Understanding Face Shapes
Knowing your face shape helps choose styles that enhance your appearance. It determines the hairstyles that suit you best.
How to Determine Your Face Shape
Use a mirror, and pull your hair back. With a soft measuring tape, take these measurements:
- Forehead Width: Measure across your forehead at its widest point.
- Cheekbone Width: Measure from the outer edge of one cheekbone to the outer edge of the other.
- Jawline Width: Measure from the tip of your chin to below your ear at the jaw’s base. Multiply by two.
- Face Length: Measure from the center of your hairline to the tip of your chin.
Compare these measurements to identify your shape.
- Oval: Face length > cheekbones, forehead > jawline, and the angle of jaw is rounded. Example: Jessica Alba.
- Square: All measurements are similar, with an angular jaw. Example: Angelina Jolie.
- Round: Cheekbones and face length have similar measurements, larger than forehead and jawline, with a soft jaw. Example: Emma Stone.
- Heart: Forehead > cheekbones > jawline, with a pointed chin. Example: Reese Witherspoon.
- Diamond: Face length > cheekbones > forehead > jawline, and a pointed chin. Example: Vanessa Hudgens.
These shapes provide a baseline for identifying suitable hairstyles.
Hairstyles for Oval Face Shape
Oval faces are versatile and can suit a variety of hairstyles. Here are some top recommendations to enhance an oval face shape.
Suitable Cuts and Styles
Several cuts and styles complement oval faces. Long layers add volume and movement. For example, beachy waves create a relaxed, elegant look without overwhelming the face. A blunt bob adds edgy sophistication. It accentuates cheekbones while maintaining balance. Bangs work well with oval faces. Side-swept bangs soften the forehead, while curtain bangs frame the face. For those preferring longer hair, soft curls or a straight sleek style elongate the face without drawing attention away from facial features.
Celebrity Inspirations
Celebrities with oval faces demonstrate how versatile this shape can be. Jessica Alba often opts for soft waves and long layers. This style enhances her natural beauty and adds volume. Charlize Theron showcases how a blunt bob can work perfectly for oval faces. Her bob emphasizes her cheekbones and jawline. Another great example is Rihanna; she experiments with various bangs styles, from side-swept to curtain, proving how adaptable an oval face can be to different looks. These style choices highlight the best features of an oval face shape.
Hairstyles for Round Face Shape
Round face shapes are characterized by fuller cheeks and a rounded jawline. Selecting hairstyles that elongate the face can provide a more balanced look.
Flattering Styles
- Long Layers
Long layers create the illusion of length, making the face appear less round. Layers starting below the chin work best for this. - Side-Swept Bangs
Side-swept bangs can add angles to a round face, creating a more defined look. They draw attention diagonally, reducing the roundness. - Pixie Cut with Volume on Top
Pixie cuts, when styled with volume on top, add height. This hairstyle elongates the face, diminishing roundness. - Lob (Long Bob)
A lob is ideal for round faces. It adds length and frames the face well. Make sure the lob falls below the chin for the best effect. - Deep Side Part
A deep side part breaks up the symmetry of a round face. It adds an angular dimension, enhancing the overall appearance.
Styling Tips and Tricks
- Avoid Center Parts
Center parts can emphasize the roundness of your face. Opt for side parts for a more structured look. - Add Volume at the Roots
Using volumizing products can lift the roots, add height, and elongate the face. This distracts from the width of a round face. - Opt for Soft Waves
Soft waves create vertical lines that lengthen the face. Use a curling iron or rollers to achieve this effect. - Keep Hair Longer than Chin-Length
Chin-length cuts can accentuate roundness. Styles longer than the chin help balance facial proportions better. - Regular Trims
Keep your hair healthy and prevent split ends. Regular trims ensure your hairstyle maintains its intended shape. - Choosing the right hairstyle for a round face shape involves focusing on styles that elongate and provide dimension. Use these styling tips to achieve a flattering and balanced look.
Hairstyles for Square Face Shape
Choosing the right hairstyle for a square face shape enhances natural features and softens sharp angles.
Recommended Cuts
- Layered Cuts: Layered hairstyles add volume and movement, reducing the sharpness of the jawline. For example, long layers or medium-length layered cuts work well for square faces.
- Side-Swept Bangs: Side-swept bangs divert attention from a strong jawline. They create asymmetry and balance. Opt for soft, feathered bangs to avoid harsh lines.
