Sally Hershberger didn't just style some of the most famous heads in Hollywood — she helped define what modern celebrity hair looks like. From Meg Ryan's shaggy '90s cut to Kris Jenner's sharp, structured pixie, Hershberger has a way of making a hairstyle more than a look — she makes it a moment. Now, after years of shaping beauty trends and building the careers of some of the industry's top stylists, she's turning her focus to education, mentorship and creating the next wave of icons.
Courtesy of Sally Hershberger
Making the Cut — and Making It Count
Drastic hair changes can feel risky. Hershberger's take? Go all in.
"It's simple," she says. "You just have to want it. If you're not excited, it's not going to work."
She says people often overthink it. Bringing in inspiration photos helps, sure — but the real magic happens when the client is ready to fully commit. "When someone's in the right headspace, the cut transforms them," she says. "You feel it instantly."
A Fresh Take on Kris Jenner's Signature Style
When Kris Jenner sat in Hershberger's chair for a refresh, the goal was clear: keep it classic, but push it forward.
"Short hair suits Kris perfectly — it's part of her image," Hershberger explains. "But I wanted to bring in some edge. Something cool, a little French, but still totally her."
The result is a chic, sculpted pixie with a Parisian vibe — all clean lines and subtle volume. It looks effortless, but behind it is serious technique — and a lot of product. "You'd never know by looking at it, but I use a ton," Hershberger laughs. "Root lift, mousse, shaping balm — all from my 24K line."
Courtesy of Sally Hershberger
Not About the Trends — It's About the Person
Lately, the bob is everywhere — some say it's thanks to the Sally's work with Kendall Jenner. When she cut Kendall Jenner's hair, it wasn't the runaway trend it has become since she freshened up her look and gave it the Parisian flair. Sally says, "I gave [her bob] structure, made it feel fresh again. It's long enough to pull back, but short enough to feel bold."
Her philosophy? Hair is like architecture. "It's all measurements and balance", says Sally, "You can teach technique, but you can't teach the eye."
Behind the Chair, Beyond the Chair
Hershberger's legacy isn't just in the styles she's created — it's in the people she's mentored. "I've trained some of the best in the business," she says. "Chris McMillan, Mark Townsend, Tommy Buckett, Peter Butler… even Tracey Cunningham started with me."
She's proud of the empire she's quietly built. "I always picked people with raw talent and gave them the space to grow," she says. "Watching them go out and make names for themselves — that's the best part."
It wasn't always common to mentor that way, either. "In the '80s, I didn't even use assistants," she says. "That didn't start until the '90s. Now it's standard. But back then, I just did the work myself."
Courtesy of Sally Hershberger
What's Next? Teaching the Craft
These days, Hershberger is all about sharing what she knows. "I want to teach more. I've done the celebrity thing, built the salons, created the product line. Now I want to give back to the next generation."
And for anyone considering a bold change? Her advice hasn't changed:
"You just have to wanna do it."
You can still find Sally cutting hair at her New York salon, Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger, or in L.A. Her 24K line is available at SallyHershberger.com.
