How To Select A Hairstyle
Based On Face Shape

Determining Your Face Shape:
Use a well-lit mirror while pulling you hair back into a tight ponytail. Observe your face: the size, the shape of your forehead relative to your cheeks and chin, etc. Use a dry bar of soap and trace the outline of your face directly onto the mirror. Does the trace most resemble an oval, heart, diamond, square, or round shape? That is your face shape.

Selecting A Hairstyle Based On Face Shape: The Diagnostics
Below are tips and tricks for formulating the perfect haircut. Once you determine your face shape, use the corresponding advice below to help your stylest determine an ideal cut for you.

Select A Hairstyle Based On Face Shape: Round Face
You have a full-looking face with a round chin and hairline. Interestingly enough, this face shape is the rarest of the face shapes, although many women claim this to be their face shape. Often, it is your hairstyle that makes your face appear round. Celebrities with round faces include Drew Barrymore, Ginnifer Goodwin, Michelle Williams, and Kirsten Dunst.

Do: Try a style that adds fullness and height at the crown. This will create a slimming look. If you have long hair, try layers and an off center part. Keep the layers relatively close to your face to product a longer and narrower face. For shorter hair, try to keep hair longer than chin length.

Don’t: Avoid chin-length curly hair, or chin-length bobs. You hair should not mirror your face’s circular shape. Parting you hair at the center or having short chopped bangs will enhance the roundness of your face and add weight to your face shape. Avoid adding volume at the sides nearof your ears. This will emphasize the width of your face. Also, avoid hairstyles that are spiky and short topside. See our article on haircuts for a round face for more styles, tips, and pics of flattering round face haircuts.

Select A Hairstyle Based On Face Shape: Oval Face
Your face is slightly narrow at the jaw line and you have a rounded hairline (forehead is wider than the chin). You also have prominent cheekbones because the center of your face is the widest point. Celebrities with oval faces include Elizabeth Taylor, Keira Knightley, and Halle Berry.

Do: Because your face is well proportioned and balanced, you have the ideal face structure and can wear just about any hairstyle. This is the model face structure. Wispy bangs and one length hair looks best on you. If you want to emphasize your eyes, try blunt bangs that hit right at your eyebrows.

Don’t: Avoid high volume hair because it can make your face appear long.

Select A Hairstyle Based On Face Shape: Long Face (a.k.a. rectangular face)
You have a long and slender face shape with similar widths at your forehead as well as below your cheekbones. Often, you may have a high forehead and a narrow chin. Celebrities with long faces include Jennifer Love Hewitt and Liv Tyler

Do: Try a short to medium length haircut with some fullness at the side of your face to add some roundness to your shape. Fullness can be achieved by incorporating shaggy layers into your style that hit at nose level. This will help create the illusion of a wider face. Keep your hair on the crown smooth and add soft, wispy bangs to reduce the appearance of the length. And of course, part your hair on the side.

Don’t: Avoid lengthy cuts. This will only elongate your face! This also applies to adding too much height to your crown; you want to avoid volume on top of your head. In general, keep your hair above the shoulders, unless you have the time to keep your volume maintained. The key here is medium length. Also, avoid short cuts (jaw-length bobs) and short bangs. These styles will enhance your face length.

Do: Stick with a short to medium length haircut with wispy bangs. Add height to your crown and off-center parts. Light layering will soften the square look and will add volume to your head and sides to give your face a rounder look. Square face individuals look best with wavy or curly hair which will compliment the straight features of your face shape.

Don’t: Avoid long straight hair styles, straight bangs, or center parts which will emphasize your square jawbone. Do not get a haircut that ends at the chin. This will only focus the viewer’s attention to your jawline. Above all, avoid geometric lines.

Select a Hairstyle Based on Face Shape: Diamond or Heart Face
Your face is wide at the temple and hairline while your chin is narrow. Often, you will have prominent cheekbones. Celebrities with diamond or heart faces include Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, and Jennifer Garner.

Do: Try a chin to long length haircut with side parts. Gentle, swept bangs will better shape the wider top half of your face. Consider a chin length bob. This cut will give the lower part of your face fullness where it is lacking. Focussing volume and layers at chin level will help fill in the space around your chin.

Don’t: Avoid short bobs that emphasize the upper half of your face or add height to the crown. Too much height on your crown will make your chin longer and narrower. Avoid slicked back looks. In general, avoid top heavy cuts.

We hope these suggestions and ideas help next time you head to the salon. If you like this article on selecting a hairstyle for your face shape, please share it : )

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