The trick to having a beautiful hairstyle lies in finding the right look to match your face. Have you ever found great hairstyles in a magazine, taken them to the salon, and been disappointed in the result? There are hairstyles that look better on some people than they do on others. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your hair, but more likely, that you need to try a different approach.

A hairstyle can create many visual illusions. Parting your hair in a certain way, cutting it to a different length, or adding bangs will change the way your face looks. Conversely, your natural face shape will dictate which hairstyles look the best on you.

For some women, it is easy to see the shape of their faces. Other women may fall somewhere between two basic face shapes or be a combination of shapes. Gaining or losing weight can change your face shape as well.

Finding Your Face Shape

There are many ways to determine your face shape. You can study your face in a mirror or draw an outline around a photograph of your face. You can ask friends to help or consult a stylist. You can even compare photographs of yourself to pictures of celebrities.

Often the best way to find your face shape is to check your dimensions with a measuring tape. This tends to be more accurate, as you can use the measurements as a firm guideline. You can also easily remeasure if you gain or lose weight.

Use a measuring tape to measure and record the following:

1. The length of your face from the top of your hairline to the bottom of your chin.

2. The width across the widest part of your forehead, usually about halfway between your eyebrows and hairline.

3. The width across your cheekbones.

4. The width across your jaw line at the widest point.

Once you have your measurements, use them to decide which of the following classic face shapes is closest to your dimensions.

*Oval Face Shape*

Face length is equal to one and a half times the width.

Celebrities include: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jada Pinkett Smith, Britney Spears, Kate Hudson, and Jessica Alba

Great hairstyles: Long waves, chin-length bobs, blunt or side-swept bangs, long layers

Styles to avoid: Lots of short layers that add too much height on top

*Round Face Shape*

Face width is equal to the length (or within 1/2 inch).

Celebrities include: Drew Barrymore, Kirsten Dunst, Christina Ricci, Cameron Diaz, and Fergie

Great hairstyles: Long hair with waves that begin at the chin, lengths that are just below chin length,

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