Flatter your Face

HAIR Gossip


Do you ever wonder what hairstyle looks best with your face shape? Well wonder no more. With these helpful tips you will find out exactly what hairtsyles suit your face.

    Oval

The most symmetrical of all face shapes, oval faces are slightly narrower at the jaw line and chin than at the temples, with a gently rounded hairline.

Best hair for you

As one of the most versatile shapes, oval faces can pull off just about any look. Medium length is usually good with oval faces. On the other hand, try something a little shorter that is longer in the front to round everything out. Bangs compliment an oval faces. I usually like to do a slightly longer angled bang or as I call my side swept bangs, "the swoop." Luckily, just about every face shape can pull off a side swept bang.

What to avoid

If you have overly curly hair, you do not want short layers because they tend to get big and all you will see is a fluffy head. In general, oval faces should steer clear of short layers that add height to the top of the head. As they will make the face appear long. Avoid a middle part, they have the tendency to add length to the face as well.

Square

Square shaped faces are known for their strong square jaw lines and hairlines. They are equally broad at the forehead, cheeks, and jaw line.

Best hair for you

Square faces should have one goal when choosing a hairstyle. The shape should round out and play down your strong angular jaw. To achieve this, try adding soft layers around the temples and jaw. This will create more volume and lift around the face to make everything more proportionate. Textured tresses especially wavy or choppy ends work wonders with square faces.

What to avoid

Cuts that further accentuate the boxiness of your square face. For example, one length bobs and blunt bangs will draw attention to the square shape, while layered locks look fabulous.

Diamond

A cross between a heart shape and a dramatic oval, the diamond shaped face is widest at the cheekbones and equally narrow at the forehead and jaw line.

Best hair for you

Diamond shaped faces are unique, extremely distinct and can pull off a variety of looks. Short cuts that might otherwise be overlooked work well with diamond faces. You can go as short as the cheekbones. Longer layered cuts are suitable for a diamond face shape as well.

What to avoid

Since diamond faces typically have sharp, dramatic features, blunt cut edges and straight scissor cuts should be avoided. Stay away from harsh bluntness. I would recommend face framed layers starting around your cheekbones to avoid making your face look super narrow. You might want to razor the ends to soften up your look. Just take the edges and round them as opposed to making them straight across. Accentuate your unique features by steering clear of a heavy bang or wearing your hair too much on your face.

Round

Round faces feature a full looking face with a round chin and hairline, with the widest point being at the cheeks and ears.

Best hair for you

The most common and one of the most desired face shapes is round. With the ability to pull off a range of styles, feel free to experiment with what works for you. Try a bold asymmetric bang for a unique style. While length is negotiable, soft graduated layers are key. A hairstyle that has volume on the top but no fullness on the sides will make the face appear slimmer. Opt for something sleek and straight.

What to avoid

One length blunt cuts that lay at the jaw line spell disaster for round faces, as they emphasize your roundness. Avoid straight across bangs and a shorter hairstyle, it is going to look like you have too much going on in the front of your head.

Heart

Heart shaped faces are broader at the temples and hairline before tapering into a small, delicate chin. This face shape is also known as triangular.

Best hair for you

A truly unique shape with sharp, distinctive features is heart shaped. You want to add a little bit of softness or texture to your look. You do not want to bring a lot of attention to your very dramatic features, like your jaw. Attempt to wear jagged layers, nothing too blunt. Curls, bends, or twists can also provide a necessary distraction for your heart shaped face.

What to avoid

While your versatile mane can be worn long or short, you should avoid blunt cut layers and choppy bangs. I would go with a longer cut or just about an inch higher than the chin. Severe, slicked back looks are a no go, as they will only bring out your sharp features.

*Remember, not every face will fit into one of the categories above. Some may look like a mixture of round and square, and so on. If you have a combination face shape consider yourself lucky. You get the best of both worlds!