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, side-swept bangs, wispy layers
Styles to avoid: Chin-length bobs, very short and curly styles, long straight hair
*Square Face Shape*
The widths at the forehead, cheekbones, and jaw line are all equal.
Celebrities include: Jessica Simpson, Mena Suvari, Sandra Bullock, Demi Moore, Janet Jackson, and Ashley Judd
Great hairstyles: Spiky layers that begin at the cheekbones, long wavy hair, side-swept bangs
Styles to avoid: Chin-length bobs, blunt bangs, super short hair
*Oblong Face Shape*
Longer than it is wide, forehead and cheekbones are often equally narrow.
Celebrities include: Liv Tyler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Ashlee Simpson, and Lisa Kudrow
Great hairstyles: Chin-length bobs, shoulder length cuts, long bangs that skim the brow, curls or waves
Styles to avoid: Super long hair, super short hair
*Heart Face Shape*
Narrow at the jaw line, wider at the cheekbones and forehead.
Celebrities include: Reese Witherspoon, Katie Holmes, Faith Hill, and Jennifer Lopez
Great hairstyles: Long or side-swept bangs, layers at the cheekbones, lengths below the jaw line
Styles to avoid: Choppy layers, short bangs
*Diamond Face Shape*
Narrow at the jaw line and forehead, wider at the cheekbones.
Celebrities include: Felicity Huffman, Kim Raver, and Madonna
Great hairstyles: Long waves balanced with long, side-swept bangs, shag cuts that fall below chin length
Styles to avoid: Super short cuts, blunt bangs
Whichever face shape you have, finding great hairstyles is easy once you know what looks will best flatter your features. Try looking up celebrities with similar face shapes to your own and see what styles they have tried out in the past.
Another idea to try before going to the salon is checking out a digital makeover program, like Lifetime TVs Total Beauty Makeover. Upload a picture of yourself or use an existing model with your face shape and coloring and try out hairstyles virtually. You can often get a good idea of what hairstyles might work and what hairstyles you might not want to try.