- Wavy or Curly Hairstyles: Waves or curls add softness to a square face. Go for loose, beachy waves or barrel curls. Avoid tight, structured curls that emphasize square angles.
- Bob Cuts: Choose long bobs (lobs) with added texture. Lobs that hit just below the jawline elongate the face slightly. Add subtle waves for more definition.
Haircare and Maintenance
- Regular Trims: Keep hairstyles looking fresh with regular trims, ideally every 6-8 weeks. This prevents split ends and maintains shape.
- Volume-Enhancing Products: Use volumizing shampoos and conditioners. These products add body and lift, especially to layered cuts.
- Heat Protection: Protect hair from heat damage by using heat protectant sprays before styling. This preserves the health of waves and curls.
- Moisturizing Treatments: Square face shapes benefit from shiny, healthy hair. Apply deep conditioning treatments weekly to retain moisture and shine.
By strategically choosing and maintaining hairstyles, individuals with square face shapes can achieve a flattering and harmonious look.
Hairstyles for Heart Face Shape
Finding the right hairstyle for a heart face shape accentuates your best features. Let’s explore some suitable options and tips for this face shape.
Best Hairstyles
Long waves create a balanced look by adding width at the chin area. This style softens the pointy chin characteristic of heart shapes. Side-swept bangs draw attention away from a wide forehead and create harmony. Bobs with subtle layers work well since they provide volume around the jawline, balancing the face’s proportions. Pixie cuts can also look great if styled with volume at the crown, adding height and balancing the narrow chin.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s:
- Add volume near the chin, not the forehead.
- Choose side-swept bangs or long layers to balance facial features.
- Opt for wavy or curly styles that soften angular aspects.
- Avoid blunt bangs, as they emphasize a wide forehead.
- Steer clear of styles that add volume at the temples.
- Refrain from choosing very sleek styles that highlight the pointy chin.
Selecting the right hairstyle for a heart face shape involves focusing on balance and proportion. By doing so, you can enhance your natural beauty and create a harmonious look.
Hairstyles for Diamond Face Shape
Diamond face shapes feature narrow foreheads and jawlines with broader cheekbones. Certain hairstyles work best for accentuating these features.
Stylish Options
- Side-swept Bangs: Create an illusion of width at the forehead. This balances out the broader cheekbones.
- Chin-length Bobs: Add volume around the jawline. This reduces the prominence of the cheekbones.
- Long Layers: Offer versatility. They soften sharp angles and highlight facial structure beautifully.
- Pixie Cuts: Focus on texture. Layers around the cheekbone area emphasize natural beauty.
Tips for Enhancing Features
- Volume at the Crown: Opt for styles adding height at the crown to elongate the face visually.
- Soft Waves: Choose soft waves to add width at the jawline. This balances the narrow forehead.
- Center Parts: Use center parts cautiously. Avoid exacerbating the narrow forehead.
- Avoid Excess Volume at Cheekbones: Prevent adding extra volume around the cheekbones. This maintains face’s natural balance.
Hairstyles for Oblong Face Shape
Finding the right hairstyle for an oblong face shape involves balancing the length with styling techniques. It’s crucial to know which styles enhance your natural features.
Best Style Choices
- Short Bobs: Bobs that end at the chin or above minimize face length, creating a balanced appearance. Ideal examples are blunt bobs and asymmetrical bobs.
- Soft Waves: Adding waves softens the sharp angles of an oblong face by creating width. Look into beachy waves and tousled curls to achieve this effect.
- Side-Swept Bangs: Bangs that sweep to the side break up the vertical length of the face. They add a sense of width and can create a harmonious balance.
- Layered Cuts: Layers starting at the cheekbones or collarbone add dimension and reduce the face’s elongated look. Consider styles like layered lobs and medium-length cuts with layers.
Techniques to Add Volume
- Root Lift: Apply root-lifting products to the scalp region before blow-drying. This technique gives the illusion of a fuller face by adding height at the roots.
- Curls and Waves: Use a curling wand or rollers to create loose curls and waves. Focus on adding texture through the mid-lengths to ends, avoiding flatness at the roots.
- Texturizing Products: Sprays and mousses can add body to fine hair. Distribute evenly through damp hair for best results, and then style as desired.
- Blow-Drying: Flip your head upside down while blow-drying. This increases volume directly at the roots, giving a rounder look to the hair.
By selecting appropriate styles and techniques, enhancing an oblong face shape becomes straightforward.