Ready to transform your look completely ? If you’re scheduling a stylist appointment , make sure you’re armed with information about the best hairstyle for your face shape.
That’s not to say you can’t throw out the rule book and blaze your own trails.
But if you’re feeling stuck and want a little bit of guidance, face shape is a great place to start. Here’s what you should know as you plan your next cut:
Wait, What Shape Am I?
You know which makeup shades complement your skin tone. You know how to apply eyeliner that highlights the shape of your eyes.
Matching your cut and style to the shape of your face works along the same lines – some cuts just do a better job of highlighting your features than others.
So, how do you determine your face shape? According to InStyle, it’s all in the measurements, baby.
“If you have an oval face like Ashley Greene, the widths of your brow, cheekbones and jaw are almost equal, but if yours is round like Charlize Theron’s, your face is nearly as wide as it is long, with your forehead and jaw curving at the corners,” write the editors.
Heart-shaped faces, on the other hand, tend to have wide brows and cheeks and tapered, narrow jawlines, while square-shaped faces are equal in width and length – which tends to give them a prominent jawline.
Once you’ve figured out if your face is round, oval, heart-shaped, or square, you’re on your way to picking out an ultra-flattering cut.
Round
Round faces generally have prominent cheeks – and it’s not a fat thing, it’s a proportions thing!
Even celebrities with flawless facial structure like Ginnifer Goodwin, Mila Kunis, and Emma Stone cut their hair to emphasize those cheekbones. You can, too.
The whole challenge here is to hint at the definition and angles that may not be as prominent in your features.
“If you’re going to go short, go short all the way,” celebrity hairstylist Garren said.
A layered pixie will help carve out your cheekbones, and if you want to sport a longer style, you should still create definition with layers.
That includes shoulder-length lobs with angled layers that hit at your cheekbones – or longer locks with face-framing layers.
Oval
The length of an oval face means you can play around with bangs, graphic cuts, and super straight lines. Rihanna, Jessica Alba, and Ashley Greene all have gorgeous oval faces – and hair to match.
Lucky you: you can actually get away with funkier, graphic cuts like Rihanna, since you’ll look good in just about anything.
“Though she has longer hair now, the iconic, edgy short cut Rihanna had is perfect for oval faces,” stylist Jimmy Paul says. “It’s definitely a ‘notice me’ look,” he added.
Want to go short? Just ask your stylist to carefully angle your cut to frame your chin – an angled bob will look great on you.
When it comes to longer styles, focus on creating volume and width to counterbalance the natural length of your face. Tousled lobs and long waves with piecey bangs can create definition and draw the eye.
Heart-Shaped
Even with round cheeks, heart-shaped gals have prominent cheekbones and a narrow jawline – which means that layers will make their cheekbones pop.
That’s why you’ll see plenty of women with heart-shaped faces rocking medium-length cuts.
Think a soft, layered bob with long, piecey bangs, which can help soften your features. And, if all else fails, rejoice in the fact that you can pretty much always pull off bangs.
“Soft, side-swept bangs accentuate your eyes and draw the focus away from a pointy chin,” writes Catherine O’Neill at Allure.
But, if you want to go really short, you can rock a close-cropped pixie without a care in the world.
Look to other celebs like Zoe Saldana and Reese Witherspoon for hairspiration.
Square
When it comes to square faces, it’s all about softening the intensity of your jawline. Sure, you have cheekbones that could cut glass – but long layers can take the edge off.
“Shapes that have lots of layers accentuate movement,” stylist Rodney Cutler explained to Glamour. “If you choose bangs, create movement in a sweeping effect or by rounding the corners.”
Softening or rounding the edges of bangs and layers will help eliminate any feelings of boxiness in your cut, which would just emphasize all those angles!
If you want to go short, think about an asymmetrical bob – long in the front and slightly shorter in the back. The longer, face framing layers will help draw the attention down from your jawline.
Many ladies with square jaws also favor long layers, soft waves, and long, side-swept bangs to draw the eye down.
“Try waves from the ears down, which helps obscure any severity in the jawline,” suggests Chris McMillan, a Los Angeles-based salon owner.
Celebs like Olivia Wilde, Megan Fox, and Demi Moore all have distinct, square jawlines – and flawless style.
Certainly, let's enhance the article with more interesting and helpful information about choosing the best hairstyle for different face shapes.
Additional Tips for Choosing the Perfect Hairstyle
When selecting the ideal hairstyle for your face shape, it's not only about identifying your face shape but also understanding how certain styles can enhance your features. Here are some additional tips to consider:
1. Round Face:
- Play with asymmetry: Opt for hairstyles with side-swept bangs or an off-center part to create the illusion of length and angles.
- Add height: Consider hairstyles with volume at the crown, like a high bun or a pompadour, to elongate the appearance of your face.
- Avoid overly rounded cuts: Steer clear of chin-length bobs or blunt-cut bangs that can accentuate the roundness of your face.
2. Oval Face:
- Experiment with versatile styles: An oval face shape allows you to experiment with various haircuts, from pixie cuts to long, flowing locks.
- Beware of excessive volume: While volume can add drama, be cautious not to overdo it, as it might hide your naturally balanced features.
3. Heart-Shaped Face:
- Emphasize your cheekbones: Layered cuts and side-swept bangs can draw attention to your prominent cheekbones.
- Soften the forehead: Wispy or side-swept bangs can help balance a broader forehead, creating a harmonious look.
- Avoid excessive width at the crown: Hairstyles that add too much volume at the top can make the face appear top-heavy.
4. Square Face:
- Go for soft, flowing lines: Choose hairstyles with soft waves, curls, or layers to soften the angularity of your jawline.
- Wispy, side-swept bangs: These can help reduce the squareness of your face and create a more flattering frame.
- Avoid harsh, straight-across bangs: Straight-across bangs can accentuate the squareness of your face, so opt for styles with more movement.
Additional Considerations:
- Consult with a professional: Don't hesitate to seek advice from a hairstylist who can analyze your face shape and suggest tailored hairstyles.
- Lifestyle and maintenance: Consider your daily routine and how much time you're willing to invest in styling. Some hairstyles may require more maintenance than others.
- Hair texture and thickness: Keep in mind that the natural texture and thickness of your hair can influence the suitability of certain styles.
Changing It Up: The Power of Accessories
Remember that hairstyles can be versatile and temporary. Hair accessories can be your best friends when you want to change up your look without committing to a new cut. Experiment with headbands, hairpins, scarves, and hairbands to add flair to your style.
Final Thoughts
While understanding your face shape is an excellent starting point, it's essential to consider your individual preferences and personality when choosing a hairstyle. Hair is a form of self-expression, so feel free to blend trends with your unique style. Whether you're enhancing your natural features or embracing a bold, transformative look, the key to a fantastic hairstyle is confidence and the joy of self-expression. At PYT Hairstyle, we're here to support your hair journey every step of the way. Happy styling!