The Best Hairstyles for Your Face
Celebrity hairstyles may look great on your favorite star, but will they look good on you? "Hair is the face's top accessory," says Alex De Rango, Chicago stylist and artistic director for ColorDesignUSA.
With that in mind, we asked Suzie Bond, owner of Perfect 5th Salon in Mooresville, North Carolina, to give us her guidelines in figuring out your face shape and which haircuts suit you best. Here's what she told us...
Oval
This is the easiest face to detect - you typically will look great with or without bangs, love your hair down or back away from your face. Everyone wishes she had this face shape!
Square
Look straight into the mirror - do you see a square jaw line from the front view? Then you probably have a square face. Any length can work except ending your length right at the jaw. Try layers around the face frame and avoid a straight bang. Try back off the face or a side swept bang.
Round
A round face will have the same measurement in a mirror image from the nose to the face edge in every direction. This is a rare shape - and needs some angles! A side swept fringe with the length below the chin and some layers will work beautifully!
Long
Measure the distance from hairline at your forehead to the center of the brow line, then from the same spot at brow to upper lip, then same upper lip spot to bottom of chin. Are one or two of those a larger measurement than the others (like forehead and chin)? Then you probably have an oblong face. Pulling back by the cheeks while wearing a swing bang will broaden the sides while creating the illusion of a smaller forehead! Any length will work as long as it doesn't hang next to the cheek area!
Heart
Look at your hairline - do you have a widow's peak? And is your chin a little small and pointy? Well, then your face is in love! Heart shapes typically look fabulous with hair pushed back - soft waves or curls at any length. Don't hide - this is a very desired shape!
General Haircut Guidelines
Alex De Rango leaves us with one last thought: "Hair styles and cuts should frame and showcase your best features. For example Zooey Deschanel's hair frames her her eyes so well, that you don't even notice her face shape." De Rango suggests if you have a long face, don't part long hair down the middle as it will make your face longer. If you have a square jaw, grow your hair longer than your jawline and steer clear of a bob. So, before you hit the salon, take a good hard look in the mirror, at photos and videos and ask your closest friends and family to find out your best features. Then ask your stylist for tips on how to play up your best features and play down anything that you may want to play down.
