Face Shapes And Hairstyles

If you are planning to have a new hairstyle, it is very important that you know the shape of your face first, and then choose the one that goes with it. Very few of us are born with the perfect facial attributes. But with the right kind of hairstyle, we can hide all our flaws and bring out our positive physical features. Below are some useful tips for determining the different face shapes, and hairstyles that are best suited for it, for both men as well as women.

Different Face Shapes

• Oval: If the length of the face is one and a half times the width of the face, and if the jaw and the forehead are of almost the same width, then the face is considered to be oval in shape.
• Round: Equal length and width of the face means that the person has a round face.
• Square: A person with a broad forehead and an angular strong jaw, has a square face.
• Heart: A heart shaped face has a narrow jawline, the cheekbones and the forehead are very broad.
• Diamond: In a diamond shaped face, the jawline and the forehead are very narrow, and the cheekbones high.
• Oblong: An oblong face is lengthier than it is wide. The cheek line is long and straight, the chin may be narrow and the forehead is usually very high.
• Triangular: The jawline is wide in a triangular face, cheekbones and forehead are narrow.

The Right Hairstyle for Your Face Shape - Women

Oval
It is the most perfect and pleasing face shape. That is why we see so many models and film stars, who are considered the epitome of beauty, with oval shaped faces. Women with an oval shape face can wear any length of hair whether short, medium or long, as all are suitable to this face type. One thing that women with an oval face should avoid is wearing such hairstyles that make their hair fall on the face, as this tends to hide the naturally good shape of an oval face.

Round
Hairstyles which are either very short or which fall below the chin are well suited for a round face. Layering the top of the head and keeping the hair close to the face, helps in adding length to the face. Hair which is swept back, makes a round face appear narrower and thus, is equally suitable.

Square
Short and medium length hair suits a square face. To soften the look of a square face, women should opt for bangs as well as layers. Curly as well as wavy hair, are ideal choices for a woman with a square face as they give the angular face a rounded look.

Heart
Long hair or chin length hairstyles, with a side parting and swept forward layers on the upper face are most suited for a woman with a heart shaped face. Hairstyles such as a bob cut which is chin length, or those with a bang, which adds fullness to the upper face, balance the wide cheekbones and the narrow chin, and thus, suit a heart shaped face.

Diamond
Hairstyles that suit a heart shaped face will suit a diamond shaped face as well. Any hairstyle that adds weight near the jawline will suit a diamond shaped face.

Oblong
Women with oblong faces should go in for short or medium length haircuts. The appearance of the lengthy face can be minimized by hairstyles which support bangs as well as thick hair on the sides of the face. Side partings and layers suit an oblong face to the tee.

Triangular
Women with triangular shaped faces should opt for hairstyles that balance out their wide jawline. Layers on top or around the upper part of the face, styles that create fullness near the temples as well as hairstyles that involve tucking the hair behind the ears are ideal choices for a triangular shaped face.

Best Haircuts By Face Shape - Men

Oval
All kinds of hairstyles look good on an oval face. Choose any style which brings into prominence the best features be it eyes, nose or lips.

Round
Hairstyles which support leaner sides and are high at the top and the front, balance a round shape, making it appear narrower. Hairstyles with side partings and waves at the top suit a round shaped face very well.

Square
A man with a square face should opt for hairstyles which are leaner at the sides, high at the top, almost similar to a round face.

Diamond
For a man with a diamond shaped face, hairstyles that minimize the cheekbones and make the chin appear fuller work really well. Haircuts with bangs and layers at the bottom are ideal for a diamond shaped face.

Oblong
For an oblong face, a hairstyle which is short on the top, with longer sides and some layers in between is well suited, as it will make the face appear slightly wide.

Heart
For a heart-shaped face, a hairstyle that gives width to the narrow jaw line or makes the upper face appear leaner is ideal. So chin length hairstyles, with a side fringe on the forehead and layers in the bottom hair will suit a heart shaped face, as they will balance out the narrow chin and the wide forehead.

Triangular
For a triangular shape, a hairstyle which narrows the forehead and adds width to the jawline is well suited. Side partings with bangs on either side, with layers near the end of the hair look good on a triangular face.

Always remember that however well a haircut has been executed, if it does not suit the shape of the face, it is not going to look good. So prior to getting a new hairstyle, besides keeping the popular hair trends in mind, the face shapes as well as the facial features have to be considered too.