Nowadays, getting new hairstyles have become a challenge for many girls. Many ranges of hairstyles are available out there, but the thing is what looks good on one person may not look good on another. Like your clothes, hairstyles aren’t one-size-fits-all. But unlike your clothes, you can’t take a crap hairstyle off after a day of fielding digs from your colleagues.
One of the most important factors of hairstyle suitability is face shape analysis.
What Face Shape Am I?
But how can you determine what shape your face is?
It’s simple. First, arm yourself with a flexible tape measure. Then, take the following measurements, recording each as you go:
Forehead: Measure across your face from the peak of one eyebrow arch to the peak of the opposite arch.
Cheekbones: Measure across your cheekbones, starting and ending at the pointiest part below the outer corner of each eye.
Jaw-line: Measure from tip of your chin to below your ear at the point at which your jaw angles upwards. Multiply that number by two to get your jawline measurement.
Face Length: Measure from the centre of your hairline to the tip of your chin.
Once you’ve got these measurements, note which is the largest of the four, and then compare to the below profiles to see which best describes your face shape:
Square: All measurements are fairly similar. The angle of the jaw is sharp rather than rounded.
Round: Cheekbones and face length have a similar measurement. They are larger than forehead and jawline, which also have a similar measurement. The angle of the jaw is soft and much less defined.
Diamond: Face length measures largest. Then, in descending order: cheekbones, forehead, and smallest is jawline. The chin is pointed.
Heart: Forehead measures greater than the cheekbones and jawline. The chin is pointed.
Oval: Face length is greater than the width of the cheekbones, and forehead is greater than the jawline. The angle of the jaw is rounded rather than sharp.
It’s important to remember that even though your face may not be an exact match of any single shape, it will resemble one shape overall.
The shape must:
- Minimize non-pleasing attributes.
- Promote and compliment positive ones.
Once this important objective is achieved, then bringing the hairstyle to life with texture and colours becomes easy.
Here are some tips and tricks that you can use to get the best style for you.
Square Shaped Faces
Sussing out your own face shape isn’t actually that tricky. All you need to do is take an old lipstick and trace around the outline of your face (excluding your ears). What do you see? If it’s equally wide at the forehead, cheekbones and jawline, you have a square face.
YOU’RE HAIRSTYLE OPTIONS
You can choose either long or short depending on whether you want to emphasize your jawline- but the good news is that most lengths work for you. Here’s what to consider:
Long
Longer styles come with wavy, textured effect to soften the angular jaw. Avoid long and super sleek with this face shape unless it’s styled away from your face- it can have the effect of making your face look bigger.
The key to wearing long lengths is layers and rounder shapes. This makes bouncy curls your best friend and volume at the crown area.
Short
If you want to have a stronger look all around, cut your hair short- but don’t go severe. Shorter styles are going to enhance your jawline, so avoid cutting a bob above it to keep your look feminine.
An Important Note about Bangs
Most with square face shapes should avoid blunt bangs (which maximizes the cube effect). For a side-swept bang, make it ultra-curved, drawing the eye towards your eyes rather than downward.
STYLING
You’ll also benefit from lots of sexy, voluminous backcombing at the crown. Part your hair down the centre as the parting will slightly conceal the top square points at the forehead and wear with loose, flowing curls.
Round Shaped Faces
Long
The round face can really work with any length, including long hair, but the straight blunt cut doesn’t work. Soft layers are key to even out the face shape and a wavy texture will always suit more than pin-straight.
Medium
Round faces suit side-swept bangs with mid-length layered hair. For an elegant try sweeping bangs for a flattering effect. Style your shoulder length hair slightly off the face; backcomb the top layer to add height and volume for added dimension.
Short
Generally, a ‘choppy’ cut works better for your face type. Avoid the perfectly cut bob look, which gives the effect of looking much more circular. Since round faces come with fuller cheeks, the pieces, textured hair or a side-swept look can minimize the fullness.
A Note about Color
Dimensional colour is also great for this. Avoid single-process colour and create dimension, detail, and contrast with varying tones.
The Diamond Face
The differences between a diamond and an oval or round face shape are subtle. The diamond face’s widest points occur at the cheekbones, with the forehead and chin both appearing narrower.
CHOOSING A CUT
Long
You need lots of layers – the texture that’s going to break up the widest points of the face at the cheekbones. Layers keep the diamond face looking “open” and keep the emphasis away from the wide cheekbones and chin.
Short
Angled bobs work really well with the diamond face shape.
NOW STYLE IT
Diamond face shapes can pull off multiple styles -smooth and sleek as well as messy boho. With any length, if your hair is naturally straight, keeping it off the face will make it looks less narrow. Add soft texture in the form of loose, flowing waves.
Diamond faces shapes also often come with a widow’s peak -that tiny tuft of V-shaped hair that sits on your forehead. If that’s a characteristic you have, don’t try and force a bang – it’ll look silly and pop up even more and look likes a waterfall.
Heart-Shaped Faces
Long
Since there is a lot of symmetry in the heart shape, working on the over-the-shoulder look with hair swept to one side helps to create a soft look.
Short
Adding curls at the shoulder area helps create movement and better flow, softening the pointed chin area.
Bangs?
Heavy (blunt) bangs are a no-go with this shape, as they work against your natural part line. Side swept bangs are a better option, as they distract the eye from a wider forehead and soften a pointed chin.
STYLING TIPS
Usually, if you have a heart-shaped face you also have a widow’s peak- that small, V-shaped point in your hairline. Instead of fighting it, use it to your advantage. Parting your hair down the middle is by far the best way to flaunt your widow’s peak. A sleek ponytail or a chic braid will work to your advantage. Curling your hair away from your face starting at your cheekbones is a great look.
Oval Shaped Faces
Oval-shaped faces just about win the genetic lottery when it comes to which hairstyles work. There are so many!
Oval faces can wear just about any hair look. Most oval faces have that perfect three-part shape where the forehead, nose area and chin are equally proportioned. This symmetry creates versatility so any style will be working for you. Ovals can be often being long, however, so if you have fine hairs avoid longer lengths because this can drag the face shape down. For thicker hair types, try cutting layers in at your cheekbones, lips, and chin for the face-flattering effect.
Then, experiment away – you’re a blank canvas!
Now that you know your face shape and how to choose the right hairstyle,
What to ask your stylist for:
If you are dealing with a stylist that you trust, here are some possible styles you will want to suggest to them based on the shape of your face:
- Round faces need styles that will make them look longer. Cutting the hair in graduated layers or cutting it with a razor will help achieve this goal as well. You may want to think about finding a way to make your hair wavier or curlier as well.
- Square faces need styles that will help soften the jawline which is often quite prominent. You may want to find a style where your hair is parted on the side or where there is more body or depth. Again, using waves or curls will make it easier to add this feeling to the body.
- Heart-shaped faces will always look best with styles that are layered. You want to make sure that your shortest layers do not go up past your chin. Styles that call for hair to be pulled back tightly are not your best choice. Bangs are a great choice for people with this facial shape as well.
- Oval faces tend to be the easiest to work with. The widest range of hairstyles will look flattering on people with oval faces since there is no one area of the face that is out of proportion with another. For individuals who have oval faces, heavy bangs are about the only thing that you need to avoid.
Here’s the end of my article, delivering you the information about different face shapes and the hairstyles that will complement with the specific face shape. You also get several hairstyling options over a particular face shape.
Taking the time to show your stylist what hairstyle you like and what you don’t, increases your chances of being convinced when you walk out of the salon.
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