Do you have a heart-shaped face or a long, oval one? Whatever your face shape, a great haircut can accentuate your best features and diminish your flaws. The right cut can soften jaw lines, elongate round faces, and minimize large foreheads. Body shape and lifestyle can also come into play in picking the perfect cut. The keys to a flawless hairstyle are a little research and a savvy, creative stylist who will listen to what you want and make it happen.
How Do I Figure Out My Face Shape?
Beauty experts divide face shapes into four main types: oval or long, round, heart-shaped, and square. The differences lie in the proportion of your face’s length to width, and whether your features and jawline are soft or angular. And for the record, no face shape is “best.” There are gorgeous celebrities with all types of face shapes; the secret is simply bringing out the best in whatever shape you’re born with, and your hairstyle can help.
You may have an idea of your face shape just from looking in the mirror, but a few calculations can give you a better idea of what your face shape truly is and point you towards the perfect cut. Grab a ruler and measure your forehead width at the widest point. Then measure your cheekbones (also at the widest point) and jawline. Finally, determine the length of your face from forehead to chin. This measurement will give you an idea of your face’s length in proportion to its width, and whether your chin is pointed or square.
Hairstyles for a Long Face
A long face means the length of your face from forehead to chin is longer than its width – often one-and-a-half to two times longer. The goal for clients with a long, oval face is to make it appear wider. For customers who also have a prominent forehead, there are tricks to make it less noticeable.
Experts agree that an angular bob cut around chin length often looks great on a longer face because it brings attention to the cheekbones and makes a face appear wider. Super short cuts are a no-no because they can emphasize the length of the face, especially on tall girls. Long hair can also be tricky because it can make a face look even longer. If you want a longer look, try side-swept bangs to de-emphasize the length of the face. Bangs are also ideal for hiding a large forehead.
Hairstyles for a Round Face
A round face is often almost as wide as it is long, with a rounded jaw, soft features, and (sometimes) fuller cheeks. A tousled pixie cut can be a great look for a round face, adding height that lengthens your face. Experts also suggest that a long bob that hits at the collarbone can lengthen the face, and thankfully, there are many fabulous long bobs out there to choose from. For round-faced clients looking to go long, we often recommend long layers that start around the jawline to help lengthen the face and wispy ends to add length.
Hairstyles for a Heart-Shaped Face
A heart-shaped face has a wide brow and narrow jaw, and often features a pointy chin. This face shape can look elegant with a cut that de-emphasizes the chin. As with a rounder face, a pixie cut can be a big winner with this shape. It plays up delicate features and emphasizes the top of the face, rather than the chin. A long, tousled bob can create the illusion of width around the chin at a medium length. As with a longer face, stylists often like bangs with heart-shaped faces, especially because sweeping bangs can draw the eye away from the chin. Long layers with bangs can work well if you want to keep longer hair.
Hairstyles for a Square Face
A square face often has similar dimensions to a round face (with roughly equal width and length) but has more angular features and a more prominent jaw. A short, layered bob brings the focus to the cheekbones, which are often the best feature in a square face. A mid-length bob with feathered layers can soften a sharp chin. For longer cuts, layers with long, cheekbone-length bangs are the way to go, again drawing attention to those great cheekbones and away from the chin.
The Perfect Cut: Consider Hair Texture, Lifestyle, and Body Type
In addition to face shape, your hair texture, lifestyle, and body type can come into play when choosing the optimal cut.
- Texture – As a rule of thumb, longer hair tends to work best for curls. Shoulder length or longer hair helps weigh them down and keeps frizz at a minimum. On the flip side, shorter cuts tend to work best for fine hair; a shoulder-length bob is excellent for fine-haired girls who don’t want to go too short, with layers to add volume.
- Body Type – If you’re tall and thin, don’t go too short because it can make your head look small and your neck look unnaturally long. Conversely, super long hair can make petite women seem even shorter. If you are petite, it is better to go for a sophisticated bob (long or short) instead of keeping your locks long. And for curvy girls, long and wavy hair creates volume on top to de-emphasize the hips.
- Lifestyle – Have an honest conversation with your stylist about how much management each cut requires and how much time you’re willing to put in. In some cases, short hair can take more work, more products, and more frequent cuts. If you’ve got limited time or a limited budget, make that clear when discussing your cut.
How to Get the Cut You Want at Radiance
The most important thing when choosing a cut is to find a stylist who listens and is willing to work with you to create the look you want. Have you ever been told that you look like a particular celebrity? If her face shape is the same as yours, find a few pictures of her with a haircut you love. Bring them with you to the salon to show your stylist exactly what you want.
The Salon at Radiance works hard to meet the needs of every client. Our talented, professional stylists are ready to help you find the perfect cut. And right now, through the end of November, we’re offering free haircuts to new clients who come in for coloring or highlights. It’s an excellent time to check us out!