Hairstyles for the Shape of Your Face

What Hairstyle Will Best Suit Me?

First things first – before you think that you can go ahead and just pick a hairstyle, did you know that your face shape will determine how that hairstyle will accentuate your features, and ultimately be the main factor in the outcome of your overall look?

Maybe you did…maybe you didn’t – but this article will help you make sure that you do know how to go about choosing one hairstyle within the large variety of existing hairstyles.

The right hairstyles for the shape your face

The oval face is considered to be the ideal shape by hairdressers. People with an oval face shape can wear most hairstyles and lengths with it still looking “good”. The oval face is mathematically 1.5 times as long as its width, with the forehead slightly wider than the jaw.

Hairstyles to look for: Hairstyles that are short, medium and long suit you, since your face shape is well-balanced. You look best when styling hair off you face. If you have curly hair, a short hairstyle looks most chic.

Avoid: Covering up your “perfect” features with heavy hairstyles, or too forward-directed hairstyles. Also avoid too much hair on your face as it will cover the perfectly proportioned face.

Round faces are characterized by a round chin.

Because they lack the length of the oval face, the hairstyle should create the illusion of length in the face. This is achieved by adding height on top of the head, and minimizing hair width by keeping it flat at the sides and around the ears.

Hairstyles to look for: You can wear your hair either long or short, just be sure to have a few layers that you can use to create some volume on top of your head. This will make your face appear longer and slimmer.

Make sure your hair isn’t too full on the sides though. This will only accentuate the round shape you’re trying to hide.

Avoid: Slick back hairstyles without hair touching your face.

Do not add width around the sides of your face, this will make the face appear to be wider than normal. Also avoid a chin length hairstyle with rounded lines. These rounded styles will only make your face appear to be even more round.

Short hairstyles are also a thing to avoid, since it will only make your face appear to be heavier.

Rectangular faces have a square chin and hairline, and are long and narrow. The ideal hairstyle is one which creates width at the sides disguising the narrowness.

Hairstyles to look for: Short hairstyles or medium hairstyles, with fullness at the sides of your face and at your eyes and cheeks, is perfect for you.

You can also try soft and wispy bangs since it will shorten the appearance of the length. Layer works great with your face structure, as they will add softness to the straight lines in your face. Always have side parting to throw off the balance of your face.

Avoid: Too much hair length will make your face look longer. Avoid centre parts since it will bring attention to the middle of your face and make it appear to be longer.

Pear shaped faces have a narrow forehead and are widest at the jaw line, with a round chin.

The objective of a suitable hairstyle is to give the illusion of an oval face by creating width at the forehead and temples.

Hairstyles to look for: Chin length or long hairstyles are best for you. Go for hairstyles that are full at the temples, and gradually decrease in size at the jaw. Off-centre parts, shags and wedge cuts look great.

Try tucking hair behind your ears which will draw attention to your eyes and add width in this area.

Avoid: Long, full hairstyles that draw attention to jaw line. Avoid centre parts since it will bring attention to the middle of your face and make it appear to be longer.

Heart shaped faces are widest at the temples and narrowest at the jaw line.

Usually the chin is small and delicate. The hair cut style’s objective should be to create an oval by adding width at the jaw line.

Hairstyles to look for: A chin length lock or curl of hair is most complimentary on your face shape. This tends to be fuller at the bottom, which is what you would want if you were trying to bring width to your thin jawbone.

Avoid: Short, full hairstyles that emphasize upper face. Avoid too much height at the crown since it gives the appearance of a long and narrow chin. Avoid slicked-back looks for it will only draw more attention to the shape of your face.

Diamond shaped faces are widest at the cheekbones and narrow in the forehead and chin.

By creating width at the forehead and minimizing it at the cheekbones, the illusion of an oval face can be achieved.

Hairstyles to look for: If you are a true diamond then most of the hairstyles look good on your face.

You can wear shorter styles, however if you are a dramatic diamond shape you need to leave weight in the back nape area like a heart shaped face. This will achieve more balance between your dramatic cheekbones and more delicate chin line.

Avoid: Hairstyles that lift away from cheeks or move back from the hairline.

Square faces have a square jaw line and hairline at the forehead. They are generally thought of as being too short, so a suitable hairstyle seeks to create height to elongate the face. Hair should be layered around the face to soften the jaw line. The jaw and brow are nearly the same width.

Hairstyles to look for: Hairstyles that emphasize your cheekbones at mid-line of the face are most flattering for your features.

Go for side-parts. Wear a hairstyle coming forward onto the face to reduce the square feature of the face. Hair length is best about 1 to a half inch below the chin. Height in crown will create illusion of length.

Avoid: Long straight style that accentuate square jawbone. Also avoid linear straight bangs and centre-parts.

Although it would be nice to just walk into a hairstyle salon and ask your stylist to give you a celebrity hairstyle, the basic purpose of any hairstyle should be to add liveliness and create an effect that will accentuate your best features.

Do not choose a hairstyle merely because it looks attractive; go for something that will suit your temperament, your face and your bone structure.