HairStyles By Face Shape
I found this guide years ago and now I can't remember where it was that I got it from but it has helped me figure out my face shape and what cuts will look best.
The Scientific way to figure out your face shape:
A. Measure your face across the top of your cheekbones. Write down the measurement on a piece of paper.
B. Measure across your jaw line from the widest point to the widest point. Write down the measurement.
C. Measure across your forehead at the widest point. Generally the widest point will be somewhere about halfway between your eyebrows and your hairline. Write down the measurement.
D. Measure from the tip of your hairline to the bottom of your chin.
OVAL faces will have length equal to one and a half times width.
ROUND faces will be as wide as they are long. This may vary a little but generally the measurement is close.
OBLONG faces are longer than they are wide.
HEART faces are narrow at the jaw line and wide at cheekbones/and or forehead.
SQUARE faces are about as wide they are long.
OVAL
The oval face is the most versatile face. You can pull off almost any look: short, long, straight or wavy.
Styles that are flattering: Chin-skimming bobs, blunt bangs, long, beachy waves. No matter the length of your cut, you'll look best with layers near your cheekbones, lips or chin -- basically whatever feature you want to highlight. You will look best when styling your hair off your face. Most oval face shapes can wear slicked-backed looks as well.
Styles that will NOT flatter: Short layers that add height on top of your head. This will make your face appear long. If your hair is thick or curly, avoid a blunt cut. You'll look like a pyramid. Heavy bangs, or too forward-directed styles.
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ROUND
Your goal is to create less volume around the face. You also want to minimize the appearance of roundness.
Styles that are flattering: Try cuts that fall just below the chin. Soft, graduated layers are a great bet because they make your face appear slimmer and tend to remove bulk and weight from the sides. Consider wispy and tapered ends. These de-emphasize the roundness of your face. Bangs are flattering, but keep them long or sideswept. Off center parts. By layering the top to achieve fullness and keeping the rest of the cut relatively close to the face, your face shape will appear longer and narrower.
Styles that will NOT flatter: Short-short crops, straight "chopped" bangs. One-length, blunt cuts if you have short hair. Curly, short hair is also a no-no, as are center parts. These only emphasize your roundness.
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OBLONG
The perfect haircut for you is one that doesn't drag down the face, yet adds width.
Styles that are flattering: Side-swept bangs. Chin-length bobs are also ideal for you because they create the illusion of width. You will look great curly or wavy (these also add width). Fullness at the sides of your face will add width to the look of your face shape.
Styles that will NOT flatter: Stay away from extremely long or short cuts. These will make your face look even longer. Long hair looks best with a few layers cut in, especially around the face, but remember, when your hair gets past your shoulders there is a good chance it is doing you more harm than good. You might also consider a v-shaped style, where the length is mainly in the back, while the sides and front of your hair appear shorter.
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HEART
Your pointy chin tends to be the focal point of your face.
Styles that flatter: Draw attention to your eyes and cheekbones with sideswept bangs, brow-grazing fringe, a side part and hair that falls at or below your jawline.
Have short hair? Keep top layers soft and long.
Long hair? Go for long layers that graze your cheekbones.
Styles that will NOT flatter: Short, blunt-cut bangs and harsh, choppy layers. Severe, slicked back looks. If you are a dramatic heart shape, the short full styles with tapered necklines which emphasize the upper face will make you look top heavy. Height at the crown. Too much height at the crown will give the appearance of a longer and narrower chin.
==================================================
SQUARE
If you have a square face, you'll want to play down your strong, angular jaw.
Styles that flatter: Texture, in the form of curls or choppy ends, do this brilliantly. If your hair is straight you may want to consider a body wave, as some curl or wave to the hair will achieve a nice balance to the straight features of your face shape. You can also get away with short, spiky cuts and long, sleek styles with layers that start at the jawline and continue downward.
Styles that will NOT flatter: One-length bobs (especially chin-length) and blunt-cut bangs. These will make your face look even more square. You can wear a layered bob, however it should end above or below the jaw line. Make sure in styling that you achieve some roundness to the shape and some height at the crown or bangs.
