MORE 20-30 year olds are going for new sunny looks and basing them on their favourite celebrity or model.

The season is bringing out people's awareness of how they look and, whether fashion or beauty, the feel-good factor is adding dramatically to how Cestrians are styling their hair.

Andrea Gardener, assistant manager at Toni & Guy on Frodsham Street said: 'We inspire our haircuts at Toni & Guy with colour. People become lighter in the summer to brighten themselves up.'

There are current trends influenced by catwalk fashions, celebrities and variations of the old classics like the 80s mullet. Andrea continues to say that clients in the summer 'like a change but not a drastic change, adding colour makes the haircut better'.

But which celebrities are top of the hair hit list with customers at the moment?

Andrea said: 'Sarah Harding from Girls Aloud has been popular with her fringe.'

Others named include Heidi Klum and Halle Berry for the shorter cut and the Atomic Kitten girls - distinguished by their colour. Girls are also dedicating their locks to Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) on Sex and the City - 'the curls look is popular'.

'Guys are also going longer,' says Andrea, 'from a creation of different things.' This is focusing on the adaptation of styles over the years, to go for a variation of 80s styles.

Jason Lea Hairdressing Group on Lower Bridge Street are in the running for Hairdresser of the Year 2003 and are in the final six for the Midlands regional category.

Nominee and a director at the salon, Stephen Blyth, agrees the catwalks are the main influence on how people want their hair to look.

'There is a natural progression,' he says, 'everything is strong in catwalk shows. There are (at the moment) 60s influences which in the salon have a twist with a fresh appeal.'

He also explains that the salon styles do stem from the catwalks but are developed and slightly toned down for the Chester customers.

Stephen adds the style for females is the straight long hair, 'a bit of move-ment which kicks out immediately which will also be seen in the autumn. Long sweeping fringes across one eye are also popular', while the males are going for the choppy definition.

Jason Lea does cater many top of the range products as do all the top salons, a popular choice is the Tigi Catwalk range, which is marketed for 'creating feeling of texture' says Stephen.

The profile of hairdressing is on the increase coinciding with the desire to look good. People in Chester expect high standards from their salon and will pay for a good cut, whether trim, finish, perm, colour or a complete re-vamp. The expense for a haircut or colour at a salon does vary with type of cut, products, treatments, the independent stylist and class of the salon.

The number of chic salons in Chester promotes experience and generates the craving for individuality. Not only is the haircut part of the experience but so is the atmosphere in the salon.

Regis Hair & Beauty Salon welcomes the client and personally style them.

The fringe is said to be a key look this summer, as is texture, which should be soft and girlish.

Regis Hair & Beauty on Newgate Row in Grosvenor's Precinct discussed the prices for different hair cuts at their salon, presenting justification on why people will pay to look good in Chester.

It is common to have different grades of stylists, at Regis there are three types - stylist, style director and creative director, depending on experience.

Sarah Williams a Stylist at Regis Hair & Beauty, quoted a selection of prices at the salon. For a normal 'cut and blow' the client will pay from £27 to £38 depending on the grade of stylist whilst highlights are between £46.50 and £63.50. In addition customers will often purchase the brand products to achieve the look at home.

Why are these prices typical of Chester? 'Just because it's Chester, people pay for City Centre prices', said Sarah. 'It's a well-known City, people like to shop in Chester, they like the atmosphere and it's not too busy'.