Seasonal trendy hairstyles are funky, stylish and sometimes even asymmetrical. But not everyone has the right face shape for the latest hair fashions. If your haircut does not play up your face shape, you may feel uncomfortable or lack confidence. Unfortunately, out of habit, many of us resort to the same style without worrying about whether or not it fits our face. Why play it safe? Everyone looks better when they have a hairstyle that is geared towards their specific face shape. Pointed chin, broad forehead, square cheeks — it doesn’t matter; these are features that help determine the proportions of your face and which hairstyle will make you look great. Everyone, regardless of their face shape, can find the perfect hairstyle.
Determine your face shape. Sit down in front of a mirror and tie your hair back. Focus on your hairline and jawline. It is important to estimate the width of your face relative to your jaw line. This shows your face shape. The distance between your eyes, and the distance between the outer corners of your eyes and your hairline, at your temples, gives additional clues to the type of face shape you have.
Pick your shape. There are generally five face shapes: heart-shaped, rectangular, round, oblong and oval. There are always exceptions as well; those which can not be clearly categorized in only one of the five categories. But regardless, each woman can find a suitable hairstyle for her face shape, to emphasize positive attributes such as high cheekbones, a delicate nose or a cute, pointed chin.
Heart and rectangular faces are similar. For the heart-shaped face, the broad forehead, a narrow chin line and the prominent, pointed chin define this shape. It is best for this type of shape to have hairstyles with end or side bangs, and blunt-cut hair that ends just below the chin. In addition, curls or waves can help narrow parts of the face look wider. Even cuts that camouflage the forehead a little are suitable. Also ideal are short haircuts like a bob, which extends to just below the chin. Generally speaking, volume and semi-long hair styles with full bangs are best for a heart-shaped face.
Soften angles with contoured cuts. For a square face, layers or fringes are great, and look good falling around the face. Volume at the crown compensates for a face that appears too wide. The width of the forehead and jaw line are crucial to determining if your face looks more rectangular or square. Rectangular faces look great with curly styles, to add more body to the sides. A side pony-tail or slight inward waves formed around the chin help the contours of the face appear softer. Basically, the more square and wide your face, the longer your hair should be.
Full cheeks and soft edges along the jaw line and forehead area are the features of a round face. Optimally, this face shape looks good with at least shoulder-length hair that falls around the sides of the face and helps elongate it. A layered section with lots of volume on top and less volume on the sides makes the face look longer. Particularly suitable for this face shape are asymmetrical cuts. Stay away from extremely short haircuts if you want to downplay a round face shape.
Anyone who has a longer face can wear medium-length cuts fairly well. A long, straight pony-tail can also visually shorten the face. Layered cuts make the overall look softer. If you want a bit more fullness in your face, go for volume with soft waves or a bob. Even a classic ponytail is great for women with long faces, but experiment with wearing your ponytail high on your head, at mid-level and lower to see which position looks the best with your face.
Finally, if you have an oval face shape, with slightly wider cheekbones and a narrow forehead and jaw line, count yourself lucky because you can look great in just about any haircut!
Selecting the right hairstyle may seem overwhelming, with all the styles to choose from. Use your face shape as your starting point, and ask your stylist to help you find the style that makes the most of your facial assets so that you can look your best, all the time!