The Scientific way to figure out your face shape:
A. Measure your face across the top of your cheekbones. Write down the measurement on a piece of paper.
B. Measure across your jaw line from the widest point to the widest point. Write down the measurement.
C. Measure across your forehead at the widest point. Generally the widest point will be somewhere about halfway between your eyebrows and your hairline. Write down the measurement.
D. Measure from the tip of your hairline to the bottom of your chin.
OVAL faces will have length equal to one and a half times width.
ROUND faces will be as wide as they are long. This may vary a little but generally the measurement is close.
OBLONG faces are longer than they are wide.
HEART faces are narrow at the jaw line and wide at cheekbones/and or forehead.
SQUARE faces are about as wide they are long.
OVAL
The oval face is the most versatile face. You can pull off almost any look: short, long, straight or wavy.
Styles that are flattering: Chin-skimming bobs, blunt bangs, long, beachy waves. No matter the length of your cut, you'll look best with layers near your cheekbones, lips or chin -- basically whatever feature you want to highlight. You will look best when styling your hair off your face. Most oval face shapes can wear slicked-backed looks as well.
Styles that will NOT flatter: Short layers that add height on top of your head. This will make your face appear long. If your hair is thick or curly, avoid a blunt cut. You'll look like a pyramid. Heavy bangs, or too forward-directed styles.
==================================================
ROUND
Your goal is to create less volume around the face. You also want to minimize the appearance of roundness.
Styles that are flattering: Try cuts that fall just below the chin. Soft, graduated layers are a great bet because they make your face appear slimmer and tend to remove bulk and weight from the sides. Consider wispy and tapered ends. These de-emphasize the roundness of your face. Bangs are flattering, but keep them long or sideswept. Off center parts. By layering the top to achieve fullness and keeping the rest of the cut relatively close to the face, your face shape will appear longer and narrower.
Styles that will NOT flatter: Short-short crops, straight "chopped" bangs. One-length, blunt cuts if you have short hair. Curly, short hair is also a no-no, as are center parts. These only emphasize your roundness.
==================================================
OBLONG
The perfect haircut for you is one that doesn't drag down the face, yet adds width.
Styles that are flattering: Side-swept bangs. Chin-length bobs are also ideal for you because they create the illusion of width. You will look great curly or wavy (these also add width). Fullness at the sides of your face will add width to the look of your face shape.
Styles that will NOT flatter: Stay away from extremely long or short cuts. These will make your face look even longer. Long hair looks best with a few layers cut in, especially around the face, but remember, when your hair gets past your shoulders there is a good chance it is doing you more harm than good. You might also consider a v-shaped style, where the length is mainly in the back, while the sides and front of your hair appear shorter.
==================================================
HEART
Your pointy chin tends to be the focal point of your face.
Styles that flatter: Draw attention to your eyes and cheekbones with sideswept bangs, brow-grazing fringe, a side part and hair that falls at or below your jawline.
Have short hair? Keep top layers soft and long.
Long hair? Go for long layers that graze your cheekbones.
Styles that will NOT flatter: Short, blunt-cut bangs and harsh, choppy layers. Severe, slicked back looks. If you are a dramatic heart shape, the short full styles with tapered necklines which emphasize the upper face will make you look top heavy. Height at the crown. Too much height at the crown will give the appearance of a longer and narrower chin.
==================================================
SQUARE
If you have a square face, you'll want to play down your strong, angular jaw.
Styles that flatter: Texture, in the form of curls or choppy ends, do this brilliantly. If your hair is straight you may want to consider a body wave, as some curl or wave to the hair will achieve a nice balance to the straight features of your face shape. You can also get away with short, spiky cuts and long, sleek styles with layers that start at the jawline and continue downward.
Styles that will NOT flatter: One-length bobs (especially chin-length) and blunt-cut bangs. These will make your face look even more square. You can wear a layered bob, however it should end above or below the jaw line. Make sure in styling that you achieve some roundness to the shape and some height at the crown or bangs.
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