Having an M.S. or PhD in psychology isn’t a legal requisite for being a celebrity hairstylist, but it very well could be: Besides the techniques of cutting and coloring, you have to have the right personality-- knowing when to speak, when to listen, and when to do neither. Giannandrea Marongiu, originally from Italy but now based in Los Angeles, has mastered the art and science of handling celebrity hair, as a quick glance of his client list boasts: Mariah Carey, Eva Mendes, Scarlett Johansson, Rosario Dawson. He just did Drew Barrymore’s subtly retro, sexy ‘do for the Golden Globes, and Kate Hudson for the recent January cover of Harper’s Bazaar UK. Here he talks to us about his life as a celeb hairdresser, and a little advice for those entering this exceedingly difficult-to-infiltrate field:

How’d you get to where you are now?
I’ve been through all the layers of the hair industry. I started in Italy. Then in the late ‘80s I was doing modeling shoots in Miami – magazine and editorial shoots. Then a lot of things started shifting to New York – everyone in the field started to live there, so I moved there in ‘94. I did fashion shows and shoots for Steven Meisel and others. Fashion was always my focus. I stayed closest to fashion until 3 years ago, I got momentum doing celebrities. I started realizing it wasn’t about fashion models as much anymore – the celebs were taking all the magazine covers. They were selling more copies. So I went to LA and started doing celebrities.

What are the latest hair trends?
Right now it’s about sexy hair – teased, backcomb, pulled up, chunky bangs, pieces falling, messy French twists. There’s a certain sassiness going on that I like.

Tell us about your recent Harper’s Bazaar cover with Kate Hudson….
That was the first time she worked with me. Her PR wanted something different. They wanted new, as did she. The guy who did her last InStyle cover did the same thing as always. For this one they wanted something fresh; I gave them that.

Craziest experience you’ve had?
I was in Madrid doing Ben Stiller’s hair for a media tour. It was 7 days of madness. I was in a motorcade with him and his people, and paparazzi were chasing us, so my driver was trying to box him out. This was in the middle of the evening in Madrid, 9 or 10, when everyone’s out for dinner. We were swerving around. Scary….

Ben Stiller? You do men’s hair too?
Oh yeah. Richard Gere, Val Kilmer, Josh Brolin….

What are essential qualities for being a celeb hairstylist?
You have to have very good manners and be sensitive to the person’s space. If they are on the phone don’t start chatting with them. Be polite, but above all, focus. You have a short amount of time to execute an idea. Concentrate on what to do. You become a part of their branding.

How do they deal with the trust issue?
Their personal life is in front of you. Always a sensitive matter. If they’re talking to their PR or agent you’re not part of the conversation although you’re right there. That can be a bit odd. Have a good time, but always concentrate on what you have to achieve -- you’re not there because you’re just hanging out as pals. .Amateurs make that mistake. From a technical perspective, focus on every angle… you have to consider the weather wherever they are going to be, and are they going from A/C to 90 degrees? Find out where they’re going. If their hair curls after an hour, they’ll have your head.

Any other advice for those trying to break into the industry?
Work hard. I’m getting my fame and respect through my work and with my clients – a common respect of artistry. I’m not seeking commercial fame. I focus on my art. To me that’s a key to success.

That seems contrary to the out-there nature of the profession today – it’s all over TV, with more than one hairstylist reality show…
I’ve been asked to be on some of those shows; I kindly declined their offers. I’m not commercial in that way. Those guys cannot compete with me technically.

What’s the hardest style to do?
An up-do. It’s hard to make it look modern without being matronly. But I can do it.

~Stephen Milioti