While it’s definitely fun to change things up and go for the unexpected, there’s something to be said for a classic, flattering cut.
Home is where your base style returns time and again. Selecting a signature haircut can be a daunting task in a sea of curly pixies and long waves.
Top hairstylists George Papanikolas and Lorna Pollack address factors like face shape and maintenance. Bring a photo of your favorite celebrity to the salon, but remember, the exact look might not suit you.
Confidence to wear your cut proudly is key, but consulting your face shape and angles ensures a beautiful hairstyle suited to your unique facial features. With the world’s best glam squads on call, even a simple bob or bangs can give you a supermodel vibe.
Determining Your Face Shape
At this point, you may be asking, what is my face shape? The most common mistake people make when trying to determine their faces are simply round. If we asked, draw a picture of your head. It will likely be either round or oval, but there’s so much more to it than that. When determining, you should be looking at hairline, width, and length of jawline. The easiest way to know what face shape you have is to pull hair back, take an eyeliner or lip pencil, look in the mirror, and trace outline. It should fall within one of the following categories: long, square, heart-shaped, diamond-shaped.
The Main Face Shapes
Oval Face Shape
An oval face shape is considered ideal. The length is longer than the width, with a gently rounded jawline and hairline. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and Bella Hadid have oval faces. Experiment freely with hairstyles.
Best Hairstyles for Oval Faces
When choosing the right hairstyle for an oval face, the main goal is to avoid elongating the face. Go shorter and try a blunt bob with face-framing pieces that clear the shoulders.
Otherwise, choose a shoulder-length cut with subtle layers to add volume and keep hair from falling flat. A simple part change can make a difference, and side-swept bangs are great for oval faces to frame the face and achieve a balancing effect without having to overcompensate.
High-fashion, slicked-back looks and updos are ideal to create a well-shaped appearance. Need a high ponytail? Clipping a few wefts of extensions can help.
Remember, the best hairstyles for oval faces keep styles away from exposing unbalanced features. Wearing hair down with one or both sides tucked behind the ear is great for showing off cheekbones.
Hairstyles to Avoid for Oval Faces
When styling an oval face shape, keep the face clear. Steer away from heavy bangs as they make the face appear shorter. Avoid hairstyles that are one length since they make the face appear longer.
Heart Shaped Faces
When you have a heart-shaped face, your wider hairline and prominent forehead are key features. This typical face shape, seen on celebrities like Tyra Banks, Kourtney Kardashian, and Reese Witherspoon, tapers to a small, narrow chin. The temples are also wider, and the cheekbones are a prominent feature. This shape is characterized by its pointed chin and narrow lower half, with a wider upper half including the hairline and temples.
Best Hairstyles for Heart-Shaped Faces
To accentuate a heart-shaped face, try a top knot or slicked-back high ponytail. For balance, a lob at the shoulder adds width to the jawline. Keep hair longer with a deep side part and loose waves at the collarbone to draw attention away from the forehead.
Hairstyles to avoid for heart-shaped faces
For a true heart-shaped face with a widow’s peak hairline, avoid forcing a middle part. Part hair slightly off center to where it naturally falls. Skip short bangs as they make the chin narrower.
Square Faces
For square-shaped faces, which are wide with a forehead, cheekbones, and jawline of the same width, a strong jawline is a prominent feature. Celebrities like Hailey Baldwin, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Olivia Wilde showcase this shape well.
Best Hairstyles for Square-Shaped Faces
For a square-shaped face, choose a hairstyle that either accentuates the squareness or softens the strong jawline. Blunt bangs or a short bob can enhance your face shape. To de-enhance the squareness, try soft, wispy bangs to the side or straight, long hair with layers to add length. Shorter, subtler bangs can highlight the cheekbone.
Hairstyles to Avoid for Square-Shaped Faces
Avoid overly thick bangs and blunt hairstyles that accentuate the angles of your face. Severe, slicked back looks should be avoided. To soften your face shape, wear hair in loose waves or straight.
Round Faces
Round shaped faces have the same width and length, with no prominent angles. This baby-faces look makes you appear younger. Celebrities like Selena Gomez, Kirsten Dunst, and Gennifer Goodwin inspire youthful hairstyles.
