Face Shapes

Hair Cut Style: What Works Best for You?

When choosing your new hair cut style you should consider which styles you like, which styles suit your lifestyle and hair type, but above all — which style of hair cut will look the most flattering on you.

While choosing the right hair cut style is ultimately about your personal taste there are some basic rules you should follow. At the top of this list is considering what styles suit your face shape.


Finding the Right Hair Cut Style for Your Face Shape

Oval shaped faces

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

The oval face is the most versatile face. You can pull off almost any look — short or long, straight or wavy. But for the most flattering look on you, consider your best feature and highlight it with your haircut.

If you have gorgeous bone structure, consider an angular bob that shows off your chin. Great eyes? Blunt or side-swept bangs are a great bet.

Styles that are flattering and stylish: sophisticated bobs,FRINGE, long, beachy waves (think California surfer girl).

Avoid: Short layers that add height on top of your head. Aside from being dated, short layers can make your face appear long. If your hair is thick or curly, avoid a blunt cut. You’ll look like a pyramid. If you have curly hair, short hair is generally a no-no (see “10 Secrets to Styling Curly Hair“). Try shoulder-length or longer to weigh down curls.


 

Round shaped faces

are characterized by a round chin. Because they lack the length of the oval face, the hair should be cut to create the illusion of length in the face. This is achieved by creating height on top of the head, and minimizing hair width by keeping it flat at the sides and around the ears.

Your goal is to create less volume around the face. You also want to minimize the appearance of roundness.

Styles that are flattering and stylish: Try cuts that fall just below the chin. Soft, graduated layers are a great bet because they make your face appear slimmer and tend to remove bulk and weight from the sides. Consider wispy and tapered ends. These de-emphasize the roundness of your face. Bangs are flattering, but keep them long or sideswept.

Avoid: One-length, blunt cuts if you have short hair. Curly, short hair is also a no-no. These only emphasize your roundness.


 

Rectangular shaped faces

have a square chin and hairline, and are long and narrow. The ideal style of hair cut is one which creates width at the sides disguising the narrowness. A fringe can also shorten the face, and a style with a side part will help to reduce the square appearance.


 

Pear shaped faces

have a narrow forehead and are widest at the jawline, with a round chin. The objective of a suitable style of hair cut is to give the illusion of an oval face by creating width at the forehead and temples.


 

Heart shaped faces

are widest at the temples and narrowest at the jawline. Usually the chin is small and delicate. The hair cut style’s objective should be to create an oval by adding width at the jawline.

Your pointy chin tends to be the focal point of your face. Draw attention to your eyes and cheekbones instead with sideswept FRINGE (like Paris Hilton), brow-grazing fringe, a strong part and hair that falls at or below your jawline. Have short hair? Keep top layers soft and long. Long hair? Go for long layers that graze your cheekbones.

Avoid: Short, blunt-cut bangs and harsh, choppy layers.


 

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.


 

Square shaped faces

have a square jawline and hairline at the forehead. They are ‘too short’, so a suitable hair cut style seeks to create height elongating the face. Hair should be layered around the face to soften the jawline. Jaw and brow nearly the same width. Hair should wisp around the face to reduce squareness.

If you have a square face, you’ll want to play down your strong, angular jaw. Texture, in the form of curls or choppy ends, do this brilliantly. You can also get away with short, spiky cuts and long, sleek styles with layers that start at the jawline and continue downward.

Avoid: One-length bobs (especially chin-length) and blunt-cut bangs. These will make your face look even more square