda, Samantha or Charlotte. If you're still not sure, check out our gallery to see some of their suggestions for character-based ensembles.

Everyone loves a makeover, because there is always a happy ending. Over at Stylelist, in honor of Mother's Day, they have an amazing series of "Look Five Years Younger" makeovers.

The thing that just blew our minds was how the makeovers demonstrated the power of a good cut and color. Clothes that fit and flattering makeup are important, but well-cared for hair telegraphs to the world that you value and care about yourself.

According to StyleList, bangs continue to be a hot trend, but how do you know if they're right for you? You could, of course, try out some fake bangs to get the look. But, if that's not for you, there are a few bang facts you need to know before you make the cut -- remember, it takes FOREVER to grow them out.

The main things to take into account before cutting bangs are your hair type, face shape, and the amount of effort you're willing to put into it.

Today's Stylist poll is about fake bangs. Should you or shouldn't you, would you or wouldn't you?

We say, OMG yes!

Bangs can be the hardest hairstyle to pull off successfully, unless you're Heidi Klum, with an amazing face and 24/7 groomers to make sure they are exactly the right length at all times. Plus, growing them out takes forever.

But fake bangs take all of the maintenance, and commitment, out of the equation.

Prada, pictured here, went (as usual) for an ultra faux bang look. Fakies also turned up, just slightly more natural looking, at the Hervé Léger by Max Azria for Fall '08.

If those are too outré for you, there is always the standard sex kitten clip-on heavy bang, available across the internets for pocket change.

So, are you in or are you out? Go vote!

Today's poll over at sister site StyleList is Would You Wear a Turban? Thank you Olsen Twins and Prada, for another trip to Unwearable Village.

It's our opinion that you may only wear a turban:

• while doing your hair, at the spa or salon, or in the comfort of your own bathroom
• if you lost your hair due to cancer treatments or alopecia
• because it's part of your religion
• going to a Murder on the Orient Express party
• when the Queen grants you the use of Dame, e.g. Dame Elizabeth Taylor
• to satisfy an unbearable urge to pull out your old Dynasty costumes, i.e. you are Joan Collins

Otherwise, no.

Disagree with us? Head on over to the poll and vote!

Being fashion-forward doesn't mean you can't sport eco-friendly duds, too. Adding a few sustainably made items here and there is a great start, but what if you're ready to really do an overhaul? There are so many choices -- where do you shop? And what should you do with your old clothes?

Not to worry! You can hire your very own EcoStylist at Coco's Shoppe!

The Olsen twins didn't want to ruin their stylist, Estee Stanley's wedding by attracting too much attention from the paparazzi, so they did what anyone trying to look inconspicuous would do -- they put on Carver Masks (thank you Nip/Tuck for providing us with two straight seasons of Carver nightmares).

I almost fell off my couch when I read the news -- Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen have a stylist. Ummm...what? Since when? These are the girls who have been famous for their trashcan chic heroine chic style that they supposedly developed on their own. Back in the day I saw an interview in which they said they dressed themselves. I just assumed that hadn't changed recently but I was wrong.

Today I read that Ashley Olsen is crashing on a friend's couch while her house is being remodeled. Forget that she's worth a billion dollars. Why stay at a hotel if your friends will let you bum? InTouch is reporting that she has moved in with Estee Stanley and will continue sleeping on the fold out couch until the work on her house is completed. Then the article mentioned that Estee Stanley is Ashley and Mary Kate's longterm stylist. That's when I lost it.

The point isn't even about them having a stylist or not. The point is that these girls are paying someone to dress them in fashion disaster after fashion disaster. Couldn't they do that on their own? How much money does it really cost to have someone dress you up as a homeless person?

First of all, if you haven't yet visited Piperlime, I highly encourage you to do so. It's shoe shopping at its best -- thousands of fabulous styles, great designers, and searchable in a number of ways (by price, likeFantastic Finds Under $75; by style like Sandals, Flats, Pumps, etc.; and by designer). And, best of all, no snobby shoe salesperson making comments about your pedicure!

The site now has a new, fun way to search -- you can choose to browse through stylist to the stars Rachel Zoe's picks. Want to see what she picked? Check out our gallery and see if you agree with her choices. Maybe you, too, could be a celebrity stylist!

Who better than Patricia Field, stylist for the Sex and the City gals, to give us the perfect accessory for the Sex and the City movie? Well, truth be told, I'm sure there are lots of must-haves. I mean, you can't go without Manolos on your feet and a Carrie Bradshaw-approved bag on your arm, right?

Well, even better, or at least far less expensive, is the Cutesy Heart Flask. At just $26, it's totally affordable, and useful. You could fill it up with, you know, hot chocolate, or soda, or the obvious -- COSMOS -- before hitting the movie theater for the big premiere and feel right at home with Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte.

Although, since we're talking about a feature length movie, you might want to bring two of them since they only hold 6 oz. each. That way, if the movie isn't meeting your expectations, you don't have to worry because you probably won't remember it anyway!

Cutesy Heart Flask, $26 at PatriciaField.com

Stylists tend to be chatty people, so before you know it, you're talking about the latest celebrity gossip, your love life, or the black market business you've established selling illegal firearms to South American rebel groups.

But while it might seem OK to share this potentially incriminating information with the man or woman shaping your finely-groomed coiffure, be careful. This new blow dryer/spy camera makes it easy for your stylist to record your tales of nefarious activity, and report to the authorities.

The seemingly innocuous little gadget comes complete with a 3.7mm wide angle lens, a 2.4 GHz receiver, and even a x-ray vision that lets you beam images up to 1500 ft -- making it easy to document your every transgression.

However, it should be fairly easy to tell if the person cutting your hair has a side gig with the CIA -- namely, because they'll be using a hair dryer that doesn't actually dry your hair. That, despite appearances, is the one thing this super-duper spy cam isn't capable of.

[via Shiny Shiny]