Best Hairstyles for Round Faces
Styling a round face to elongate and make it appear oval is easy. Untucked hair on one side visually shortens the width and tricks the eye. Short hair is flattering on round faces. Try a trendy lob, deep side part, or a high ponytail. For a daring look, a short pixie cut with volume on top adds texture and angles to round face shapes.
Hairstyles to Avoid for Round Faces
A common mistake for round-faced women is to hide the face with lots of hair, which accentuates a wide face. Avoid soft, wispy bangs; instead, choose side swept or bold bangs.
Long Faces
The easiest way to describe a long face shape is that it’s an oval face shape but longer. The length of the face is noticeably longer than its width. Celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, Liv Tyler, and Hilary Swank have this face shape.
Best Hairstyles for Long Faces
For long face shapes, the main goal is to make the face appear wider. Curls are an excellent option. Carrie Bradshaw often had natural curls to balance her longer length. Flat-iron waves also achieve a widening effect. A salon-style blowout adds volume and width.
Hairstyles to Avoid for Long Faces
Keeping with the wider not longer rule, avoid hair that goes too far past mid-length. This lengthens the face. Also, avoid one-length hair and super sleek looks as they make the face look longer.
Diamond-shaped faces
For a diamond face shape, the forehead and jawline are the same width, with the widest part at the cheekbones and a narrow chin. Celebrities like Halle Berry, Vanessa Hudgens, and Ciara have this famously narrowing face shape.
Best Hairstyles for Diamond Faces
For diamond face shapes, which are coveted and symmetrical, the main objective is to accentuate your elegant face shape. Try long, side-swept bangs to highlight your cheekbones, or a short, textured lob. A sleek middle part with hair tucked behind the ears or a sleek high ponytail can also show off your bone structure. And remember, knowing how to brush wavy hair without it getting frizzy is essential for maintaining these styles.
Hairstyles to Avoid for Diamond Faces
For diamond faces, avoid heavy, rounded bangs that shorten the face. Also, avoid straight-across bangs as they accentuate the widest part of your face, making the chin appear narrower. Determine your face shape and look to celebrities with the same face for hair inspiration. Learn how to get fluffy hair to add volume and softness.
What Else Should I Keep in Mind?
Hair Texture
Hair texture and type play a big role in finding your ideal style. Pollack says understanding what your hair does naturally and what you’re willing to do to maintain your desired look is of utmost importance. Also, consider the best hairstyles for working out to keep your look practical.
Fine
Generally, fine hair should have the least amount of layering. Keep it blunt and short. Pollack suggests a blunt bob with limited texture and layers to maintain strength and length.
Medium
A variety of lengths are possible, says Pollack. Adding layers and texture can help with movement and minimal weight removal.
Thick
For thick hair, use tons of layering. Long layers help with weight removal, debulk density, and day-to-day styling.
Conclusion
Choosing the right haircut for your face shape can transform your look. By consulting top hairstylists and understanding your unique facial features, you can find a flattering style that enhances your beauty. From oval to heart-shaped faces, each face shape has specific styles to highlight your best features. Experiment with different cuts, bring a photo for reference, and embrace the confidence to wear your chosen style proudly. The right haircut, tailored to your face shape, ensures you always look and feel your best.
FAQ’s
Which haircut for my face shape?
For a square face shape, try a buzz cut or French crop. Heart shapes look great with a messy fringe or wavy textured haircut. Triangle faces suit a comb-over or crew cut. Oval faces can rock a mid-fade big pompadour or undercut with a taper fade.
Which Face Shape is Most Attractive?
An oval face is often longer than wide with a prominent forehead. Papanikolas says this form is typically regarded as the most attractive facial shape.
Which cut is best for my face?
For an oval face, try a blunt cut. Round faces look great with side swept styles. A square face benefits from a wispy fringe. Diamond faces suit a side-swept fringe. For a rectangle face, opt for side-swept with feathered fringe. Heart faces look best with blunt and narrow cuts.
What Hair Length Suits Me?
Use a formula to determine the best hair length. Measure the length from your chin to your earlobe. If the distance is less than 5.5cm, short hair suits you. More than 5.5cm, and longer hair will flatter you.
