The right cut and style can enhance your natural beauty and create a harmonious balance.
Finding the perfect hairstyle can transform your look, boosting your confidence and highlighting your best features. One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a hairstyle is your face shape. This blog post, I will guide you through the process of identifying your face shape and choosing the best hairstyles to complement it.
Hair is often considered a person’s crowning glory, playing a significant role in overall appearance. A well-chosen hairstyle can accentuate your best features and bring out your natural beauty. Conversely, a mismatched style can detract from your look, emphasizing features you might prefer to downplay.
Understanding your face shape is the key to selecting hairstyles that enhance your unique facial structure. This guide will help you determine your face shape and provide styling tips tailored to each shape.
How to Determine Your Face Shape
Before getting into specific hairstyles, it’s essential to identify your face shape. Here are the six main face shapes and their characteristics:
Oval Face Shape
- Features: Balanced proportions, slightly wider forehead, gently rounded jawline.
- Measurements: Forehead is slightly wider than the chin, face length is about 1.5 times the width.
Round Face Shape
- Features: Full cheeks, rounded jawline, equal width and length.
- Measurements: Width and length are roughly the same, with a soft, rounded jawline.
Square Face Shape
- Features: Strong, angular jawline, broad forehead, and cheekbones.
- Measurements: Width and length are nearly equal, with a prominent jawline.
Heart Face Shape
- Features: Wider forehead, high cheekbones, narrow chin.
- Measurements: Forehead is the widest part, with a noticeably narrower chin.
Diamond Face Shape
- Features: Narrow forehead and jawline, wide cheekbones.
- Measurements: Cheekbones are the widest part, with a narrow forehead and jawline.
Oblong Face Shape
- Features: Long and narrow, longer face length, high forehead, elongated chin.
- Measurements: Face length is significantly longer than the width, with a straight cheek line.
Triangle Face Shape
- Features: Wider jawline compared to the forehead, creating a tapering effect towards the hairline. The cheekbones are usually prominent.
- Measurements: Jawline is wider than the cheekbones, cheekbones are wider than the forehead, face length is typically average.
Inverted Triangle Face Shape
- Features: The face is longer than it is wide, the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are approximately the same width, creating a rectangular shape, the facial features, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, tend to be more prominent.
- Measurements: Forehead is wider than the cheekbones, cheekbones are wider than the jawline, face length is usually average.
Rectangular Face Shape
- Features: A square face has a strong jawline with a broad forehead. The face length and width are almost equal, creating a geometric appearance.
- Measurements: Face length is significantly longer than the face width,
forehead width is approximately equal to the cheekbone and jawline width,
jawline is strong and angular.
To determine your face shape, measure the width of your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline, and the length of your face from forehead to chin. Compare these measurements to the characteristics listed above to identify your shape.
Styling Ideas for Different Face Shapes
Oval Face Shape
Oval faces are versatile and can pull off a wide range of hairstyles. The key is to avoid elongating the face further.
Recommended Hairstyles
- Bobs and Lobs: A classic bob or lob (long bob) can beautifully frame an oval face.
- Layers: Soft layers add dimension and movement without elongating the face.
- Side-Swept Bangs: These bangs add a touch of style without overwhelming the face.
- Wavy and Curly Styles: Waves and curls add width, balancing the face’s length.
Styles to Avoid
- Too Much Volume on Top: Avoid hairstyles that add excessive height, as they can make the face appear longer.
- Ultra-Long Hair: Long, straight hair can drag the face down, making it look longer.
Round Face Shape
For round faces, the goal is to create the illusion of length and reduce the width.
Recommended Hairstyles
- Long Layers: Long, layered cuts add length and minimize roundness.
- Side Parts: A deep side part breaks up the symmetry and adds length.
- Straight or Sleek Styles: Straight hair can elongate the face, especially when paired with layers.
- High Ponytails and Updos: These styles add height and draw the eye upwards.
Styles to Avoid
- Short, Blunt Cuts: These can emphasize the roundness of the face.
- Full, Straight Bangs: Full bangs can make the face look shorter and wider.
- Volume on the Sides: Avoid adding volume at the sides, as it can make the face look wider.
Square Face Shape
For square faces, the aim is to soften the angular features and add some roundness to the face.
Recommended Hairstyles
- Soft, Wispy Bangs: These can soften a strong jawline.
- Long, Soft Layers: Layers that start below the jawline can reduce angularity.
- Waves and Curls: Soft waves and curls add roundness and soften sharp edges.
- Side-Swept Styles: Side-swept bangs and parts create a softer look.
Styles to Avoid
- Blunt Bangs: Blunt bangs can emphasize the angularity of the face.
- Short, Straight Styles: These can make the jawline appear more prominent.
- Center Parts: A center part can highlight the symmetry and sharpness of a square face.
Heart Face Shape
Heart-shaped faces benefit from hairstyles that balance the wider forehead and narrower chin.
Recommended Hairstyles
- Chin-Length Bobs: These add width around the chin area.
- Side-Swept Bangs: These can reduce the width of the forehead.
- Soft Curls and Waves: These add volume around the jawline, balancing the face.
- Pixie Cuts: Soft, side-swept pixies work well by adding volume at the crown and around the chin.
