A Guide to Flattering Your Features: How to Pick the Best Haircut For Your Face Shape
Choosing the perfect haircut can be a challenging task. We get it—that Pinterest-worthy style that doesn’t quite look at all the same (and not in a good way) once you leave the salon. The secret? Face shape is the shape of the outer line of your face. It’s the base on which all flattering hairstyles are constructed. This guide will help you determine your face shape and choose a haircut that highlights your natural beauty.
What does face shape have to do with haircuts?
Your face shape is like the foundation upon which to build your hairstyle. Just like an artist uses proportions and dimensions, so does a good hair artist pay attention to the shape of your face for a harmonious and balanced look. The right haircut can highlight your best features, soften angles and even give the illusion of a more symmetrical face. Ignoring your face shape? Well, that’s a square peg round hole situation. It may “work,” just not in a pretty way.
How to Find Your Face Shape: Step 1 — The Mirror Method
Prepare a mirror and a non permanent marker/lipstick. Then step a few feet back and outline your face on the mirror. Instead of following every small detail, we are only going to follow the shape. Or you can give yourself a selfie and use an editing app to draw on yourself. Now see how your outline compares with the descriptions below.
Round: Round faces are equal width and length with soft, rounded edges. Think of it as a circle.
Oval: The most versatile shape, oval faces are longer than they are wide, with a softly rounded jaw.
Square: Square faces have a strong, angular jawline and a fairly equal length and width.
Heart: This face shape is wider at the forehead and tapers down to a point at the jawline.
Diamond: The diamond shape is widest at the cheekbones with a narrow forehead and jawline.
Triangle: Triangle faces are wider at the jaw and narrow at the brow.
Face shape also plays an important role in finding the right haircut.
Now for the fun part! Identifying your face shape will allow you to start the search for styles that will flatter your features.
Round face: The objective is to create length and definition. Longer layers and voluminous styles at the crown are highly effective. Stay away from blunt cuts and styles that add width at the cheeks.
THEY ARE: Long layers, angled bobs, side-swept bangs.
Do not: Chin-length bobs, blunt bangs, side-ally big styles.
Oval Face: Congratulations! You have the most powerful face shape. And you can try out whichever styles of clothing you like, as most will suit you.
Good Options: All the way from bobs to long layers, pixies to beachy waves.
Avoid: Most styles work, but heavy bangs can feel too much for an oval face occasionally.
Square Face: The secret is to soften the strong jaw. Choose styles with soft layers, waves, and curls. Asymmetric sections also serve to relieve some of the angularity.
Good Options: Long layers, textured bobs, side-swept bangs, curls.
What to avoid: Blunt cuts, straight across bangs, styles that hit the jaw.
Heart Face: The goal is to create balance by adding width at the jawline. Features with layers that sit near the chin and forehead will be lovely.
Good Choices: Long layers, side-parted styles, chin-length bobs, textured waves.
Avoid: Volume on the crown, short, choppy bangs.
Diamond Face: The focus is on adding width at the forehead and jawline, which helps showcase the cheekbones. Looks with layers and texture are great.
Good options: Long layers, side-swept bangs, things that pack some lift at the roots.
Avoid: Styles that widen the cheekbones.
Triable Face: It is important to create balance by adding width at the forehead. Lifting the crown with layers and volume gives the most body.
Good Options: Layers, volume at the crown, side parts, styles that create width at the temples.
Run away from: Triangle styles, and blunt cuts that end at the jaw.
Looking Past Face Shape: The Other Variables
Face shape plays an essential role, but it isn’t the only consideration. Think about your hair texture, lifestyle and aesthetic. Are you low-maintenance, or do you have time to style your hair? Is your hair fine, medium, or thick? These are also some of the things that will determine what haircuts will look best on you.
Expert Tip: Show your stylist photos of cuts you like. They can advise you on how to adapt those styles to your particular face shape and hair type. An excellent stylist will also consider your lifestyle and provide you with realistic expectations for your mane.
Conclusion: Your Great Hair Is Here
Choosing the right haircut for your facial structure is crucial to your happiness, as it’s an investment in yourself. It can increase your confidence and make you feel great. Learning your face shape along with additional specific details will help you identify a style that compliments your features and highlights the gorgeous you.
Ready to discover your signature haircut? Comment your face shape then let’s figure out some style! Or sign up to our newsletter for more hair tips and tricks!