Styles to Avoid
- Heavy, Straight Bangs: These can make the forehead appear wider.
- High Ponytails: These can accentuate the forehead while making the chin look narrower.
- Short, Layered Cuts: Too much volume on top can emphasize the forehead.
Diamond Face Shape
Diamond faces need hairstyles that balance the narrow forehead and jawline with wider cheekbones.
Recommended Hairstyles
- Chin-Length Bobs: These soften the angles and add width to the jawline.
- Side-Swept Bangs: These can add softness and balance the cheekbones.
- Shoulder-Length Cuts: Styles that fall around the shoulders add volume where needed.
- Layered Styles: Layers that start at the cheekbones can soften the angles.
Styles to Avoid
- Center Parts: These can emphasize the width of the cheekbones.
- Short, Blunt Cuts: These can highlight the narrowness of the forehead and jawline.
- Too Much Volume at the Cheekbones: Avoid styles that add too much width at the cheekbones.
Oblong Face Shape
Oblong faces benefit from styles that add width and reduce the appearance of length.
Recommended Hairstyles
- Bangs: Full, straight, or side-swept bangs can shorten the face length.
- Curls and Waves: Adding volume with curls and waves can create width.
- Layered Cuts: Layers starting at the chin add dimension and break up the length.
- Bobs and Lobs: Shorter styles like bobs and lobs reduce face length.
Styles to Avoid
- Long, Straight Styles: These can elongate the face further.
- High Ponytails and Updos: These add height and make the face look longer.
- Center Parts: These can emphasize the length of the face.
Triangle Face Shape
Balance the wider jawline by adding volume and width to the crown.
Recommended Hairstyles
- Long layers: These can soften the jawline and create a more balanced look.
- Side-parted hairstyles: This can draw attention away from the jawline.
- Curls and waves: Adding volume to the crown can help balance the face.
- Chin-length bobs with layers: These can create a fuller appearance around the face.
- Bangs: Side-swept or curtain bangs can soften the angular jawline.
Styles to Avoid
- Short, blunt bobs: These can accentuate the width of the jawline.
- Heavy bangs: They can make the forehead appear smaller, emphasizing the wider jawline.
- Straight, long hair: This can elongate the face and draw attention to the jawline.
Inverted – Triangle Face Shape
Narrow the forehead and widen the jawline.
Recommended Hairstyles
- Short to medium length hair: This can help balance the proportions.
- Layered haircuts: Layers can add volume to the chin and jawline.
- Chin-length bobs: These can help widen the jawline.
- Curls and waves: Adding volume to the lower part of the face can help balance the proportions.
- Side-parted hairstyles: This can help minimize the width of the forehead.
Styles to Avoid
- Short, blunt cuts: These can highlight the width of the forehead.
- Center-parted hairstyles: This can emphasize the width of the forehead.
- Volume at the crown: This can make the forehead appear larger.
Rectangular Face Shape
The goal is to soften the angular features and create the illusion of a shorter, wider face.
Recommended Hairstyles
- Chin-length bobs: This style adds width to the face while softening the jawline.
- Layered haircuts: Layers can add volume and dimension, helping to break up the length of the face.
- Side-parted hairstyles: This can help to visually shorten the face.
- Curls and waves: Adding volume and texture can soften the angular features.
- Bangs: Curtain bangs or side-swept bangs can help to shorten the forehead and draw attention to the eyes.
Styles to Avoid
- Long, straight hair: This can elongate the face and accentuate the rectangular shape.
- Center-parted hairstyles: This can make the face appear longer.
- Tight, high ponytails: These can emphasize the length of the face.
- Extremely short haircuts: These can accentuate the angular jawline.
Common Things to be Mindful of
Ignoring Your Hair Type
Different hair types—straight, wavy, curly, coily—react differently to cuts and styles. Ensure your hairstyle works with your natural texture, not against it.
Following Trends Blindly
Trendy hairstyles might not suit everyone. Always consider your face shape and hair type before jumping on the latest hair trend.
Over-Accessorizing
Too many hair accessories can overwhelm your look. Choose accessories that complement your style without overshadowing it.
Skipping Regular Trims
Regular trims are essential to maintaining the shape and health of your hairstyle. Don’t let split ends and overgrowth ruin your look.
By understanding your face shape and following the recommended styles and tips, you can choose a hairstyle that complements your natural beauty.
Hair Care Tips for All Face Shapes
Maintain Healthy Hair
Healthy hair looks good in any style. Use quality products suited to your hair type, avoid excessive heat styling, and treat your hair to regular deep conditioning treatments.
Embrace Your Natural Texture
Work with your natural hair texture rather than against it. This reduces damage and often results in a more flattering, natural look.
Protect Your Hair
Protect your hair from environmental damage by wearing hats in the sun, using protective sprays, and avoiding harsh treatments.
Consult a Professional
If you’re unsure about what style will suit you, consult a professional stylist. They can provide personalized advice based on your face shape, hair type, and lifestyle.
Styling your hair according to your face shape can significantly enhance your overall appearance, highlighting your best features and creating a balanced look. Embrace your unique features and let your hair be an extension of your personality and style.
If you want to want to know what kind of sunglasses would suit your face shape and find out what kind of sunglasses to wear with for your season color, have a look at this blog post.
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